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e all have holiday traditions that stick with us—and with good reason. Whether it’s the annual White Elephant gift exchange for which you’ve been saving that sequined menorah sweater or the potluck supper and hayride caroling you do with friends and family every year, it’s all something to be anticipated, enjoyed and, most of all, remembered. Although a tradition implies a history, there’s no reason why you can’t start yours this year. May we suggest the following?

Sing Along

Talk about tradition—Handel’s “Messiah,” which seeks to tell the story of Jesus’ life and impact on the world, was a hit from the time of its Dublin debut in 1742. Originally written for the theater, “Messiah,” with its popular “Hallelujah Chorus,” has taken on special meaning in North America during the Christmas season. Incidentally, the Europeans would rather hear their “Messiah” during Easter.

For a grand performance of the work, the Houston Symphony is definitely worth the ticket. On Dec. 18, they take “Messiah” to Sugar Land Baptist Church and then return to Jones Hall Dec. 19, 20 and 21.

“Whether you are religious or simply appreciative of great music, hearing Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is a deeply moving event, which is why audiences come back year after year to hear it and share it with family and friends,” says Aurelie Desmarais, chief of artistic planning with the Houston Symphony.

You may be singing under your breath at the Symphony, but if you really want to let it go, seek out one of the “Messiah” sing-alongs this season. First Presbyterian Church, Houston, held their 34th singalong Nov. 30 in their sanctuary. The First Christian Church of Houston’s annual sing-along is Dec. 21 at 6:30 p.m. First Christian provides the scores and soloists. You bring your best soprano (or alto, tenor or bass) and a nonperishable food donation for the Christian Community Service Center’s Emergency Services.

While George Frideric Handel was well-known in his lifetime, his fellow Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach, born in the same year, was a virtual unknown until 100 years after his death. It’s fitting then that Mercury Houston, who did a “Messiah” singalong last year, is turning to Bach this year for their Shepherds and Angels concert Dec. 13 at Wortham Center. A concert of Bach’s reverent cantatas is sure to soothe the soul.

For more high-stepping holiday fun in the theater district, you can count on the Rockettes, who are coming back to Houston after an eight-year absence, with a new Radio City Christmas Spectacular Dec. 5-28. “Dancing with the Stars” contestants don’t have anything on the members of this precision dance team, who are bringing new routines and a new grand finale.

Get Moving

Who needs Rockefeller Center when we’ve got The ICE at Discovery Green? The ICE welcomes skaters for the season through Feb. 8. Not only does Discovery Green use recycled water from Kinder Lake to create its 7,716 square-foot ice skating surface, it’s also the largest outdoor skating rink in the Southwest. Last year 57,000 skaters joined in the fun including toddlers, who can use clamp-on double-runner skates and have access to the Kiddie Rink.

“You can get hot cocoa at Discovery Green, or a yummy bite at close by at Phoenicia,” says Morgan Shields, who makes The ICE an annual event for her kids. “There are few opportunities in hot and humid Houston to do an activity that feels very much like winter and the holiday season,” says Catlin Harlow, who takes her crew during the day on their school break to minimize the crowds.

Skaters will have even more to look at this year with the installation “Fields of Light” by Bruce Munro along the park’s Brown Promenade. More than 4,000 frosted glass spheres will rest on stems connected by illuminated fiber optic. The spheres and stems will “bloom” with light at nightfall. A winter wonderland indeed.

The Ice at Discovery Green is a winter wonderland that welcomes skaters through Feb. 8 for outdoor ice skating. The 4,000 lit glass spheres of the “Fields of Light” installation by Bruce Munro will make this year’s experience bright and merry, indeed.

Be Illuminated

For many, it’s just not the holidays until they’ve piled into the car with some hot chocolate or coffee and made a beeline to some of Houston’s best lighting displays. Most of the official lighting ceremonies happened closer to Thanksgiving, but the displays remain: Uptown Park, Downtown Houston, Moody Gardens. For sheer opulence, the River Oaks neighborhood takes the cake with professionally done lighting and décor. The trees along River Oaks Boulevard decked out tip to roots in white lights are just begging you to bring your camera.

