Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands · TX
Things to do with kids in Houston — December 2026
103 family events in December 2026. Every listing links to the organizer’s own page. Dates are in Central Time.
What’s on now in Houston →Events
- Tree lightings
Tue, Dec 1 · 6:30 PM
Conroe Tree Lighting Ceremony
Heritage Place
Nov14SatLight displaysThrough Jan 3
Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston
From $19.95All ages
Nov21SatCommunityThrough Jan 2
Holiday in The Gardens at Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens
PaidAll ages
Nov3TueSTEM & discoveryTue, Nov 3 · 9:30 AM
Learn Wild! Home School Programs at Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens
From $20
Nov3TueSTEM & discoveryTue, Nov 3 · 4:45 PM
LEGO Club — Jacinto City Library
Jacinto City Branch Library
- Tree lightings
Tue, Dec 1 · 6:00 PM
Mont Belvieu City Hall Christmas Tree Lighting
Mont Belvieu City Hall
Free
Nov20FriOutdoorsThrough Feb 21
Radiant Nature — 2026–27 lantern festival
Houston Botanic Garden
From $24.50All ages
Dec1TueLittle skatersTue, Dec 1 · 1:30 PM
Sensory-Friendly Ice Skating at The Ice Rink — The Woodlands
The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center
PaidAll ages
- Light displays
Through Jan 3
Synthetic Ice Skating at Sugar Land Holiday Lights
Constellation Field
PaidAll ages
Nov20FriPublic skatingThrough Jan 18
The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center
The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center
From $8All ages
- Nutcracker and shows
Through Dec 28
The Nutcracker — Houston Ballet 2026
Wortham Theater Center — Brown Theater
Paid
- Train rides
Through Dec 23
The Polar Express Train Ride — Galveston Railroad Museum
Galveston Railroad Museum — 1932 Union Depot
Paid
Nov19ThuLight displaysThrough Jan 3
Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo
Houston Zoo
PaidAll ages
- STEM & discovery
Wed, Nov 11 · 4:30 PM
Wednesday Wonders — Maud Smith Marks Library
Maud Smith Marks Branch Library
- Light displays
Thu, Dec 3 · 6:30 PM
Baytown Christmas Parade: Stars, Stripes & Christmas Lights
Baytown Town Square and downtown parade route
- Community
Thu, Dec 3 · 5:00 PM
Christmas on Main — La Porte
Five Points Town Plaza
FreeAll ages
- STEM & discovery
Thu, Oct 22 · 6:00 PM
Family Fun Night — CyFair Library
Lone Star College-CyFair Branch Library
FreeAll ages
- Sports & play
Through Jan 5
Holiday Hangout at Baytown Town Square
Baytown Town Square
With admissionAll ages
Oct22ThuCommunityThu, Oct 22 · 4:30 PM
Levy Park Children’s Bingo — October2026
Levy Park — Event Pavilion
Ages 4–12
Dec4FriCommunityFri, Dec 4 · 5:00 PM
Dickens on The Strand
The Strand National Historic Landmark District
From $13All ages
Dec4FriNutcracker and showsFri, Dec 4
Dickens' A Christmas Carol — The Grand 1894 Opera House
The Grand 1894 Opera House
Paid
Nov6FriCommunityFri, Nov 6 · 6:30 PM
Family Bingo Night — The Woodlands
The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park
From $5
Nov1SunOutdoorsSun, Nov 1 · 8:00 AM
Guided Birding Hike at 40 Acre Lake — Brazos Bend State Park
Brazos Bend State Park — 40 Acre Lake
With admission
- Markets and festivals
Fri, Dec 4 · 6:00 PM
Hometown Christmas Festival — Pearland
Independence Park
FreeAll ages
Nov6FriArts & craftsFri, Nov 6 · 11:30 AM
MFAH Playdate
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — Nancy and Rich Kinder Building
From $10Up to 4
- Sports & play
Fri, Nov 6 · 9:00 AM
Pre-K Play at the Avon Center — Deer Park
Avon Recreation & Fitness Center
