Make the most of your month with our list of the 20 biggest and most notable festivals and events in Houston in December 2023.

This month offers a ton of places to showcase your holiday cheer, as well as several cultural festivals that take you around the world, massive sporting events, and other fun to wind down 2023.

We’ve included some of the holiday highlights for this month, but if you’re looking for a deeper dive into all the happenings in Houston, check out our guides to holiday concerts, markets, performing arts, Christmas lights, and more.

Top 20 Festivals & Events in Houston This Month: December 2023

• 50th Annual Dickens on the Strand in Downtown Galveston | Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 3 – Travel back in time as Galveston’s historic Strand is transformed into Charles Dickens’ Victorian London for this annual, family-friendly event. Gear up for parades, live entertainment on six stages, strolling carolers, roving musicians, bagpipers, jugglers, and a visit from the characters of Dickens’ books. Free on Friday; Saturday and Sunday tickets are $25; $18 for ages 7 to 12. Times vary.
• A Katy Old Fashioned Christmas at Katy Market Day | Saturday, December 2 | FREE – The Katy Old Fashioned Christmas returns in a big way, bringing more than 200 vendors to the open-air market that also includes food trucks, an appearance by Santa, live entertainment, a beer garden, and more. 10am to 5pm.
• 104th Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular at City Hall | Saturday, December 2 | FREE – Join Mayor Sylvester Turner at City Hall for Houston’s annual holiday extravaganza, which features live entertainment (including a headlining performance by Jordan Sparks), fireworks, a 55-foot Christmas tree lighting, a visit from Santa and other family-friendly activities. 6pm to 8pm.
• This Way: A Houston Group Show Opening Reception at CAMH | Thursday, December 7 | FREE – Contemporary Arts Museum Houston hosts a night on the plaza celebrating its latest exhibition, which showcases 12 Black artists that center their work around the histories and present realities of the historic Houston Freedmen’s Town in Fourth Ward. An expressive performance by Hasaan Olu highlights the evening, and guests can enjoy complimentary beer and food for purchase from Gumbo King. 7pm to 9pm.
• Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life Tour at Smart Financial Centre | Thursday, December 7 – Writer, actor and comedian Brett Goldstein, best known for his role as Roy Kent in Ted Lasso, makes his Texas debut when he brings the Second Best Night of Your Life Tour to the Sugar Land stage. Ages 15+. $82 and up. 8pm.

• Mistletoe Market at Baldwin Park in Midtown | Friday, December 8 & Saturday, December 9 | FREE – The annual market takes to the shady oaks of Baldwin Park for two days of art shopping, live music and free DIY workshops that help kids and adults alike craft that perfect gift from the heart. Workshop sessions are limited in space, so advance RSVP is strongly encouraged. Friday 5pm to 10pm; Saturday 10am to 4pm.
• Tomball German Festival Christmas Market in Old Town Tomball | Friday, December 8 to Sunday, December 10 | FREE –Do as the Germans do and celebrate Christmas with plenty of food, beer, and wine, as well as live music on three stages, a petting zoo, and a holiday market featuring more than 150 vendors with antiques, arts and crafts, souvenirs, and more. Times vary.
• Lights in the Heights 2023 in Woodlands Heights | Saturday, December 9 | FREE – Stroll through the beautifully decorated streets of Woodlands Heights during one of Houston’s biggest holiday events, Lights in the Heights. Every year, the neighborhood streets are closed off, allowing pedestrians to roam freely as they admire the gorgeous homes, which host private parties that sometimes feature musical performances on the porch. After admiring the festive scenery, make your way to area bars and restaurants for tons of after-party fun. 6pm to 9pm.
• 62nd Annual Christmas Boat Parade at Kemah Boardwalk | Saturday, December 9 | FREE – Hundreds of boats decked out in Christmas lights cruise through the Kemah Boardwalk in the 62nd edition of this popular holiday attraction. Come by to see the parade of festive vessels, then stick around for family fun along the Boardwalk. 7pm to 8pm.
• Carols on the Green with Houston Grand Opera at Discovery Green | Saturday, December 9 | FREE – Just outside the Ice at Discovery Green, you can catch this annual carol concert featuring songs that celebrate the rich cultures of Houston’s community, as well as Hanukkah, Christmas and more selections for a night of spirited seasonal celebration. 7pm to 8:30pm.

