This holiday season, the Houston Downtown Management District (Downtown District) invites Houstonians and visitors to get in the spirit by visiting Downtown for shopping, sightseeing and much more.

Downtown Houston boasts a variety of shops with one-of-a-kind gift options, from Make (her) at Green Street, a collaborative boutique featuring jewelry, skincare products and apparel; Launch, a carefully curated pop-up boutique showcasing a rotating selection of Houston-made design and fashion goods; Tipping Point, a limited-edition sneaker and lifestyle goods shop; and Phoenicia Specialty Foods, with its wide selection of wine, gourmet treats and housewares. The area also hosts a series of holiday arts markets featuring local artists, crafters and creatives: Pop Shop Houston Holiday Festival from Dec. 1 to 3 at Green Street; Design Craft on Dec. 2 at Market Square Park; Winter Flea by Night presented by Green Mountain Energy on Dec. 2, 9 and 16 at Discovery Green; HTX Boss Babes Holiday Market on Dec. 9 at Green Street; and Heart made Holiday Market on Dec. 9 at Main Street Square.

Holiday décor will be on view in Downtown throughout the season, including the towering holiday tree at City Hall, giant jeweled trees along Main Street, spectacular lights and Mistletoe on the Go! at Market Square Park and more.

Additional information about holiday shopping, décor and other special events and performances below, and visit www.downtownhouston.org for a full event calendar.

Holiday Décor

Mistletoe on the Go!

Through Jan. 2, 2018

Mistletoe on the Go!, Texas’ biggest mistletoe ball, is a 150-inch ball of kiss

inducing greenery hanging from a 15-foot candy cane. Share your smoochesusing #XOmistletoe. Market Square Park, 301 Milam. www.marketsquarepark.com

Mayor’s Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting presented by Reliant

Friday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Ring in the season with the 98th Annual Mayor's Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting Presented by Reliant. This spectacular event is a holiday tradition of music, Santa, fireworks and family fun, leaving behind a towering holiday tree, glowing with lights, shimmering ornaments and a stunning star topper to light up the streets of Downtown Houston this holiday season! Free. City Hall, 901 Bagby www.houstontx.gov

Holiday Fun

The ICE at Discovery Green powered by Green Mountain Energy

Through Jan. 21, 2018

Ice skating returns to Downtown Houston this holiday season! Lace up your skates and get ready for a memorable winter experience on the largest outdoor ice skating rink in the Southwest, with daily skating events and other programs. Tickets from $14. www.discoverygreen.com

HPL’s Candy Cane Cinema Celebration

Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m.

Houston Public Library and Aurora Picture Show partner for a special program of imaginative short films, a sugary sweet ballet performance and delightful activities that is true fun for all ages! Free. Julia Ideson Building, 550 McKinney. www.houstonlibrary.org

Screen on the Green presented by Bank of America Thursdays, Dec. 7–Jan. 18, 2018, at 7 p.m.

Each Thursday, Discovery Green screens throwback movies including holiday classics like Home Alone and It’s a Wonderful Life.www.discoverygreen.com

Rainbow on ICE

Friday, Dec. 8, from 7 to 10 p.m.

The annual citywide LGBT celebration returns to The ICE at Discovery Green. Celebrate the season with the ultimate dance party with electrifying entertainment. www.discoverygreen.com

MKT Bar’s 7th Annual Friends & Family Holiday Karaoke with Karbach Brewing Company

Friday, Dec. 8, at 9 p.m.

Get in the holiday spirit and sing your heart out at MKT Bar’s Annual Family and Friends Karaoke Party. Guest will enjoy Karbach seasonal brews with Yuletide food pairings. Holiday attire encouraged. MKT BAR, 1001 Austin. www.mktbar.com

9th Annual Gingerbread Build-Off

Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Architecture Center Houston hosts this annual event at City Hall. Competing teams create gingerbread masterpieces using 100% edible materials. More than 4,500 spectators are expected to attend and cheer on the teams, play in the kids' construction zone and see Santa. Free. Hermann Square, 900 Smith.

www.aiahouston.org

Breakfast with Santa

Saturdays, Dec 9, 16, 23 and 30

Families are invited to the Downtown Aquarium for Breakfast with Santa. The buffet-style breakfast will feature an assortment of food, fun with Sharkey and an active Santa Claus swimming around in the tank with all the different marine life, taking photos with the guests. Reservations required. Downtown Aquarium, 410 Bagby.

www.downtownaquarium.com

Scrooged at Market Square Park

Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.

Market Square Park and Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow host a special holiday screening of Scrooged under the stars. Market Square Park, 301 Milam.

www.marketsquarepark.com

Houston’s 12K of Christmas

Saturday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 a.m.

