NOVEMBER

5 - IFWAA Fall Festival
This FREE festival is hosted at the Budweiser Brewery Experience, but don't let the location fool you - there is plenty to do for both adults and kids. Don't forget to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the live entertainment.

5-6 - 25th Houston Turkish Festival
This annual cultural festival celebrates all things Turkish, and you'll find plenty of authentic cuisine (including delicious Turkish coffee - win!), arts, and live performances. There is a kid's area with arts and crafts, and a Grand Bazaar to fulfill your shopping needs. 

5-6 - Celebration Seabrook
Down by the Gulf, you'll find Celebration Seabrook - a two-day festival packed with live music, children's activities, and a pet zone! Saturday features the live entertainment whereas Sunday "Family Funday" lets families bring their pets and enjoy other family-friendly programs.

12-Jan. 8, 2017 - Festival of Lights
Moody Gardens' massive annual festival transforms the property into a winter wonderland complete with outdoor ice skating, a giant ice slide, and tons of holiday games and activities. You'll find Santa for plenty of photo opportunities as well.

12-Dec. 24 - Home for the Holidays
On Saturdays and Sundays Old Town Spring invites you to celebrate the holidays Texas style. Expect lots of shopping opportunities, family-friendly activities, live music, and picture opportunities with Santa.

12 - 21st Annual Children's Festival
One thing's for sure - your kids won't run out of things to do or see at this massive festival at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands. Aside from the live entertainment, there are six themed activity zones where kids can explore art, science, and run and jump to their hearts' content.

18-Jan. 8, 2017 - Magical Winter Lights
Guests are immersed in thousands of lights and elaborate light displays at Magical Winter Lights, and this year's exhibit themes include Dinosaur Land and Mystery of the East. In the glow of the dazzling lights. there is a holiday market, carnival games, arts and crafts, and a kid's fun zone.

20 - Pecan Harvest Festival
If you're mourning the end of fall, fear not - the Pecan Harvest Festival welcomes you with open arms. Guests learn about the history of pecans and get the chance to pick their own harvest. There are also hayrides, shopping, and food vendors.

24 - Annual City of Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade
Don't miss this 67-year-old Houston tradition! Simone Biles and Simone Manuel are this year's parade marshals, and the parade highlights area bands, elaborate floats, and most importantly - Santa!

25-Jan. 8, 2017 - Sugar Land Holiday Lights
Prepare to be dazzled by more than 2.5 million lights at Sugar Land's Constellation Field. There are more than 100 walkthrough displays to enjoy along with children's activities, appearances by Santa, and food trucks. 

26 - Holiday Wonderland in Burroughs Park
At this FREE outdoor festival, the massive 300-acre park in Tomball features holiday games and activities for the kids, a petting zoo, and screenings of your favorite holiday movies. And don't forget to take a selfie with Santa before you leave!

DECEMBER

2-3 - Dickens on the Strand
Galveston's Historic Strand District transforms into Charles Dickens' Victorian-era London with costumed characters, decorations, and more. Expect live entertainment, parades, shopping, and delicious food and drinks. And for the cherry on top, kids ages 6 and under get in for free.

2, 10, 17, 20-23 - Christmas in the Park
Immerse yourself in a historical Texas Christmas celebration at George Ranch Historical Park. Guests can sip on wassail while listening to story time with Santa, participating in holiday crafts and activities, or enjoying a leisurely hayride through the property.

3 - Tamale Festival
Every real Houstonian (and Texan) loves a good tamale, and there will be plenty to choose from at this downtown festival from various Latino cultures. There is live music, a carnival show for the whole family, and more!

3 - A Katy Old-Fashioned Christmas Festival
There's more than 50,000 pounds of snow (OK, "snow") along with Santa Claus at Katy's annual FREE festival. Guests can shop around the market of local vendors selling homemade goods and produce, enjoy live entertainment, and let the kids get their craft on with holiday activities. 

10 - Christmas on Commerce
Enjoy an old-town holiday celebration in old town Tomball. Holiday tunes will fill the air from local school choirs, and kids can enjoy games and activities and appearances from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

10-Jan. 1, 2017 - Bayou Bend Christmas Village
Kids get to meet a real-life reindeer during Bayou Bend's winter festival. The 14-acre historic site is filled with holiday programs and activities, photo opportunities with Santa and friends, and even a snowball zone with fake snow - perfect for kids who have only ever seen a Houston winter. 

Photo courtesy of Magical Winter Lights