Twinkling lights, holiday music and pictures with Santa are classic Christmas traditions — and while they may not be taking place this year, there are so many seasonal festivities to do around the Bay Area to help make your holiday season merry while keeping you and your family safe. Discover what’s around our Coastal Point community to get you in the holiday spirit.

Jingle on the Boardwalk
Kemah Boardwalk
Fri.-Sun., December 4 to 20; 1pm-5pm

The Kemah Boardwalk is jingling and jangling with holiday tunes, holiday stilt-walkers, hot cocoa vendors, Santa’s Workshop and a special appearance by the Grinch.

59th Annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade
Clear Lake
Saturday, December 12; 6:30pm

More than 60 brightly-decorated sailboats will traverse the Clear Lake channel from the South Shore Harbour Marina and the Nassau Bay Lagoon to Galveston Bay. during the boat parade.  Grab your spot along both sides of the Kemah Boardwalk, Clear Lake Shores and Davis Road Canal.

Holiday Activities at Moody Gardens
Daily through January 2nd; ticket prices vary.

The largest holiday destination in the Southwest is decorated and open for business, delighting families with their annual Festival of Lights, Ice Land, Cirque Joyeux Dinner and Show and more.

Breakfast with Santa
Hometown Heroes Park
Saturday, December 19; 9am-11am
$10 for League City residents; $15 for non-residents

Enjoy a delicious drive-thru breakfast with Santa, who will be greeting guests from inside a snow globe so that children can safely have their pictures taken with him.

Nutcracker in the Park
League Park
Saturday, December 19; 8am-4:30pm
$10 for League City residents; $12 for non-residents

Meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, Nutcracker Prince, Mouse King and more at this special 30-minute workshop, where kids can take a ballet class or build a sword. Participants will receive a goodie bag. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required.

Santa Hustle Galveston — 5k & Half Marathon
Galveston
Sunday, December 20; 6:30am-10am
Free to watch

Suit up for Galveston’s annual fun run and raise money for the Galveston County Food Bank. Swag includes a Santa hat, beard and shirt, plus a finisher medal and candy-cane socks.

Miracle! Pop-Up Bar
Daiquiri Time Out
Now through December 21
Sun.-Thurs.; 4pm-12am and Fri. & Sat. 4pm-2am

The Miracle! pop-up bar returns to Galveston for another round of hot toddies and festive grown-up cheer.

Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston
Now through January 3rd; 6pm-10pm
$19.95 for adults, free for children 3 and under

The Space City tradition is back and brighter than ever. Experience two high-tech kinetic light shows, including a new show at the Main Plaza where dozens of suspended lights move in precise sequences to music, as well as a 20-foot ‘twinkling tree’ with swirling and blinking multi-color lights in the Astronaut Gallery.

Images courtesy of Moody Gardens (holiday lights); Veteran’s Count (Santa Hustle).