Six ways to spend a very Houston Christmas
The scorching autumn that we have experienced so far this year hasn't exactly invoked the christmas aesthetic, but these holiday activities sure will. In no particular order, here is your Houston Christmas activity guide:
1. Attend a mega-church christmas extravaganza
Regardless of your religious beliefs, when in Texas, one should attend a mega-church Christmas extravaganza. Perhaps as ingrained in Texas culture as barbeque and the first amendment, the Houston area features several mega-churches, who celebrate the christmas spirit with opulent performances. Champion Forest Baptist Church's Christmas Spectacular last year featured live elephants, and you can buy tickets for this year's performance for as little as 12 dollars.
2. Go to the theater
From November 15th to December 29th, the Alley Theatre is running a new adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Dickens' novella is widely credited with popularizing many of the Christmas traditions we enjoy today. The story isn't just a shallow feel-good Christmas story; instead it asks its readers to interrogate how we treat those less fortunate than ourselves and what redemption looks like. This is a perfect activity for those of us who want to celebrate Christmas at the theater, but are tired of blasé performances of the Nutcracker.
3. Christmas shop and drink beer
American Field's holiday market pop-up will be coming to Houston on December 14-15. The event will feature a plethora of independent brands, curated by American Field with their intentional and authentic character. It would be remiss to not add that the event is being hosted at St Arnold's Brewery, allowing you to eat and drink before, during and after getting your holiday gifts.
4. Coca-cola Christmas experience
Nothing says Christmas like Coca-Cola. Located at the Memorial City Mall, the Coca Cola Classic Christmas experience features light sculptures, snow slides and even ice skating. Its convenient location also means that you can get your Christmas shopping done at the mall, or take advantage of the Christmas market also located within the experience.
5. Candlelight Carols and Tours
If you enjoyed the Texas Renaissance Festival, you may enjoy this annual event offered by the Historical Society of Sam Houston Park. Through Candlelight, tour three historic houses located in the park, and interact with era-accurate reenactors, all while listening to Christmas carols sung by the Houston Boys Choir. Your $20 ticket also includes cookies and hot chocolate.
6. Ice skating at the galleria
Last, but certainly not least, is a trip to the Galleria ice rink. If you can put aside the questionable environmental impact of running an ice rink in the middle of a mall, in a city not known for its cold weather, go for it. The vibes don't give Christmas per se, but at least you can get some Christmas shopping done.
More from The Rice Thresher
Summer indie staples serenade House of Blues on Peach Pit and Briston Maroney’s “Long Hair, Long Life” tour.
A crowd gathered at House of Blues Houston on June 18 to hear the upbeat bedroom pop that got many of them through high school. Titled the “Long Hair, Long Life” tour (see the band members), this collaboration between Peach Pit and Briston Maroney felt like a time capsule to 2017: a setlist teeming with both original songs and music from their latest albums, “Magpie” and “JIMMY”, and an unspoken dress code of cargo shorts, graphic T-Shirts and backward caps.
Summer indie staples serenade House of Blues on Peach Pit and Briston Maroney’s “Long Hair, Long Life” tour.
A crowd gathered at House of Blues Houston on June 18 to hear the upbeat bedroom pop that got many of them through high school. Titled the “Long Hair, Long Life” tour (see the band members), this collaboration between Peach Pit and Briston Maroney felt like a time capsule to 2017: a setlist teeming with both original songs and music from their latest albums, “Magpie” and “JIMMY”, and an unspoken dress code of cargo shorts, graphic T-Shirts and backward caps.
Worth the wait: Andrew Thomas Huang practices patience
Andrew Thomas Huang says that patience is essential to being an artist. His proof? A film that has spent a decade in production, a career shaped by years in the music industry and a lifelong commitment to exploring queer identity and environmental themes — the kinds of stories, he said, that take time to tell right.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.