For a more DIY light display—but still one that would make Clark Griswold proud—head to the neighborhoods of Shepherd Park Plaza, Candlelight Plaza and Shepherd Park Terrace just a couple miles north of the North 610 Loop. Since the mid-1970s, neighbors have participated in a community-wide holiday lighting program with awards given out for both creativity and effort. In the 1980s, bus tours of the holiday lights were not uncommon and today there is oftentimes bumperto-bumper traffic as Christmas approaches.

Another new Houston lights tradition aims to get you out of your car. Zoo Lights, which shines through Jan. 4, is in its third year and, according to Houston Zoo Public Relations Director Jackie Wallace, is only getting bigger. “Guests will be able to walk through the African Forest, seeing thousands of brilliant lights along the way,” says Wallace. “We’ll also have a walk-in, familysized snow globe for people to get their photo taken in.” Strollers are welcome, and you can bring in your own food or buy it there.

Illumination plays a significant role, too, in the celebration of Hanukkah, which this year lasts from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24. Rabbi Jill Levy, director of the Center for Jewish Living and Learning at The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center (ERJCC), says that they invite people to light candles on the menorah in their lobby at 5:15 p.m. during the eight days of Hanukkah.

The lighting of the menorah commemorates the rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the small flask of oil that kept the temple lit day and night. The oil also plays a role in the foods offered at ERJCC during this time—like fried potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts).

For a larger-scale celebration, consider the menorah lighting ceremony at The Galleria the second night of Hanukkah, Dec. 17. There is also a menorah celebration on Sugar Land’s Town Square Dec. 16 with music and dancing, as well as edible Hanukkah gelt (foil-wrapped chocolate coins) among other treats.

Live History Celebrate the New

Maybe it’s the reflection that the season brings, but festivals and events with an historical bent are also big draws this time of year. One of the biggest started in 1974 in Galveston as the “Old English Christmas and Hanukkah Party,” a costumed, potluck supper for Galveston Historical Foundation members. Today, Dickens on The Strand is a Victorianthemed street festival that lasts for the full first weekend in December and is open to all.

Queen Victoria, Scrooge and Miss Havisham will all be on hand Dec. 5-7 among other 19th century luminaries. There’s a Santa Parade too. “This is a must-see,” says Galveston resident Chris Carl. “For me, I love that you can find so many people staying in character. The steampunk folks all over are a great sight.” Carl suggests that first-timers pre-order tickets and check out the schedule online to avoid system overload.

In Houston, The Heritage Society’s Annual Candlelight Tour’s longevity—52 years—is a testament to its popularity. All the historic buildings in Sam Houston Park are decorated to reflect the period they were built in, either the 19th or early 20th century, and the actors who populate them keep the time machine ticking. It’s a massive undertaking with more than 400 volunteers who make it possible. This year’s event is Dec. 13 and 14.

Heritage Society Development Director Carol Watson says the indoor/outdoor show will go on rain or shine. “The tour offers an opportunity to turn off your phone to experience the holiday without the commercialization,” she says. “It’s our largest educational program of the year, but it’s also entertainment.”

Looking for something completely off the beaten path? One event that may fit the bill (no pun intended) is Breakfast with the Sandhill Cranes at the Moody Gardens Golf Course in Galveston. The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council puts on the annual birding event, this year Dec. 13 and 14. After breakfast and time with expert birders, you can join the convoy to visit the cranes in their natural habitat.

The traditions continue into the New Year. Hotel, club and restaurant celebrations abound for New Year’s Eve. Putting together a hotel and restaurant package can make you feel like you’re having a true getaway. The Hotel Sorella at CityCentre has packages that include the Monnalisa bar party with live entertainment and a great poolside view of CityCentre’s fireworks display. To ring in the New Year (literally), consider Ars Lyrica’s Sitting annual festive musical celebration, this year called ¡Felices Fiestas!, with Santa bringing Spanish and Latin American Baroque classics to the stage. The It’s a rite of passage for many— gala events surrounding the concert some face-time with Santa, are in the Hobby Center’s Sarofim ensuring your place on his Hall Grand Lobby, which has a great list and making sure he got yours. While Santas abound in Houston, everyone has their view of the downtown skyline. The next morning (or perhaps favorite. For Angela Pennington, early afternoon), head to brunch for the Hard Rock Café (502 Texas traditional tastes: Eat black-eyed Ave.) is the place to go. “There’s limited seating so fewer kids peas and greens to bring you wealth, equals lots of one-on-one time cornbread to bring gold, and pork to with the big guy.” increase your luck. The cozy log cabin

