Houston edition
Events for kids and families.
Family and Kids, Arts and Music
Discovery Green1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010Harris County
Discovery Green schedules Scream on the Green for the evening of Oct. 30, 2026. The park lists a costume contest, living sculptures, games, music and photo stops. The conservancy presents the program in the downtown park.
Arts and Music, Family and Kids, Food and Drink
Discovery Green1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010Harris County
Discovery Green schedules a Dia de los Muertos program on Nov. 1, 2026. Visitors may add a photo or keepsake to a community ofrenda by artist Angel Quesada. The park also lists a parade and costume contest, performances, live music, food, crafts, vendors and a closing tribute concert, La Musical Ofrenda.
Home and Garden, Family and Kids
Houston Botanic Garden1 Botanic Lane, Houston, TX 77017Harris County
The Houston Botanic Garden presents Standing Tall: A Texas Tree Festival on Nov. 8, 2026, in connection with Texas Arbor Day. The garden lists a children's zone, guided walks about native trees, a marketplace with food vendors and live entertainment. Tickets are $20 for adults and $16 for children, students, seniors and military. Daytime parking is free, and the event is rain or shine.
Family and Kids, Arts and Music
City Hall901 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002Harris County
The City of Houston holds its Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11, 2026, on the steps of City Hall. Ambassador Chase Untermeyer is listed as keynote speaker. The American Heroes Parade then follows Dallas, Louisiana, Walker, Smith and Lamar, ending at Lamar and Bagby. The city says veteran groups, ROTC units, bands and supporters will march and that the public may watch along the route.
Arts and Music, Food and Drink, Family and Kids
Discovery Green1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010Harris County
Discovery Green and Tx2 Dance Company present the park's first Diwali Festival of Lights on Nov. 14, 2026. The listing includes Bollywood dance lessons, performances, henna, cultural shopping and Indian food from local vendors. Discovery Green says its events are free and open to the public unless a listing says otherwise.
Family and Kids, Outdoors and Beaches
Space Center1601 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058Harris County
Space Center Houston presents Galaxy Lights, sponsored by Wellby Financial, on select dates from Nov. 14, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027. Most displays are outdoors. Admission includes the center's exhibitions. NASA tram tours and the Starship Gallery are closed during the event. Posted prices range from $19.95 to $27.95 for guests older than 3, and children age 3 and younger are free.
Family and Kids, Outdoors and Beaches
Houston Zoo6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030Harris County
The Houston Zoo presents Zoo Lights from Nov. 19, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027. The zoo says it is closed Dec. 9 and Christmas Eve. Christmas Day is open for Zoo Lights only, from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. The main entrance is at 6200 Hermann Park Drive. Children age 2 and under are free, and guests age 3 and older need a ticket. The event is rain or shine.
Home and Garden, Arts and Music, Family and Kids
Houston Botanic Garden1 Botanic Lane, Houston, TX 77017Harris County
Houston Botanic Garden and Tianyu Arts & Culture present Radiant Nature, a Chinese lantern trail, from Nov. 20, 2026, through Feb. 21, 2027. The garden says it is open 53 evenings, mainly Friday through Sunday, plus listed holiday weeknights and four December Thursdays. It is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. Adult tickets are $26.50 and child tickets for ages 3 to 15 are $24.50. Children age 2 and under are free.
Family and Kids, Arts and Music
Sugar Land Town Square2711 Plaza Drive, Sugar Land, TX 77479Fort Bend County
Sugar Land Parks & Recreation holds the Christmas tree lighting on Nov. 20, 2026, at Sugar Land Town Square. The city lists letters to Santa, hot chocolate, face painting, photo spots and music on the main stage. Free parking is at Mercer Stadium, 16403 Lexington Blvd., with shuttles from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Family and Kids, Arts and Music
Constellation Field1 Stadium Dr, Sugar Land, TX 77498Fort Bend County
Sugar Land Holiday Lights, presented by Houston Methodist, occupies Constellation Field from Nov. 20, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027. The organizer lists more than 3.5 million lights, Santa through Dec. 23, a carnival from Nov. 27 through Jan. 1, a synthetic ice rink, mini golf and s'mores. New Year's Eve stays open from 6 p.m. until midnight and includes fireworks.
Family and Kids
The Woodlands Ice Rink2005 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380Montgomery County
The Woodlands Ice Rink opens for the season on Nov. 20, 2026, and the tourism office lists daily skating through Jan. 18, 2027. The rink says public sessions last two hours and that standard skate rental is included. School-week hours and holiday hours differ, and the operator asks guests to reserve a session because walk-up space can fill.
Family and Kids, Outdoors and Beaches
Moody Gardens1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554Galveston County
Moody Gardens runs Holiday in the Gardens from Nov. 21, 2026, through Jan. 2, 2027. The festival includes ICE LAND: Caribbean Christmas, the Holiday Lights trail, an outdoor ice rink, an Arctic Slide, holiday films and the kiddie train. A Holiday Pass starts at $55 and a lights-trail ticket starts at $24. Parking is free. Breakfast with Santa is listed for Dec. 12, 13 and 19 through 23.
