Splurge-worthy Holiday and Christmas Activities for Houston Families

Celebrate Christmas at the Gaylord Texan, photo courtesy of Marriott

While we love a free holiday event as much as the next person, there are some festive activities that add seasonal pizazz precisely because they are a little more extravagant. Whether you're in the mood to dress up for an afternoon holiday tea, or take in a Nutcracker performance, or road trip to the Christmas Capital of Texas to stay at the Gaylord Texan or Great Wolf Lodge, we've found some of the best splurge-worthy holiday and Christmas activities for you and your family this season. 

For even more holiday and Christmas activities and events, be sure to check out our event calendar and our holiday and Christmas event guide. We also have an entire guide dedicated to Christmas activities and holiday fun so you can bring the magic of the season into your home with ease. 

Holiday Events in Westchester for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Lumagica oozes with classic holiday cheer for little ones.  Photo by the author

If you’ve recently moved on from “baby’s first Christmas” and are ready for more interactive holiday fun, look no further than our roundup of holiday attractions for toddlers and preschoolers in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. We’ve found loads of pint-size events to help fill your family scrapbook.

From Santa encounters to holiday crafting, stage performances to train shows, we’ve got two dozen memories in the making. Many holiday events are even FREE! Amidst all this action, be sure to find time to take pictures with Santa and pile into the car to cruise the neighborhood lights.

When you’ve had your fill of running around, refer to our stay-at-home resources, like 101 Christmas activities and cookie recipes to bake with your kids. Still more fun can be found through our Family Activity Calendar and by signing up for our newsletters. And don't forget to visit our holiday fun guide for Westchester families. 

The Met Brings a Touch of Disney Magic to its Galleries in New Exhibition

Towers from famed Disney princess castles? No, 18th-century vases by French sculptor Etienne-Maurice Falconet. 

See pop culture in a whole new light at a brand new exhibition at The Met. New York City's largest art museum turns its critical eye toward an unusual subject, honoring the iconic work of Walt Disney in a first-of-its-kind installation titled Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts. The exhibit provides a stunning juxtaposition of the old and new, merging treasures from the museum's collection with a trove of works from the Disney brand as well as the Disney family collection.

Read on for more details on the exhibit and find more kid-friendly installations in our Guide to Museums in NYC.

13 Charming Small Businesses in the Hudson Valley to Support this Holiday Season

Oliver and Chatfield sells a curated selection of gifts that cater to a variety of interests.

Small business owners are at the heart of our local communities, representing the composition of the places we call home. Getting to know the owners and staff on a personal level and doing your part to shop locally truly beats ordering online. With that in mind this holiday season, we've rounded up 13 charming local businesses in the Hudson Valley who are sure to have perfect gift you’ve been looking for, whether you're a local or visiting the region on a seasonal day trip. From candies to candles and chocolate to tchotchkes, consider shopping small at these local spots this season.

Be sure to bookmark this list of local craft fairs and Christmas markets for more ways to support local businesses and makers.

All Aboard the Holiday Santa Cruise in Lake Geneva

Photograph courtesy of Lake Geneva Cruise Lines.

The Santa Cruise is a festive experience for the entire family. This lake cruise is a fun way to see holiday lights, visit Santa, and experience a family Christmas outing on the beautiful Lake Geneva. Just a quick hour and a half from downtown Chicago, you’ll find the adorable town of Williams Bay, home to Pier 290 and Gage Marina which hosts their annual Santa Cruise from Thanksgiving weekend through December 30th. From how to buy tickets to what to wear, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the Santa Cruise Lake Geneva. 

For more holiday travel ideas check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Chicago Families.

Experience Christmas at Gaylord National with Kids

I Love Christmas Movies brings visitors on an immersive tour through scenes from five Christmas movies.

There is nowhere in the DC area that has more Christmas in one place than the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor. Each year, Christmas at Gaylord National seems to grow bigger and brighter, with more holiday decorations and more Christmas activities for families to enjoy. In fact, there is so much to do that it's become a holiday tradition for many locals to spend the night at the resort to experience it all. My family had our own December staycation at Gaylord National several years ago and did not run out of things to do!

When Gaylord National was temporarily closed in 2020 due to Covid, all of its Christmas programming was cancelled. But this year, Christmas at Gaylord National is back with a new experience called I Love Christmas Movies, new winter activities such as ice tubing and ice bumper cars, and tons of lights and over-the-top decorations.

My family of five—my husband, our 10-year-old twin sons, our 7-year-old daughter, and I—were invited to experience some of the attractions at Christmas at Gaylord National on a recent Sunday afternoon. Read on for my review, information about all of the Christmas activities being offered in 2021, and everything else you need to know about Christmas at Gaylord National.

Skate the Sky on The Roof at Ponce City Market

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Repeats every day until Sun Jan 07 2024 except Mon Dec 25 2023.
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Event Info
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Adults $30; Children (4-12) $22
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5 and older
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NYC Winter Lantern Festival Lights up Snug Harbor

Come nose-to-nose with brilliantly lit sea turtles and more magical creatures during a visit to the NYC Winter Lantern Festival.

The NYC Winter Lantern Festival at Snug Harbor Cultural Center has become a family tradition in our house, and it lights up the nights again this holiday season. Our first trip to the holiday light show was three years ago when our daughter was a newborn. A visit to the Winter Lantern Festival provided a great way to escape the stress of first-time parenting and get lost in the world of imagination and light.

Back for another run, it doesn’t disappoint, bringing displays that more elaborate and brilliant spread across Staten Island's Snug Harbor Cultural Center’s grounds, the vast 8-acre botanical gardens lights up during the night, enchanting children and kids at heart with its displays. Find more stunning lantern and light shows in NYC, plus all our top holiday picks in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events.

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