Another option for a meal with of the Rainbow Lodge is one spot you Santa is the Sunday Brunch at the historic Hotel Galvez (2024 can enjoy these with a brunch menu Seawall Blvd., Galveston). There that includes a taste, cup or bowl of are three different dates: Dec. 7, black-eyed peas with ham hock and 14 and 21, all from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. southern greens.Make reservations early. Katie Kildal had a good expe- In the Bayou City, we keep the rience with her tot at Bering’s holiday spirit flowing well into the (3900 Bissonnet St.). “The staff New Year with a youth parade and was kind, the line was short and it was free,” she says. Galveston’s battle of the bands competition Chris Carl is taking his daughter (Jan. 17), as well as the grand parade to see Santa at the Railroad through Midtown and other citywide Museum (2602 Sante Fe Place, events to celebrate Martin Luther Galveston) this year on Dec. 13. “From what I understand, Santa King, Jr. Day. parks his sleigh somewhere else One last Houston tradition? Our on the island and takes the train marathon! If you aren’t already regisin.” Hope the reindeer don’t hold tered to run in the Chevron Houston it against him. Marathon (Jan. 18), it’s time to start training for next January, but it’s never too late to be a volunteer or support the runners. The race route has changed a bit this year, but we know the neighborhoods such as West U will be up at dawn hosting block parties and making the race festive. Finally, because one New Year isn’t enough for H-town’s diversity, huge multiethnic festivities celebrate the Lunar New Year. Lunar New Year events this year celebrate the year of the wood goat Feb. 21 and 22 with music, dancing and fireworks.

From trees to menorahs to fireworks, it is illumination that makes the holidays for some people. Try the sheer opulence of the lights in River Oaks, the community lighting programs in neighborhoods across town or Zoo Lights, shining at the Houston Zoo through Jan. 4. The Christmas tree at City Hall is lit during the annual Mayor’s Official Tree Lighting Ceremony.

indulgein bayou eats

52 F+B

Dining in H-town goes beyond taste to spectacle with these dishes at your table.

54 TOP EATS

Warm up your winter palate with these spicy foods. 52 F+B

54 TOP EATS

56 THE POUR

At Your Table

Elevate your dining experience with the flurry of new interactive tableside techniques at Bayou City restaurants.

BY ROBIN BARR SUSSMAN

Sometimes when you dine out, you just want to eat. But more and more, dining has become theater. It’s your evening out, so clever cuisine and service style better be on the menu.

DINNER AND A SHOW Tableside presentations and interactive meals have evolved from the popular tableside Caesar salad presentations or the allAmerican fondue dipping dinners of yore. H-town options have become unique. You want fresh-baked Indian bread made right before your very eyes? No problem!

Chef-owner Kiran Verma of Kiran’s Restaurant proffers poori and roti Indian flatbread. “The dough of the bread is made right at the table with whole wheat, milk and a little bit of yogurt, mixed with salt, pepper and a spice called ajwain. You can taste the freshness,” says Verma. When your entrée is served, the kitchen staff, oftentimes chef Kiran herself, rolls out a twostation trolley cart by your table. One bread is made on a skillet and the other is deep fried in a wok. The breads are fragrant with Indian spice, tender and warm—no stale bread basket here.

Craving seafood but looking for something a little different from just a piece of fish? Whole fried fish at Nara Sushi & Korean Kitchen is one of the three new Texas-size sharing plates that will tantalize your taste buds. Whole Gulf coast snapper (3 pounds) is lightly battered and fried. After the fish is cooked and plated in the kitchen, the chefs cover it with a beautiful glass dome adding apple wood smoke with a smoke gun.

“When the server brings it by your table and removes the lid, [it] releases a blast of smoke that has an incredible aroma and also adds another dimension of flavor,” says owner chef Donald Chang. The server then deconstructs the fish at the table and serves it to each guest, along with garlic confit, heirloom rainbow tomatoes, watercress, ponzu sauce and an emulsified gochugaru