See aquatic life without a fee at Sea Center Texas. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Keep Cool in Houston: Top Beaches, Swimming Lakes, Splash Pads, and AC Spots
Photo courtesy of Frogs, Snails and Fairy Tales
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Explore our guide of classes for kids in Houston.
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Guide to Classes for Houston Kids
Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.
25 Back-to-School Tasks You Didn't Know You Could Pay Someone Else to Do
Houston has a variety of affordable afterschool programs. Photo courtesy of GirlStart
Free and Cheap Afterschool Programs in Houston
There's no shortage of fun baby activities in Houston.
Best Things To Do with Babies in Houston Before They Turn 1
Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
Best Museums in Houston for Kids and Families
We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
Your little learner will love the variety of toddler classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Fun Preschool and Toddler Classes in Houston for Little Learners
Never Stop Live Tour photo courtesy of the Kidz Bop Facebook page
Best Things to Do in Houston August 2023 with Kids
Splashway Waterpark is located in Sheridan, TX, about 90 minutes drive from Houston. Photo courtesy of Splashway Waterpark
Splashway Waterpark: Beat the Heat this Summer with a Daytrip From Houston
Treat your kid to one of these Houston spas with services for children. Photo courtesy of Float Baby
Kid-Friendly Salons and Spas Near Houston
Climb with your kids at one of these indoor rock climbing gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Texas Rock Gym
Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gyms in Houston for Kids
Levy Park is a splash pad in Houston's inner loop. Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Houston
Houston's bucket list for kid activities
100 Things To Do In Houston Before Kids Grow Up
Bowling is a fun indoor activity to add to your list this summer. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
Kid-Friendly Bowling Alleys in Houston
Cool off at one of Houston's free public pools. Photo courtesy of Houston Parks - Houston Parks & Recreation
Free Public Swimming Pools in Houston for Summer 2023
Dinos Alive is the perfect indoor activity this summer.
Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience Featuring Life-Sized Dinosaurs
Fishing at Sea Center in Freeport, TX. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Freeport with Kids: Best Things To Do in Freeport, Texas
These water parks and other swimming spots are perfect for summer birthday parties in Houston. Photo courtesy of the City of Conroe Parks and Recreation
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Texas has 367 miles of coastline for you to explore. Photo by Michael Hogan, Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
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Photo courtesy of the City of Friendswood
Houston's Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families This Summer
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The Houston Museum of Natural Science is free every Thursday! Photo courtesy of Levy Park
50 Free Things To Do in Houston This Summer With Kids
Movies Under the Moon offers free outdoor movies in Houston this summer. Photo courtesy of Kings Harbor
Free Outdoor Movies in Houston this Summer for Kids
Round up the girls and head out for a kid-free night in Houston. Photo courtesy of Thirsty Bee Meadery
Mom's Night Out in Houston: 5 Fun Itineraries for a Kid-Free Evening
Even little ones can enjoy the slides at Strawberry Water Park. Photo by Ashley Jones
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The GardenBar at Tiny Boxwoods is perfect place for families to enjoy a delicious meal.
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Kids love the carousel on Kemah's boardwalk.
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Cool off this summer at one of these Houston water parks. Photo courtesy of Big Rivers Waterpark
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There are lots of farms offering berry picking near Houston. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms, Facebook
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Photo by Mommy Poppins
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San Antonio has a lot of budget-friendly things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Botanical Garden
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Fishing in Lake Somerville. Photo courtesy of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
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Mad Science is a science summer camp in Houston. Photo courtesy of Mad Science of Houston
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Art summer camps in Houston offer creative fun this summer. Photo courtesy of the Mad Potter
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These Houston summer camps are the perfect day camps for preschoolers. Photo courtesy of Kidventure
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Spend the summer at one of these fun summer camps near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Gymnastics Academy
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Birdwatching at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, photo courtesy of Houston Audubon
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Summer Camp photo courtesy of the Houston YMCA
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Photo courtesy of Cypress Academy
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Hero Headquarters is a birthday party entertainment company in Houston. Photo courtesy of Hero Headquarters
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Free activities like feeding the ducks at Mary Jo Peckham Park are simple and still great fun for kids. Photo by Rachael Cherry
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The Houston Zoo is a great stop for kids, and near other things to do in Houston, too. Photo by Jessica A., courtesy of the zoo
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Levy Park in Houston. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture
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Playgrounds Without Limits photo courtesy of Memorial Park, Facebook
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There are a variety of fishing lakes near Houston to fish with your kids. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
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SwimJim offers baby swim classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of SwimJim Baby Swim School, Facebook
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San Antonio is full of amusement parks, good food, and lots of other things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Riverwalk
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Try fishing for the first time in Lake Livingston. Photo courtesy of Lake Livingston State Park, Facebook
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Get building at Dig World TX near Houston.
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The St. Regis in Uptown is one of Houston's best family-friendly resorts.
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Toddlers can enjoy playing with the foam block structures at Exploration Park. Photo courtesy of Exploration Park
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The Menil Collection is a free art museum in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Menil Collection
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​Galveston's Schlitterbahn is an indoor waterpark near Houston. Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn in Galveston Island
The Best Indoor Waterparks in Texas
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The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Houston

