A slate of events around Houston this weekend will ring in Christmas celebrations a little early this year when holiday themed lanterns will light up and Christmas carols will be sung a week ahead of Thanksgiving this year. Here are a few events around town to look forward to this weekend.
Tree Lighting Spectacular at Patrick’s Cabin Christmas Town
- The free-to-attend event in Deer Park will ring in Christmas celebrations with an annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. The event will include campfire stories and apple cider at the Simeon West Campfire, and a Christmas ornament decorating event at the Santa’s workshop craft station. Children can mail letters to Santa at the North Pole Post Office. The event is free to attend, but organizers are encouraging people to bring cash for concessions and vendors at Kris Kringle’s Market Place.
Galveston Festival of Lights and Ice Land opening weekend
- Moody Gardens is debuting its holiday events Saturday with the opening of it’s chilly Ice Land, including intricately carved colorful ice sculptures shaved by master carvers and a Shivers Ice Bar holding festive holiday drinks for a limited time. The icy forest is complete with a giant ice slide transporting guests from the canopy to the forest floor, according to Visit Galveston. Tickets for the opening event start around $65 per person, and can be purchased on the Moody Gardens website.
Magical Winter Lights at Katy Mills opening weekend
- Thousands of intricately designed lanterns will line Katy Mills this weekend in a winter wonderland display. Guests of the Christmas lighting event can walk through colorfully illuminated tunnels and participate in interactive exhibits, like a winter wonderland rollercoaster and leisurely rides on the Ferris wheel. The Space Maze will take guests on a journey through a prehistoric playground with life-size dinosaurs. Tickets start at $25, with additional costs.\
LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch Christmas lighting
- Santa will light a massive 51 foot tall Christmas tree at LaCenterra Friday at 6 p.m. to ring in the Christmas holiday. The free event will feature inflatable snow globes, a photo op with a live reindeer, Santa’s sleigh and a holiday backdrop. The event will host holiday musical performances by Houston-area band Hybrid 7. More information about the event can be found on the LaCenterra website.