Christmas comes with style to Houston, offering entertainment and spectacular seasonal sights and delights to please the hearts of young and old alike.

Here is a roundup of some of the events for the Houston community you won’t want to miss during this 2016 holiday season.

Ice Skating at Discovery Green

It just wouldn’t be Christmas without a skating rink at Discovery Green. Powered by Green Mountain Energy, there’s no bigger or better place to get your skates on. Literally, as at 7,716 square feet it’s the biggest outdoor skating venue in the southwest. We know how to do it here in Houston. But if the main rink is overwhelming for the little ones, there’s also a mini rink, called the Ice Box, which is just for skaters under 4 years or below 45 inches in height.

Wheelchair users are welcome, with free admission for the wheelchair user and a $14 charge for the necessary accompanying adult. This includes tax and skate rental.

The Discovery Green ice-skating rink is open every day including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Various opening hours operate during the week with the longest hours running on Fridays and Saturdays for 12 hours between 11 AM and 11 PM, with occasional closures for maintenance. Some weather conditions may force closure at other times.

Zoo Lights at Houston Zoo

For the fifth year in row, Houston Zoo transforms itself into a winter wonderland with beautiful twinkling surprises around every corner, provided by over 2 million lights and 15 miles of eco-friendly LED illuminations threaded through the trees and along the paths.

Along the way, you can sip hot chocolate and enjoy the festive atmosphere that only seasonal Carol singers can create.

Some of the highlights you can look forward to include a 1958 Cadillac, Holly Berry. This has its very own light show set to music, a spectacle that is sure to delight. There’s also an Enchanted Forest, and you can get to meet Candy, the world’s only interactive talking zebra. One thing you definitely won’t want to miss Is the Holiday Train, and another that you won’t be able to miss is the 33 foot tall Christmas tree.

Christmas is a busy time for everyone, but make sure you carve time into that schedule to enjoy the lights, the sounds and the sights of this most wonderful time of year at Houston Zoo.

Magical Winter Lights In Houston

There’s so much going on in the Houston Lantern Festival and Holiday Celebration that you will hardly know where to turn first. With magic lanterns glimmering throughout the night, the Holiday Market Square is a sight to behold featuring special landmarks from North to South America. 

Entertainment and shopping opportunities abound around every corner, including games and carnival rides with thrilling amusements and excellent carnival food. There are also Chinese arts and crafts by skilled artisans showing off the craftwork that is part of China’s 5,000-year culture.

For the little ones (and the not so little) there is the annual chance to have a photograph taken with Santa. He is making special appearances throughout December between 5 PM and 10 PM, leaving his elves to get on with the gift making while he takes time out to visit Houston.

A truly international celebration, there are cultural performances from around the world including acrobatics, As well as live performances from Harrison Swift, Scott Morrison and Beth//James.

Ticket prices are either $20 for a Value Night Ticket, or $22 on weekends or over Christmas week. Parking is available, priced at five dollars, and you can buy an unlimited carnival ride wristband online for $20, representing a five-dollar saving at the site. Everything is included in the ticket price except food and souvenirs, professional photographs, commercial vendor shops or carnival rides for those without a wristband.

Home for the Holidays

Old Town Spring Returns with the popular Christmas festival, Home for the Holidays. Running all the way through December until Christmas Eve, this will be their 36th season and promises as much wonderful entertainment and family fun as we’ve seen in previous years.

There are shops and boutiques offering plenty of variety to inspire your holiday gift buying, in a traditional atmosphere filled with festive exhibits and strolling performers for your entertainment. There are plenty of local restaurants offering festive food dotted along the decorated winding paths. You can stop for a meal or just take a break and a warming hot chocolate while you soak up the magical holiday atmosphere.

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