You can expect anything but a white Christmas in Houston. In fact, you can welcome Santa in this Texan city at a temperature of about 80 degrees. However, the city offers you the best discount deals and has the right spirit of celebrating the festive seasons in full swing.
Houston will definitely surprise you, from fascinating zoo lights at night and unique historic homes to iconic museums and vast baseball fields. It doesn’t end here, as the performing arts scene in Downtown Houston is another thing you can look forward to this December. Similarly, annual ice skating in Discovery Green offers a great combination of relaxing weekends and holiday cheer.
In addition to downtown, you can experience holiday action and festivities in plenty of suburbs and neighborhoods around Houston. So, if you’re looking to enjoy some of the best seasonal festivals the next month, the Texan city will not disappoint you. The diverse and vibrant community, exciting events, and extraordinary people in Houston make the town worth visiting during this holiday season.
Don’t worry if this is your first visit to this Texan city or you call it home. We’re here to guide you. Check out this list of the most exciting art exhibits, museums, and live events scheduled for December 2021.
Dickens on the Strand
Dickens on the Strand is an annual holiday street event historically based on the nineteenth-century Victorian era. The exciting street festival features non-stop entertainment in the form of parades, roving musicians, jugglers, strolling carolers, bagpipers, and other entertainers.
The event will be held at Galveston, just 80 km from Houston Downtown, and you can attend the street festival from December 3 to December 5, 2021, at 502 20th St, Galveston, from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Website: https://www.galvestonhistory.org/events/dickens-on-the-strand
Tomball German Christmas Market and Festival
German Market Festival is an enjoyable celebration you can attend this holiday season on the Downtown Street of Tomball. You can have a blast at this festival with tons of exciting activities.
Don’t worry if you’re not German; the market festival welcomes all in pure Texan style and lets people make the most of their holiday night. Make sure you attend the festival from December 3 to December 12 at the old Downtown Street of Tomball, TX, near 201 S Elm St. Main St from 10 am to 11 pm and Sunday 10 am – 7 pm.
Website: https://www.tomballgermanfest.org/
Annual Christmas Lane Parade by Kemah League
If you want to spend your holiday nights enjoying the shores, you can visit the annual Christmas Lane Parade at Bay area Houston. You can either watch or participate in the parade featuring hundred festively decorated boats around Clear Lake.
The parade is a unique and fantastic way to watch the Clear Lake Channels in front of the beautiful Kemah at South Shore Harbour Marina on December 11, 2021, from 6 pm.
Website: https://www.clearlakearea.com/events/annual-events/christmas-boat-parade/
Tamale Festival Houston
Are you fond of great music and good food? If so, don’t miss the fun at the Tamale Festival. The festival is a real adventure for music lovers where they can enjoy a variety of music genres and Latino cultures, along with great Texas food trucks, BBQ, and fairgrounds at 2900 Clinton Dr, Houston, TX 77020 from November 13 to December 25 (10 am until 4 pm).
Website: https://tamalefestivalhouston.com/
Candlelight Tour in the Park
Sam Houston Park is famous for its historic clustered homes in downtown. The wonderful park opens its door for the annual heritage Candlelight Tour. Families can hear the stories of Houston’s unique past through skits, entertainment, and tours on December 12 at West 43rd Street and West T.C. Jester Boulevard from 10 am to 11 pm.
Website: https://www.heritagesociety.org/annual-candlelight-tour
Magical Lights in winter
In South Houston, La Marque presents the best holiday light displays. Thefestival offers 20 acres of lantern view with more than a hundred themed displays in different areas. The sky lit with lanterns looks like a mini Christmas village from November 19, 2021, to January 2, 2022 (Sun to Thurs 5 pm – 10 pm) at Houston Raceway.
The event runs for more than 50 days, including stunning acrobatic performances, mind-blowing Chinese arts, crafts, and carnival rides. The lantern festival is one-of-its-kind and offers you a light display you have never experienced before in Houston.
Tip: Leave early for the festival if you plan to visit on a weekday to avoid traffic on the route to La Marque.
Website: https://magicalwinterlights.com
Discovery Green Park
Though the temperature in Houston may go up to 64 degrees in December, it doesn’t stop Houstonians from enjoying the chilly season. The Kinder Lake boat area located in Discovery green turns into a picturesque skating rink. You can also enjoy some amazing free activities there. This is the best place where you can truly enjoy the cold season, even on some warm winter days.
Visit the park at 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010 from November 9, 2021, to January 29, 2022, from 6 am to 11 pm.
Website: https://www.discoverygreen.com
Houston Ballet
The Nutcracker (Stanton Welch’s production) takes to the grand stage at the beautiful Wrotham Theatre Centre Houston during a festive season. In fact, the entire staff of the Houston Ballet performs alongside learners and students from the academy.
And that is what brings the holiday tale to life. If you’re visiting the place with your kids, it is surely an incredible place to introduce them to ballet art.
The Nutcracker makes a quintessential holiday and a yearly ritual for many families. So don’t miss out on the matinee performances on weekends that happen throughout December (November 26 – December 24, 2021) at 601 Preston Street of downtown Houston’s Theater District from 7.30 pm onwards.
Website: https://www.houstonballet.org/
Bayou Bend Collection and Garden
Bayou Bend is spectacular regardless of when you visit. However, it is extraordinary during the festivals when the famous estates transform into a winter wonderland for the annual Christmas Village. Thousands of skylights illuminate the huge 14-acre land, showcasing a handcrafted model train and a 12-foot Christmas tree.
You can take tons of pictures with Santa and enjoy yourself in carolers, roaming the grounds. Moreover, the estate arranges a variety of unique activities perfect for enjoying the season. That means you can do everything from tossing cozy snowballs to sledding down a snow slide at Bayou Bend.
In addition to that, the house tours take on a unique theatrical note at this time of the year. Bayou Bend uses the prettiest lights that are free for children under five years of age. Make sure you take a holiday-themed tour of the house. It is upgraded with an immersive theoretical put-on.
The garden is located at 6003 Memorial Dr, Houston; TX 77007. It is open throughout December from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 11 pm.
Website: https://www.mfah.org/visit/bayou-bend-collection-and-gardens
Summing Up
You should take some time this year to spend in Houston to explore the vibrant and exciting places, events, and shows. Whether it is an art fair or a cultural festival, the city is full of unique venues you can enjoy with friends and family.
