These are the best family-friendly holiday events in Houston this season

Holidays in Houston means a diverse choosing for you and your family. Choose between a holiday light show, theatre performances, shopping events and much more.

Learn more about what each event offers and additional information.

Radiant Nature

Radiant Nature, presented by Reliant, is a Chinese lantern festival at the Houston Botanic Garden celebrating the Lunar New Year. The installation includes a Chinese temple, pandas with bamboo, a geometric dome and more. There will also be an interactive zone featuring a lit-up swing and an angel wing photo spot.

Radiant Nature begins Nov. 8 and runs through Feb. 23, 2025. Hours are 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. If you purchase your tickets before Oct. 31, you can receive 10% off discount. Tickets are $28.50 per person, and children under 2 enter for free.

Location: 1 Botanic Lane, Houston

Moody Gardens Festival of Lights

Located at Moody Gardens, the Festival of Lights offers families and groups a two-mile-long stroll featuring more than two million lights, Star the Dancing Tree of Light, hot chocolate, s’mores, mistletoe and plenty of photo opportunities.

The event runs from Nov. 23 to Jan. 1, 2025, starting at 5:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary by age. Admission for ages 13-64 is $29 per person, while tickets for children ages 4-12 and seniors 65+ are $25 per person. From Dec. 2-5, 9-12, and 16-19, tickets are discounted, with adult tickets at $25 and children & seniors at $21 per person. Tickets include entry to the Festival of Lights trail, access to the ice skating rink, four trips down the Arctic Slide, and one ride on the kiddie train. You can buy your tickets here.

Location: One Hope Blvd., Galveston

Deck the Trees at Alley Theatre

The Alley Theatre will host its annual tree decorating event at the Alley Theatre and the George R. Brown Convention Center. This holiday experience runs from Nov. 17 to Jan. 1, 2025, and celebrates Houston’s arts and culture through various tree designs. This year, there will be 40 different trees and wreaths, each adorned by a renowned designer. The event is free to the public and can be viewed at any time.

Location: Alley Theatre (615 Texas Ave., Houston) and George R. Brown Convention Center (1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston)

The Nutcracker Market

The Nutcracker Market, located at NRG Center, is the perfect opportunity to get your holiday shopping done early. Hundreds of local merchants come together for this weekend event, allowing customers to choose from holiday decorations, food, clothing, jewelry and much more. You can look through the list of vendors here.

This shopping extravaganza runs from Nov. 14 to Nov. 17. Tickets are available for purchase on Ticketmaster, at H-E-B business centers or at the door, and provide one-day admission. You can choose between general admission for $20 or early bird admission for $60 on Nov. 14 and 15. Children under 2 get in for free. General admission is from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and early bird admission begins at 8:30 a.m.

Location: NRG Park, 1 Fannin St., Houston

A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas

The Alley Theatre will present its own rendition of the holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. Take a holiday journey with Ebenezer Scrooge during this 2-hour and 15-minute performance that features original music. Children under 6 will not be admitted to the theater.

The show runs from Nov. 15 to Dec. 29 at the Hubbard Theatre. Performances are on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with additional showings during December. Shows begin at 7 p.m. on Fridays, 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays. Ticket prices range from $33 to $105 based on seating areas and show days. You can purchase tickets here.

Location: 615 Texas Ave., Houston

Houston Ballet – The Nutcracker

Houston Ballet will be putting on their holiday tradition of The Nutcracker from Nov. 29 to Dec. 29. The timeless classic brings you through the journey of The Nutcracker and Clara as they navigate through the Kingdom of Sweets. This play is the perfect family event or a date night activity.

Shows are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with additional shows on Dec. 12, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24 and 26. The ballet also offers value days on Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19 and 27, which offer reduced prices to ballet goers. You can purchase tickets here. Ticket prices range from $35 – $220 and you can click here for Value Day prices.

Location: 601 Preston St., Houston

Houston’s 12k of Christmas

In its 11th year, the Houston 12K of Christmas helps spread holiday cheer through running. Dust off your running shoes and participate in this new Houston holiday tradition on Dec. 21. Participants can choose between a 12K, 6K, or a Kids K. The 12K starts at 7:30 a.m., while the 6K and Kids K kick off at 9:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., respectively.

All participants receive a chip-timed race, Houston’s 12K of Christmas finisher medal and a unisex T-shirt. The holiday spirit will be evident with appearances by Santa and his elves, as well as Christmas carolers. After the race, participants can also enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, along with cold Karbach beer for those 21 and older. Price breakdowns can be found here.

