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21 Best Things To Do in Houston with Kids December 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Dickens on the Strand in Galveston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Dickens on the Strand in Galveston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
11/29/24 - By Rachael Cherry

Tis’ the season — and Houston is decked out for December! We’ve found tons of family-friendly festivals this month, from the merry celebrations at Holidays in Hermann Park to the charming Holiday Festival at Levy Park. We also love the Houston Symphony’s PNC Family Series, and their concert Oh, What Fun! A Holiday Concert for Kids at the Houston Symphony, is tailor-made for the younger crowd — with sing-alongs, hot cocoa, crafts, Santa sightings, and even an Instrument Petting Zoo. It’s a magical way to soak up the spirit of the season together!

Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Houston Families to make the most of the season!

 

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Holiday Festival in Levy Park. Photo courtesy of Levy Park.
Holiday Festival in Levy Park. Photo courtesy of Levy Park.

Top Things To Do in Houston with Kids this December 2024

The Energy Corridor Tree Lighting

Energy Corridor
Thursday, December 4, 2025
This family-friendly holiday celebration features the lighting of a 50-foot Christmas tree and live performances on the main stage. Guests can enjoy a spectacular drone light show, explore Santa’s Winter Wonderland, and take photos with Santa.   READ MORE

Deck the Park at Memorial Park

Memorial Park
Friday, December 5, 2025
This beloved community event brings the magic of the season to life with a festive tree lighting ceremony, outdoor movie screening (with popcorn, of course!), and plenty of family-friendly fun. READ MORE

Christmas Movie Night at Woodchase Park

Westchase District – FREE
Friday, December 5, 2025
All aboard for a festive Christmas Movie Night at Woodchase Park! Gather the family and get cozy under the stars for a showing of The Polar Express. Enjoy free popcorn, holiday-themed coloring, and fun lawn games before the movie begins. READ MORE

Dickens on the Strand

Galveston
Friday, December 5 - Sunday, December 7, 2025
Brush off your bowlers and prepare your petticoats as Galveston Historical Foundation presents the 51st annual Dickens on The Strand. The annual festival is a holiday tradition with great family programming, live entertainment, special events, and more.   READ MORE

Christmas Village at Bayou Bend

River Oaks
Friday, December - Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Discover an immersive holiday experience during Christmas Village at Bayou Bend. A dazzling bridge brings you into a winter wonderland featuring thousands of lights throughout the 14-acre estate of Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. READ MORE

Deck the Hall at City Hall

Downtown – FREE
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Celebrate the season at Deck the Hall, the Mayor’s newly reimagined holiday show featuring R&B legend Brian McKnight! Enjoy the annual tree lighting countdown, a festive concert, and a spectacular fireworks finale over City Hall. Families can also explore the new Winter Wonderland kids zone with games, crafts, and holiday fun for all ages.  READ MORE

Deck the Depot Tomball Christmas Tree Lighting

Tomball – FREE
Saturday, December 6, 2025
The Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce presents its 51st annual parade. This year's theme is "A Gold Medal Christmas," and features parade floats from local clubs and organizations. READ MORE

Holidays in Hermann Park

Museum District – FREE
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Celebrate the season with a full day of holiday fun at Hermann Park! Before enjoying a double-feature movie night under the stars—Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer followed by Elf—guests can ride the holiday train and carousel, listen to live music and carolers, take photos with a roaming Santa, join story time, play lawn games, explore arts and crafts, participate in nature activities, and more. READ MORE

Cookies with Santa at HMNS Sugar Land

Sugar Land
Saturday, December 6, 2025
This annual family-friendly event offers a chance to catch Santa during an early visit to Sugar Land. Guests can enjoy holiday crafts in Santa Land, the classic treats of cookies and milk, and a take-home photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Holiday Festival at Levy Park

