A Magical Holiday Adventure

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

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

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 City Get 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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holiday travel news

Houston's IAH expected to be 15th busiest airport this holiday season

George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston

Photo by David Syphers on Unsplash

IAH is projected to handle about 4.58 million passengers during the 2025 holiday travel season, the report found.

Houston travelers should budget extra time if they're flying from George Bush Intercontinental Airport. IAH is expected to see the 15th highest passenger numbers in the country this holiday season, a new report says.

According to transport services provider Transfeero, IAH is estimated to receive about 4.58 million passengers during the 2025 holiday season, up from 3.19 million on average over the last five years.

George Bush Intercontinental posted to social media on November 20 that they're expecting about 1.6 million travelers to pass through the airport during the Thanksgiving travel period alone, November 20-December 1. The busiest days are expected to fall on November 26 and 30.

To come up with its estimates and rankings, Transfeero's experts analyzed 2020-2024 travel data for the months of November and December across 29 major U.S. airports to predict passenger numbers for 2025. The report also calculated the average number of passengers from 2020-2024 during the last two months of each year, combined it with 2025 estimates, and determined the expected growth rate for the upcoming travel season.

The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics says November and December air travel often spikes by 20 percent or more when compared to the fall months.

"Every year, the final two months of the calendar bring a storm of travelers packing terminals, queuing for security, and racing to catch flights," the report said. "Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve, airports across America transform into organized chaos, moving millions of passengers eager to reunite with loved ones or escape to warmer destinations."

Projected air travel at other Texas airports
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) ranked No. 2 on the Transfeero's list of the country's busiest airports during the 2025 holiday travel season. From 2020-2024, DFW saw an average 5.68 million passengers during November and December, and the number of passengers this year is expected to increase by 40 percent to nearly 7.98 million travelers.

The report also expressed that the busy travel season confirms "DFW's role as the central cross-country connector."

"Serving as American Airlines’ main base, [DFW's] location between coasts makes it an essential layover hub for both domestic and international travelers," the report's author wrote.

DFW's projected holiday passenger traffic was only outdone by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia. ATL is expected to see about 10.43 million passengers from November-December 2025, compared to a five-year average of about 7.04 million passengers.

Elsewhere in Texas, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) ranked at the bottom of the list as the 28th busiest airport, despite passenger traffic expected to soar nearly 56 percent compared to previous years. An average 1.46 million passengers traveled through AUS during the months of November and December from 2020-2024, and the airport is expected to see over 2.27 million passengers during the same two-month period this year.

"The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported in 2024 that Thanksgiving weekend alone saw over 30 million travelers, setting a record," the report said. "With consumer confidence rebounding and international restrictions long lifted, 2025 is shaping up to be another record year."

The top 10 U.S. airports expected to handle the most passenger traffic during the 2025 holiday season are:

No. 1 – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
No. 2 – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
No. 3 – Denver International Airport
No. 4 – Chicago O'Hare International Airport
No. 5 – Los Angeles International Airport
No. 6 – John F. Kennedy International Airport
No. 7 – Harry Reid International Airport
No. 8 – Orlando International Airport
No. 9 – Charlotte Douglas International Airport
No. 10 – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

holidays airport george bush intercontinental airport houston