Christmas 2017: What’s Happening Christmas Weekend In Houston

HOUSTON, TX— It’s Christmas weekend in the Bayou City, and if you are not out and about doing your last minute shopping, getting your house ready for your Christmas guests and old St. Nick, or kicking back and catching up on the weekend sports programs, then there’s plenty going on in communities all over Houston.

For many people, the long Christmas weekend starts Thursday, and continues until Tuesday to get a running start to New Year’s Day 2018.

Here are some of the events happening in Houston and communities nearby:

Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens| Galveston, TX| Open 7 days a week 10 a.m.-11 p.m.| One of the most eagerly anticipated and popular holiday events in the Houston-Galveston area. It’s a perfect way to usher in the Christmas spirit with more than a million lights on display to make your holiday bright. The experience also featured lit scenes and great views of Galveston Bay. Visitors and guests to Moody Gardens can also explore the indoor ice land, skate on an indoor skating rink, meet Santa, catch live holiday entertainment and performances and more. Tickets.

Zoo Lights at Houston Zoo | Houston, TX|Thursday to Saturday| Experience the Christmas holiday at night while taking in the many exhibits at this annual holiday tradition at the Houston Zoo.Tickets start at $11.95. Thursday 6pm to 10pm; Friday and Saturday 6pm to 11pm.

Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Smart Financial Center | Two Locations: Houston, TX and Sugar Land, TX| Thursday to Saturday| Another Bayou City tradition takes the stage with the Houston Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. This classic is being hosted this year at Smart Financial Center before Christmas Day and at the Hobby Center after that. Tickets start at $35, but you may find cheaper seats on TicketNetwork’s resale marketplace. Thursday and Friday 7:30pm; Saturday 2pm and 7:30pm.

The Polar Express Movie Screening at Sweet & Sassy| Kingwood, TX | Grab the hot cocoa and your best fuzzy blanket as you and the kiddos take in this Christmastime classic.of The Polar Express, refreshments and then a limo ride to see the lights. Tickets $35. 6pm to 9pm.

Jack Ingram in Concert at The Heights Theater|Saturday|The Heights| Come on in for a little falalala toe tapping and sing along with Country singer Jack Ingram at The Heights Theater. Jamie Lin Wilson will open. Tickets start at $22. 7pm.

Die Hard Midnight Movie Screening at River Oaks Theatre| Houston Galleria|Saturday|It’s really not Christmas without explosions and gunplay at Nakatomi Plaza. Take in the action filled classic and watch again as Hans Gruber and John McClain duke it out in this 1988 Christmas Kaboom classic. River Oaks Theatre. $11. Midnight.

Home for the Holidays in Old Town Spring| Take in the lights and the small town feeling as you stroll through iconic Old Town Spring. Shot local, visit with Santa and enjoy the strolling performers as you get your last minute shopping done| All weekend.

A Midnight Clear: A Musical Tale of Christmas at Stages Repertory Theatre| Midtown| It's Christmas Eve 1964, and a snowstorm threatens to cancel a concert hosted by the Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart. But when a mysterious stranger and a stranded motorist arrive at their chapel, the Sisters find that their carols have far more power than they'd imagined.Tickets start at $25, but you may find limited discounted tickets. 2:30pm.

Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium| Houston, TX| It’s the final home game in a rough season for the Houston Texans who take on Big Ben and the Steelers in a Christmas Day game at NRG. Tickets start at $145, 3:30pm.

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