If you’re entertaining family or friends this holiday season, check out these ideas for free and cheap things to do in Houston during Thanksgiving week:

 

EVERYDAY FUN

The kids are out of school so maybe it’s time to revisit (or visit for the first time) these local classics!

Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum of Natural Science has a great deal with tickets for only $11.10 (regularly $25!). The exhibits are fantastic and include The Art of the Brick, Trains over Texas and more. (Some exhibits may cost extra.)

Space Center Houston

Spend a day learning about Science and aerospace flight and engineering at Houston’s favorite, Space Center Houston. Order your tickets online to get the best price!

Lone Star Flight Museum

An underrated gem of a museum! The 130,000 square foot museum and warehouse offers 40 vintage and historically significant aircraft. The planes have been restored to flying condition and are available for tours. Tickets are now 50% off with this special offer!

 

 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23

Moody Gardens Ice Land & Festival of Lights– November 16 through January 12, you can get a load of eight special holiday attractions at Moody Gardens. Ice Land, Festival of Lights, Ice Skating, Train Rides, photos with Santa, and much more. It’s a great place to see Christmas lights!

Magical Winter Lights at Gulf Greyhound Park– The race track’s biggest festival and extended hours are back! Open every night, and all holidays, this year has themes from around the globe and the imagination. You can also check out extended hours on holiday evenings. Kids under 3 are free and all other tickets range from $13-$22, but you can snag this Groupon deal to get up to 20% off for a limited time.

Ice at Discovery Green– Starting November 15 throughFebrurary 2, you can skate every day at Discovery Green. Special events are held regularly as well. Admission is just $11 per person at the gate.

 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24

Zoo Lights– Our favorite zoo gets dressed up for the holidays! Opening day is November 23, but you can expect large crowds throughout the Thanksgiving break. Go after Prime Day but before the end of the exhibit for the best viewing. Tickets are separate from Zoo entry and start at $17.95. The exhibit runs through January 12.

Home For the Holidays Gift Market in Katy– Three awesome days of gift shopping is coming to Katy. November 22-24, you can get all your shopping done. Hours vary per day.

The Texas Renaissance Festival– There are only two more weekends to enjoy the Texas favorite, RenFest. Get your fill of turkey legs, medieval games, live performances, and artisan shopping.

 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25

Turkey Pardon at Children’s Museum of Houston– Watch a live turkey get pardoned, just like at the White House! Kids can even meet the pardoned turkey from 11 am to 1 pm in the Courtyard.. The event is included with daily admission.

Pet Photos with Santa at Baybrook Mall– Pet Santa photos are happening every Monday through December 16th in Friendswood. Each session has a different theme. Packages start at $39.99 and reservations are suggested.

Sugar Land Holiday Lights — Enjoy over 3 million lights and numerous themed displays at this impressive holiday lights spectacle at Constellation Field in Sugar Land.

 

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26

Santa’s Wonderland in College Station– It’s a bit of a drive, but it’s totally worth it to visit Santa’s Home Town! Stroll through a variety of attractions and amazing light displays. Prices vary.

Moody Gardens Ice Land & Festival of Lights– November 16 through January 12, you can get a load of eight special holiday attractions at Moody Gardens. Ice Land, Festival of Lights, Ice Skating, Train Rides, photos with Santa, and much more. It’s a great place to see Christmas lights!

A Christmas Carol at Alley Theatre — See the classic Charles Dickens’ story live on stage at Alley Theatre in this family-friendly production. Showtimes all throughout the holiday season.

 

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Magical Winter Lights at Gulf Greyhound Park– The race track’s biggest festival and extended hours are back! Open every night, and all holidays, this year has themes from around the globe and the imagination. You can also check out extended hours on holiday evenings. Kids under 3 are free and all other tickets range from $13-$22, but you can snag this Groupon deal to get up to 20% off for a limited time.

Thanksgiving Eve with Santa at The Children’s Museum– Design clothing and pennants for a turkey character in the Thanksgiving Parade at The Children’s Museum. There will be a Santa Meet and Greet, Elves on a Shelf, and so much more. The event is included in the price of Admission.

 

 

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28- Thanksgiving Day

City of Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade– Located downtown, this annual parade is free for everyone and kicks off at 9 am. Get there early for the best view and be sure to have a plan for parking and dealing with crowds.

Baker Ripley Turkey Trot– This event, hosted annually by Baker Ripley, is the perfect start to a binge-worthy day. All ages, abilities, and fitness levels are welcomed at this famous Houston fundraiser, benefiting local Houstonians. There are 5K and 10K races. Want to run? Enter now for 40% off with Groupon.

Annual Uptown Holiday Lighting — There’s no better way to kick off the holiday season than with an epic tree lighting, and the 32nd Annual Uptown Holiday Lighting is Houston’s best event. The fun will start on Thanksgiving at 4 p.m.

 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29

Farndale Avenue…A Christmas Carol at Theatre Suburbia — It’s a Christmas show the whole family is sure to love. Get 50% off tickets when you buy online.

Festival of Trees– Start the Christmas season off right with a new tree. Enjoy food trucks, live entertainment, a bustling holiday market, and The Parade of Trees with the option to buy your own. Get pics with Santa, take the kids on a pony ride, and so much more.

Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker–  From the day after Thanksgiving through December 29, take in a show of one of Houston’s best ballets. Shows are every weekend, twice a day, plus special scheduling the week of Christmas at Wortham Theatre.

12th Annual Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration at Hotel Galvez– No reservations required! Hotel Galvez lets everyone get into the Holiday spirit with their Tree Lighting celebration which starts at 6 pm and features performances from The Nutcracker, area choirs and dance groups and the Galveston Community Band.

Sugar Land Holiday Lights — Enjoy over 3 million lights and numerous themed displays at this impressive holiday lights spectacle at Constellation Field in Sugar Land.

 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30

It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Stageworks — Ring in the holiday season with the classic film brought to life as a radio broadcast, complete with vintage commercials. It’s a great event for the whole family, and you can get tickets for 50% off!

Home For the Holidays Gift Market in Galveston– For two days, Moody Gardens is putting on a one-of-a-kind gift market just in time for the holidays. The Galveston event is held Friday from noon to 8 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.

Photos with Santa at Traders Village — Santa will be spreading cheer at Traders Village Saturdays and Sundays now through December 23. Just $5  gets you a photo with Santa.

The Texas Renaissance Festival– It’s the final weekend to enjoy the Texas favorite, RenFest. Get your fill of turkey legs, medieval games, live performances, and artisan shopping.

 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1

Moody Gardens Ice Land & Festival of Lights– November 16 through January 12, you can get a load of eight special holiday attractions at Moody Gardens. Ice Land, Festival of Lights, Ice Skating, Train Rides, photos with Santa, and much more. It’s a great place to see Christmas lights!

Downtown Lasers and Lights in Galveston– Galveston city is all lit up! Check out the magical display featuring new laser shows, beautiful light displays, and other holiday attractions throughout Downtown Galveston starting at 6 pm. It’s free!

Magical Winter Lights at Gulf Greyhound Park– The race track’s biggest festival and extended hours are back! Open every night, and all holidays, this year has themes from around the globe and the imagination. You can also check out extended hours on holiday evenings. Kids under 3 are free and all other tickets range from $13-$22, but you can snag this Groupon deal to get up to 20% off for a limited time.

 

What are you up to Thanksgiving Week? Let us know if we missed something!