Top 21 Festivals & Events in Houston: December 2024

Make the most of your month with our list of the 22 biggest and most notable festivals and events in Houston in December 2024.

Celebrate the holidays, or search for the elusive rare festival or big event that ignores them, happening around Greater Houston throughout the month of December 2024 and leading into the year 2025.

The Top 22 Festivals & Events in Houston in December 2024

Best Neighborhoods & Attractions for Christmas Lights in Greater Houston | Daily | Many FREE – Hop in the car and cruise through some of Houston’s most striking neighborhoods to ooh and ahh at the 2024 season of holiday lights. Or head to many of the larger than life tickets holiday light destinations—like Magical Winter Lights, Texas Winter Lights where you can rent a private igloo, Coca Cola Classic Christmas, and more—around the metro for photo opps and seasonal cheer.

Holiday Concerts, Theater, Arts Performances, Markets & More in Greater Houston | Daily – There’s way too many things to pull into a single list, so dig in to find more options for our top 25 things to do for Christmas, plus holiday concerts, theater and arts performances, markets, and more. Look for our list of Chanukah picks by the first full weekend of December.

Great Big Game Show at CityCentre | Daily – Experience all the thrills of a televised game show—the lights, music, and even the live host—at the new, hilariously fun Great Big Game Show in West Houston. Two teams face off in a variety of game show rounds, each with a different style of gameplay—ideal for family team building, corporate events, family reunions, holiday outings, birthday parties and more. Available for 2 players and up. Games can be scheduled daily. $38.99 per person.

Green Mountain Energy Ice at Discovery Green | Daily – A defining staple of Houston’s holiday season, the beloved outdoor ice skating rink returns to Downtown with weeks of special themed skate nights and appearances by Santa. $18, including skate rental. Open daily, including holidays. Times vary.

The Polar Express at the Galveston Railroad Museum | Daily – One of the most magical family holiday experiences, the annual Polar Express train ride invites families on a 60-minute journey to the North Pole. During the experience, they’ll meet characters from the iconic film, including the conductor, the singing chefs, the hobo, and Santa Claus; dig into cookies and hot! hot! hot chocolate; and enjoy dancing elves, thousands of lights, and more. Prices and times vary.

Justin Timberlake in Concert at Toyota Center | Wednesday, December 4 – Touring for the first time in 5 years, J.T. returns to Houston on his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, in support of his latest album Everything I Thought I Was. $52 and up, but you may find better or cheaper seats on the TicketNetwork resale marketplace. 7:30pm.

Deck the Park 2024 at Clay Family Eastern Glades in Memorial Park | Friday, December 6 – Mark the arrival of the Holiday Lights along Memorial Park’s promenade with cookie decorating, a tree lighting ceremony, an outdoor screening of Home Alone (1990, PG), holiday characters, festive refreshments like apple cider and hot cocoa, and more. $10. 5pm to 9pm; tree lighting at 6:30pm.

51st Annual Dickens on the Strand in Downtown Galveston | Friday, December 6  to Sunday, December 8 – Travel back in time as Galveston’s historic Strand is transformed into Charles Dickens’ Victorian London for a big, crowd-pleasing, all ages Christmas festival. Gear up for parades, live entertainment on six stages, strolling carolers, roving musicians, bagpipers, jugglers, and a visit from the characters of Dickens’ books. Free on Friday; Saturday and Sunday tickets start at $20; $13 for ages 7 to 12; free for ages 5 and under. Times vary.

The Nostalgia Con Houston at George R. Brown Convention Center | riday, December 6  to Sunday, December 8 – Tap into your 1990s and early 2000s pop culture memories with 3-days of appearances by cartoon voice actors from shows on Disney Channel, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon, animators and artists, a vendor market, and more. $35 single day pass on Friday and Sunday; $40 Saturday; $90 3-Day pass. Don’t miss the official after party concert headlined by former Nickelodeon star Josh Bell. Times vary.

12th Annual Houston Rockets Dog Walk at Hermann Park | Saturday – Starting at Lake Plaza, grab your pup and stroll through the beautiful Hermann Park at this annual fundraiser to help beautify the grounds, followed by a post walk party. Registration includes 1 ticket to an upcoming Rockets game of your choice. $45 and up. 8am.

