Ready for holiday excitement, Alief? Our guide has everything you need to celebrate the season. For Alief natives and holiday travelers, our guide reveals the city's festive treasures.
One highlight during this festive period is the Holidays at Moody Gardens, offering a dazzling array of light displays and holiday-themed activities. For a unique experience, guests can enjoy the Moody Gardens Holiday Attractions, which features interactive exhibits and seasonal entertainment. And definitely don't forget about THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, where families can embark on a magical journey inspired by the beloved story. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Alief
- Moody Gardens Holiday Attractions (Galveston)
- Holidays at Moody Gardens (Galveston)
- THE POLAR EXPRESS™ (Palestine)
- THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (Galveston)
- City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic (Houston)
- Magical Winter Lights Houston (Katy)
- Santa's Wonderland (College Station)
- Christmas Village at Bayou Bend (Houston)
- Galaxy Lights (Clear Lake)
- Christmas Tree Lighting (Sugar Land)
See these and even more events listed below!
Alief Holiday Light Displays
Holidays at Moody Gardens
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculpture attraction and extensive holiday light display.
Description:
Moody Gardens transforms into a holiday destination with attractions like ICE LAND, Festival of Lights, ice skating, and various dining options, offering a blend of relaxation and excitement for all ages.
Where: Galveston | More Info: Holidays at Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens Holiday Attractions
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculpture and light displays.
Description:
Moody Gardens transforms into a holiday destination with attractions like ICE LAND, Festival of Lights, ice skating, and Arctic Slide, offering a variety of activities for all ages.
Where: Galveston | More Info: Moody Gardens Holiday Attractions
Santa's Wonderland
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday celebration with millions of dazzling lights and REAL Texas snow.
Description:
Santa's Wonderland in College Station, Texas, offers a vast array of Christmas attractions including dazzling lights, REAL Texas snow and ice, and a multitude of cheerful activities for all ages. Enjoy hayrides, live entertainment, specialty food and drinks, train rides, and more amidst a festive atmosphere.
Where: College Station | More Info: Santa's Wonderland
Magical Winter Lights Houston
What to Expect:
Interactive light and dinosaur exhibits.
Description:
Explore a vast display of twinkling lights and festive decorations at Magical Winter Lights, featuring over 60 lantern displays, an interactive Space Maze, and life-size dinosaurs in Dino Land.
Where: Katy | More Info: Magical Winter Lights Houston
City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic
What to Expect:
11 themed holiday villages with spectacular lights and live entertainment.
Description:
Downtown Houston transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with 11 themed villages featuring spectacular lights, live music, and interactive art.
Where: Houston | More Info: City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic
Galaxy Lights
What to Expect:
Technologically advanced light displays with kinetic shows and interactive exhibits.
Description:
Galaxy Lights is a space-themed holiday light show featuring dynamic, intensive light displays that defy gravity. The event includes interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, offering a unique and educational holiday experience.
Where: Clear Lake | More Info: Galaxy Lights
Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Santa's arrival with a brief fireworks display.
Description:
Join us at the Pearland Town Center for a festive Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 30th, featuring Santa's arrival, a brief fireworks display, live music, and dancing on our LED dancefloor. Enjoy LED swings and seesaws, and shop at our Holiday Gift Market.
Where: Pearland | More Info: Tree Lighting Ceremony
Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with live performances and Santa photos.
Description:
The City of Sugar Land's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting features festive live performances, photos with Santa, family-fun activities, and sweet treats at Sugar Land Town Square.
Where: Sugar Land | More Info: Christmas Tree Lighting
Preston Woodforest Nite of Lites
What to Expect:
Friendly residential light display competition.
Description:
Prestonwood Forest's Nite of Lites is a long-standing tradition featuring friendly competitions among residents to create the most impressive holiday light displays, attracting visitors from across the Greater Houston area.
Where: Houston | More Info: Preston Woodforest Nite of Lites
Johnson's Christmas Corner
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with snow and bubble machines.
Description:
Johnson's Christmas Corner in Cypress, TX, features an impressive display of 70,000 synchronized lights, snow machines, and bubble machines, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere with Santa appearances on select nights.
