We made it to another holiday season and I am THRILLED. I absolutely love Houston during the holidays — a full month of Christmas lights, hot drinks, and spending time with friends and family. Of course, we might not get the winter wonderland weather, but there is SO stinking much to do. I’m overwhelmed just thinking about it!

Hopefully this helps you navigate the holiday season!

Get lit.

Why not start with one of my absolute fave things about the holidays — Christmas Lights!!! I mean, the one silver lining to the sun going down before you even wrap up your workday is that it’s even more time to check out some lights!

• Galaxy Lights at the Johnson Space Center. Nov. 13 – Jan. 2. 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Closed Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 24 & 25). $20 tickets.
• Zoo Lights. November 15, 2021 – January 9. 5:30-10:30 p.m., last entry at 9:30 p.m. Buy early for the best price! Tickets from $18.95.
• Lightscape at the Houston Botanic Gardens. November 19, 2021 – January 2, 2022 5:45 – 11 p.m. (Not operating Nov. 22-23, 29-30;Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 24-25.) $23 tickets.
• Moody Gardens Festival of Lights. November 20, 2021 – January 2, 2022. $22 tickets.
• Sugar Land Holiday Lights on Constellation Field. NOV 19th – JAN 9th. OPEN 6 P.M.-9 PM SUNDAY – THURSDAY AND 6 P.M.-10P.M. FRIDAY, SATURDAY & HOLIDAYS. $15 tickets.
• Magical Winter Lights in Baytown. Nov 19, 2021 – Jan 2, 2022 Open daily including all holidays @ HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK. $23.50 tickets.

See a show.

There are some incredible shows through December — some holiday themed and some not!

• A Christmas Carol at The Alley Theatre. NOVEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 29, 2021. Tickets from $39.
• Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria. November 13, 2021 – January 2, 2022. Tickets from $38.
• The Nutcracker at the Houston Ballet. NOVEMBER 26 – DECEMBER 24, 2021. Tickets from $27.
• The Little Mermaid at TUTS Houston. DEC. 7 – 24. Tickets start at $40.
• The Snowy Day from Houston Grand Opera. Dec. 9-19. Tickets from $30.
• Potted Potter. Dec. 7 – Jan 2. Tickets from $60.
• Houston Symphony shows. Dec. 3-19. Various shows and prices.
• Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Dec. 12 at Toyota Center.

Ice, ice baby.

Nothing more festive than a spin around an ice rink! Here are some spots to check out.

• Discovery Green’s Ice. November 12, 2021 through January 30, 2022. $15 to rent and skate — select discount days.
• Ice at Galleria Houston. Daily and year-round. $23 to skate.
• Ice Skate Memorial City. Daily — opens at 11 am.
• The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center. Friday, November 19, 2021 and remain open through Monday, January 17, 2022. From $12.50.

Attend a festive event.

There’s tons going on, but here are a few festive events to put on your calendar.

• Lights in the Heights. Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 6–9 PM. The featured streets this year will be Byrne and Euclid from Studewood to Beauchamp.
• Eighteen36’s Holiday Scavenger Hunt. December 15-19. How well do you know Houston?! Click here for all the deets!
• Houston’s 12K of Christmas. Dec. 18. $40 registration. Sam Houston Park, 1000 Bagby St.
• Christmas Cruises at Buffalo Bayou Park. Dec. 4-5 and 11-12. $15. Allen’s Landing 1001 Commerce St.
• Jingle on the Boardwalk. Dec. 3-19 at Kemah Boardwalk.

Cheers to Christmas.

Oh my gosh I LOVE a holiday bar and am so thankful there’s a slew of festive pop-up bars this year! Make sure to make your reservations in advance!

• Sippin ‘Santa @ Night Shift. Through Dec. 28. 3501 Harrisburg Blvd.
• Miracle at Johnny’s. Through Dec. 30. 2518 Yale St.
• Miracle at Winnies. Through Dec. 30. 3622 Main St.
• Holiday in Paradise at Lei Low. Through December Tuesday through Sunday. 6412 N Main St.

Destination: Downtown Houston.

If there was one part of Houston to fully commit to doing a bunch of festive opportunities, it’s downtown! There’s literally so much to do — and a lot that I’ve mentioned already. But I’m going to remind ya and add some other must-dos in DTHTX!

• Texas Winter Lights at Marriott Marquis. Altitude Rooftop & Pool, November 11- January 3, 5-10pm. Tickets from $20.
• Deck the Trees from Alley Theatre. George R. Brown Convention Center. Through Jan. 3. Free and open to the public.
• Mosaic of Light by HYBYCOZO in Discovery Green. Through February. Free and open to the public.
• Discovery Green’s Ice. November 12, 2021 through January 30, 2022. $15 to rent and skate — select discount days.
• A Christmas Carol at The Alley Theatre. NOVEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 29, 2021. Tickets from $39.
• The Nutcracker at the Houston Ballet. NOVEMBER 26 – DECEMBER 24, 2021. Tickets from $27.
• The Little Mermaid at TUTS Houston. DEC. 7 – 24. Tickets start at $40.