McGovern Centennial Gardens 10th Anniversary Celebration at Hermann Park | Saturday | FREE – Mark a decade worth of peaceful serenity and landscaped beauty at a morning party offering free coffee, drinks, sweet treats and popcorn, face painting, lawn games and activities, music, and a beautiful morning in the Gardens. 9am to noon. 

105th Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular at City Hall | Saturday | FREE – Join Mayor John Whitmire for the city’s annual holiday extravaganza, headlined by LeToya Luckett, a two-time Grammy award winner and founding member of Destiny’s Child, and RaeLynn, two-time Academy of Country Music New Female Vocalist nominee. Plus, expect fireworks, a 55-foot Christmas tree lighting, a visit from Santa, and more family-friendly fun. 6pm to 8pm.

Tomball German Festival Christmas Market in Old Town Tomball | Friday, December 13 to Sunday, December 15 | FREE – Do as the Germans do and celebrate Christmas with plenty of food, beer, and wine, as well as live music on three stages, a petting zoo, and a holiday market featuring more than 150 vendors with antiques, arts and crafts, souvenirs, and more. Times vary.

Houston Symphony: A Very Merry Pops at Jones Hall | Thursday, December 13 to Sunday, December 15 – The Symphony’s annual holiday offering returns, bringing with it familiar favorites to make the rafters ring. The concert features the Tony-nominated Broadway star Betsy Wolfe. $45 and up. 7:30pm; 2pm on Sunday.

Lights in the Heights 2024 in Woodlands Heights | Saturday, December 14 | FREE – Stroll through the beautifully decorated streets of Woodlands Heights during one of Houston’s biggest holiday events, Lights in the Heights. Every year, the neighborhood streets are closed off, allowing pedestrians to roam freely as they admire the gorgeous homes hosting private parties that sometimes feature musical performances on the porch. After admiring the festive scenery, make your way to area bars and restaurants for tons of after-party fun. 6pm to 9pm.

Holiday With The Cranes on Galveston Island | Saturday, December 14 & Sunday, December 15 – Celebrate the annual pre-holiday return of the 4-foot tall, red-capped sandhill cranes who winter on the island at one or many individual indoor and outdoor nature events held over 2 days. Events start at $40. Times vary from sunrise to sunset on both days.

Snow Glow on the Bayou at Allen’s Landing in Downtown | December 20 to December 29 | FREE – New for 2024, Downtown Houston presents a nightly digital, immersive light and sound spectacular at Allen’s Landing. Reflecting in the water and projected onto a 4-story tall, 6-story wide water screen, Snow Glow can be experienced from multiple vantage points, from Buffalo Bayou’s nearby banks or trails, or on a ticketed holiday boat tour from Buffalo Bayou Partnership.

Songs of Light & Hope: A Hanukkah Concert at MFAH | Thursday, December 19 – In the lead up to Chanukah, beginning on the evening of Wednesday, December 25, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston hosts three cantors—Congregation Beth Israel’s Kenneth Feibush, Congregation Beth Yeshurun’s Rachel Goldman, and Congregation Emanu El’s Rollin Simmons. They’ll share and sing selections celebrating Chanukah, plus additional music to bring light. 6:30pm.

A Prairie Home Companion Christmas at The Grand 1894 Opera House | Saturday, December 21 – Garrison Keillor and the PHC crew offer this special holiday edition of the beloved radio program. The show includes many of the Companion’s favorite sketches, including the Adventures of Guy Noir, Duane & His Mom and the News from Lake Wobegon. There’s also A Christmas Carolette and an audience singalong of five beloved carols. $38 and up. 8pm.

The H-Town Sneaker Summit at Bayou City Event Center | Sunday, December 22 – Find the rarest and most coveted sneakers, apparel, and accessories, while enjoying special guest appearances, contests and more at Houston’s O.G. sneaker meet. 3pm to 8pm.

Celebrating Kwanzaa at Children’s Museum Houston | Thursday, December 26 – The Museum District staple—”you know, for kids!”—hosts a celebration of Kwanzaa, exploring how it’s marked through visual arts and music. Including with museum admission, $19.95. Noon to 6pm.

New Year’s Eve Events Around Greater Houston | New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31 – Plans are still coming into place for big parties, concerts, comedy shows, and more to rind in 2025. Stay tuned for our full round up of celebrations and offerings, being published during the second week of December.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!