"The Nutcracker" choreographed by Stanton Welch and performed by the Houston Ballet. Photo courtesy of Houston Ballet
11/20/22 - By Rachael Cherry

Ready to see The Nutcracker Ballet in Houston? We have a full list of The Nutcracker performances, plus other holiday shows for kids.

The holiday season is full of opportunities to see The Nutcracker in Houston. Of course, The Houston Ballet has its own performance of the classic Christmas ballet, but many of the smaller dance companies show The Nutcracker near Houston. Also, don't miss the other Christmas shows in Houston: whether you're a Nutcracker purist or a die-hard Christmas Carol fan, Houston has something for everyone. Read on for this season's shows around town. 

And for more fun holiday activities and things to do, check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Houston Families.

Uptown Dance Company Presents
Uptown Dance Company Presents "The Nutcracker" in Houston. Photo by Doug Barry

"The Nutcracker" Performances in Houston

The Houston Ballet Presents The Nutcracker

Fri Nov 25, 2022 - Tue Dec 27, 2022 - Downtown
The ultimate holiday tradition returns with all of the grandeur that audiences love about Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker.  READ MORE

Move Dance And Fitness's Nutcracker at the Stafford Centre

Sat Nov 26, 2022 - Stafford
Experience a Christmas tradition as Move Dance and Fitness brings the holiday magic of The Nutcracker to the stage.  READ MORE

Uptown Dance Company Presents "The Nutcracker"

Thu Dec 1, 2022 - Sun Dec 11, 2022 - Spring Branch
Uptown Dance Company presents "The Nutcracker Suite," a rendition of the beloved show all visitors will love. READ MORE

The Nutcracker by Houston Repertoire Ballet

Fri Dec 2, 2022 - Sun Dec 4, 2022 - Tomball
Come enjoy the Houston Repertoire Ballet, Houston's premier pre-professional ballet company, performance series of The Nutcracker, featuring professional guest artists Leah Slavens Haggard as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Mark Krieger as the Cavalier, and Joseph Modlin as Herr Drosselmeyer, with the Cypress Philharmonic directed by Glynnes Lanthier.   READ MORE

Bay Area Houston Ballet Theatre Presents "The Nutcracker"

Fri Dec 2, 2022 - Sun Dec 18, 2022 - Clear Lake
A classical holiday tradition filled with toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes, and the magical Land of Sweets. Bay Area Houston’s perennial family favorite. READ MORE

Kingwood Dance Theatre Presents "The Nutcracker Ballet"

Sat Dec 3, 2022 - Sun Dec 4, 2022 - Kingwood
The Kingwood Dance Theatre presents "The Nutcracker Ballet." READ MORE

Connolly Dance Arts Presents: The Nutcracker Ballet

Sun Dec 4, 2022 - Katy
Get in the holiday spirit when you watch the annual performance of The Nutcracker by Connolly Dance Arts. READ MORE

BalletForte Presents "The Nutcracker"

Fri Dec 9, 2022 - Sun Dec 11, 2022 - Stafford
The holidays will soon be upon us, and what better way to celebrate the season than to experience BalletForte’s production of The Nutcracker. Join Clara as she encounters rowdy rats, menacing mice, stalwart soldiers, and the ballet’s namesake the notable Nutcracker.  READ MORE

