Stuffed with Wonder: It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas in Houston

With Thanksgiving just around the corner (as in next week, eep!), I am starting to see Christmas lights and decorations in all the shopping areas and Christmas trees at the grocery store. With that in mind, I decided to share some fun Houston area activities to get in the holiday spirit!

Magical Winter Lights: This first event is new to Houston, and I am super excited about it! From what I've read, this Chinese lantern festival is going to be huge with amazing reproductions of different places around the world made from lights. Watch out Austin, we might make your Zilker Park Trail of Lights look puny!

Dates: November 20th- January 10th
Operating Hours: Monday-Thursday 5-10pm, Friday-Saturday 1-11pm, Sunday 1-10pm
Location: Sam Houston Race Park, 7575 North Sam Houston West, Houston, TX 77064
Ticket prices: Adults $27, Children (4-12) $16, Children under 4 free
Parking: $10 cash only
Website: http://www.magicalwinterlights.com/

Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo: This is a great event to take the kiddos. Just be warned: be prepared for some insane crowds!

Dates: November 20- January 9th
Operating Hours & Ticket Prices:

Website: http://www.houstonzoo.org/zoolights/

Texas Renaissance Festival Celtic Christmas Weekend: I've been going to the Texas Renaissance Festival since I was a kid- it is definitely fun for all ages. The last weekend's theme is a Celtic Christmas, which is sure to get you into the holiday spirit!

Dates: November 27, 28, 29th
Tickets: $26 straight from the festival, but you can buy discount tickets from Walgreens
Website: http://www.texrenfest.com/#celtic_christmas

Dickens on the Strand: This is my very favorite Christmas festival near Houston which happens every year the first weekend of December. The Strand in Galveston becomes transported to Victorian times, and holiday cheer can be found in every corner. There's even a snow area for the kiddos to play in!

Dates: December 4, 5, and 6th
Tickets: $15 for adults and $9 for children purchased at the door. You can get a discount if you purchase early online or wear your Victorian attire.
Website: http://www.galvestonhistory.org/events/dickens-on-the-strand/dickens-on-the-strand

My dad and I at Dickens on the Strand last year

Tomball German Christmas Market & Festival: Lastly, this festival came into my radar when I was browsing around travel blogs looking for cool German style Christmas markets. Remember my post on Leavenworth, the town in Washington resembling a Bavarian village? In any case, I came across a German Christmas Market not to far from home, just north in Tomball! I can't wait to check in out this year.