Hi friends,
Winter in Houston is the perfect time to explore, celebrate, and make memories! From festive events and local festivals to cozy hangouts and must-visit spots, there’s so much to do this season. Whether you're hunting for holiday lights, enjoying seasonal treats, or checking out fun family activities, this guide has all the best places to visit and things to do.
Let’s dive into the ultimate winter bucket list and make this season unforgettable in Houston, Texas!
Fun Things to Do This Winter in Houston, Texas
Attend a Holiday Light Show
- City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic – Downtown Houston, Houston, TX
City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic, presented by Shell Energy, is turning Downtown Houston into a winter wonderland with 11 unique themed villages. Open to the public and mostly free, this magical event features an ice-skating rink, dazzling light displays, and festive activities for the entire family. Join the holiday fun from November 22 through December 31, 2024!
- The Light Park – Typhoon Texas Waterpark Parking Lot 555 Katy Fort Bend Rd Katy, TX 77494
The Light Park in Katy, TX, is a dazzling drive-thru holiday experience filled with millions of synchronized lights, festive music, and vibrant displays. Perfect for families and friends, this seasonal attraction offers an enchanting journey through an illuminated wonderland. Conveniently located at Typhoon Texas, it's a must-visit spot to celebrate the holiday spirit.
- Sugar Land Holiday Lights – 1 Stadium Dr, Sugar Land, TX 77498
The 11th Annual Sugar Land Holiday Lights, presented by Houston Methodist, returns to Constellation Field from November 15 to January 5! Experience the magic of over 3.5 million lights, a dazzling 40-ft. lighted tree, captivating light shows, themed displays, holiday vendors, delicious food, and visits with Santa Claus (through December 23). New for 2024, enjoy a synthetic ice rink on the field every night and a carnival through January 1, featuring rides like a Ferris wheel, carousel, fun slide, and more. Bring friends and family for a festive holiday experience to remember!
- Magical Winter Lights – Fort Bend County Fairgrounds
Magical Winter Lights at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, less than an hour away, is a spectacular lantern festival featuring stunning themed displays, cultural performances, and interactive attractions. Spanning several acres, it offers a magical blend of art and tradition with sections like Dinosaur Land, the Magical Wonderland, and holiday-themed exhibits. Perfect for all ages, it’s a unique way to celebrate the festive season.
Attend a Winter Festival
- Winter Holiday Festival at Bear Creek Park – Bear Creek Pioneers Park 15015 Clay Road Houston ,TX 77084
Save the date for the Harris County Precinct 4 Winter Holiday Festival on Saturday, December 14, 2024, from 12–3 PM at Bear Creek Pioneers Park! Enjoy family fun with photos with Santa, balloon artists, face painting, food trucks, and festive activities. Community partners will offer free pet adoptions, vaccinations, health resources, and voter registration. Best of all, it’s free!
- Home for the Holidays in Old Town Spring -403 Main St, Spring, TX 77373
Mark your calendar! The 44th Annual Old Town Spring Home for the Holidays is back, running every weekend from November 9, 2024, through Christmas. This charming hometown festival features a dazzling display of twinkling lights, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and festive photos with Santa—perfect for making lasting holiday memories!
- 4th annual Santa Dash Fun Run Festival – Sugar Land Memorial Park, 15300 University Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479
Join the 4th annual Santa Dash Fun Run Festival on December 9th for a holiday-themed 1-mile Kiddie Dash and 5K Adult Run amidst dazzling Christmas lights, festive inflatables, and cheerful tunes. Dress as Santa and spread holiday joy while supporting underprivileged kids through the RUN-TO-GIVE-BACK toy drive. Participants receive a T-shirt, festive accessories, a custom medal, a race bib, free race photos, hot chocolate, and a post-race beverage. Don't miss this magical event—sign up today and make merry memories!