A holiday-themed fun run takes off from Fish Plaza. Bring the whole family and enjoy hot cocoa, appearances by jolly old St. Nick and his elves, Christmas carolers and much more holiday fun after the race! Fish Plaza, 500 Texas.

www.houston12k.com

Holiday Brunch at Phoenicia

Saturday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m.

At this festive family event, kids and adults alike can enjoy holiday activities and a tasty seasonal brunch menu. From a cookie decorating station to photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and classic holiday cartoons, there’s something for everyone! Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown. 1001 Austin.

www.phoeniciafoods.com

Christmas Week at Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Tuesday, Dec. 19–Thursday, Dec. 21

Head to Saint Arnold for photos, family fun with jolly Saint Nick and holiday movie screenings! Free. Saint Arnold Brewing Company, 2000 Lyons.

www.saintarnold.com

Performing Arts & Concerts

A Christmas Carol

Through Dec. 30

Houston’s seasonal favorite, A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas returns this year with a re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story, which follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with the three ghostly spirits who visit him on Christmas Eve. Tickets from $26. Alley Theatre, 615 Texas.

www.alleytheatre.org

Tales of a Hard Nut

Through Dec. 30

Prohibition’s world-famous Moonlight Dolls present a burlesque-inspired

adaptation of the timeless classic The Nutcracker. Tickets from $30. Prohibition Theatre, 1008 Prairie.

www.prohibitiontheatre.com

The House Without a Christmas Tree

Through Dec. 17

Houston Grand Opera presents a world premiere production by Ricky Ian Gordon

and Royce Vavrek, based on the original story by Gail Rock and the beloved 1972 television movie of the same name. Tickets from $25. HGO Resilience Theater, 1001 Avenida de las Americas.

www.houstongrandopera.org

Very Merry Pops

Friday, Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Megan Hilty joins the Houston Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for a program of holiday classics, including special arrangements of songs from Megan’s new holiday album, A Merry Little Christmas. Tickets from $40. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana.

www.houstonsymphony.org

A Grinch Christmas

Saturday, Dec. 2, at 10 and 11:30 a.m.

Join the Houston Symphony and local high school singers as they present the classic story of Dr. Seuss’ Grinch. The festive fun also includes a holiday sing along and the hit “Believe” from the movie Polar Express. Tickets from $25. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana.

www.houstonsymphony.org

A Wynonna & The Big Noise Christmas

Thursday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m.

Wynonna Judd and her band, The Big Noise, perform in what promises to be a memorable evening of music and holiday magic. Tickets from $34. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana.

www.spahouston.org

Handel’s Messiahf

Friday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2:30 p.m.

Conductor Paul Agnew leads the Houston Symphony Chorus, soloists and orchestra in Houston’s premier performances of this Baroque masterpiece. Tickets from $29. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana.

www.houstonsymphony.org

Traci and Tony’s Unusual New Year’s Eve

Dec. 21–31, at 9 p.m. (special New Year’s Eve show at 11 p.m.)

Writer/performer Traci Lavois Thiebaud and composer Anthony Barilla have

teamed up with a band of seasoned musicians to create a miniature rock opera

based on Cyndi Lauper’s 1983 performance at the MTV New Year’s Eve Ball. Unusual New Year’s Eve is equal parts rock concert, theatrical happening and New Year’s Eve Party. Dancing shoes recommended. Tickets from $15. Rec Room, 100 Jackson.

www.recroomarts.org

A Piano… Guitar and Sax

Saturday, Dec. 30, at 7 p.m.

A Peaceful Enterprise presents a pre-New Year’s Eve jazz show with Grammy nominated guitarist Doc Powell, pianist Marcus Johnson and saxophonist Dee Lucas. Tickets from $60. Hobby Center, 800 Bagby.

www.thehobbycenter.org

The Nutcracker

Dec. 30–Jan. 6, 2018

The holiday season reignites with Staton Welch’s spectacular new production of The Nutcracker. The music, costumes and hundreds of delightful characters will bring out the child in everyone. Tickets from $35. Hobby Center, 800 Bagby.

www.houstonballet.org

New Year’s in Berlin

Sunday, Dec. 31, at 9 p.m.

Ars Lyrica's annual New Year's Eve celebration includes an elegant dinner, musical program and festive gala. This year’s Sara Itzig Levy-inspired program includes several works from her legendary collection, including a W. F. Bach flute concerto and a C. P. E. Bach double concerto for fortepiano and harpsichord—a work closely connected with the legendary hostess, who played one of the solo parts at its 1788 premiere. Hobby Center, 800 Bagby.

www.thehobbycenter.org

Getting Around Downtown Greenlink

Daily, catch GREENLINK to get to your holiday destinations for FREE

Houston BCycle

Ditch your car and ride a bike to all your holiday hot spots this season! Daily, weekly and annual memberships available with over twelve convenient stations located throughout Downtown Houston.

www.houston.bcycle.com