The Nutcracker at The Grand

Sat Dec 10, 2022 - Sun Dec 11, 2022 - Galveston
An annual holiday favorite that delights audiences of all ages – City Ballet of Houston’s presentation of The Nutcracker Ballet returns to The Grand 1894 Opera House. The Nutcracker tells a story of a young girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince, a Sugar Plum Fairy, and a fierce battle against a Mouse King. READ MORE

Houston's Urban Nutcracker

Fri Dec 16, 2022 - Sun Dec 18, 2022 Stafford
Houston’s Urban Nutcracker provides a new and exciting twist on an old holiday classic while exploring the proud cultural heritage of the city of Houston through dance, music, and narration. This “feel good” Nutcracker is sure to leave you and your family feeling in the holiday spirit unlike any other holiday production has ever done before! READ MORE

Allegro Ballet of Houston Presents "The Nutcracker Ballet"

Sun Dec 18, 2022 - Katy
Enjoy the Allegro Ballet of Houston's rendition of "The Nutcracker." READ MORE
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at The Grand in Galveston, photo courtesy of The Grand 1894 Opera House
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at The Grand in Galveston, photo courtesy of The Grand 1894 Opera House

Other Holiday Shows

A Christmas Carol at the Alley Theatre

Fri Nov 18, 2022 - Fri Dec 30, 2022 - Downtown
Enjoy Houston's rendition of the holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, which follows Ebenezer Scrooge's journey with three ghostly spirits. Inspired by the original novella, Melrose captures Dickens’ witty wording and evocative style to surprise audiences with parts of the familiar story they didn’t know were there! With rich Victorian costumes, exciting magical elements created by acclaimed illusionist Jim Steinmeyer, and beautifully sung holiday carols, A Christmas Carol tells the beloved story of Scrooge and his miraculous transformation. This new production... READ MORE

Holly Jolly Jingle at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Thu Dec 1, 2022 - The Woodlands
Free
Come enjoy holiday jingles and Christmas carols throughout the plazas and on the Main Stage brought to you by talented student musicians from across Conroe ISD. You’ll hear from rocking electric violins, harmonious choral groups, striking symphonies, and maybe even a merry mariachi band. READ MORE

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at The Grand

Fri Dec 2, 2022 - Sat Dec 3, 2022 -Galveston
The Grand Opera House presents a performance of the holiday classic: "Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol".  READ MORE

Home Alone: Film with Live Orchestra at the Houston Symphony

Sat Dec 3, 2022 - Downtown
Composer John Williams’ delightful score is performed live to picture by the Houston Symphony at this special screening of the holiday favorite comedy classic Home Alone. READ MORE

Deck the Halls by the FB Symphony Orchestra at the Stafford Centre

Sun Dec 4, 2022 - Stafford
It’s an afternoon of holiday delights, including the iconic Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, Daniel Kantor’s Night of Silence, Richard Hayman’s medley of Here We Come A-Caroling, and more. Robert Wendel’s We’re Having a Heatwave for Christmas addresses the totally different feelings associated with the holidays in equatorial and southern hemisphere tropical climates in a comedic way, and The Festive Sounds of Hannukah celebrates the beautiful festival of lights, Hanukkah!  Join in on the music-making with the timeless A Christmas... READ MORE

Class Act Productions Presents: White Christmas the Muscial

Thu Dec 8, 2022 - Sat Dec 17, 2022 - The Woodlands
Come enjoy the Class Act Productions of White Christmas the Musical. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander. With a dazzling score featuring well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial title song, White Christmas is an uplifting musical everyone will enjoy. READ MORE

Stageworks Theater Presents: Holiday Follies

Fri Dec 9, 2022 - Sun Dec 18, 2022 - Northwest Houston
The whole family will be dazzled by this bold and colorful show that celebrates the entertainers who brought magic to the Christmas season. Taking inspiration from Vaudeville and Follies shows the late 19th century through the today, you'll laugh, tap your toes, and be amazed as we entertain you with some of the best performers in Houston.  READ MORE

Houston Symphony: Very Merry Pops

Thu Dec 15, 2022 - Sun Dec 18, 2022 - Downtown
Join the Houston Symphony once more as they stage their beloved annual holiday spectacular, Very Merry Pops.   READ MORE

Ho-Ho-Holiday at the Houston Symphony

Sat Dec 17, 2022 - Downtown
This festive concert includes songs from Disney’s Frozen, music from The Polar Express, “Sleigh Ride,” a holiday sing-along, and more.  READ MORE

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