Make your holiday season merry and bright with our top 25 Christmas events and things to do around Houston in 2022.

If you’re counting down the days until Christmas and have already started jamming to holiday tunes, you’ll probably want to mark your calendar for a few of these events and seasonal attractions.

From Christmas light displays and theatrical performances to skating rinks and more, there’s something for everyone, “kids from 1 to 92”.

More Holiday Attractions & Things to Do

Holiday Lights
Top 25 Things for Christmas
Christmas Concerts
Holiday Markets
Holiday Shows & Performing Arts

The Best Things to Do for Christmas 2022 in Houston

This holiday season, Houston is home to a number of festive events, Christmas shows, and holiday attractions.

We’ve curated 25 of the best taking place across the city, but you can dive deeper into even more things to do in our holiday season guides.

  • 34th Annual Uptown Holiday Lighting on Post Oak Boulevard | Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24 | FREE – The annual Uptown Holiday Lighting kicks off the holiday season with the illumination of Uptown’s 300 custom, 20-foot tall holiday trees along Post Oak Boulevard with live fireworks, holiday shopping, street entertainment, and appearance by Santa Claus, and more. 4pm to 7pm.
  • A Motown Christmas at Ensemble Theatre | Ongoing through Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24 – Get into the groove that only the signature sound from Detroit can deliver. This Motown revue in Midtown blends traditional holiday carols with soulful sounds from Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and more. $44 and up. Showtimes vary.
  • Houston Ballet presents The Nutcracker at Wortham Center | Friday, November 25 to Tuesday, December 27 – The Tchaikovsky classic returns to the stage, as only the Houston Ballet can deliver it. Stanton Welch’s take on this beloved story of young Clara and the nutcracker she receives as a gift on one magical Christmas Eve offers grand sets, gorgeous costumes and stunning dance. $35 and up. Showtimes vary.
  • A Christmas Carol at Alley Theatre | Ongoing through Friday, December 30 – The beloved Charles Dickens Christmas story returns, telling the tale of the miserly Scrooge visited by three spirits who compel him to change his ways, in a new production adapted and directed by Alley artistic director Rob Melrose. $41 and up. Showtimes vary.
Kids run down a tunnel of Christmas lights
Dash through extravagant holiday displays at Lightscape in Houston Botanic Garden | Courtesy of Houston Botanic Garden
  • Sugar Land Holiday Lights at Constellation Field | Ongoing through New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1 – More than three million lights create a sparkling winter wonderland at the home of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. There’s also a holiday market, themed displays, a carnival and visits with Santa Claus. $15; $12 ages 4 to 12. Times vary.
  • Lightscape at Houston Botanic Garden | Ongoing through New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1 – This dazzling display returns, taking guests on a winding path through the garden, showcasing stunning lighting installations, many set against favorite holiday tunes. $16 and up. 5:30pm.
  • Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston | Ongoing through New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1 – Space Center Houston returns this year with Galaxy Lights, a stellar spectacle that twinkles throughout the campus, allowing visitors to step through space-themed light installations, take in high-tech experiences, and walk among flown spacecraft in a one-of-a-kind holiday event that can only be found in Space City. Tickets range from $19.95 to $27.95; free for ages 3 and under. Combo tickets, which also grant general admission to the Space Center at 3pm, range from $49.90 to $57.90; $44.90 and up for ages 4 to 11. 6pm to 10pm.
  • Magical Winter Lights at Houston Raceway Park | Ongoing through Saturday, January 7 – Get into the holiday spirit with these seven illuminated displays featuring more than six million lights in Baytown. Walk through a winter circus, grub on festival foods and more. $25; $17 for ages 3 to 12 and 65+. Times vary.
Colorful, bright structures covered in lights cover a field
Roam a lit-up wonderland at Magical Winter Lights in Baytown | Courtesy of Magical Winter Lights
  • Zoo Lights at Houston Zoo | Ongoing through Sunday, January 8 – Stroll through the Houston Zoo with hot chocolate in hand while you admire glimmering displays made up of more than two million Christmas lights at this annual must-see attraction. Take advantage of holiday photo ops, make your way through an illuminated tunnel, see life-sized animal lanterns, and more. Tickets start at $21.95 and up; free for ages 2 and under. 5:30pm to 10:30pm.
  • The Ice at Discovery Green | Ongoing through Sunday, January 29 – Though not specifically related to Christmas, Discovery Green’s beloved outdoor skating rink, The ICE at Discovery Green, returns as a defining staple of Houston’s holiday season. Check out the calendar for themed skate nights on select dates. Tickets start at $15, plus fees. Times vary.
  • 49th Annual Dickens on the Strand in Downtown Galveston | Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 4 – Travel back in time as Galveston’s historic Strand is transformed into Charles Dickens’ Victorian London for this annual, family-friendly event. Gear up for parades, live entertainment on six stages, strolling carolers, roving musicians, bagpipers, jugglers, and a visit from the characters of Dickens’ books. Free on Friday; Saturday and Sunday tickets are $18; $13 for ages 7 to 12. Times vary.