- LA CENTERRA KATY TX-HOLIDAY WINTER FESTIVAL-FARMERS MARKET – 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd Katy, TX 77494
Save the date for an unforgettable experience at the BIGGEST Holiday Winter Festival Farmers Market this Sunday, December 22, from 11 AM to 4 PM! Step into a snowy wonderland where faux snow drifts as you shop, live Christmas music fills the air, and the aroma of fresh-baked treats surrounds you. Discover over 60 vendors, a 30-foot Seasonal Veggie Table, and festive vibes perfect for finding unique gifts, farm-fresh ingredients, and creating heartwarming holiday memories. Kids will enjoy the Santa Letter Station, Faux Snow Park, and free buttery popcorn, while you soak in live music, exciting Holiday Bingo, giveaways, and seasonal shopping!
Outdoor Fun
- Memorial City – Memorial City Mall 303 Memorial City Houston, TX 77024
Step into a world of holiday magic at Coca-Cola's Classic Christmas at Memorial City Mall from November 16, 2024, to December 29, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Created by the makers of the renowned World's Largest Christmas Light Maze, Enchant Christmas, this immersive holiday experience features dazzling light displays, a festive market square, a snow slide, live entertainment, and more. Create unforgettable moments of joy, togetherness, and wonder at this one-of-a-kind holiday destination.
- Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo – Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
The Houston Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of twinkling lights, animal-themed lanterns, and festive decorations. Explore the Holiday Grove, wander through the Enchanted Forest, and snap photos with Santa, available through December 23.
- ARTECHOUSE: Houston Holiday Spectacular – Artechouse Houston 600 West 6th Street Houston, TX 77007
ARTECHOUSE invites you to the first-ever Houston Holiday Spectacular—a breathtaking, immersive experience that combines art, technology, and interactive design to bring the magic of the season to life. Perfect for all ages, this limited-run exhibit captures holiday nostalgia, relaxation, and festive wonder through stunning digital landscapes reimagining iconic holiday and ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) themes.
Go to Live Music
- A Christmas Carol at Alley Theatre – Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002
Enjoy the classic tale of A Christmas Carol with rich Victorian costumes, magical elements, and beautifully sung holiday carols. Running from November 15 to December 29, 2024, this beloved Houston tradition is not to be missed.
- Very Merry Pops – 615 Louisiana Street Houston, Texas 77002
Celebrate Houston's favorite holiday music tradition! Join the Symphony and Tony-nominated Broadway star Betsy Wolfe for an enchanting concert filled with beloved carols and holiday songs sure to spark your festive spirit. With a spectacular chorus and a special visit from the North Pole, this magical event is perfect for the whole family. Mark your calendar for December 12, 14, and 15, 2024!
Christmas Market
- Holiday Market at Houston Toy Museum – 321 West 19th Street Suite C Houston, TX 77008
Explore the Holiday Market at Houston Toy Museum on Saturday, December 14, from 10 AM to 6 PM! Enjoy local vendors, pop culture delights, unique art, festive photo ops, kids' activities, a toy drive, and so much more—all for just $5 entry. Don't miss this family-friendly event packed with holiday cheer!
- Hollydays Market at Fort Bend County Fairgrounds – 4310 TX-36 S, Rosenberg, TX 77471
Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8 – Discover over 130 vendors across three indoor buildings at this 3-day market event, offering unique and one-of-a-kind gifts perfect for all your festive celebrations. Tickets start at just $6. Hours: Friday, noon to 6 PM; Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM; Sunday, 11 AM to 4 PM.
- Katy Old Fashioned Christmas – 5717 2nd Street Katy ,TX 77493
Experience the 14th Annual Katy Old Fashioned Christmas on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Limited Edition Art & Antiques! Enjoy a day packed with holiday cheer, featuring 225 vendors, tasty food trucks, live entertainment, a beer garden, a free foam snow park, inflatables for the kids, a visit from Santa, and countless surprises to make your season magical.
- LA CENTERRA KATY TX-HOLIDAY WINTER FESTIVAL-FARMERS MARKET – 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd Katy, TX 77494
Save the date for an unforgettable experience at the BIGGEST Holiday Winter Festival Farmers Market this Sunday, December 22, from 11 AM to 4 PM! Step into a snowy wonderland where faux snow drifts as you shop, live Christmas music fills the air, and the aroma of fresh-baked treats surrounds you. Discover over 60 vendors, a 30-foot Seasonal Veggie Table, and festive vibes perfect for finding unique gifts, farm-fresh ingredients, and creating heartwarming holiday memories. Kids will enjoy the Santa Letter Station, Faux Snow Park, and free buttery popcorn, while you soak in live music, exciting Holiday Bingo, giveaways, and seasonal shopping!
