Finding Santa in Houston doesn’t have to mean waiting in long mall lines. Families looking for something more memorable will have plenty of chances to see him around the city, from festivals and storytimes to skating and museum events. Here are the top Santa-themed events happening across Houston this season.
Christmas Village at Bayou Bend
Christmas Village at Bayou Bend returns with 14-acres of sparkling lights. (Museum of Fine Arts, Houston)
The all-ages immersive Christmas experience at the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens will offer games, tours, music from carolers, cotton ball fights, a faux-snow slide and photos with Santa ($10) who will visit through December 23.
When: Dec. 5-30
Where: 6003 Memorial
Details: $16 and up; mfah.org
Lone Star Flight Museum: Breakfast with Santa
Stearman Santa at the Lone Star Flight Museum. (Lone Star Flight Museum)
Lone Star Flight Museum will welcome Santa with a special arrival in its vintage PT-17 Stearman, followed by a VIP Breakfast with Santa from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Guests can take photos with Santa, explore the Holly Jolly Market hosted by South Houston Moms and enjoy holiday activities through 2 p.m. Additional programming will include storytime and songs with Mrs. Claus, hands-on science demonstrations, craft stations and other festive activities.
When: 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: 11551 Aerospace
Details: $12-$18; lonestarflight.org
Cookies with Santa
HMNS at Sugar Land hosts Cookies with Santa. (Houston Museum of Natural Science)
The Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land will host its Cookies with Santa event, offering families a chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus during an early holiday stop in Sugar Land. The event will include holiday crafts in Santa Land, cookies and milk, and a take-home photo with Santa. Guests are encouraged to bring their own cameras for additional photos.
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: HMNS at Sugar Land, 13016 University Blvd., Sugar Land
Details: $15 and up; hmns.org
MORE FROM ANA KHAN: Houston’s top holiday shows to see this December: ‘The Nutcracker,’ Houston Symphony concerts and more
Skate with Santa
Madison Alba stares at Santa Claus while she skates with him at Discovery Green Ice in Houston. (Marie D. De Jesús/Houston Chronicle)
On select dates, children of all ages are invited to visit with Santa Claus at The Ice skating rink at Discovery Green.
When: 4-5 p.m. Dec. 6, and 13 and 20
Where: 1500 McKinney
Details: $15-$18; discoverygreen.com
Storytime with Black Santa
Santa chats with Cali Swain during a Storytime with Santa event at Kindred Stories in Houston. (Annie Mulligan/Contributor)
Kindred Stories will host a group Storytime with Black Santa, offering families a chance to enjoy a special holiday reading and take photos with Santa using their own devices. The event is designed for children and caregivers to share a festive storytime experience together. Space is limited and advance reservations are recommended.
When: 10:30 a.m.-noon Dec. 7
Where: 2310 Elgin
Details: blacksantahouston.com
Levy Park Holiday Festival
Levy Park’s annual two-day Holiday Festival returns with live performances and family fun. (Levy Park Houston)
The 7th annual Levy Park Holiday Festival offers a free, family-friendly experience with a holiday market, kids’ craft station, live music, a River Oaks Dance performance and a photo booth with Santa for family photos, including pets.
When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 7-8
Where: Levy Park, 3801 Eastside
Details: Free; levyparkhouston.org
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Visitors walk through the Houston Museum of Natural Science. (Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle)
Houston Museum of Natural Science will offer two Santa-themed events this season. The Santa Claws celebration (Dec. 7) will feature crafts, a balloon artist, a 360-degree photo booth, a DJ, candy-making demonstrations by Santa’s elves, free churros and access to both floors of the museum. The museum will also present Breakfast with Santa (Dec13), which will include waffles with toppings, hot chocolate and time for photos with Santa.
When: 6:30–9 p.m. Dec. 7 and 10 a.m.–noon Dec. 13
Where: 5555 Hermann Park Drive
Details: $25 and up; hmns.org
Houston Farmers Market: Santa Claus and The Grinch
Santa Claus visits the Houston Farmers Market. (Tom Campbell)
The Houston Farmers Market will offer several holiday character appearances this season, giving families a chance to take photos with Santa Claus and The Grinch while exploring the market’s vendors and seasonal offerings. The Grinch will appear on select Saturdays and a Monday, while Santa will visit on three Wednesdays throughout December.
When: The Grinch: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Dec. 13, 20, 22; Santa Claus: 10 a.m.–noon Dec. 3, 10, 17
Where: 2520 Airline Drive
Details: Free; thehoustonfarmersmarket.com
Breakfast With Santa
Santa Claus left, waves from inside a fish tank as Natalie Hernandez right, looks on during a “Breakfast with Santa” at the Downtown Aquarium. (James Nielsen/Houston Chronicle)
Downtown Aquarium will offer its Breakfast with Santa, giving families a chance to enjoy a buffet meal, watch Santa and his elves make an underwater appearance and take photos with him. Retail discounts and take-home Christmas crafts will be included with the Breakfast with Santa ticket.
When: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Dec. 13-14, 20-24
Where: 410 Bagby, Houston
Details: $22.15-$30.02; aquariumrestaurants.com
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Rosenberg Railroad Museum: Breakfast with Santa
Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Rosenberg Railroad Museum. (Rosenberg Railroad Museum)
The event at Rosenberg Railroad Museum will include a special photo opportunity with Santa on the 1879 Quebec railcar. The menu includes assorted donuts and pastries, hot cocoa and coffee for all. Reservations required.
When: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Dec. 13
Where: 1921 Avenue F, Rosenberg
Details: $15-$20; rosenbergrrmuseum.org
Santa at Kings Harbor
Santa makes a stop at Kings Harbor. (Kings Harbor)
Area residents and visitors can enjoy a free holiday event featuring photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a DJ, a balloon artist, a trackless train ride and other festive activities.
When: Noon-4 p.m. Dec. 21
Where: Kings Harbor Waterfront Village, 4501 Magnolia Cove Dr., Kingwood
Details: Free; kings-harbor.com
This article originally published at Where to see Santa in Houston: 11 holiday events to know.