Are you looking forward to Christmas already? We will summarize the Christmas Day events in Houston, Texas. Please attend every fantastic event.
Top 12 Christmas Day Events in Houston, Texas
Houston is already very Christmasy. Since November, various parts of the city have begun to carry out activities to welcome Christmas. We will list many Christmas activities in Houston for you at different times. You can participate in other Christmas activities in the following days and feel the intense holiday atmosphere!
1. A Christmas Carol at the Alley Theatre opens
Nov 15 – Dec 28
Location: 615 Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas 77002
- The show will last 2 hours and 15 minutes, including an intermission.
- Children under 6 years of age are not allowed in the theatre
You will be treated to a Christmas feast. Colourful Victorian costumes, lively sets and cheerful Christmas carols will tell a magical story.
Spring Creek Growers Christmas Tree Farm
Nov 22 Opening Day!
Saturday/ Black Friday: 9 am-5:30 pm
Sunday: 10 am-5:30 pm
Tues-Fri: 2 pm-5:30 pm
Closed: Mondays Except Nov 25/Thanksgiving Day
Location: 23803 Decker Prairie-Rosehill Road, Magnolia, Texas 77355
- Santa Claus visits Spring Creek Growers on weekends!
Spring Creek Growers will provide everything you need to cut down your Christmas tree. We also have fantastic native Virginia pine and Leyland cypress trees to harvest. In addition, Spring Creek Growers hosts a variety of outdoor activities. You can take the kids to say hello to the farm animals or climb to the top of the Old Cedar Lookout Treehouse. It has an old-fashioned bakery, hot cocoa, spiced cider, and freshly baked biscuits. Everything is going to be excellent. This will be one of the best Christmas Day events in Houston, Texas!
3. Call or Letter from the North Pole
Dec 19-21
- The hotline is free of charge and open 24 hours a day.
FreeConferenceCall provides the Santa Hotline. You can call the Santa Hotline and let the good Saint Nicholas share gifts! It will be one of the Houston Christmas events for children to cheer for.
4. Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston
November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026 6 pm-10 pm
Location: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058
- Tickets are non-refundable
- The status of the event will be posted at the top of the Galaxy Lights homepage at noon each day
This will be one of the Houston Christmas events that transcends the boundaries of Earth, taking you to the edge of the universe. You’ll be treated to a space-themed holiday light show. Space Center Houston will let you experience space from a whole new perspective!
5. Santa’s Wonderland (College Station)
Mo-Th 6-11 pm
Fr 6-12 am
Sa 3 pm-12 am
Su 3-11 pm
Location: 18898 Hwy 6, College Station, TX 77845
- Santa will be here until December 30th!
Santa’s Wonderland is one of the most memorable Christmas activities in Houston! It is a happy place that preserves and perpetuates Christmas’s true meaning and spirit! There are vibrant Christmas activities, winter-themed rides, games and plenty of shopping! You can take the family to view lights, taste food, enjoy live music and more.
6. Zoo Lights at Houston Zoo
Nov 21,2025 – Jan 4,2026
5:30 pm-9:30 pm
Location: 6200 Hermann Park Drive. Houston, TX 77030
- Adult and child fares are the same
- Food and drinks can be purchased along the way
For Christmas, the Houston Zoo unveils the Zoo Light Show! The spectacular zoo grounds will be the perfect place to enjoy Christmas events in Houston with family and friends.
7. Holly Jolly Train Rides at City Plance (The Woodlands)
01-30 Dec 4 pm-7 pm
Location: 1250 Lake Plaza Dr, Spring, TX 77389
- The service is free of charge
The park will resume holiday train Tours in December. The train will slowly walk along the central pond of City Square Park, and the children will enjoy the view from the train.
8. Christmas Tree Lighting at Sugar Land Town Square
Through Sunday, January 4, 2026 5 pm-8 pm
Location: Sugar Land Town Square, 2711 Plaza Drive, 77479
Sugar Land’s annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is not to be missed! This will leave you with the sweetest holiday meeting ever! You can enjoy a holiday show, take your picture with Santa Claus, or join a family fun activity and watch the countdown to the Christmas tree lighting. Fireworks and snowflakes will mark the perfect end to a meaningful evening.
11. Christmas Town at Brazos Valley Tree Farm (College Station)
Nov 13 -30 6 pm-10 pm
Location: 20881 FM 2154, College Station, TX 77845
- The newly opened Little Millican Farms country store will bring you more shopping fun.
Christmas Town will make you feel the most robust Christmas atmosphere. There are hayride parades, activities, yard games, and more. You can see Santa Claus and his elves here. It would be one of the best Christmas things to do in Houston.
11. Breakfast with Santa at The Westin Houston Memorial City
Dec 14, 2025 10 am
Location: 303 Memorial City Way, Houston, TX 77024
- Price: $30-$58
Enjoy the magic of the holiday season with Breakfast with Santa at the Westin Houston! Santa Claus will be personally with the people to spend a pleasant morning filled with joy, laughter and delicious food. You and your family will create precious memories together. In the hotel, you can not only taste the rich breakfast but also get the chance to take a photo with Santa Claus. It will be one of the great Christmas things to do in Houston!
