The Houston area has many events happening to help get you in the holiday spirit, including horse-drawn carriage rides, light shows and being able to meet Santa. After the holiday spirit settles down, check out some of the New Year celebration events. Read down below for more information on the events.
Dec. 21-24: Sit with Santa
Santa Claus will be returning to Vintage Park to listen to the Christmas wishes of good children in the Spring area. He will make appearances each Saturday throughout the holiday season, and families can also check out shopping opportunities at businesses located throughout the retail center. 1-4 p.m. (Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, 10 and 17). Vintage Park Blvd., Houston. 281-655-800. www.vintageparkhouston.com
Dec. 21-24: Santa at Market Street
Santa Claus will take photos with children at Market Street through the holiday season. Pet nights are held Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 from 3 p.m. to close. Days and times vary. $35-$40. Market Street, 9595 Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands. www.shopatmarketstreet.com
Dec. 21-24: Ride in a horse-drawn carriage
Old Town Spring will be hosting its annual Home for the Holidays Christmas Spectacular featuring free horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa Claus, and live music and dance performances. Family activities, such as face painting and balloon art, will also be available while visitors shop at Old Town Spring’s variety of businesses. Festivities will be held every weekend until Christmas Eve. Free (admission). Old Town Spring, 606 Spring Cypress Road, Spring. 281-288-2355. www.oldtownspringshopping.com
Dec. 21-30: Explore a Christmas Village
Have an immersive Christmas experience at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens’ Christmas Village. Wander through a winter wonderland featuring thousands of lights throughout the 14-acre estate. Enjoy carolers, animated projections and a photo opportunity with Santa Claus. The event will be closed Dec. 24 and 25. 5:30-9 p.m. (Sun.–Thu.), 5:30-10 p.m. (Fri., Sat. and Dec. 22). $10-$15. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, 6003 Memorial Drive, Houston. 713-639-7300. www.mfah.org
Dec. 21-31: Check out a holiday pop-up shop at Asia Society Texas Center
This special holiday shop includes vintage kimonos and accessories by Kimono Zulu as well as upcycled items by Magpies & Peacocks, which took unwanted fabrics and textiles from landfills and created new clothing. The shop is open during the center’s regular hours of operation. Free (admission to pop-up shop). 1370 Southmore Blvd., Houston. 713-496-9901 www.kimonozulu.com
Dec. 21-Jan. 1: See the lights
Visit The Light Park to see holiday lights from the comfort of a vehicle. 5:30-10 p.m. (Mon.-Thu.), 5:30-11 p.m. (Fri.-Sun.). $39-plus per car. Typhoon Texas Waterpark parking lot,
555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy. www.thelightpark.com
Dec. 21-Jan. 1: Attend Memorial Park’s Deck the Park holiday lights
Light displays will be up nightly starting at sundown at the Clay Family Eastern Glades. Food trucks will be available on weekends. 4-9 p.m. $5-$10 (opening night event), free (nightly light shows). 552 E. Memorial Loop Drive, Houston. 713-863-8403. www.memorialparkconservancy.org
Dec. 21-Jan. 1: Space Center Houston Galaxy Lights
Visitors can enjoy a festive themed array of dazzling lights. 6-10 p.m. $15.95 (members), $19.95 (public). Space Center Houston. 1601 NASA Parkway, Houston. 281-283-4755. www.spacecenter.org/galaxy-lights
Dec. 21-Jan. 2: Experience the City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic
Visit eight themed holiday villages, such as the Holiday Ice Village at Discovery Green and the Land of Sweets at Hilton Americas. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Costs vary based on event. Locations vary throughout downtown Houston. www.visithoustontexas.com/citylights
Dec. 21-Jan. 7: Visit holiday in the gardens
This year’s Ice Land event will be Caribbean themed with a return of the Festival of Lights trail. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, 4-10 p.m. (Festival of Lights). $70-$100. Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston. 409-744-4673. www.moodygardens.com/holiday_season/things_to_do
Dec. 21-Jan.8: See the zoo lights
Celebrate the holidays with the Houston Zoo Lights. Experience the Holiday Grove, 33-foot-tall color-changing holiday trees, a canopy of glowing flowers and butterflies in the hanging pollinator garden, and s’mores stations. Take a photo with Santa in his workshop at Twiga Café until Dec. 23. Tickets are required for children age 2 and older. 5:30-10:30 p.m. $19.45-plus. Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston. 713-533-6500. www.houstonzoo.org
Dec. 23 See Roger Creager on Christmas Eve Eve
Corpus Christi native Roger Creager stops by Goode Co. Armadillo Palace for a piano bar show. Guests are encouraged join in for singalongs as the songwriter runs through tales of adventure, traveling the world and his South Texas roots. 9:30 pm (doors open at 8 pm). $25 (in advance), $30 (at the door). Goode Co. Armadillo Palace, 5015 Kirby Drive, Houston. 713-526-9700. www.thearmadillopalace.com
Dec. 29: See the Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra comes to Houston’s Toyota Center for two concerts as part of the classic rock band’s “The Ghost of Christmas Eve” tour. TSO will donate at least $1 from every ticket sold to a local charity. 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m. $39-plus. Toyota Center, 1510 Polk St., Houston. 713-758-7200. www.toyotacenter.com
Dec. 31: Ring in the new year
Ring in the new year with The Four Freshman at this concert hosted by the Cypress Creek Foundation for the Arts and Community Enrichment. Dubbed “America’s most enduring vocal group,” The Four Freshman’s repertoire includes pop and jazz standards from the Great American Songbook Classics. 8 p.m. $45-$75. The Centrum, 6823 Cypresswood Drive, Spring. 281-440-4850. www.cypresscreekface.org
Dec. 31: Celebrate 2023 early
Visit CityCentre to get a head start on celebrating the new year at Noon Year’s Eve. At this family-friendly event, attendees can dance with a DJ and celebrate the noon hour with bubbles. The event features face painting, temporary tattoos, balloons, caricature artists and a photo booth. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. CityCentre, 800 Town and Country Blvd., Houston. 713-463-4692. www.citycentrehouston.com
Dec. 31: Play poker
Play craps, poker, blackjack and roulette at a New Year’s Eve Harlem Night Comedy Casino Party hosted by Comedian Stick. Tickets include dinner and a champagne toast, and attendees are encouraged to dress in “Harlem nights” attire. 8 p.m.-midnight. $50-$75. Komedy Lounge, 5060 FM 1960 W., Houston. 281-624-7654. www.komedylounge.com
Dec. 31: Celebrate the new year
Ring in the new year with a New Year’s Eve concert at CityCentre. Start the afternoon with a performance by Jon David Finney from 3-4 p.m. before the Mockingbirds take the stage from 5-8 p.m. A photo booth will be available all evening. Fireworks will not be at the event. 3-8 p.m. Free. CityCentre, 800 Town and Country Blvd., Houston. 713-463-4692. www.citycentrehouston.com
Dec. 31: Attend a New Year’s Eve party
Kick off 2023 with the Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce’s first New Year’s Eve Party. Enjoy live music, dancing, heavy appetizers, a champagne toast and a cash bar. Free parking is available. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $75. Agave Estates, 1250 FM 1463, Katy. 832-600-3221. www.fulshearkaty.com