Nov 24 - Jan 22 Ice Skating at Discovery Green With more than 350,000 visitors enjoying the experience of outdoor ice skating in Downtown Houston the past three years. The Ice at Discovery Green will return to the park on Thanksgiving Day 2011 and last until January 22, 2012. December 3-27, 2011 The Nutcracker by the Houston Ballet Oh, the wonder of it all. Living dolls. Dancing snowflakes. A Christmas tree that grows to spectacular heights. It’s The Nutcracker, in all its magical, colorful, holiday charm. It just wouldn’t be the holidays without it!! 7:30 PM December 3, 4*, 9*, 10, 11*, 16, 17, 18, 19*, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26*, 27*, 2011 2:00 PM December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19*, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 2011 * Indicates discounted performance. Purchase tickets by phone at 713.227.2787 or 800.828.2787. December 6-18 Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is proudly producing the classic holiday story White Christmas, running December 6 - 18 at the Hobby Center for The Performing Arts. The all-time number one pop song and most-recorded tune in history inspired first a beloved classic film and now a fun-filled musical for all ages to enjoy. December 10 and 17 Family Day Adventure and Breakfast with Santa. Bring the entire family for a day filled with fun and adventure. Get the day started by having breakfast with Santa at 9 a.m. at the Downtown Aquarium, followed by an all day exhibition and ride pass to the
entertainment complex. Top off the day with a 2 p.m. performance of White Christmas. Visit TUTS.com/Events to purchase tickets. December 10 Gingerbread House Build-Off Sponsored by Architecture Center Houston (ArCH) and the Downtown District, teams of artistic and architecturally talented individuals will be supplied with gingerbread, icing, gumdrops, candy canes and other holiday treats to create the most innovative gingerbread houses. Market Square Park 301 Milam St. Houston TX 77002 December 16, 2011 - December 18, 2011-Houston Symphony Handel’s Messiah in Candlelight “Rejoice Greatly” as this Houston tradition continues! The holidays wouldn’t be the same without Houston’s own performance of Handel’s Messiah with your Houston Symphony, Chorus and guest soloists. December 11 and 18 “Let it Snow” VIP event with Santa: Celebrate the holiday season with a VIP ticket to the show along with a pre-show event that features photos with Santa, snowflake crafts, and a delectable dessert buffet feast in a Winter Wonderland. Visit TUTS.com/Events to purchase tickets. November 12 through December 17 Frosty the Snowman will be presented every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. For further information and reservations, call (713) 726-1219 or go to www. companyonstage.org.
December 21, 2011 - December 27, 2011 -Jones Hall Shen Yun Performing Arts Experience heavenly music, breathtaking dances, enchanting landscapes, and timeless legends with Shen Yun Performing Arts! At this performance expect classical Chinese dance and music in a lavishly colorful show. December 21 Storytime and Crafts Nature Discovery Center - 7112 Newcastle Drive, Bellaire, TX 77401 Ages: 2-5 Time: 4pm Cost: FREE Ongoing Each Wed.; check with location for exceptions. Every Wednesday afternoon a special Nature Story Time includes two or three books on different nature topics, and a fun craft. December 25 Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX 77005 Ages: 3-18 Time: 1pm-4pm Cost: Free with Museum admission Ongoing Each Sun; check with location for exceptions Creation Station is a drop-in studio workshop, in which families make their own paintings, sculpture, prints, photographs, and more. For more information please call 713.639.7300 or visit www.mfah.org. January 1 Children’s Museum of Houston - 1500 Binz Street, Houston, TX Ages: 12 & under Time: During regular hours Cost: Free Target sponsors the First Free Sundays program, which offers families free admission on the first Sunday of every month. For more information please call 713.522.1138 or visit www.cmhouston.org. Saturday, January 7 Dirty Dozen: Ice Sculpting Competition at Discovery Green For 2012, the 4th Annual Ice Sculpting Competition features one dozen acclaimed ice artists from around the country using
chainsaws and blow torches to transform ice into masterpieces. Thousands will watch the carvers battle for the grand prize. Music throughout the day provided by DJ Caps One. Reverend Butter of DLG Ice Factory faces off with a master carver at the end to the live music of Downfall 2012. Free. 10 a.m. – 5:30 pm. January 10, 2012 - January 15, 2012 The Addams Family The weird and wonderful family comes to devilishly delightful life in The Addams Family with this magnificently macabre new musical comedy. Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center January 12 Toddler Storytime at Blue Willow Storytime at the bookstore includes books, rhymes, and crafts. 281.497.8675. www. bluewillowbookshop.com. Blue Willow Bookshop - 14532 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77079 Ages: 2-5 Time: 10am-11am January 13 Preschool Skate Every Friday Morning, for ages 7 and under, bring strollers or push toys. Call 281-4935651 for more information or visit www. skatedarr.com. Dairy Ashford Roller Rink, 1820 S. Dairy Ashford Houston Every Friday from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM January 14 2012 MLK Youth Parade-Houston Start a new family tradition and head over with the whole family to the MLK Youth Parade-Houston.The 2012 MLK Youth Parade will originate in Midtown-Houston on San Jacinto Street at Elgin street. The Parade will proceed north bound on San Jacinto street to Webster street. 1300 Holman Street Houston, Texas 77004 http://www.mlkgrandeparade.org