12. Old Fashion Christmas Festival Wunderlich Farm Interactive History Park
The first Saturday of December, 2026 10 am – 4 pm
Location: 18218 Theiss Mail Route Rd, Klein, TX, United States, Texas
The old-fashioned Christmas market will make you feel the intense Christmas atmosphere. There are 50 stalls here, and you will see many Christmas activities. This 8-acre historic building is decorated as it was in the early 20th century. There are food trucks, landmark craft stations, Santa Claus and history. You only need to pay 5 dollars to get in here. All the craft stations here are free, and Santa and candle making is only $5.
13. Holiday in the Gardens at Moody Gardens
Now open through January 3, 2026 10 am -10 pm
Location: 1 Hope Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77554
- One Day Value Pass (Adult Ages 13-64): $70
- One Day Value Pass (Child/ Senior Ages 4-12 & 65+): $62
- Visitors are not allowed to bring food and drinks into The Rainforest, Aquarium or Palm Beach. But you can taste your own food at our benches and tables found all around Moody Gardens.
Moody Gardens will prepare the popular Holiday in the Gardens festival celebration for you. It has prepared a variety of festival activities for visitors of all ages to ensure everyone entering the garden has a fun time. You can explore the famous ICE LAND exhibition, admire the towering ice sculptures, or take a stroll along the path and enjoy the captivating light show. You can also experience the skating rink and the Arctic slide here, or watch memorable films with festival themes. Moody Gardens Hotel offers a wide range of holiday packages and a wide variety of cuisine, making it your best choice for a vacation!
What's Open on Christmas Day in Houston
Although most shops and restaurants in Houston will be closed on Christmas Day, don’t worry! We have compiled a list of attractions, restaurants, and shops open on Christmas Day so you can have a wonderful holiday experience.
| Type | Recommended | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Festive Activities | Ice Skating at Discovery Green | Business hours on Christmas Day are from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m |
| $18 per person plus tax (including roller skates, 75 minutes) | ||
| All tickets, except the all-inclusive skating night, must be purchased online! | ||
| Self-Guided Light Tours | You can visit gardens, parks, and urban areas to enjoy exquisite light shows. Of course, you need to plan your route. | |
| Moody Gardens Festival of Lights | The best time for viewing is after dusk. Of course, you can take part in other activities in the park during the day. | |
| One Day Value Pass (Adult Ages 13-64): $70 One Day Value Pass (Child/ Senior Ages 4-12 & 65+): $62 |
||
| Movie Theaters | Cinemas are usually open at Christmas and are great places for family entertainment | |
| It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance. The recommended movie theaters are AMC and Regal | ||
| Dining Options | Luxury Hotel Brunches & Dinners | Luxury hotels such as Marriott Marquis and St. Regis will offer you special Christmas feasts, but you need to make reservations several weeks in advance |
| Reliable Casual Dining | Denny’s, IHOP, Waffle House, and Cleburne Cafeteria, etc., can all be open on Christmas Day, but you need to call in advance to confirm the business hours | |
| Essential Services | Pharmacies & Convenience Stores | Walgreens, CVS, and 7-Eleven are usually open, but the Pharmacy Counter may be closed or have shortened hours. You need to call in advance or check for notifications |
| Gas Stations | The Gas Stations of major brands and those near airports/major roads will be open at Christmas. | |
| Use apps like Google Maps or Waze to check gas station operating hours, or call directly to inquire. | ||
| Limited Grocery Options | Supermarkets such as Kroger, H-E-B, and Costco are usually closed on Christmas Day. You can choose to shop at small 24/7 Convenience stores. |
Conclusion
Houston has many good markets and Christmas events. You can plan your perfect vacation by checking out our recommendations!
If you are looking for student accommodation in Houston during the Christmas holiday, uhomes.com also offer you the corresponding ideal apartments to choose from. Outstanding facilities and a perfect location will ensure you have a pleasant Christmas holiday.
FAQ
What neighborhood in Houston has the best Christmas lights?
Nine neighborhoods in Houston have great Christmas lights and are well worth a visit:
- The Houston Zoo
- Prestonwood Forest
- Pecan Grove
- Johnson’s Christmas Corner
- Sugar Land Holiday Lights
- Christmas Katy
- Market Street in Light
- Moody Gardens Festival of Light
- Houston’s Magical Winter Lights
Does downtown Houston have Christmas lights?
And, of course, there’s a spectacular Christmas light show downtown! There’s no better place to get in the holiday spirit than downtown Houston. There are several places in the city centre with spectacular Christmas lights:
- Deck the Trees
- Land of Sweets
- Ice @ Discovery Green
- Texas Winter Lights
- Twinkle Town
- Mistletoe Square
- Winter Wonderlawn
- Sugar Plum Plaza
- Jingle Town
- Winter Wanderland
- City Hall-IDay
Can I buy alcohol on Christmas Day Texas?
No, Texas law requires liquor stores to be closed on Christmas. The only times liquor stores are legally required to be closed are Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Will anything be open on Christmas Day?
Yes, some places will be open on Christmas Day, but some retailers, banks, and government offices will be closed.
Will Chick-fil-A be open on Christmas Day?
No, Chick-fil-A will be closed on Christmas Day. You can get food on Christmas Eve with reduced hours or buy their bottled sauces at grocery stores for Christmas Day.
