Weekend Shortcuts
Saturday, December 9, 2017
- Rudolph Run at CityCentre – Register to run in the Dasher 10k, Rudolph 5k, or Cupid 1k at the 7th Annual Rudolph Run benefitting Firefighters Helping Firefighters. Christmas costumes are encouraged. Registration starts at $20. 7:30am.
- BCO Holiday Farmers Market Tour in the Heights – Pedal over to Onion Creek with a decorated bike and join Bayou City Outdoors for a 12 to 15-mile cruise to various farmers markets in the city. 8:30am.
- Teddy Bear Check-Up at The Health Museum – Bring your little ones and their favorite stuffed animal to the Health Museum for a medical check up for their plush friends and a healthy breakfast and photos with Santa for the kiddos. Included with museum admission; breakfast is additional. 9am to 1pm.
- Santa in the Heights Portrait Mini Sessions at West Studios on Heights Boulevard – Schedule your own 15-minute professional studio photos session with Santa Claus at this fundraiser for the Houston Food Bank. $100 per session, with 100% going to help feed Houston families. Schedule your photo session in advance, between 9am and 2pm.
- Christmas in the Park 2017 at George Ranch Historical Park – Travel through Christmas pasts on a festive hayride (as long as the weather allows) and explore holiday customs and decorations from 1830s to the 1930s. $10. 9am to 5pm.
- 2017 Gingerbread Build-Off at Hermann Square – Local designers, architects, and students will construct gingerbread houses from 100% edible materials while thousands of Houstonians look on from the sidelines in this competition at Hermann Square. Team registration starts at $125. 10 am to 4pm.
- Frosty the Snowman Musical at Salem Lutheran – Frosty and his young friends learn valuable lessons about the true meaning of friendship when the family musical Frosty the Snowman comes to Salem Lutheran in Houston. Tickets start at $10, but you may find limited discounted tickets for $5. 11am and 1:30pm.
- The Market at Sawyer Yards – Shop a curated selection of specialty foods, folk art, and artisan crafts during this market hosted by The Washington Avenue Arts District. 11am to 5pm.
- Holiday Heartmade Art Market at Main Street Square – Find handmade gifts from local vendors at this curated art market at Market Square Park. 11am to 6pm.
- La Piccola Cucina: Holiday Edition at The Italian Cultural & Community Center – Bring your little ones aged 3 to 10 to The Italian Cultural & Community Center for a special holiday edition of their children’s cooking class. Tickets start at $30. 11:30am to 1pm.
- Snow Fest at Jordan Ranch Model Home Park | FREE – Bring the whole family to enjoy 70,000 pounds of winter snow, an ice carver, face painters, food trucks and a special visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves at the Jordan Ranch by Johnson Development. Nine seasonally decorated model homes will also be open for touring. Noon to 3pm.
- Houston Holiday Market at Aloft Houston Downtown – Shop for gifts from more than 40 vendors spanning three floors, with proceeds benefiting Harvey relief, at Aloft in Downtown Houston. $5; limited comped tickets available. Noon to 6pm.
- Houston Margarita Festival at Buffalo Bayou Park – Sip, shoot, and mix tequila at this boozy event at The Water Works featuring an extensive selection of margaritas from local restaurants, bars, and mixologists. Tickets start at $20. Noon to 10pm.
- Holiday Brews on the Bayou at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens – Hop on over to Bayou Bend for jazzy tunes from Grain Free Quartet and beer tastings from 12 local breweries. $35. 2pm to 6pm.
- Simple Gifts at the Hobby Center – Experience a holiday collaboration between WindSync, International Voices Houston and Vitacca Vocational School of Dance that brings music and dance from around the world to the stage of the Hobby Center for one show. Tickets start at $10. 3pm.
- German Christmas Service at Trinity Klein – Take in a Saturday afternoon service featuring German hymns, prayers, and music in Klein. 3pm.
- HTX Boss Babes Holiday Market at GreenStreet – Browse items and gifts from 70 female-owned businesses and vendors at the HTX Boss Babes Holiday Market at GreenStreet. 3pm to 9pm.