• A Fistful of Soul at Big Top Lounge | Saturday, December 9 – The award-winning soul dance party returns for one-night only at Big Top in Mid-Main. Join Stewart Anderson and crew for a throwback night spinning all original 45s in Motown-era soul, R&B, funk and boogaloo. $5. 9pm to 2am.
• 10th Annual Islamic Arts Festival at Masjid Al-Salam | Saturday, December 9 & Sunday, December 10 | FREE – Featuring art by renowned artists from all across the USA, this two-day festival will highlight interactive art sessions, insight on Islamic art and culture, ethnic cuisine from food trucks, live calligraphy and henna tattoo demonstrations, children’s art activities, and more. 10:30am to 5pm.
• Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve at Toyota Center | Sunday, December 10 – The acclaimed orchestral ensemble brings its signature holiday tradition back to Houston for their Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO & More tour. $54 and up. 2:30pm and 7pm.
• A Merry Creepmas Market at the National Museum of Funeral History | Friday, December 15 – Houston’s museum for all things funerary hosts a special small business market just before the holidays. Shop more than 20 local vendors with unique finds, sip on complimentary drinks and enjoy lite bites, and take to the many exhibitions on offer at NMFH. $40 and up. 7pm to 10pm.
• College Basketball Showcase: UT vs. LSU, UH vs. TAMU at Toyota Center | Saturday, December 16 – Downtown hosts a doubleheader of college basketball greatness when the nationally-ranked Texas Longhorns take on LSU, followed by another ranked showdown between Texas A&M and the Houston Cougars. Tickets are good for both games. $45 and up, but you may find better or hard-to-get seats on the online resale market. 11am and 1:30pm.

• Otaku Winter Arc Food & Anime Festival at Karbach Brewing Co. | Saturday, December 16 & Sunday, December 17 | FREE – For two days before the holidays, you can take in more than 100 food, anime and retail vendors staking out the Spring Branch brewery for the winter edition of this family-friendly fest. Check out a sumo tournament, compete in cosplay contests, and enjoy all-day entertainment while munching on street foods of Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and beyond. Saturday noon to 10pm; Sunday noon to 8pm.
• Houston Symphony presents A Very Merry Pops at Jones Hall | Wednesday, December 20 to Saturday, December 23 – The Symphony’s annual holiday offering returns, bringing with it familiar favorites to make the rafters ring. The concert features the Houston Symphony Chorus and Broadway leading lady, Mandy Gonzalez, who’s featured in Hamilton and In the Heights. $40 and up. 7:30pm.
• 2023 TaxAct Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium | Wednesday, December 27 – Bowl season brings top teams of the Big 12 and SEC to battle it out on the gridiron in Houston’s annual bowl game. Tickets TBA, but you may find hard-to-get seats on the online resale market. 8pm.
• Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium | Sunday, December 31 – After a surprising season, Rookie-of-the-Year hopeful C.J. Stroud and the Texans take home field for the final time in the regular season, facing off against old rivals from Tennessee—with playoff implications on the line. $55 and up, but you may find better or cheaper seats on the online ticket resale market. Noon.
• Dancing & Desserts: NYE with Boomtown Brass Band at the Heights Theater | New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31 – Ring in the New Year at this annual celebration in the Heights, featuring Boomtown Brass Band delivering the classic jazz sounds of New Orleans and Chicago with a touch of Second Line. Tickets also include dessert selections and a champagne toast at midnight. $28 and up. 9pm.

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