Charitable Acts
- The Big Wrap: Community Night of Giving – 5922 Washington Avenue Houston, TX 77007
Join the special holiday event at Forget Me Not, transformed into a festive workshop filled with great music, delicious food and drinks, and a warm sense of community. Bring a toy to donate and help wrap gifts for kids who might otherwise miss out on the joy of the season—or simply join the festivities as we prepare these special packages. Let’s share laughs, meet new friends, and celebrate the spirit of giving back, one gift at a time!
- Santa Dash 1K/5K Fun Run & Holiday Toy Drive 2024 – Sugar Land Memorial Park, 15300 University Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479
Join the 4th annual Santa Dash Fun Run Festival on December 9th for a holiday-themed 1-mile Kiddie Dash and 5K Adult Run amidst dazzling Christmas lights, festive inflatables, and cheerful tunes. Dress as Santa and spread holiday joy while supporting underprivileged kids through the RUN-TO-GIVE-BACK toy drive. Participants receive a T-shirt, festive accessories, a custom medal, a race bib, free race photos, hot chocolate, and a post-race beverage. Don't miss this magical event—sign up today and make merry memories!
- Christmas Toy Drive 2024 – Katy Police Department – 5456, Franz Rd, Katy, TX 77493
It’s the season of giving! Help spread holiday cheer by participating in our annual toy drive, running now through December 13th. Drop off new, unwrapped toys at the Katy Police Department lobby and make a child’s holiday brighter.
Church Events
- Champion Forest Baptist Church – Sugar Land Campus, Sugar Land, TX
Experience the magic of the holiday season at Christmas Spectacular 2024! This 90-minute family-friendly show celebrates the birth of Jesus with stunning Broadway-style performances, captivating dances, dazzling lights, and special effects. Bring your loved ones and immerse yourself in the joy and true meaning of Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7 PM or Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3 PM.
- Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church – 11612 Memorial Dr. Houston, TX 77024
Celebrate the Christmas season with a day of family fun—rain or shine! Enjoy a petting zoo, inflatables, live music, games, crafts, and more. This free festival is open to everyone, so don’t miss out on the holiday cheer! Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
Upcoming New Year's Event
- New Year's Eve Downtown – Downtown, Houston, United States
Downtown Houston will come alive with the energy, excitement, and unity that define the city, offering everything from free events to exclusive parties. Celebrate the New Year with friends, family, and the entire community as we count down to midnight together! 🎊✨ Tuesday, December 31, 2024, 8:00 PM to Wednesday, January 1, 2025, 2:00 AM.
Thank You!
I hope you have found this blog post super helpful. If there is anything else we can do for you, including helping you sell (or buy) a home, I would be honored to assist. I hope you have a great day/evening. Cheers, E + J.
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Schedule a call at https://byjoandco.com/call or email me at [email protected].
We are so happy you found our little corner of the interwebs. We look forward to y'all reaching out to us. We love to answer questions and welcome them. Recently we created some local maps, and you can download those by clicking the image/link above. Below, you will find an index of some very helpful information to assist you in learning more about the Houston suburbs. If you are relocating to our neck of the woods, we hope you reach out to us, because we would love to help you by being your local realtor and friend. Thoughtfully written for you. Hugs, Jo.
We are Waiting for You
If you are looking to relocate to the Houston Area, we would love to meet you, and hear your story. Below you will find all of my contact information, as well as some homes for sale in the area. We truly look forward to hearing from you! P.S. Don't forget to check out our YouTube Channel!
If you are overwhelmed…
Now if you are feeling overwhelmed on where you should plant your roots, I would love to talk to you. You can schedule a call with me by clicking this link: http://byjoandco.com/call or just send us an email: [email protected]. There are some amazing communities all over the Houston suburbs. In this post, https://search.byjoandco.com/blog/best-neighborhoods-in-houston/, I deep dive into all the different suburbs/neighborhoods that you might want to consider, and why. There are many resources here, so please reach out if you are curious about what to look at next! Thank you for trusting us.
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