FAMILY FUN
Holiday Market at The Lawn
An artisan market by Memorial City and Pop Shop America that features holiday shopping, gift wrapping, food, a hot chocolate bar, appearances by Santa and musical performances. When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday Where: The Lawn at Memorial City, 971 Bunker Hill Information: memorialcity.com
Breakfast with Santa
A family-friendly breakfast buffet with Santa and Sharkey at the Downtown Aquarium. When: 8 a.m. Saturday Where: 410 Bagby Tickets: $13.99-$19.99; aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumhouston
Gingerbread Build-Off
Competing teams will create gingerbread masterpieces while attendees cheer, play in the construction zone and meet Santa. When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday Where: Hermann Square Park, 900 Smith Information: aiahouston.org
Traders Village Toy Fair
Vendors will be selling collectibles, toys, comic books and video games. When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Where: Traders Village, 7979 N. Eldridge Parkway Information: $4 parking; tradersvillage.com/houston
Burtonesque Christmas Nightmare
A Tim Burton-themed market featuring local art, music, food trucks and face painting. When: 11 a.m. Saturday Where: 2600 Navigation Information: facebook.com/ events/498779720455616
Heartmade Holiday Market
Market features local arts and crafts with work ranging from jewelry and apparel, live music, strolling Christmas carolers, food trucks and photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus. When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday Where: Main Street Square, 1000 Main Information: heartmadehouston.com
HTX Boss Babes Holiday Market
Holiday market that features local women-owned businesses and vendors, food, drinks, music and family fun. When: 3-9 p.m. Saturday Where: 1201 Main Information: htxbossbabes.com
Jingle & Mingle
Enjoy live music, snowfall, appearances by the Memorial City reindeer and a beer and wine selection. When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday Where: 303 Memorial City Way Information: memorialcity.com
Flea by Night
Outdoor market features work by local artisans, artful kitsch, vintage, antiques and other treasures, plus live music and food trucks. When: 6-10 p.m. Saturday Where: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney Information: discoverygreen.com
Chanukah Workshop
The Jewish Community Center leads traditional Hanukkah games and activities, focusing on the dreidel game at The Children’s Museum. When: 1-3 p.m. Sunday Where: 1500 Binz Tickets: $12; cmhouston.org
Father Frost Winter Holiday Market
Holiday market with Christmas decorations, Russian souvenirs, local art, Russian pastries for sale and an appearance by Father Frost. When: 1-5 p.m. Sunday Where: Russian Cultural Center, 2337 Bissonnet Information: facebook.com/ events/294724194354901
BAYTOWN
Baytown Christmas Parade
Spectators will enjoy watching lighted floats, decorated vehicles, marching groups, school bands and Santa Claus, other features include food trucks, children activities, ice skating and a tree lighting. When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday Where: Market Street and Texas Avenue Information: baytown.org
THE KEMAH BOARDWALK IS A FINE SPOT TO TAKE IN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON DURING THE CHRISTMAS BOAT LANE PARADE
BELLAIRE
Bellaire Chanukah Festival An outdoor family-friendly festival with acrobatic performances, food, carnival booths, trampolines and the lighting of the Bellaire menorah. When: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday Where: Bellaire Town Square, 7001 Fifth Information: $8-$10; jewishbellaire.com
CONROE
Celebrating the Holidays A presentation by the Conroe Symphony Orchestra with the Musical Styling’s of Sal Viviano accompanied by Hubert “Tex” Arnold, pianist and composer. When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Conroe High School, 3200 W. Davis Tickets: $5-$15; conroesymphony.org
GALVESTON
Galveston Holiday in the Park Family event with festive holiday tunes from local and area school choirs, bands and church choirs. When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday Where: Saengerfest Park, 2300 Strand Information: galvestonholidayinthepark.com
Holiday Cheer on the Pier Enjoy holiday-themed activities, movies and a visit with Santa Claus at the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. When: 11 a.m. Saturday Where: 2501 Seawall Information: facebook.com/ events/167748667149584
Bishop’s Palace Holiday Lights Tour A special series of tours showing off the Palace’s holiday and Christmas decorations. When: 6 p.m. Saturday Where: 1402 Broadway Tickets: $15-$30; facebook.com/ events/543255679349139
HUMBLE
Second Saturday Settlers: Homestead Holiday Join park staff and volunteers for homemade cookies and wassail as the Redbud Hill Homestead comes to life with oldfashioned Christmas traditions, including old Saint Nicholas. When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday Where: Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Information: hcp4.net/community/ parks/jones
KATY
Polar Plunge Icy-cold water awaits those who are brave enough to take part in the annual Special Olympics Texas Polar Plunge at Typhoon Texas. When: 9 a.m. Saturday Where: 555 South Katy Fort Bend Road Tickets: $30-$60; sotx.org/events/polar-plunge
KEMAH
Jingle on the Boardwalk Play in the snow at the Kemah Boardwalk during this holiday party that includes Santa’s Workshop, live music and a screening of Disney’s “Frozen Sing-ALong.” When: 1-9 p.m. Saturday Where: 215 Kipp Information: kemahboardwalk.com
Christmas Boat Lane Parade Decorated boats of all sizes will parade from South Shore Harbour Marina and Nassau Bay Lagoon, through the Clear Creek Channel, out into Galveston Bay. When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Kemah Boardwalk, 215 Kipp Information: facebook.com/ events/126889674725496
SUGAR LAND
Christmas Tree Lighting 2017 Event features holiday crafts, face painting, performances by local artists and choirs, photos with Santa, food and beverages for purchase and Sugar Land Town Square’s tree lighting. When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday Where: 2711 Plaza • Information: GO • sugarlandtownsquare. com Giant Menorah Lighting A celebration of Chanukah and the lighting of the giant menorah with Chabad, with arts and crafts for children, Israeli food, performances, music and dancing. When: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday Where: Sugar Land Town Square, 15958 City Walk Information: sugarlandtownsquare.com
RICHMOND
Christmas in the Park A festive hayride that explores holiday customs and decorations from the years of 1830-1930. When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday Where: George Ranch Historical Park, 10215 FM 762 Tickets: $5-$10; georgeranch.org
SHENANDOAH
Annual Gathering of Poets Led by Dave Parsons and by Dede Fox, Texas poets will read their work and an Emily Dickinson poem, in honor of her birthday. When: 7 p.m. Thursday Where: Casa Medina Mexican Restaurant, 28777 Interstate 45 N. Information: 936-524-6537
TOMBALL
German Christmas Market & Festival A Texas-style Christmas market, with vendors, antiques, live music, dancing, street performers, traditional German food and drinks. When: 6-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday Where: Old Town Tomball, 201 S. Elm Information: tomballgermanchristmasmarket.com
Market Days Spread Holiday Cheer Features holiday vendors, food, children activities, a cowboy Santa and performances by Off the Wall-er Theatre. When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday Where: Market Days Rosehill Junction, 22019 Decker Prairie Rosehill Information: facebook.com/ events/1436942806397782