Family and Kids, Arts and Music
Town Green Park2099 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380Montgomery County
The Woodlands Township holds Lighting of the Doves on Nov. 21, 2026, at Town Green Park. The schedule includes two stages, ice carving, children's crafts with The Woodlands Children's Museum and snow play that requires a $5 wristband. Santa's arrival, the lighting and fireworks are set for 7 p.m. The township says times can change.
Family and Kids
DowntownHouston, TX 77002Harris County
The City of Houston schedules the 77th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade for Thanksgiving morning in downtown Houston. The city page includes a route map and a link for reserved seating.
Arts and Music, Family and Kids
Brown Theater, Wortham Theater Center501 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002Harris County
Houston Ballet performs Stanton Welch's The Nutcracker at the Wortham Theater Center from Nov. 27 through Dec. 28, 2026. The company says the ballet is in two acts and runs about two hours, including a 25-minute intermission. The score is by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This is the 10th anniversary season of Welch's production.
Family and Kids
Baytown Town Square213 W. Texas Avenue, Baytown, TX 77520Harris County
Baytown holds its 2026 Christmas parade on Dec. 3 under the theme Stars, Stripes & Christmas Lights. The city says the parade reaches Town Square at 6:30 p.m. for the tree lighting. Blue Santa is expected along the route, and Santa Claus is the finale. Candy is limited to a designated zone. Streets on the route close, and vehicles must be moved by 2 p.m.
Family and Kids, Outdoors and Beaches
Baytown Town Square213 W. Texas Avenue, Baytown, TX 77520Harris County
Baytown opens Holiday Hangout at Town Square on Dec. 3, 2026, after the Christmas parade, and continues it through Jan. 5, 2027. The city lists a 38-foot tree, an outdoor skating rink, a hay maze, yard games, glow activities, a toddler area and photo spots. Saturday nights add movies or trivia, and some December dates add visits with Santa.
Family and Kids, Food and Drink, Local Makers and Markets
Independence Park3449 Pearland Parkway, Pearland, TX 77581Brazoria County
Pearland Parks & Recreation holds the Hometown Christmas Festival on Dec. 4, 2026, at Independence Park. Admission is free. The city lists stage entertainment, shopping, music, lights, inflatables and food trucks. Santa and the mayor are on the program, along with snow play at an H-E-B winter area. A drone show presented by the University of Houston-Clear Lake at Pearland is set for 8:30 p.m. General parking is at Pearland High School, 3775 S. Main.
Family and Kids
Kemah Boardwalk215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX 77565Galveston County
The Kemah Boardwalk schedules Jingle on the Boardwalk on December weekends from Dec. 4 through Dec. 20, 2026. The calendar lists Santa, holiday music, children's crafts and a toy drive.
Arts and Music, Family and Kids
Waterway Square31 Waterway Square Place, The Woodlands, TX 77380Montgomery County
The Woodlands Township Parks & Recreation presents Waterway Winter Nights on Dec. 4, 11 and 18, 2026, at Waterway Square. Admission is free. Each night includes live music. Performer names will be announced later. Visit The Woodlands sponsors a fireworks display at 8:55 p.m. Guests may bring lawn chairs and blankets. The listing says entertainment depends on the weather.
Family and Kids
Broadway (FM 518)FM 518 (Broadway), from Old Alvin Road to Pearland Parkway, Pearland, TXBrazoria County
Pearland Parks & Recreation schedules the Hometown Christmas Parade for Dec. 5, 2026, along FM 518, called Broadway, from Old Alvin Road to Pearland Parkway. UFCU is the presenting sponsor. The city says the theme is Red, White and Blue Christmas and that the lineup includes floats, dancers and bands.
Arts and Music, Family and Kids
Hermann Square at City Hall901 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002Harris County
The City of Houston and Reliant present Deck the Hall on Dec. 5, 2026, including the mayor's holiday tree lighting. The city lists Jessica Sanchez and MAJOR. before headliner En Vogue. The page also mentions food and a fireworks finale.
Arts and Music, Family and Kids
Jones Hall for the Performing Arts615 Louisiana Street, Houston, TX 77002Harris County
The Houston Symphony performs Very Merry Pops at Jones Hall on Dec. 10, 12 and 13, 2026. Steven Reineke conducts, Mikaela Bennett is the vocalist and the Houston Symphony Chorus participates. The symphony says the program includes carols, sing-alongs and a visit from Santa. The listing is marked for ages 6 and older.
Outdoors and Beaches, Family and Kids
Kemah Boardwalk215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX 77565Galveston County
Hundreds of decorated boats travel through Clear Creek Channel in the 65th annual parade.
Family and Kids
Lake Jackson City Hall25 Oak Drive, Lake Jackson, TX 77566Brazoria County
Lake Jackson includes Santa's Last Goodbye in the 2026 Light Up Lake Jackson series. The city says Santa will be at City Hall from 9 to 11 a.m. on Dec. 24. The city also says all 13 events and contests in the series are free.