Carolers in Victorian dress sing on the street
Throw back to Victorian London in the annual Dickens on the Strand festival in Galveston | Courtesy of Dickens on the Strand
  • 12th Annual Katy Old Fashioned Christmas in Historic Downtown Katy | Saturday, December 3 | FREE – The Katy Old Fashioned Christmas returns in a big way, bringing 200 vendors to the open-air market that also includes food trucks, an appearance by Santa, live entertainment, a beer garden, and more. 10am to 5pm.
  • Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular at City Hall | Saturday, December 3 | FREE – Join Mayor Sylvester Turner at City Hall for Houston’s annual holiday extravaganza, which features live entertainment (including a headlining performance by Gloria Gaynor), fireworks, a tree lighting, a visit from Santa and other family-friendly activities. 5pm.
  • 2022 Holiday Festival at Levy Park | Saturday, December 3 & Sunday, December 4 | FREE – This 2-day festival returns to Levy Park, offering plenty of family fun with a holiday market, crafts station, live music performances, a free photo booth with Santa, and more. Noon to 5pm.
  • Performing Arts Houston presents Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show at Jones Hall | Sunday, December 4 – These “living legends of Gospel music” present traditional and contemporary songs of the season designed to help audiences feel the holiday spirit and get the rafters ringing. $29 and up. 6:30pm.
Dancers in holiday dress smile from the stage
Take in a century-old celebration at the Mayor’s annual tree lighting ceremony at City Hall | Courtesy of Mayor’s Office for Special Events
  • Houston Latin Philharmonic presents Latin Christmas at Hobby Center | Wednesday, December 7 – Led by maestro Glenn Garrido, the Houston Latin American Philharmonic returns for their traditional concert of seasonal works from the world of Latin American music. This year, the Phil will be joined by special guest artists Diveana and Robert Gonzalez, known as the Queen and El Gallito. $30 and up. 7:30pm.
  • Houston Grand Opera presents El Milagro del Recuerdo at the Wortham Center | Thursday, December 8 to Sunday, December 18 – This family-friendly, Mariachi opera celebrates family and tradition, transporting audiences to Mexico to experience the story of Laurentino, a bracero who comes back from the United States to share the holiday with his family, and his wife Renata, who worries his time away is changing him. $30 and up. Showtimes vary.
  • Tomball German Festival Christmas Market at Tomball Depot | Friday, December 9 to Sunday, December 11 | No Cover – Do as the Germans do and celebrate Christmas with plenty of food, beer, and wine, as well as live music on three stages, a petting zoo, and a holiday market featuring more than 150 vendors with antiques, arts and crafts, souvenirs, and more. Times vary.
  • Houston Symphony presents Handel’s Messiah at Jones Hall | Friday, December 9 to Sunday, December 11 – Joined by guest soloists, the Houston Symphony orchestra and Chorus performs this majestic choral work that celebrates the life of Christ. $29 and up. Friday and Saturday 7:30pm; Sunday 2:30pm.
A baseball stadium covered in strings of lights
Stroll twinkling lights and enjoy a holiday market and carnival at Sugar Land Holiday Lights | Courtesy of Sugar Land Holiday Lights
  • Lights in the Heights 2022 in Woodlands Heights | Saturday, December 10 | FREE – Stroll through the beautifully decorated streets of Woodlands Heights during one of Houston’s biggest holiday events, Lights in the Heights. Every year, the neighborhood streets are closed off, allowing pedestrians to roam freely as they admire the gorgeous homes, which host private parties that sometimes feature musical performances on the porch. After admiring the festive scenery, make your way to area bars and restaurants for tons of after-party fun. 6pm to 9pm.
  • Raquel Cepeda’s Christmas Concert at the Heights Theater | Saturday, December 10 – The Houstonian jazz vocalist offers a selection of jazz classics in the spirit of the season, along with original arrangements in her annual Christmas concert. $25 and up. 8pm.
  • Houston Symphony presents A Very Merry Pops at Jones Hall | Thursday, December 15 to Sunday, December 18 – Ring in the season with traditional and contemporary carols, performed by the orchestra and chorus, joined by the incomparable N’Kenge, star of Broadway’s Motown: The Musical and Caroline, Or Change. $22 and up. Showtimes vary.
A symphony orchestra and choir are gathered on a holiday decorated stage
Catch “A Very Merry Pops” and other Symphony holiday classic in December | Courtesy of Houston Symphony

More Holiday Attractions & Things to Do

Holiday Lights
Top 25 Things for Christmas
Christmas Concerts
Holiday Markets
Holiday Shows & Performing Arts

Find More Things to Do in Houston All Year Long

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Justin Jerkins
Justin Jerkins
A longtime Houstonian, Justin Jerkins always keeps an eye out for what's ahead on Houston's horizon while serving as Editor-in-Chief of 365 Things to Do in Houston. When he's not passing along the latest events, destinations and hidden treasures in H-Town, he loves diving into the city's food scene, shopping local and learning about Houston's rich history.

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