Holiday Schedule

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What is sure to ruin a holiday with friends and family? Spending the day at one event only to learn that you should have been at a way better event just down the road. So we’ve sifted through all the press releases and special announcements, cleared out the duds and brought you the best of the best.

Ongoing – 12/26 Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker presented by the Houston Ballet – Enjoy this Christmas classic with glorious scenery and costumes by Tony Award-winning designer Desmond Heeley. Set in nineteenth century Germany, the ballet opens at a charming Christmas party at which the mysterious Dr. Drosselmeyer gives his niece Clara a magical toy that takes her on a wondrous journey. From the Christmas tree that grows to a towering forty feet in the first act to the cooks who fly magically through the air in the second act, The Nutcracker will enchant audiences of all ages. 7.30pm, ticket prices vary by area.

12/2 – 8 Seasons of Sharing: Hanukkah at Children’s Museum of Houston – Bring the kids to the Children’s Museum this season for the only multicultural holiday exhibit for children in the city. They can learn about the Jewish Festival of Lights and participate in crafts. 10am – 6pm, $8 per person.

12/4 –5 37th Annual Dickens on the Strand Festival – Come to the Galveston strand and witness the recreation of the Victorian London of Charles Dickens. Locals will be there in character, with parades, strolling carolers and roving street musicians to entertain the whole family. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for children, 10am – 9pm.

12/10 “T’was the Night before Murder” Mystery Dinner at Messina Hof Winery and Resort – This is a bit of a drive, but the food and the fun are worth the extra commuting. The idea is a holiday whodunit that unfolds before guests as they try to piece together clues to identify the killer. The four-course dinner with wine pairings is $69.95 per person plus gratuity. 6.30 pm.

12/10 –11 The Heritage Society’s 48th Annual Candlelight Tour - Take a cue from Dickens and stroll down memory lane at Sam Houston Park this year. Costumed re-enactors will participate in historical vignettes portraying past holiday celebrations and crafters will demonstrate long forgotten skills. You can also take the kids to visit Santa’s Workshop to create holiday cards and have their photo taken with the man in red. Other offerings include a surprise downpour of snow and you can get an authentic, hand-cut silhouette made by artist Cindi Rose. 6.30 – 9.30pm, tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children and seniors.

12/11 24th Annual Lights in the Heights Festival – Chocked full of holiday spirits (be they distilled or otherwise), this is one of Houston’s coolest annual events. Wander, drink in hand or kids in tow, through the streets of historic Woodland Heights (this year the route runs down Bayland, Highland and Omar), just minutes from downtown and admire the lighting and design prowess of the neighborhood’s esteemed inhabitants. Live music from just about every genre is available on the front porches of these generous homeowners, and you will even aptly decorated catch horse-drawn wagons full of revelers and sometimes Santa himself. Think of it as a more family-style Mardi Gras, only in Houston and in December. Hint: also a good place to people watch. 5pm – 12am, free.

12/11 Gingerbread Build-Off at Market Square Park, presented by Architecture Center Houston in partnership with C2 Creative, Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Houston Downtown Management District. 25 teams will compete in this year's build-off. In addition to the Grand Prix de Show, prizes will be given in categories including Best Architectural Icon, Tallest Standing Structure, Best Traditionally Themed, Best Non-Traditionally Themed and Most Creative Use of Materials. Gingerbread buildings will be judged by an independent panel of food, design, art and architecture professionals. Following the Build-Off, winners and select competitors will be featured in a week-long exhibition, free and open to the public, at Architecture Center Houston. 10 am – 3pm, free.

12/14 – Bayou City Performing Arts Presents “Hear the Bells: A Holiday Card from Houston” – Listen to the choruses of Bayou City Performing Arts, including Bayou City Women’s Chorus, Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston and Bayou City Chorale, along with special guests Texas Medical Center Orchestra, the children of KIPP SHARP Singers and the United Nations Association International Chorus. BCPA Artistic Director Dr. Linus Lerner presents a classic holiday program for all, along with new favorites “Christmastime” and “Hanukkah Night” as well as the “Christmas Oratorio” by Camille Saint-Saens performed in the original Latin. As you can see, there is definitely something for everyone. 7.30pm, Jones Hall, tickets are $24 - $55.