What to do with kids in Houston over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by three museums, zoos and play places: three say they’re open on Christmas Day and three on New Year’s Day. Plus 11 dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.
Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1
Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.
“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.
Day by day
Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.
Memorial City Mall · 303 Memorial City Way, Houston, TX 77024
Good to know: Reserve a time online; walk-ins are accepted but may wait.
First Colony Mall · 16535 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77479
Good to know: Reservations are booked through whereissanta.com.
Houston Zoo · 6200 Hermann Park Dr., Houston, TX 77030
Good to know: Closed Dec 9 and Dec 24; open Christmas night. A sensory-inclusive night is set for Mon, Nov 30.
Space Center Houston · 1601 E. NASA Pkwy., Houston, TX 77058
Constellation Field · Constellation Field, Sugar Land, TX
Good to know: Includes photos with Santa nightly through Dec 23. A sensory-friendly night is Dec 15.
Typhoon Texas Waterpark parking lot · 555 Katy Fort Bend Rd, Katy, TX 77494
Hurricane Harbor parking lot · 21300 Interstate 45 N, Spring, TX 77373
Moody Gardens · 1 Hope Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77554
Good to know: A mile-long walk through more than two million lights set to music. Formerly the Festival of Lights.
Houston Botanic Garden · 1 Botanic Lane, Houston, TX 77017
Good to know: Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.
Discovery Green · 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
Good to know: Season dates from Travel Texas; check the park’s page for this year’s prices.
The Woodlands · 2005 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380
Houston Public Library, Central Library (Jesse H. Jones Building), 1st Floor Family Place · 500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77002
Good to know: A countdown to noon planned for toddlers 18 to 36 months, held in the Family Place play space downtown. Expect music, a craft and dancing, and party clothes or pajamas are equally welcome. Space is limited, so register ahead.
Houston Public Library, Oak Forest Neighborhood Library (Meeting Room) · 1349 W 43rd St, Houston, TX 77018
Good to know: A neighborhood option for families in Oak Forest and Garden Oaks. The toddler-sized party has crafts and songs, and the countdown lands right at lunchtime. Registration is required.
Houston Public Library, Flores Neighborhood Library (Meeting Room) · 110 N Milby St, Houston, TX 77003
Good to know: The East End branch starts half an hour earlier than the others, so the countdown ends the party right at 12. It's for toddlers and their grown-ups, and you'll need to register.
City Centre Houston, the Plaza · Memorial City
Good to know: An outdoor party in the Plaza with a live band, face painting, balloon artists and The Texas Bubblers. The noon hour ends with bubbles. Bring chairs. Outside food isn't allowed, but you can get takeout from the restaurants nearby. It may be called off for bad weather.
Houston Zoo · 6200 Hermann Park Dr., Houston, TX 77030
Good to know: Closed Dec 9 and Dec 24; open Christmas night. A sensory-inclusive night is set for Mon, Nov 30.
Space Center Houston · 1601 E. NASA Pkwy., Houston, TX 77058
Constellation Field · Constellation Field, Sugar Land, TX
Good to know: Includes photos with Santa nightly through Dec 23. A sensory-friendly night is Dec 15.
Typhoon Texas Waterpark parking lot · 555 Katy Fort Bend Rd, Katy, TX 77494
Hurricane Harbor parking lot · 21300 Interstate 45 N, Spring, TX 77373
Moody Gardens · 1 Hope Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77554
Good to know: A mile-long walk through more than two million lights set to music. Formerly the Festival of Lights.
Houston Botanic Garden · 1 Botanic Lane, Houston, TX 77017
Good to know: Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.
Open on New Year’s Day: Children’s Museum Houston, Houston Zoo, Hermann Park train, pedal boats and carousel.
Rainy-day backup
These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.
Keep planning
November: things to do in HoustonEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in HoustonEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in HoustonFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in HoustonFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in HoustonIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in HoustonBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in HoustonHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in HoustonParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in HoustonKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in HoustonParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in HoustonPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in HoustonBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in HoustonChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
This week in HoustonDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
Children’s Museum Houston (Dec 25: closed), Houston Zoo (Dec 24: closed; Dec 25: Zoo Lights open 5:30–10:30pm), Hermann Park train, pedal boats and carousel (Dec 25: closed) post that they’re open on Christmas Day.
On the calendar: Photos with Santa at Memorial City Mall and Photos with Santa at First Colony Mall.
Children’s Museum Houston (Not listed), Houston Zoo (Not listed), Hermann Park train, pedal boats and carousel (Not listed).
On the calendar for Jan 1: Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo, Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston, Sugar Land Holiday Lights and The Light Park Katy and three more. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.
Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo, Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston, Sugar Land Holiday Lights, The Light Park Katy and The Light Park Spring. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 26, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Houston, through the holidays.
