Have a holly jolly week with the best kid-friendly things to do in Houston from Monday, December 18 to Sunday, December 24, 2023.
This week, get a lasting photo with your pet and Saint Nick, cozy up with Christmas classics, sing the night away, make some Grinch slime, and more.
Do you know an event that could make the list? Drop us a line at [email protected] with a link to the official event details.
Top 15 Family Things To Do in Houston This Week
- Paws & Claus at Memorial City Mall | Monday, December 18 – Bring your furry family members to St. Nick’s Park for this event where pet owners and their furry companions can take photos with Santa. Donate to Citizens for Animal Protection and receive a complimentary pet bandana and a free 8×10 photo print. Photo packages start at $39.99. 11am to 8pm.
- Anna & Elsa Meet & Greet at the Woodlands Children’s Museum | Monday, December 18 – Meet lookalike characters from Disney’s Frozen, Anna and Elsa, and play some winter bingo at the Woodland’s Children’s Museum. $8 per person. 10:30am to 1:30pm.
- Polar Express Sunset Market at Tomball Farmers Market | Wednesday, December 20 | FREE – Shop for your last-minute unique gifts from more than 50 local vendors, plus bring the kids to meet Santa before he’s off to work. 4pm to 7pm.
- Holiday Singo at City Place | Wednesday, December 20 | FREE – Holiday Singo offers a playful musical twist to bingo at City Place in Spring. Warm up your vocal cords and sing the night away to holiday classics. 6pm.
- Grinch Slime & Playtime at Play Street Museum Sugar Land | Thursday, December 21 – Kids are welcome to make some Grinch green slime and enjoy some playtime at this Sugar Land play museum. $19 per child. 6:30pm to 8pm.
- The Muppet Christmas Carol Movie Screening at Discovery Green | Thursday, December 21 | FREE – Watch an outdoor screening of the 1992 Christmas musical film, The Muppet Christmas Carol. Watch all the Muppets put on the classic Charles Dickens story in this made-for-everyone movie. 7pm to 8:30pm.
- A Christmas Wish Holiday Spectacular at Moody Gardens | Friday, December 22 | Ongoing – Take in holiday delights at this annual stage production in Galveston. The holiday program tells a heartwarming story through musical theatre performances, projection-mapped lights, cascading snow and atmospheric fog, stunts and acrobats, comedy and the enchantment of Christmas. Daytime admission is $39 and up, $25 and up for ages 3 to 12. Evening shows with dinner are $79 and up, $49 and up for ages 3 to 12. Times vary.
- Saturday Morning Cartoons at Houston Toy Museum | Saturday, December 23 – Houston Toy Museum screens a mix of classic holiday episodes of favorites like Flintstones, Smurfs, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and more along with a milk and cereal buffet. Free with general admission to the museum; kids get in free if they’re wearing their holiday pajamas. 10am.
- Santa’s Jolly Visit at Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center | Saturday, December 23 – Make some memories and snap a pic with Santa and his elf helper at the Fort Bend museum. $15. 10am to noon.
- Houston Symphony presents Holly Jolly Holiday at Jones Hall | Saturday, December 23 – This family concert from the Symphony offers a morning of songs featuring Hamilton star Mandy Gonzalez, performing favorites like “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and others. Plus, families can enjoy kid-friendly activities like a visit with Santa, caroling stations and free hot chocolate. $34 and up. 10am and 11:30am.
- The Grinch Movie Screening at Redemption Square | Saturday, December 23 | FREE – Bring the family out to the Northeast Houston hub for a holiday screening of the 2018 animated movie, The Grinch. 6pm to 8pm.
- Houston Texans vs. Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium | Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24 – The Houston Texans face the boys in brown from Cleveland in the second-to-last home game of the season. $60 and up. Noon.
- Best Neighborhoods & Attractions for Christmas Lights in Greater Houston | Ongoing | Some FREE – Pile in the car for a leisurely holiday drive or take a hot cocoa-fueled stroll while you ooh and ah at Houston’s most popular Christmas light displays—in residential neighborhoods and at city landmarks alike. If you’re looking to step out of the car and into a sparkling display of winter merriment, check out some ticketed light displays like Texas Winter Lights at the Marriott Marquis, Dasher’s Lightshow at Sam Houston Race Park, The Light Park in Katy (Typhoon Texas) & Spring (Hurricane Harbor), and more.
- Magical Winter Lights at Katy Mills | Daily – Discover the wonder at Magical Winter Lights, one of Houston’s most popular holiday attractions. The event has moved to Katy, offering a lit-up wonderland filled with dazzling themed displays, decked out in more than 6 million lights and crafted using cutting-edge lantern art. Tickets are $25; $18 for ages 3 to 12 and 65+; free for ages 2 and under. Family 4-packs are available for $88. Carnival wristbands, which offer unlimited rides, are $25. Sunday to Thursday 5pm to 10pm; Friday & Saturday 5pm to 11pm.
- Galaxy Lights at Space Center of Houston | Monday, December 18 though Saturday, December 23 – Space Center Houston welcomes the return of Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant—a stellar spectacle that twinkles throughout the campus and allows guests to step through space-themed light installations, take in high-tech experiences, and walk among flown space craft in a one-of-a-kind holiday event that can only be found in Space City. $19.95 and up; free for ages 3 and under. Save $5 on each ticket when you use promo code 365XLIGHTS at checkout. 6pm to 10pm.
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