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Christmas Festivals, Shows, Lights & Family Fun… Things to Do in Houston for the Holidays 2020, with Kids!

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Happy Holidays, Houston! 

Here are all the Houston holiday festivals, lights and shows for November 1, 2020 through January 5, 2021.

As events change and pop up, we’ll update the list… and since this year is weird and things can change quickly, be sure to click the links and check before you head out to each venue!

If you want this list emailed to you each week, sign up for the free newsletter HERE. And if you know of more events, let us know!

Photo of Rudolph’s Lightshow

Houston Holiday Lights:

Houston Holiday Shows & Concerts:

Most shows have been cancelled or re-imaged this year. As shows/concerts pop up, I’ll add them.

Houston Holiday Festivals & Family Fun:

  • Texas Renaissance Festival – Weekends, through November 29, 2020 – Todd Mission, Texas 
    • The world’s largest Renaissance Festival has themes that change each weekend.
    • Ticket deals can usually be found on coupon websites.  Kids are free on Sundays.
  • Virtual: Frostival – November 12, 2020 – Discovery Green – 1500 McKinney, Houston, Texas 77010  
    • This annual event is virtual this year!
  • Polar Express Train Ride – November 13, 2020 – December 27, 2020 – 789 Park Road 70, Palestine, Texas 75801
    • Ride on the Polar Express!  Find the best pricing in November and early December… and book all tickets before they sell out!
  • Santa’s Wonderland – November 13, 2020-December 30, 2020 – 18898 Hwy 6 South, College Station, 77845 
    • Biggest Christmas attraction in the state of Texas!  Several ticket options are available.
  • ICE at Discovery Green – November 13, 2020, to January 30, 2021 – Discovery Green – 1500 McKinney, Houston, Texas 77010  
    • All ages are invited to skate at Discovery Green.  There is usually a small toddler rink for the littlest ones to practice.
  • Home for the Holidays – November 14, 2020 – December 25, 2020 – Old Town Spring
    • Every weekend from November 14, 2020 to Christmas. (But you could see the decorations/lights any day.)
    • The hometown holiday festival features a spectacular display of twinkling holiday lights, entertainment, family-friendly activities and photos with Santa every weekend!
    • A “Texas-style winter wonderland” featuring hassle-free holiday shopping along with unique gift ideas, hand-made and locally sourced products and more.
  • Zoo Lights – November 14, 2020 – January 10, 2021 – Houston Zoo  – 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, Texas 77030
    • Tour the Zoo after dark!  The Zoo closes at 5:00pm and reopens at 5:30pm for this event.  
    • Check their website for “light” nights because the tickets are cheaper and the zoo is less busy.
  • Trains Over Texas – November 20, 2020 – January 3, 2021– Houston Museum of Natural Science
    • Create holiday memories by travelling across Texas by model railroad in this scratch built “O” scale model. (See our 2020 post HERE.)
  • Holiday in the Gardens – November 21, 2020  – January 2, 2021 – Moody Gardens  – 1 Hope Boulevard Galveston, Texas 77554
    • Festival of Lights · Holiday 3D Films · Rudolph 4D · Arctic Slide · Train Rides · Star: the Dancing Tree of Light
  • Christmas Train – November 27, 2020 – December 23, 2020 – 1407 Victory Lane, Alvin, Texas 775711
    • Old-fashioned train ride through our winter wonderland of lights and religious scenery. Over 300,000 lights sparkle along the 3/4 mile track.
  • Christmas in the Country – November 27, 2020 – December 27, 2020 – Dewberry Farm – Morrison Road and, FM 362, Brookshire, TX 77423
    • Dewberry Farm is transformed into a whimsical Christmas Village, with twinkling lights, garland, ribbons and tinsel.
    • Hop a wagon for a merry ride across the prairie to experience the magic of over one million lights, fantasy displays and holiday music! Enjoy 40+ attractions … including the Dewville Express Train, all included in the price of admission! (See our 2019 post HERE.)
  • Hou-Ville – December 1-23, 2020 – Downtown Houston
    • Hou-Ville is a brand-new immersive holiday exhibit that puts a H-Town spin on Dr. Seuss’ iconic Christmas village of “Whoville”, in Downtown Houston this holiday season!
    • The new holiday experience will transform Live Nation’s 40 Below, into a real-life Houston version of “Whoville” where kids and adults are transported to a life-size whimsical Holiday City.
  • Home for the Holidays: Christmas Festival – December 4 & 5, 2020 – Alvin
    • Pet pictures with Santa, the Christmas market to help everyone with holiday shopping, snow activities and the World’s Largest Snowman!
  • Dickens on the Strand – December 5&6, 2020 – Galveston – Strand National Historic Landmark District
    • Victorian holiday festival!  
    • Six stages, strolling carolers, musicians, bagpipers, jugglers and  even more entertainers. Costumed vendors peddle their wares from street stalls and rolling carts laden with holiday food and drink, Victorian-inspired gifts.
  • Stearman Santa Fly-In – December 5-19, 2020 – Lone Star Flight Museum – 11551 Aerospace Ave, Houston, TX 77034
    • Santa flies in to the Lone Star Flight Museum! After you watch him land, you can meet him, do some activities and explore the museum!
  • Christmas Boat Parade – December 12, 2020 – Kemah Boardwalk – 215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX 77565
    • Boats cruise along Galveston Bay.
  • Make A HOLIDAY of It! Teddy Bear Bike Ride – December 12, 2020 – Health Museum – 1515 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004
    • This year the annual Teddy Bear Check up will be outside.
    • There will be outdoor check-up stations where young children can perform medical examinations on teddy bears, followed by a bike ride and picnic in the park.
  • Move in the Lawn: The Muppet Christmas Carol – December 16, 2020 – Market Square Park – 301 Milam St, Houston, TX 77002
  • New Year’s Eve Family Celebration – December 31, 2020 – Downtown Aquarium – 410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
  • Mayor’s Holiday Celebration – TBD – City Hall – 901 Bagby Street, Houston, Texas 77002
    • Tree lighting to be reimaged for 2020.
  • HEB Thanksgiving Day Parade – Cancelled for 2020
  • Tomball German Christmas Market & Festival – Cancelled for 2020