With the upcoming break and holiday season when friends and family come, it can get a little boring. Here are a few activities you can do to have fun this holiday season:

Common decorations you see during these holidays are lights, but many don’t know where to find the good light shows, and businesses that put up lights.Some lights you can go see in the greater Houston area that include payed and free are:

Houston zoo lights – https://www.houstonzoo.org/events/txu-energy-presents-zoo-lights-2023/

The zoo lights include various animal themed lights and other attractions including but not limited to a 33 foot tall tree. The zoo lights are open through January 7,2024 closed on Christmas Eve and day; Hours are 5:30 to 10:30 pm with the last entry being at 9:30. Ticket prices vary from $25 – $32 depending on the date and time you go. Tickets are available online only, make sure to buy before you go. They sell hot cocoa and various foods and have a few cafes.

Houston Galaxy lights –https://spacecenter.org/galaxy-lights/

The galaxy lights feature space themed outdoor lights you can walk through. The galaxy lights are open through January 7, 2024, closed on Christmas Eve and day; Hours are 6:00 to 10:00 pm. The ticket prices vary from $19.95 – $27.95 depending on the date and time you book.

Santas Wonderland – College Station – https://www.santas-wonderland.com/

Santas wonderland features millions of lights, snow/ice, shoppes, food and many different attractions. Santas Wonderland is open through December 30th, 2023, and are open on Christmas Eve and day. The hours are Monday-Thursday 6:00-11:00pm, Friday 6:00-Midnight, Saturday 3:00-Midnight, Sunday 3-11pm. However on select weeknights there are “Extra Christmas Hours” where they open Santas Wonderland 2 hours earlier, be sure to check the website for more information. The ticket prices start at $55 for children and $60 for adults, but can increase with various add ons for different activities

Looking for something simple and free but equally as fun? There are a few neighborhoods you can drive through with some nice lights.

• East Shore, this is off of Grogans Mill, in The Woodlands
• Windward Cove, this is off of Lake Woodlands, in The Woodlands
• Creek Pines (Tangle Brush Dr. and Glen Loch Dr.) in The Woodlands

Ice Skating and shopping is always a fun activity to do with  loved ones, bringing great Christmas joy. Some rinks in the area include:

Ice at the Galleria- https://www.iceatthegalleria.com/

This is open all year round, located in The Galleria Mall, so you can shop and skate. It costs $25 per skater. Hours can vary, be sure to check the website for more information.

Outdoor Ice Skating at Houstons Discovery Green– https://www.discoverygreen.com/signature-experiences/green-mountain-energy-ice-at-discovery-green/

This is open through January 28, 2024, with the hours Monday-Thursday 5-10 p.m, Friday 5-11pm, Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 11am-8pm. There are different hours for Christmas Eve and day, New years and day and have different hours for school winter breaks (based off of HISD calendar) The regular ticket pricing is $17, but with various deals/discounts tickets can be less, tickets must be purchased online before entering. There are different themes/deals each night. On select Mondays it’s Cheap Skate night, you pay $8 to skate. On select Sundays, skaters with special needs can get out on the ice and skate, people with non-motarized wheel chairs can take it with them on the ice. Be sure to check the website for more information on more deals and hours.

The Ice Rink at the Woodlands Town Center- https://www.thewoodlandsicerink.com/

This rink offers a big main rink and a smaller one for little kids, they provide concessions for drinks and foods, and always has some decorations up to take pictures with. The rink is open through January 15, 2024, with the hours Monday-Thursday 3-9 pm, Friday 3-11pm, Saturday 10am-11pm, Sunday noon-6pm. Though they are open on Christmas Eve and day, New years and day the hours are varied, their Hours also vary for school winter break (based off the CISD calendar).

Staying in and cozying up on the couch for a holiday movie/tv show is always something else if you’re not in the going out mood. A few shows/movies to watch are:

• The Polar express
• Dash and Lily
• Elf
• The Grinch
• Home Alone
• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• Frozen

Other things you can do at home:

• Gingerbread house contest
• Make cookies and have a decorating contest
• Make ugly Christmas sweaters
• Fleece tie blankets
• Make baked goods