Upper Kirby – FREE
Saturday & Sunday, December 6 & 7, 2025
Bring the whole family to the park for the annual Levy Park Holiday Festival! The free festival features a holiday market, a craft station, live music performances throughout the park, a special performance by River Oaks Dance, a free photo booth with Santa Claus, and food and drink concessions. READ MORE

Univision's Fiestas Navideñas at Discovery Green

Downtown – FREE
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Univision’s annual Holiday Celebration is at Discovery Green! Enjoy gifts, Christmas music and of course a photo with Santa for free! READ MORE

Christmas by the Bayou at Armand Bayou Nature Center

Pasadena
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Families are invited to step into ABNC’s Nature Wonderland for a festive day of holiday fun. Kids can take pictures with Santa, meet friendly elves, make yarn dolls, paint tree cookies, and get up close with Animal Ambassadors.   READ MORE

Yuletide, Y’all! at Lynn Wyatt Square for the Performing Arts

Downtown – FREE Sundays, December 7 - December 21, 2025
Yuletide, Y’all! is a Lone Star–inspired holiday celebration blending festive desserts, seasonal drinks, and live Texas music. Each week spotlights a different genre—Country, Zydeco, and Tejano—paired with roaming carolers and a special appearance from Cowboy Santa. Guests can also enjoy interactive experiences such as a boot-shine station, DIY Texas-themed ornament crafts, and a kids’ holiday craft zone. READ MORE

Christmas Celebration presented by Alief ISD at Camden Park

Westchase District – FREE
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Get ready for a day full of holiday cheer at the Christmas Celebration presented by Alief ISD at Camden Park! Enjoy festive choir performances from Alief ISD and HCC, a live DJ, and tons of family-friendly fun. READ MORE

Christmas Boat Lane Parade

League City – FREE
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Ring in the holidays at the 64th Annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade, produced by the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce! The parade kicks off with fireworks and the Nassau Bay Parade at Nassau Bay Lagoon, followed by a spectacular procession of more than 60 brightly decorated power and sailboats making their way to Galveston Bay. READ MORE

Lights in the Heights

The Heights – FREE
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Lights in the Heights has become a beloved holiday tradition for both neighbors and Houstonians. Stroll through pedestrian-only streets lined with beautifully lit homes, enjoy live music from front porches, and soak in the nostalgic, small-town holiday charm.  READ MORE

Oh, What Fun! A Holiday Concert for Kids at the Houston Symphony

Downtown
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Gather the whole family and jingle all the way to Jones Hall for a sparkling concert guaranteed to put the “ho-ho-ho” in your holiday! READ MORE

Stearman Santa at Lone Star Flight Museum

Southeast Houston
Saturday, December 13, 2025
The original Flight Legend is cleared for landing! Celebrate the season as Santa gives his reindeer a well-deserved break before the big night. Watch Santa taxi in live aboard a vintage open-cockpit biplane, then enjoy photos, hands-on activities, and festive fun for the whole family. READ MORE

Chanukah Festival in the Park at Bellaire Town Square

Bellaire
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Families are invited to a joyous Hanukkah celebration featuring a delicious dinner buffet, a giant menorah lighting, and a fun gelt launch. Kids will love meeting Judah the Maccabee on stilts, tackling festive Chanukah crafts, and collecting swag. There’s also face painting and an inflatable play area, plus plenty of latkes and donuts to enjoy.   READ MORE

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

Downtown
Tuesday & Wednesday, Dec 23 & 24, 2025
Cirque’s longest-running holiday show features brilliant theatrical design, contemporary circus acts, and fresh takes on music favorites of the season—a high-flying tradition for the whole family! READ MORE

New Year's Eve Family Celebration at Kemah Boardwalk

Kemah –FREE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Kemah Boardwalk with a night full of delicious food, live music & entertainment, and festive crafts. Enjoy the lively atmosphere as you make lasting memories, then cap off the celebration with a stunning fireworks show over Galveston Bay! READ MORE

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