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.

vacation holidays promoted

TOP CHEFS

Posh Hill Country resort lands star chef Dominique Crenn for new restaurant

Photo courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country

Dominique Crenn will helm the upcoming restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country.

The forthcoming Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country in Fredericksburg isn't messing around when it comes to luxury. The posh hotel has drafted Dominique Crenn, one of the most influential chefs of the 21st century, to helm its signature restaurant, opening in 2027.

Known for her appearances on Iron Chef and an episode of Netflix's Chef's Table documentary series, Crenn has had one of the culinary world's most stratospheric careers. In the 1980s, she helmed the Intercontinental Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, becoming the nation's first woman head chef. She became a household name after moving to California, opening her signature restaurant Atelier Crenn in 2011.

She was awarded the Best Female Chef Award in 2016 by The World's 50 Best Restaurants. In 2018, Atelier Crenn was awarded its third Michelin Star — making Crenn the only woman chef in the United States to have achieved that top honor. The food showcased in the 2022 horror classic The Menu? All Dominique Crenn.

"Chef Crenn is an extraordinary talent with a rare ability to draw out the essence of every ingredient, crafting a culinary experience unlike any other," said Mark Harmon, developer of Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country, in a release. "With chef Crenn, we aim to further elevate Fredericksburg's identity as a leading wine and culinary destination by creating experiences that feel local, inspired, and enduring."

Crenn's restaurant will be the showpiece of the posh Fredericksburg hotel.Rendering courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill Country

The unnamed restaurant will showcase Crenn's unique approach to cuisine, a style she calls "poetic culinaria." While rooted in French techniques, it will incorporate global flavors, premium seafood and meats, and locally sourced ingredients to showcase Hill County terroir. Guests can also expect a little avant-garde edge.

"The Texas Hill Country has a culinary rhythm all its own," said Crenn in a statement. "This collaboration is a chance to celebrate the land, the people, and the seasons through a new lens — one that's deeply personal, rooted in nature, and elevated by imagination. I'm honored to bring this vision to life in Fredericksburg, and to be partnering with such an excellent team of hospitality legends to see it through."

Crenn will have some fancy digs to show off her culinary finesse. The Waldorf Astoria Texas Hill County, the first Texas hotel for the chain, will include 60 hotel rooms, 37 multi-bedroom resort villas, and 50 private residences. In addition to lodgings, the resort will also contain five food and beverage concepts — an all-day restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a bar and lounge, a pool bar, and a grab-and-go juice bar — as well as a spa, a fitness center, and two resort-style pools.

chefs celebrities hill country hotels fredericksburg openings