FreeAges 0–4
Dec5SatSanta visitsSat, Dec 5 · 1:00 PM
Cordovan Sugar Land Cookies for Santa Plate
Cordovan Art School Sugar Land
From $35
Dec5SatSTEM & discoverySat, Dec 5 · 9:30 AM
December 5 Scout Badge Classes — Hermann Park
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Paid
- Tree lightings
Sat, Dec 5 · 4:00 PM
Deck the Depot Tree Lighting — Tomball
Tomball Depot Plaza
Free
- Tree lightings
Sat, Dec 5
Deck the Hall — Mayor's Holiday Tree Lighting
Hermann Square at City Hall
Dec5SatOutdoorsSat, Dec 5 · 2:00 PM
Discover Nature Together: Animal Homes Scavenger Hunt
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center — Nature Center
FreeAll ages
Dec5SatOutdoorsSat, Dec 5 · 10:00 AM
First Saturday Guided Hike — Stephen F. Austin State Park
Stephen F. Austin State Park — RV Loop restroom (meeting point)
With admissionAll ages
Dec5SatSports & playSat, Dec 5 · 6:00 PM
Glow and Go 5K — The Woodlands Waterway
The Woodlands Waterway
From $35
Nov7SatOutdoorsSat, Nov 7 · 10:00 AM
Guided Nature Hikes at the Houston Arboretum (English and en español)
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center — information signage by the 610 parking loop
FreeAll ages
Dec5SatCrafts and cookiesSat, Dec 5 · 11:00 AM
Homemade Holidays — Nature Wreath and Ornament Workshop
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
From $11Ages 5+
- Parades
Sat, Dec 5 · 6:00 PM
Hometown Christmas Parade — Pearland
FM 518 (Broadway) parade route
FreeAll ages
- Tree lightings
Sat, Dec 5 · 2:00 PM
Hometown Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting — Rosenberg
Historic Downtown Rosenberg
Free
- Tree lightings
Sat, Dec 5 · 2:00 PM
Katy Christmas Tree Lighting and Nutcracker Exchange
Historic Town Square
All ages
Dec5SatMarkets and festivalsSat, Dec 5 · 11:00 AM
Levy Park Holiday Festival2026
Levy Park — Event Pavilion
Dec5SatSanta visitsSat, Dec 5 · 5:00 PM
Santa & S'mores — The Woodlands
The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park (Outdoor Campus)
From $20All ages
- Nov7SatSTEM & discovery
Sat, Nov 7 · 2:00 PM
Science Squad — CyFair Library
Lone Star College-CyFair Branch Library
Ages 6–9
- Tree lightings
Sat, Dec 5 · 3:00 PM
SnowFest Festival & Tree Lighting — Missouri City
Missouri City City Hall Complex
FreeAll ages
- Community
Sat, Dec 5 · 9:00 AM
SnowFest Parade — Missouri City
Cartwright Road parade route
FreeAll ages
- Sports & play
Sat, Dec 5 · 8:00 AM
SnowFest Shuffle one-mile fun run — Missouri City
Missouri City Recreation and Tennis Center
With admissionAll ages
Dec5SatSanta visitsSat, Dec 5 · 12:00 PM
Winter Cheer with Santa — George Memorial Library
George Memorial Library
FreeAll ages
- Tree lightings
Sun, Dec 6 · 3:00 PM
Chanukah Fest and Grand Menorah Lighting at Houston City Hall
Houston City Hall
Free
- Parades
Sun, Dec 6 · 6:00 PM
Christmas On The Hill Parade — Mont Belvieu
Eagle Drive — Barbers Hill ISD campus side
Dec6SunSanta visitsSun, Dec 6 · 9:30 AM
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa at The Ice Rink — The Woodlands
The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center
From $25All ages
Dec7MonSanta visitsMon, Dec 7 · 10:00 AM
Santa's Littler Helpers — The Grand 1894 Opera House
The Grand 1894 Opera House
Paid
- Outdoors
Mon, Oct 26 · 9:30 AM
Tyke Hikes — Houston Arboretum
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center — Beautyberry Classroom (sign-up)
From $7
- Arts & crafts
Mon, Dec 7 · 10:00 AM
Winter Watercolors — Tween & Teen Painting Class, Baldwin Boettcher Library
Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library
FreeAges 9–17
- Arts & crafts
Wed, Nov 11 · 5:00 PM
Art in the Park at Dow Park — Deer Park
Dow Park — Large Pavilion
Free
- Nov11WedSTEM & discovery
Wed, Nov 11 · 10:30 AM
Learn Live! Pre-K Expeditions — Friendly Fish and Batty Pals
Moody Gardens
PaidAges 3–5
- Santa visits
Thu, Dec 10 · 6:00 PM
Santa Sightings at Five Points Plaza — La Porte
Five Points Town Plaza
Free
Nov13FriSTEM & discoveryFri, Nov 13 · 8:00 AM
Home School Days — fall 2026 series
Space Center Houston
From $14.95All ages
- Markets and festivals
Fri, Dec 11 · 6:00 PM
Tomball German Christmas Market
Downtown Tomball (festival grounds)
FreeAll ages
Nov14SatArts & craftsSat, Nov 14 · 5:00 PM
Brazos River Pickers Bluegrass Evenings — Brazos Bend State Park
Brazos Bend State Park — Amphitheater outside the Nature Center
With admission
- Santa visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 8:00 AM
Breakfast with Santa — Mont Belvieu
The Hilltop at Eagle Pointe (Hilltop Senior Center)
Paid
Dec12SatSanta visitsSat, Dec 12 · 8:30 AM
Breakfast with Santa at Moody Gardens Hotel
Moody Gardens Hotel — Frances Anne Moody Ballroom
Paid
- Community
Sat, Dec 12 · 5:00 PM
Christmas in the Park — Webster
Texas Avenue Park
Free
Dec12SatLight displaysSat, Dec 12 · 6:00 PM
Coastal Campsite Lights Night — Galveston Island State Park
Galveston Island State Park — campground
With admission
- Crafts and cookies
Sat, Dec 12 · 11:00 AM
Gingerbread House Decorating Class — Deer Park
Dow Active Complex (DAC)
From $10
- Light displays
Sat, Dec 12 · 10:30 AM
Hanukkah Lights — Helen Hall Library, League City
Helen Hall Library
All ages
Dec12SatNutcracker and showsSat, Dec 12 · 10:00 AM
Ho-Ho-Holiday — sensory-inclusive family concert
Jones Hall for the Performing Arts
From $40All ages
Dec12SatSanta visitsSat, Dec 12
S'mores with Santa at The George Ranch
George Ranch Historical Park
From $5
Dec12SatSanta visitsSat, Dec 12 · 11:30 AM
Swimming with Santa — Deer Park
Dow Active Complex (DAC) — Indoor Pool
From $10
Dec12SatCommunitySat, Dec 12 · 10:00 AM
The Woodlands Winter Makers Market
The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park
FreeAll ages
- Community
Sat, Dec 12 · 11:00 AM
Toby Powell Conroe Christmas Celebration
Heritage Place
All ages
- Santa visits
Sun, Dec 13 · 1:00 PM
Elves and Arrows — holiday archery intro
The Archery Range at Rob Fleming Recreation Center
From $25Ages 9+
Dec13SunArts & craftsSun, Dec 13 · 1:00 PM
Little Artists — October and December 2026
MFAH — Caroline Wiess Law Building
From $10Ages 3–5
- Community
Mon, Dec 14 · 10:00 AM
Sensory Friendly Day — December at Children's Museum Houston
Children's Museum Houston
From $9.95All ages
- Outdoors
Tue, Dec 15 · 6:00 PM
Geocaching: 'Twas the Night — holiday hunt at Dow Park
Dow Park
From $10
- Santa visits
Tue, Dec 15 · 10:15 AM
Storytime with Santa — Maud Smith Marks Library, Katy
Maud Smith Marks Branch Library
FreeAges 3–5
- Santa visits
Wed, Dec 16 · 4:30 PM
Free Santa Photos — Jacinto City Branch Library
Jacinto City Branch Library
Free
Dec17ThuCommunityThu, Dec 17 · 6:00 PM
Lotería Game Night — Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — Nancy and Rich Kinder Building
With admissionAll ages
- Community
Mon, Oct 26 · 7:30 AM
School's Out Day Camps — Deer Park
Dow Active Complex (DAC)
From $50
- Nutcracker and shows
Fri, Dec 18 · 1:00 PM
The Nutcracker Sensory-Friendly Performance — Houston Ballet
Wortham Theater Center — Brown Theater
Paid
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Dec 19 · 10:30 AM
