Ho, ho, ho! And all that jazz! ‘Tis the season to frolic around town, cheers festive drinks over a fire, and wear silly Christmas sweaters! The city comes ALIVE this time of year with tons of Houston holiday experiences! Is it the fact that it’s finally pleasant (aka not 100 degrees) or the fact that there is just SO much to do and see!! I’m going to try to break down some of my favorite things to do.

Note: This article originally ran in December of 2024, but has been edited to reflect 2025 info!

Ps. I might pop back in to add even more here, so bookmark this and come back later!

Let Alto be your ride around town (drinking and driving is naughty behavior we DO NOT support). NOW THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR — use code SLEIGH2025 for 20% off 2 rides through 12/30/25 for both new and existing riders!! Download Alto Now.

Attend an event

• Lights in the Heights – Saturday, December 13
• Holiday Fest at the MarqE – Saturday, December 13
• Winter Garden Market – Saturday, December 13
• The 15th Annual Gingerbread Build-Off – Saturday, December 13
• Winter Brush Bash – Sunday, December 15
• Home for the Holidays in Old Town Spring (Weekends)

Visit a festive bar

• Jingle Bell Bar
• Trash Panda Drinking Club (Trashmare at Christmas)
• Lyric Market’s Jingle and Mingle
• Heights & Co. (nightly movies)
• ITKO
• Emily’s Havana (Holidays in Havana)
• Monkey’s Tail (Feliz Navidad)
• Wonder Bar
• Miracle at Johnny’s and Winnie’s
• Frosty’s Christmas Bar
• Best Regards (winter ski chalet)
• Sippin’ Santa
• Porch Swing Pub
• Julep
• Betelgeuse Betelgeuse
• Lei Low
• Grand Prize Bar
• Better Luck Tomorrow
• Plume
• EZ’s Liquor Lounge

See a show

• The Nutcracker (various dates)
• Houston Symphony presents Very Merry Pops (various dates)
• Elf in Concert (December 19-21)
• A Christmas Carol (through December 28)
• Nightshift Before Christmas (through December 28)
• It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (through December 28)
• Take the Soul Train to Christmas (through December 21)
• Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (through December 24)
• Candlelight’s Christmas performances (various dates)

Check out the lights

• Zoo Lights
• Christmas Village at Bayou Bend
• Winter Wonderlawn at the Post
• Houston Botanic Garden
• Galaxy Lights
• Classic Christmas
• Texas Winter Lights at Marriott Marquis
• City Lights in Downtown Houston
• Sugar Land Holiday Lights

Other experiences

• Ice Village at Rice Village
• Green Mountain Energy Ice at Discovery Green
• Houston City Tours
• Rooftop Cinema Club Fireside Movies
• ARTECHOUSE – special holiday exhibit
• Cistern Illuminated – winter lighting experience
• The Polar Express Train Ride – in Galveston