If you’re looking for something safe and fun to do this holiday break, 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!
The 7th annual Sugar Land Holiday Lights features a wonderland of over 3 million individual lights and a wide range of colorful and animated displays divided into several fantastic themed areas at Constellation Field. Get over 30% off tickets with Groupon!
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 the museum has taken steps to keep guests safe and socially distanced during these challenging times.
Have a Family Movie Night with Disney+
Disney+ is quickly becoming one of the most popular streaming services around. The service offers some of the top film franchises from Disney Princesses to Marvel Superheroes to Pixar’s best flicks and plenty of other fun things in between. So, have a family movie night this weekend by trying Disney+!
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Zoo Lights– TXU Energy Presents Zoo Lights returns to the Houston Zoo now through January 10, 2021, with two million Christmas lights illuminating throughout the area. The Houston Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland each night from 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm.
Moody Gardens Festival of Lights & More– Now through January 2, you can get a load of seven special holiday attractions at Moody Gardens, including Festival of Lights, Ice Skating, Train Rides, photos with Santa, and much more. It’s a great place to see Christmas lights!
Ice at Discovery Green– Now through January 31, you can skate every day at Discovery Green. The park will be implementing increased health and safety protocols to keep visitors safe, including limiting capacity to maintain social distancing, contactless ticket buying (you must buy tickets online), requiring masks at all times within the venue, increasing access to hand sanitizer, expanded seating areas. General admission is $15 with skate rental included. On Cheap Skate Mondays, tickets are just $8 including skate rentals. Green Mountain Energy employees and customers can both get $2 off with proof.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24
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. Get over 30% off tickets with Groupon!
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.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25
Turkey Pardon at Children’s Museum of Houston– Watch a live turkey get pardoned, just like at the White House! This year’s event will take place on Facebook at noon.
Ice at Discovery Green– Now through January 31, you can skate every day at Discovery Green. The park will be implementing increased health and safety protocols to keep visitors safe, including limiting capacity to maintain social distancing, contactless ticket buying (you must buy tickets online), requiring masks at all times within the venue, increasing access to hand sanitizer, expanded seating areas. General admission is $15 with skate rental included.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26- Thanksgiving Day
Zoo Lights– TXU Energy Presents Zoo Lights returns to the Houston Zoo now through January 10, 2021, with two million Christmas lights illuminating throughout the area. The Houston Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland each night from 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm.
Rudolphs Light Show– Head up the road to Hockley, TX where you can feast your eyes on the epic Rudolph’s Light Show, a drive-thru experience that lets you safely enjoy the season. Advertised as a holiday light experience, this festive event features an incredible one million lights in total. What’s more, these lights are synced up to music, which causes them to “dance” along to holiday carols and other classic tunes. Once you see this merriment set into motion, you’ll definitely be inclined to start singing and dancing as well!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27
Take a Drive to See Christmas Lights– The holiday season officially begins after Thanksgiving, so hop in the car and drive around some of the best neighborhoods in the area to enjoy beautiful Christmas light displays. Check out our guide to the best places to see Christmas lights in Houston.
Space Age Christmas Tree Exhibit– See more than 100 vintage aluminum Christmas trees from all of the major manufacturers. Color wheels, rotating stands, halo boards and mirrors, and every sort of aluminum tree accessory will also be on display. The exhibit opens Friday at 10 am and runs through the holiday season.
Free Outdoor Movie at Memorial City Mall: Elf – Friday Family Movie Nights are back at Memorial City! Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a safe, socially distanced movie experience at The Square. On Friday, November 27, they’ll be showing Elf at 7 pm.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28
University of Houston Football vs Tulsa– Thanksgiving and football go hand in hand. Don’t miss your chance to cheer on the Houston Cougar football team in their final home game of the season this Saturday, November 28 at 11 am. Your Houston Cougars will be facing off against Tulsa in what’s sure to be a great matchup. With the new Senior Day Savings Packs, you can get 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 sodas to Saturday’s big game for $100. That’s just $25 per person for a ticket to the game plus food and drink! With single-game tickets normally starting at $30 per person, this is truly a great value.
The Texas Renaissance Festival– It’s your final weekend to enjoy the Texas favorite, RenFest. Get your fill of turkey legs, medieval games, live performances, and artisan shopping. Discount Texas Renaissance Festival tickets are available online from Groupon giving you up to 35% off tickets.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29
The Texas Renaissance Festival– It’s your final weekend to enjoy the Texas favorite, RenFest. Get your fill of turkey legs, medieval games, live performances, and artisan shopping. Discount Texas Renaissance Festival tickets are available online from Groupon giving you up to 35% off tickets.
Shop the Nutcracker Market– The Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market is a tradition dating back years. It’s a great opportunity to buy handmade goods from local vendors all across the region. This year’s market is taking place online, and the market will be open for an entire month over the web. Shop at NutcrackerMarket.com.
What are you up to Thanksgiving Week? Let us know if we missed something!
If you go to the Renaissance Festival, I highly recommend you do 2 things. The first is, if someone approaches you selling cinammon almond packets. Buy them! They were the most delicious treat I’ve had in years! Second, is go sit with the harp player. She is amazing, and listening to the harp is truly soothing and relaxing.
Are the cookies and cocoa free at the four seasons tree lighting.
Great question! I called and found out the cookies, cocoa and champagne are free, along with free valet parking for the tree lighting!