Christmas Around the World — Helen Hall Library, League City
Helen Hall Library
All ages
Dec19SatArts & craftsSat, Dec 19 · 1:00 PM
Cordovan Sugar Land Winter Cottage Painting
Cordovan Art School Sugar Land
From $35Ages 8+
Dec19SatLight displaysThrough Dec 20
Family Overnight — Galaxy Lights
Space Center Houston
From $79.95Ages 5+
Dec19SatNutcracker and showsSat, Dec 19 · 6:00 PM
Movies on the Square: The Grinch — Sugar Land Town Square
Sugar Land Town Square Plaza
- Santa visits
Sat, Dec 19 · 8:30 AM
Pancakes & Pajamas with Santa — Deer Park
Deer Park Theater and Court Buildings
From $12
Dec19SatCommunityThrough Jan 4
Polar Palooza at Children's Museum Houston
Children's Museum Houston
PaidAll ages
- STEM & discovery
Sun, Nov 22
Scouting America Public Merit Badge Workshops at Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens
- Nov15SunSports & play
Sun, Nov 15 · 9:30 AM
Backyard Bass Lawn-Fishing Game — Brazos Bend State Park
Brazos Bend State Park — Nature Center lawn
With admission
- Arts & crafts
Sun, Nov 1 · 1:00 PM
Family Zone — fall 2026 selected Sundays
MFAH — Audrey Jones Beck Building
With admissionAll ages
- Nov15SunSports & play
Sun, Nov 15 · 10:30 AM
Fishing with a Ranger at Hale Lake — Brazos Bend State Park
Brazos Bend State Park — Hale Lake fishing pier
With admission
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Oct 24
Girl Scout Badge Workshops at Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens
- Nov15SunOutdoors
Sun, Nov 15 · 9:00 AM
Rise of the Wild Prairie Guided Hike — Galveston Island State Park
Galveston Island State Park — Nature Center
With admission
Nov23MonSTEM & discoveryMon, Nov 23 · 8:45 AM
Camp Zoofari — Fall & Winter2026 Day Camps
Houston Zoo
From $90Ages 6–12
Dec21MonSanta visitsMon, Dec 21 · 1:00 PM
Cookies for Santa — The Woodlands
The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park
From $20Ages 3+
- Santa visits
Mon, Dec 21 · 7:30 AM
Elf Camp — Deer Park winter break day camp
Dow Active Complex (DAC)
From $85
Dec21MonCrafts and cookiesMon, Dec 21 · 10:00 AM
Gingerbread House Making — The Woodlands
The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park
From $20Ages 3+
- Arts & crafts
Through Dec 24
Houston School of Art & Design Winter Four-day Art Camp
Houston School of Art & Design
From $160
Nov23MonSTEM & discoveryMon, Nov 23 · 9:00 AM
Pyramid Kids Camps — Thanksgiving and winter break days
Moody Gardens
From $60Ages 6–12
Dec21MonSTEM & discoveryThrough Dec 23
Space Center U — December 21 STEM camps
Space Center Houston
PaidAges 11–18
- Arts & crafts
Tue, Dec 22 · 2:00 PM
A Hi-JACK-ed Christmas — Helen Hall Library, League City
Helen Hall Library
All ages
- Dec23WedNutcracker and shows
Wed, Dec 23 · 2:00 PM
Watch Party: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas — George Memorial Library
George Memorial Library
Dec26SatCommunitySat, Dec 26 · 8:30 AM
Merry Little Mischief Morning Feast — character breakfast
Moody Gardens Hotel — Frances Anne Moody Ballroom
Paid
- Nov14SatOutdoors
Sat, Nov 14 · 9:00 AM
Winter Birding — Galveston Island State Park
Galveston Island State Park — Observation Tower parking lot
With admissionAll ages
- Arts & crafts
Through Jan 1
Houston School of Art & Design Winter Five-day Art Camp
Houston School of Art & Design
From $200
- Dec28MonSTEM & discovery
Through Dec 30
Space Center U — December 28 STEM camps
Space Center Houston
PaidAges 11–18
- New Year’s Eve
Thu, Dec 31 · 11:30 AM
New Year's Count Down at Noon — Helen Hall Library, League City
Helen Hall Library