Location: Sam Houston Park – 1000 Bagby St., Houston

Home for the Holidays Gift Market

Head to Humble, Texas, for this holiday shopping experience. With over 100 merchants to shop from, you’re guaranteed to find new and unique gifts for your holiday presents. Find out who will be there by checking out the participating vendors list. You can also get your photo with Santa at the market or take a family photo at the photo booth. Food trucks will be available on-site for a lunch break or a snack. Parking is also free for customers.

The event will run from Nov. 22 to 24. Hours and pricing vary depending on the day and are as follows: Friday: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – $10 per person, Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – $6 per person, Sunday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – $6 per person

Location: Humble Civic Center – 8233 Will Clayton Pkwy., Humble

Tamale Festival Houston

The 13th annual Tamale Festival Houston will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7 at The Esplanade at Navigation. While tamales from a variety of Latino cultures will take center stage, guests can also enjoy live music throughout the event. Beyond tamales, there will be a diverse array of food offerings, including Texas BBQ, food trucks, and fairground food.

Official times for this year’s event have yet to be announced, but last year the festival ran from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Keep an eye out for ticket and event time announcements—this is one festival you won’t want to miss!

Location: 2600 Navigation Blvd., Houston

Annual Candlelight Tour in the Park

Presented by The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park, this holiday tradition is a can’t-miss event for the whole family. Taking place on Dec. 6 & 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., guests can drop by anytime during the festivities. In addition to the tour, you can also enjoy the Mayor’s Annual Tree Lighting and Winter Wanderland on Bagby Street, which occur the same evening.

Tickets include cookies and hot chocolate, and for those 21 and over, wine or champagne will be served in the museum gallery during the Houston Heartstrings reception. Ticket pricing is as follows: Adults (18+): $20, Children (5-18): $10, children under five get in free.

Location: 1100 Bagby St., Houston

Ice at Discovery Green

Houston’s only outdoor skating rink has returned to Discovery Green for another season, offering a fun, eco-friendly experience. The rink uses equipment powered by renewable energy, and even the ice rink’s border is made from recycled plastic. The rink will be open from Nov. 15 to Feb. 2, 2025.

To participate, skaters must sign an online waiver and purchase tickets in advance. Tickets cost $18 plus tax, which includes 75 minutes on the rink and skate rental. Guests under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult. For a discounted experience, take advantage of Cheap Skate Mondays on select dates when tickets are just $9 plus tax. These discounted Mondays include Nov. 18, Dec. 2, 9, 16, and Jan. 13 & 27.

Location: 1500 McKinney St., Houston

Zoo Lights

The Houston Zoo, in partnership with TXU Energy, presents Zoo Lights, transforming the zoo into a holiday wonderland with over 300,000 LED lights, 50 animal-themed displays, and 15 miles of illuminated trees. Stroll through the festive atmosphere, enjoy a hot chocolate, and take in the seasonal songs and light shows as you explore the various dazzling displays.

Zoo Lights runs from Nov. 22 to Jan. 5, 2025, with ticket prices varying by day and time. You can check here for the most accurate pricing.

Location: 6200 Hermann Park Dr., Houston

Dickens on the Strand

Dickens on the Strand is marking its 51st anniversary from December 6-8 with a celebration steeped in 19th-century Victorian London traditions. This beloved holiday event offers family-friendly programming, live entertainment, and a variety of special events. Guests can enjoy parades, performances and non-stop entertainment across four stages.

Friday admission is free, running from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, ticket prices are $20 for adults and $13 for youths (ages 7-12). Children aged five and under get in for free. Saturday’s festivities run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday’s events take place from noon to 6 p.m.

Location: 2002 Strand, Galveston

Annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade

Celebrate the 63rd Anniversary of the Christmas Boat Lane Parade on December 14, an iconic event organized by the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Drawing more than 100,000 spectators, this festive parade is enjoyed both on land and by hundreds of boats anchored throughout Clear Lake. The parade route runs along the Clear Lake channel, starting from the South Shore Harbour Marina and Nassau Bay Lagoon, all the way to Galveston Bay.

The event kicks off with fireworks at 6 p.m. from Nassau Bay Lagoon, and by 7 p.m., the illuminated boat parade will reach the Seabrook and Kemah Boardwalk areas. Public viewing is at Kemah Boardwalk, both sides of the Kemah/Seabrook Channel, Nassau Bay Lagoon, South Shore Harbour Marina, Clear Lake Shores
and Davis Road Canal. Don’t miss this spectacular holiday tradition filled with lights, fun and excitement.

Location: 2500 South Shore Blvd., League City