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You can even make holiday plans with the complete family in attendance. You might be looking for suggestions for weekend family getaways close to Houston, or you might want to take the kids to see the holiday decorations in Sugar Land. To learn about 11 fantastic vacation spots in Houston, continue reading.
1- Discovery Green
Discovery Green, a 12-acre urban park in Downtown Houston, is where the best neighborhood activities take place. The dynamics of taking a stroll with pets in the evening under the city’s sparkling lights are popular, but around the holidays, things will be a little different. The park will be covered in ice for everyone to enjoy from November through February. Enjoy the season by going ice skating.
Skate beneath the downtown skyline while taking part in a variety of Christmas activities, such as a Saturday-only opportunity to skate with Santa. Online ticket purchases are required for timed admission. Young toddlers learning to skate can rent double-bladed skates from the rink.
2- Children’s Museum of Houston
The Houston Children’s Museum must be on your agenda if you are traveling with children. Child-centered learning is the focus of this museum, which offers a wide variety of engaging activities, such as an eco-station, an inventor’s workshop, and a ton of games that encourage critical and scientific thought. Insta-snowmaking, ugly sweater parties, and other festivities for the holidays, of course.
3- Magical Winter Lights
Situated to the south of Houston, La Marque is home to one of the city’s most impressive holiday light shows. Think of a Christmas village, Houston’s skyline, and enormous dinosaurs as some of the 100 themed exhibits spread across the festival’s 20 acres. The 52-day event also has carnival rides, Chinese arts and crafts, photographs with Santa, and nightly acrobatic acts.
This lantern festival exhibits Houston’s multiculturalism and is very different from other holiday light displays in the area. To avoid peak hour traffic on the trip to La Marque, leave early during the week or visit on the weekends. After Christmas, crowds typically thin out.
4- Sugar Land Holiday Lights
One of Houston’s greatest and brightest holiday celebrations takes place at Constellation Field, home of the Sugar Land Skeeters. In addition to a Christmas market, seasonal food vendors, holiday movie screenings, and Santa sightings, Sugar Land Holiday Lights feature more than 3 million bulbs spread throughout eight themed sections. In addition to a sensory-friendly night, there is a special Lights & Leashes night for pet owners to bring their four-legged companions.
This is one of the top Christmas activities for families for both tourists and residents of southwest Houston. Don’t forget to bring cash for the food, amusements, and Santa pictures! This place is definitely one of the best places to visit in Houston for the holidays and the Christmas Season.
5- Zoo Lights at Houston Zoo
This yearly must-see attraction allows visitors to stroll through the Houston Zoo while sipping hot cocoa and taking in sparkling displays made of more than two million Christmas lights. Utilize the opportunity for Christmas portraits, walk through a tunnel that is illuminated, witness life-size animal lanterns, and more all at Houston Zoo Lights. Ages 2 and under are admitted free; prices start at $21.95 and go up. 10:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
6- The Ice Rink in the Woodlands
In addition to all the Christmas events of Holiday in the Woodlands, it is a fantastic location for families to enjoy ice skating. Additionally, there is a special ice rink for novices and kids aged 5 and younger. Ideal for allowing young children to have their first skating experience with their families! November 18, 2022–January 16, 2023 is when the rink will be open.
7- Holiday in the Gardens at Moody Gardens
Between November 19, 2022, and January 7, 2023, this is one of the largest Christmas celebrations in the state.
A four-story-tall dancing light tree and the Festival of Lights are among the attractions. There are also 3D holiday movies, an arctic tube slide, a train ride, s’mores, and a Rudolph 4D experience. The mile-long Festival of Lights strolling trail has food, light shows, games, and carolers.
On opening day, Santa will fly in via helicopter to light the trail. Joyeux Cirque Acrobats and fire dancers are included in holiday performances, which run from December 17 to 30. For a front row seat to EVERYTHING, stay at the Moody Gardens Hotel. It would be best if you came here for a week since you will need it.
8- Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Bayou Bend is gorgeous all year round, but the holiday season is especially spectacular since that’s when the historic estate hosts Christmas Village at Bayou Bend. The 14-acre estate is illuminated by thousands of lights, a hand-built model train, and a 15-foot Christmas tree. The estate organizes a variety of very unusual seasonal activities, like cotton snowball tossing and sledding down a faux-snow slide. Santa is frequently on site for photos, carolers wander the grounds, and there are also carolers (hey, this is Houston, after all). During this season, house tours take on a dramatic air.
The most beautiful lights in town are shown at Bayou Bend, and admission is free for children under the age of four. The first level of the house’s holiday-themed tour is certainly worth the extra; it features immersive theater produced by the staff at Alley Theatre.
9- Houston Ballet
The Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston hosts a holiday performance of The Nutcracker by Stanton Welch. This festive tale is brought to life on stage by the complete Houston Ballet company and students from the Houston Ballet Academy. For kids, in particular, it’s a wonderful start to ballet. Many families hold an annual custom of seeing The Nutcracker, which is a traditional holiday pleasure. The December weekend matinee shows are ideal for families.
10- The Houstonian Hotel and the River Oaks Neighborhood
Enjoy the magnificent Christmas decorations and holiday decor at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, which is always decked out for the occasion. Explore the grounds to take in the 19-foot-tall Christmas tree, the Merry Mansions gingerbread exhibit, sweets, and nightly live music from neighborhood musicians.
Last but not least, decide to keep things informal and unassuming. Simply hop into the car, turn on some holiday music, and drive through Houston’s neighborhoods. You will be astounded by the light shows of the opulent River Oaks neighborhood mansions. The streets you shouldn’t miss include River Oaks Country Club, Inwood Drive, and Willowick.
11- Diamond Exchange Houston
If you are looking for the best place to buy and sell diamonds, engagement rings, and diamond jewelry then you want to visit the jewelry store of Diamond Exchange Houston. Do you need some extra money for the holidays? Diamond Exchange Houston offers cash for diamonds, gold, and jewelry. Do you want to get your family members or loved ones something special for Christmas or the holiday season? We are a wholesale diamond dealer that also specializes in custom jewelry. We also have a large selection of jewelry consignment options such as engagement rings, loose diamonds, pendants, tennis bracelets, and more!
Final Thoughts On The Best Places To Visit in Houston For The Holidays
Houston, Texas, is starting to resemble Christmas a lot! Just around the bend are festive tree-lighting rituals and holiday shopping. With hot chocolate and your preferred vacation spot, get into the holiday spirit. Diamond Exchange Houston is here for all of your diamond jewelry needs! If you know of any cool places for the holidays that we need to add to this post feel free to send us an email at [email protected].