Where: Cypress | More Info: Johnson's Christmas Corner
The Christmas Train
What to Expect:
Unique holiday train ride through extensive Christmas lights and displays.
Description:
The Christmas Train at Victory Camp in Alvin offers an old-fashioned train ride through hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights and decorations. Enjoy the festive atmosphere with your family, exploring the decorated walking trail and visiting concessions areas for delicious treats like handmade pizza and hot cocoa.
Where: Alvin | More Info: The Christmas Train
Deck the Depot Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa, hot chocolate, and local performances.
Description:
Join Santa and his merry crew for a festive celebration filled with holiday cheer. Enjoy free hot chocolate and holiday treats while supplies last. The festivities kick off with cheerful holiday tunes and local performances. Gather around as Mayor Lori Klein Quinn lights the Christmas tree, signaling the start of the holiday season in Tomball. Don't miss the excitement of our first snow of the season Bundle up and enjoy the twinkling lights, snapping memorable photos with Santa.
Where: Tomball | More Info: Deck the Depot Tree Lighting
Annual Home for the Holidays
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday light displays and decorations in National Oak Park.
Description:
Annual Home for the Holidays is a festive celebration featuring holiday light displays, decorations, and activities in National Oak Park.
Where: Alvin | More Info: Annual Home for the Holidays
Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with live stage entertainment and fireworks.
Description:
The Hometown Christmas Festival at Independence Park in Pearland, TX, features stage entertainment, shopping, music, lights, inflatables, and food trucks. The event includes a visit from Santa Claus and a magical fireworks show.
Where: Pearland | More Info: Festival of Lights
Tour De Lites
What to Expect:
Guided holiday light bike tour with a hayride option.
Description:
Join the Forever Parks Foundation for the 30th annual Tour De Lites, a guided bicycle tour through Pearland's Green Tee Terrace community, featuring holiday lights and a hayride option.
Where: Pearland | More Info: Tour De Lites
Alief Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas in the Park
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with local vendors and charity organizations.
Description:
Town Center Park in Kingwood hosts a free community Christmas in the Park Festival and Tree Lighting, featuring shops, entertainment, vendors, and local eateries. The event offers a variety of activities for all ages, including local performances, holiday vendors, and charity organizations. It is a highlight of the Christmas season, bringing treasures from around the world to the community.
Where: Kingwood | More Info: Christmas in the Park
Christmas on Main
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday market with local vendors and decorations.
Description:
Christmas on Main is a vibrant holiday celebration featuring festive decorations, holiday markets, and seasonal activities that bring the community together.
Where: Palestine | More Info: Christmas on Main
Alief Holiday Shows and Entertainment
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
What to Expect:
Immersive family-oriented experience with live entertainment and Santa's visit.
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride is a theatrical re-creation of the classic children's story on board a real train, featuring live performances, hot chocolate, and a special appearance by Santa Claus.
Where: Galveston | More Info: THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
THE POLAR EXPRESS™
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling with Santa and hot chocolate.
Description:
The POLAR EXPRESS™ is a festive holiday event where families and friends embark on a journey to the North Pole. The train ride features hot chocolate and cookies, a live musical performance, and a recitation of the classic children's book "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his elves greet passengers, and everyone receives a silver sleigh bell as a gift. The event includes various seating classes with unique experiences.
Where: Palestine | More Info: THE POLAR EXPRESS™
Lighting of the Doves Festival
What to Expect:
Ceremonial illumination of giant doves and special appearance by Santa Claus.
Description:
The Lighting of the Doves Festival is a long-standing tradition in The Woodlands, symbolizing peace during the holidays. It features traditional and international performances, snow play areas, vendor booths, children's activities, and strolling entertainment. The event culminates with Santa Claus arriving by sleigh and a dazzling fireworks display.
Where: The Woodlands | More Info: Lighting of the Doves Festival
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa & Friends
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday event with Santa and friends.
Description:
Join Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and their friends at the Woodlands Township Recreation Center for a delightful morning of hot cocoa and cookies. Enjoy the festive atmosphere and cheerful companions.
Where: The Woodlands | More Info: Cookies & Cocoa with Santa & Friends
Main Street Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Community event with free hot cocoa and cookies, featuring local vendors and musical performances.
