Tis’ the season to be festive! The weather may not be beginning to look like Christmas in Houston, but there is still plenty of holiday fun to be had for the whole family. Below is a list of merry events in and around Houston during the 2009 Christmas holiday season:
Festival of Lights
Where: Moody Gardens, Galveston Island
When: Grand Opening: November 14, 2009; Daily: December 17, 2009 - January 2, 2010
Festival of Lights Trail open 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Cost: $5.95 (adult, senior, child)
Add-on: $5.00 (adult, senior, child) per attraction; *With the purchase of the Festival of Lights ticket, you can add other attractions for $5 each
Evening Pass: $19.95 (adult, senior, child); includes tickets to Festival of Lights, Outdoor Ice Skating Rink, skate rental, Light Before Christmas IMAX 3D, Ridefilm, Aquarium and Colonel Paddlewheel Boat.
Special Attractions: ice skate rental, IMAX® 3D film (excludes Disney's Christmas Carol 3D), Ridefilm, Aquarium or Colonel Paddlewheel Boat.
For more details visit http://www.moodygardens.com/seasonal_fun/festival_of_lights/
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A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas
Where: Alley Theatre - Hubbard Stage
When: November 20th - December 27th
Cost: $42 - $100
A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas is the classic Charles Dickens' story, about Ebenezer Scrooge's journey with the three spirits that visit him on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Carol is an age-old story that teaches kids about the spirit of the holiday season.
For more information and times visit the website www.alleytheatre.org.
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Ice Rink in The Woodlands
Where: The Woodlands Town Center - Lake Robbins Drive and Six Pines Avenue,
When: Monday - Thursday, 3 p.m - 9 p.m; Friday 3 p.m - 11p.m; Saturday 10 a.m - 11 p.m; Sunday, 12 p.m - 7p.m
Cost: $9.50 - $10.50; Children (5 & under) $5 - $6
Visit the website to learn about special discounts and holiday hours on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Admission price includes skate rental.
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The Ice at Discovery Green
When: November 26, 2009 - January 18, 2010
Where: Discovery Green - 1500 McKinney Street, Houston, TX
Time: Monday - Thursday 4 p.m - 10 p.m; Friday - Saturday, 11 a.m - 11 p.m; Sunday, 11 a.m - 7 p.m; School holidays 11 a.m - 11 p.m
Cost: $10, includes skate rental
The outdoor ice rink features a separate toddler ice rink, a skate shop, a snack shop, and a gift shop. Special attractions: performances by regional figure skating stars; music, film, and DJ nights; and skating with Santa.
Visit the website for holiday hours, a complete schedule of entertainment/programs and if rink is closed due to inclement weather.
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Disney's A Christmas Carol: IMAX 3-D (PG)
When: November 6, 2009 - January 8, 2010
Where: Moody Gardens - One Hope Boulevard, Galveston
Time: Daily
Cost: Adults $11.95; Seniors & Children $9.95
Disney's A Christmas Carol, starring Jim Carrey, is showing at the Moody Garden's IMAX theater in 3-D. Donate non-perishable food items to support the Tiny Tim Food Drive and receive $2 off admission.
For more information call 1-800-582-4673 or visit www.moodygardens.com.
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Santa's Wonderland
Where: Santa's Wonderland - 18898 Hwy 6 South, College Station
When: November 20th - December 31st (Open nightly, and all holidays)
Time: 6 p.m - 11 p.m, Sunday - Thursday; 6 p.m - 12 a.m, Friday - Saturday
Cost: For ticket pricing and special discount information visit the website
You can board a Texas Christmas Hayride, or ride on a horse & carriage and tour Santa's Wonderland, viewing millions of Christmas lights on a trail stretching over a mile long. You can also enjoy the festive cuisine, shopping, live music, and a toasty campfire.
Visit the website for more information or call 979-690-7212.
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Renaissance Festival
Where: Plantersville, Texas
When: October 10th - November 29th every Saturday and Sunday for 8 weekends, from 9:00 a.m to dusk.
Cost: (at the gate) $23 for adults; $11.00 for children ages 5 – 12; children 4 and under are admitted free
The Texas Renaissance Festival is a place for the whole family to learn, feast, and have fun enjoying one of the nation's largest renaissance theme parks devoted to the 16th Century.
For more information, special discounts and directions visit www.texrenfest.com.
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Free Events
Cry Baby Matinee
Where: Angelika Film Center - 510 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002
When: 11:45 a.m; each Friday and Saturday through July 28, 2010
Cost: Adults $6.25; Children (under 5) free
Film showings are catered to parents with their little ones. Lights are kept dimmed, the sound is turned down, and baby changing tables are available.
For more information visit www.angelikafilmcenter.com/houston/events.asp or call 713.225.1470.
Now Showing
Precious – November 20th & November 21st at 11:45 a.m
Fantastic Mr. Fox – November 27th & November 28th at 11:45 a.m
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Free Family Nights
Where: Children's Museum of Houston (CMH), 1500 Binz, Houston
When: Thursdays, 5:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m
Cost: Free
Admission fees are waived for families to come experience CMH. The free admission features access to all of the hands-on exhibits and a range of programs focusing on the cultural arts, science, math and more. Free Family Nights are brought to you by The Wortham Foundation, Inc. and John P. McGovern, M.D.
For more information about the Children's Museum of Houston (CMH) visit the website or call (713) 522-1138.
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Storytime at the local library
Houston Public Library (visit website for nearest location)
Upcoming Events: Mud Tacos! with Authors Mario Lopez & Marissa Lopez-Wong
When: Saturday, November 28, 2009, 3 p.m - 4 p.m
Where: HPL Express Discovery Green, Grace Lawn
Author and Houstonian Marissa Lopez Wong and her brother, actor and television host Mario Lopez (from Extra!, America's Best Dance Crew, Dancing with the Stars, Nip/Tuck, Saved by the Bell) read and sign their new book Mud Tacos!, discuss their childhoods, and join with you and your children to make mud tacos!
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Traveling with two children under two for the holidays? Click here for advice on what to pack.
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Comments
I thoroughly enjoy the articles for "Moms w/2 under 2". I am not a mom w/ 2 under 2, but rather a "grandmother" w/ 2 under 2. Thanks you for your wonderful insights and information. It is greatly appreciated.
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