Gulf Coast Holidays

Escape to League City for a hometown holiday season full of magic

The holiday season is the perfect time to plan a little getaway, and it's even better when that vacay includes enchanting events for everyone in the family.

League City offers up a season of magic and memories with events kicking off in November and running through the end of the year. From the sweetest sleepover weekend with The Nutcracker ballet’s Sugar Plum Fairy to scrumptious breakfasts with Santa, merry markets, big parades, and the Hallmark-worthy event of the year, Holiday In the Park, there are countless ways to celebrate.

Check out all the delightful ways to fill your calendar this season in League City:

The North Pole comes to South Shore Harbour Resort
The wonderment starts with the six-foot-tall gingerbread house in the lobby (through December 24) and continues with breakfast with Santa on Saturdays for the first three weekends in December. Join jolly Old St. Nick for a themed breakfast buffet and snap a photo with the Big Guy himself.

For the adults, South Shore is hosting holiday themed Sunday brunches featuring live music and $3 mimosas (sorry, no Santa at this one). For reservations to either brunch, call 281-334-3078.

Another sweet meal is the popular Breakfast and Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy, from Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre's production of The Nutcracker. It's the most magical day for ages 2 to 92, happening November 18 from 2-4 pm (the breakfast is already sold out, with limited seats remaining for the tea).

Shop at the Nutcracker Boutique, see a preview of The Nutcracker ballet, and have your photo taken with the Sugar Plum Fairy.

The night before, November 17, don your prettiest nightgown and have dinner with Clara and her friends from the ballet. To make your hotel and dinner reservations, call 281-334-1000, and mention "Sugar Plum" to get a special rate on your stay.

The Nutcracker ballet itself runs December 1-3, 8-10, and 15-17 at Bayou Theatre at University of Houston-Clear Lake. Head here for tickets.

Fresh air festivities

Attend the ultimate Shop Small Saturday experience at Nutcracker in the Park, held at League Park on November 25 from 8 am-7 pm.

Enjoy a full day of shopping from local vendors, family-friendly activities, ballet lessons with real Nutcracker ballerinas, and more, all in the heart of League City's gorgeous Historic District.

After a day of shopping at Nutcracker in the Park, enjoy hot chocolate, live music, and get a free League City commemorative ornament to usher in the start of the holiday season at the city's official Christmas tree lighting from 5-7 pm.

From December 1-3, celebrate the 26th year of Holiday in the Park with Magic on Main Street, a weekend of festive family fun in beautiful League Park.

Enjoy a children’s parade, the Grand Night Parade (the largest holiday parade in Galveston County), live music, shopping, food vendors, entertainment, and more during this annual League City tradition.

The next weekend, December 9-10, immerse yourself in the historic charm of the Old League City Christmas and celebrate the holidays with traditional activities like WALKabouts, Porch Parties, Airing of the Quilts, District Strolls with Vintage Vehicles, and historic demonstrations at the League City Historical Society Museum. It happens 10 am-3 pm both days.

A beloved tradition for more than 60 years, the lighted Christmas Boat Parade travels from Clear Lake to Galveston Bay. Boaters go all out to compete for prizes, so you can expect an extravagant show on December 9 beginning at 6 pm. Read more about how this tradition came to be here.

Enjoy a yummy breakfast with Santa, fun activities, crafts, and picture opps at Hometown Heroes Park on December 10 from 8:30-10:30 am. Register everyone attending here, with kids 2 and under free.

Fa la la in the library

Celebrate the season with stories and photos with Santa, festive children’s crafts, cookies and wassail, and more at the Helen Hall Library's open house on November 30 from 5-7:30 pm.

On December 16 from 2-4 pm, enter the world of Harry Potter at the library's Yule Ball, where you can dance among a winter wonderland, join a Potterworld costume contest, and enjoy candy, snacks, drinks, and butterbeer from the famous Honeydukes. Of course, there will also be crafts, trivia, house-sorting, and wands.This event is held at the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center.

Ring in 2024

Welcome the New Year at South Shore Harbour Resort's NYE celebration, A Night in Paris. It all comes with live music and entertainment, a delicious four-course dinner, door prizes, dancing, a balloon drop, Champagne toast, and more. Discounted room rates are available fro December 31. To reserve a table, call 281-532-7120 or email nmatthews@sshr.com.

South Shore Harbour Resort gingerbread house

Photo courtesy of South Shore Harbour Resort

Visit the six-foot-tall gingerbread house at South Shore Harbour Resort.

vacation holidays families dance breakfast parks parades promoted

all routes lead to rome

New nonstop flight connects Houston with Rome for the first time

Photo courtest of Houston Airports

Houston Mayor John Whitmire listens as Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports, discusses the addition of ITA Airways at IAH.

Thinking of a Roman holiday? The good news for Houstonians is that George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) will begin offering direct, nonstop flights to Rome starting next spring. It will be the first time IAH and Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Fiumicino, Italy have connected nonstop.

“We welcome ITA Airways to Houston, as it reflects our city's prominence on the global stage," said Houston Mayor John Whitmire in a press conference held on Tuesday, December 2. "The first ever route between Houston and Rome will strengthen our business, diplomatic, and cultural ties with Italy. It will also bring more visitors to experience Houston's vibrant culture, world-class healthcare, and diverse industries."

Starting May 1, 2026, ITA Airways will offer three flights a week between Houston and Rome, expanding to five flights a week beginning June 1. Houston is ITA's ninth North American destination.

“Nonstop service to Rome is a defining moment for Houston and a direct result of the strength and credibility of our airport system. This route will bring new visitors, new investment, and new business opportunities into our region,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports. “It expands Houston’s presence in Europe and proves that disciplined, strategic growth at Houston Airports delivers measurable economic impact. Strong airports don’t just move people. They shape markets, expand opportunity and help define a city’s place in the world.”

Flights will be made via a Airbus A330-900. The model is renowned for its comfort on long flights, including ergonomic seats, ample personal space, and a quiet cabin. Appropriately, many of the interior cabin components are made in Italy and reflect an elegant European design.

Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta, currently serving as America's ambassador to Italy, also welcomed the new route that connects his hometown with his current job.

“As a Texan and as the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, I’m thrilled by ITA’s new direct route between Houston and Rome," Fertitta said. "It strengthens the economic links that drive mutual understanding and shared prosperity. It was great working with ITA Airways CEO Joerg Eberhart, Mayor John Whitmire, and all the partners that helped make this possible.”

The new route to Rome continues the international expansion that has been happening at IAH over the last several years. Last year, the airport announced new non-stop flights to recent vacation hotspot, Puerto Escondido, Mexico. It was part of Houston Airports' goal of making Houston the gateway to America ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Now, it looks like IAH will be welcoming Italian soccer fans, as the routes open up just in time for the sports event next summer.

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