- Lights in Heights in Woodland Heights – Flock to Woodland Heights to marvel at the holiday decorations and bright lights, and enjoy performances from residents’ front porches while soaking in the spirit of the season. Although the streets are public, the homes are private, so be sure to respect the properties and their owners. 6pm to 9pm.
- Trees & Stars Winter Celebration at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center – Hike through the woods and gaze at the stars through a telescope outside and warm up inside with a hot chocolate bar, Katz Coffee and festive food at this winter celebration at the Arboretum. Tickets start at $15. 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
- Fly in the Windshield at Queensbury Theatre | FREE – Listen to a reading of the journeys six men went through on their path through rehabilitation, based on true stories, in this one-night event at Queensbury Theatre. 7pm.
- Elf Movie Screening at Sugar Land Town Square | FREE – Watch Buddy the Elf make his journey from the North Pole to New York City to find his biological father in Elf at this free movie screening in Sugar Land. 7pm to 9pm.
- The Best Beatles Holiday Ever at Music Box Theater – Jam to a mashup of Christmas songs and hits from The Beatles at this show from Music Box Theater. Tickets start at $29, but limited discounted $14 tickets are available. 7:30pm.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.
Sunday, December 10, 2017
- Mistletoe on the Go at Market Square Park | FREE – Steal a kiss, or just a selfie, under the largest ball of mistletoe in Texas, stationed squarely at Market Square Park in Downtown. All day.
- Reindeer Romp & Hike in Memorial Park – Lace up your hiking boots or tennis shoes and meet at Memorial Park for an hour and a half hike through the park with BCO. 9am.
- Bitches Who Brunch at Prohibition Supperclub & Bar – Grab a girlfriend and head to Prohibition for brunch and a show from the Moonlight Dolls. $25; limited discounted $15 tickets available. 11am.
- Modern Holiday Ornaments Craft Class at Level Office Theater District – Join fellow crafters and Pop Shop Houston to make ornaments with vintage photos, leather, fresh herbs, and unique paper just in time for the holidays. $32. 11am to 1pm.
- Houston Texans vs. San Francisco 49ers at NRG Stadium – Pack the house and cheer loud for the Texans as they play against the San Francisco 49ers at NRG Stadium. Tickets start at $45, but cheaper and better tickets might be found on SeatForEveryone’s resale marketplace. Noon.
- Chanukah Workshop at The Children’s Museum – Decorate wooden dreidels, learn how to play, make handprint menorahs, and edible dreidels at this Hanukkah event led by The Jewish Community Center. Included with museum admission. 1pm to 3pm.
- Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Smart Financial Center – Don’t miss the holiday tradition of the Houston Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. This classic will have a new home this year, thanks to Harvey, but you can catch it at Smart Financial Center before Christmas Day and at the Hobby Center after that. Tickets start at $35, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale marketplace. 2pm and 7:30pm.
- A Midnight Clear: A Musical Tale of Christmas at Stages Repertory Theatre – A Midnight Clear sheds light on all the ways Christmas touches each of us, performed by Stages Repertory Theatre. Tickets start at $25, but you may find limited discounted tickets for $18.50. 2:30pm.
- Magical Winter Lights at Gulf Greyhound Park – Explore larger than life landmarks from around the globe, made from lanterns and covered in holiday lights, at Magical Winter Lights. Tickets start at $13. 5pm to 10pm.
- Chinedu Unaka Live at Joke Joint Comedy Showcase –Laugh out loud at the hilarious comedian when his stand-up show My Name is Chinedu comes to Houston. $12. 7pm and 9pm.
- More Great Things to Do All Weekend Long – Some of the biggest things to do in Houston this weekend are happening all weekend long. Click here to scroll up and see our list.
Find More Holiday Fun & Things to Do in Houston All Year Long
You can find more Christmas and holiday fun in our interactive event calendar and 365 Weekend Guides.
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Is your favorite event missing from our list? Add it in the comments below.