Description:
The Main Street Tree Lighting in Seabrook, TX, features hot chocolate, cookies, local vendors, and musical performances by area schools, culminating in the lighting of the Christmas tree with a special appearance by Santa Claus.
Where: Seabrook | More Info: Main Street Tree Lighting
Grinch's Lair
What to Expect:
Live, interactive production of Dr. Seuss's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
Description:
Grinch's Lair is a whimsical, live, interactive production inspired by "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss. You can immerse yourself in the world of Mr. Grinch while he's locked in jail, stealing Christmas. The event features the Grinch, his pal Max, and other adorable residents.
Where: Texas Jail House | More Info: Grinch's Lair
Alief Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Village at Bayou Bend
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with live actors and theatrical effects.
Description:
Christmas Village at Bayou Bend features a trail of lights, live carolers, a hand-crafted model train, and festive activities like sledding and cotton snowball tosses. Visitors can also tour the first floor of Ima Hogg’s historic mansion and take photos with Santa.
Where: Houston | More Info: Christmas Village at Bayou Bend
Breakfast with Santa
What to Expect:
Interactive breakfast experience with a beloved holiday character.
Description:
Join us for a delightful breakfast with Santa at the Downtown Aquarium, where you can enjoy a delicious meal and take pictures with Peter Cottontail.
Where: Downtown Aquarium | More Info: Breakfast with Santa
Breakfast with Santa
What to Expect:
Pancake breakfast with activities and Santa photo opportunities.
Description:
Join us for a yummy pancake breakfast with all the fixings. Enjoy activities and giveaways, and take photos with Santa Date: December 14, Time: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Location: Hometown Heroes Park, 1001 E. League City Parkway.
Where: League City | More Info: Breakfast with Santa
Snowfest
What to Expect:
Giant snow hill and festive holiday activities.
Description:
Snowfest is a family-friendly holiday event featuring a fun run, parade, giant snow hill, carnival rides, holiday market, Santa pictures, food, games, and fireworks.
Where: Missouri City | More Info: Snowfest
Reindeer Park
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with festive entertainment.
Description:
Reindeer Park is a festive holiday event featuring snow areas, snow slides, s'mores making, and visits with Santa. Enjoy carnival rides, live music, and a Reindeer Park Character Experience.
Where: Deer Park | More Info: Reindeer Park
Jingle Boats
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday adventure with gift-hunting and treats.
Description:
Participants will depart from Riva Row Boat House in search of gift-wrapped presents on local shores, then return for holiday treats and a special visitor.
Where: The Woodlands | More Info: Jingle Boats
Holiday in the Park
What to Expect:
Live music and snow slides in a festive holiday setting.
Description:
Join us at Holiday in the Park in Bellaire, where you can enjoy live music from local choirs, snow slides, and a variety of food options. This festive event is perfect for families to spend time together and celebrate the holiday season.
Where: Bellaire | More Info: Holiday in the Park
Sealy Jingle Bell Fun Run and Kids Fantasy/Fantasy of Lights Parade
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed runs and festivities with a parade.
Description:
Join the Sealy Jingle Bell Fun Run and Kids Fantasy for a day of holiday cheer. Run a 5K or 1K, then enjoy inflatables, crafts, and activities at Levine Park. Dress in festive attire and participate in the Fantasy of Lights Parade in the evening.
Where: Sealy | More Info: Sealy Jingle Bell Fun Run and Kids Fantasy/Fantasy of Lights Parade
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Mission Bend (4 miles)
- Sugar Land (7 miles)
- Missouri City (7 miles)
- Houston (14 miles)
- Rosenberg (17 miles)
- Cypress (19 miles)
- Pearland (21 miles)
- Pasadena (23 miles)
- Cloverleaf (26 miles)
- Friendswood (27 miles)
- Spring (28 miles)
- Deer Park (28 miles)
- Alvin (29 miles)
- Channelview (29 miles)
- The Woodlands (32 miles)
- Atascocita (32 miles)
- League City (33 miles)
- La Porte (35 miles)
- Baytown (37 miles)
- Conroe (42 miles)