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    A Magical Holiday Adventure

    From Nutcracker teas to merry parades: League City’s ultimate holiday guide

    CultureMap Create
    Nov 18, 2024 | 12:00 pm

    This holiday season, why not make your getaway a journey of enchantment, excitement, and memory-making in League City? Here, the spirit of the season is everywhere, from treasured Nutcracker-inspired teatimes and breakfasts with Santa to merry markets and dazzling parades. League City has everything to make your holidays feel like a Hallmark movie come to life.

    Events kick off in November and keep the holiday magic flowing until New Year’s Eve, offering numerous ways to celebrate for every age. Here are some must-do experiences that will fill your calendar with joy:

    North Pole magic at South Shore Harbour Resort
    Step into a winter wonderland at South Shore Harbour Resort, where a towering, six-foot-tall gingerbread house greets guests through December 24. On Saturday mornings, join Santa for a holiday-themed breakfast buffet and capture a moment with the Big Guy himself.

    For a grown-up twist, check out the resort’s holiday brunches on Sundays with live music and mimosas. Call 281-334-3078 for reservations and enjoy a weekend of holiday bliss.

    The Nutcracker South Shore Harbour ResortA moment of joy and Nutcracker magic at BAHBT’s Sugar Plum Fairy Gala at South Shore Harbour Resort.Photo courtesy of League City CVB

    League City Santa
      

    Photo courtesy of League City CVB

    Snag a photo with the Big Guy himself.

    For a touch of Nutcracker magic, join the beloved Breakfast and Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy event from Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker. Perfect for all ages, this event includes a charming tea on November 23 from 2-4 pm (breakfast is already sold out, with limited seats remaining for the tea). Guests can enjoy the Nutcracker Boutique, catch a ballet preview, and snap a magical photo with the Sugar Plum Fairy.

    You can even dine with Clara and friends during a Nutcracker-themed dinner the night before, on November 22. For hotel and dinner reservations, call 281-334-1000 and mention “Sugar Plum” for special room rates.

    The main event, The Nutcracker ballet, runs December 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22 at Bayou Theatre. Be sure to book your tickets for this holiday classic.

    Festive outdoor fun
    Kick off the holiday season at League City’s historic League Park, with Nutcracker in the Park on November 30. Happening from 8 am-2 pm, this merry extravaganza offers shopping from local artisans, ballet lessons, and tons of family fun. Come back the next day to ring in the holiday season at the city's official Christmas tree lighting, from 6-7 pm on December 1.

    Continue the festivities with League City’s most celebrated event, Holiday in the Park, from December 6-8. Featuring the biggest holiday parade in Galveston County, this weekend-long celebration has everything from a children’s parade and a vibrant holiday market to food vendors and live entertainment. It’s an absolute must-do for families!

    Holiday in the Park League CityGet into the holiday spirit with some festive shopping at Holiday in the Park, December 6-8.Photo courtesy of League City CVB

    December 14-15 invites you to stroll through history at Old League City Christmas. Discover vintage vehicles, historic demonstrations, porch parties, and the beautiful Airing of the Quilts in the charming Historic District, all from 10 am-3 pm each day.

    And don’t forget the merry Christmas Boat Parade on December 14 at 6 pm. This cherished, 60-year tradition of sailing from Clear Lake to Galveston Bay has illuminated boats creating a spectacular light show on the water. Read more about how this tradition came to be here.

    Grab a seasonal drink and stroll through League Park on December 21, during Soulfreak Railroad Café’s holiday Makers Market. With local art, homemade food, and handmade jewelry and crafts, it’s easy to find one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list (or just treat yourself!), all while supporting local makers. Stop by League City’s Visitor Center inside the café while you’re there for the latest visitor guides, League City merchandise, and more.

    Holiday cheer for all
    On December 10, head to Hometown Heroes Park for a festive breakfast with Santa from 8:30-10:30 am. Kids will love the crafts, games, and photos with Santa. Register early, as spaces fill up quickly.

    Celebrate the season with stories, crafts, and cookies at the Helen Hall Library open house on December 5 from 6-8 pm. Or step into the magic of Harry Potter at the library’s Yule Ball on December 14 from 2-4 pm. Dress up, dance, sip butterbeer, and enjoy crafts and trivia, all with a wizardly twist at the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center.

    Ring in 2024 with glam
    End the year in style at South Shore Harbour Resort’s NYE celebration, themed "Hollywood Glam." Dance into the New Year with live music, a delicious four-course dinner, and a sparkling champagne toast. With discounted rooms and festive details galore, it's the perfect way to welcome 2024. Reserve a table by calling 281-532-7120 or email nmatthews@sshr.com.

    Make this holiday season your most magical yet with League City’s endless array of festivities. Book your stay, gather your loved ones, and dive into a hometown holiday experience you’ll never forget.

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    Houston rises on new list of best summer travel destinations

    Amber Heckler
    May 14, 2025 | 4:00 pm
    Houston skyline downtown at night
    IdeasLaboratory.com
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    Not even triple-digit heat will deter tourists from visiting Space City this summer: The Houston metro has climbed into the No. 35 spot on WalletHub's list of the "Best Summer Travel Destinations" in 2025.

    The report annually ranks 100 U.S metros based on attractions, safety, activities, weather, local costs, and travel costs and hassles. Factors that determine each city's ranking include flight costs, the number of affordable restaurants with high ratings, crime rates, and more.

    The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metro area in Florida is the No. 1 most sought after summer travel destination this year.

    Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land moved up 10 spots from its 2024 rank, and it previously ranked 38th in 2023.

    Here's how WalletHub broke down Houston's ranking in each of the six main categories:

    • No. 7 – Attractions rank
    • No. 16 – Local costs rank
    • No. 26 – Activities rank
    • No. 50 – Weather rank
    • No. 88 – Safety rank
    • No. 89 – Travel costs and hassles rank

    Houston ranked the highest in the attractions and local costs categories, proving that the city's affordability is a major benefit for visitors as well as locals. There's surely no shortage of things to do in the city, from dining at a new steakhouse, to checking out a local bookstore, or enjoying a summer concert series at Meow Wolf.

    But there's so much more that goes into choosing the right place for a memorable summer trip, says WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. Creating and sticking to a vacation budget that considers all costs of a trip, such as meals and local transportation costs, is a good place to start.

    "[C]hoosing a destination that’s not only entertaining but also affordable is important when travel, dining, and activity costs have surged so much in recent years," Lupo says. "It can also allow you to have a longer, more relaxing trip."

    The study's scope isn't just limited to just Houston proper, which also means tourists may flock to suburbs like The Woodlands to explore its inviting new restaurants. It also includes Conroe, where tourists can relax with a drink in hand at the popular Margaritaville resort.

    Other top Texas summer travel destinations
    Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown (No. 5) and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington were the only two Texas metros to earn spots in the top 10 summer travel destinations.

    Surprisingly, El Paso (No. 31) ranked four spots ahead of Houston. The final two Texas metros that earned spots in the study are Corpus Christi (No. 80) and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission (No. 97).

    The top 10 best summer travel destinations in 2025 are:

    • No. 1 – Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida
    • No. 2 – Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, Georgia
    • No. 3 – Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-Virginia-Maryland-West Virginia
    • No. 4 – Urban Honolulu, Hawaii
    • No. 5 – Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, Texas
    • No. 6 – Cincinnati, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana
    • No. 7 – Salt Lake City, Utah
    • No. 8 – Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Delaware-Maryland
    • No. 9 – Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, Florida
    • No. 10 – Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas
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