Holiday Entertainment in Houston

As the Holidays approach and families focus on getting together to spend quality time there are many things to do out side of the house as well that can provide lots of fun for everyone. Houston has a great entertainment scene with lots to do. There is plenty of live theatre, comedy clubs, dance shows and entertainment that are great for the entire family. Its up to you to find something enjoyable for everyone. Here is a short list of great events taking place in Houston over the Holidays.

The Alley Theatre`s A Christmas Carol. Houston`s seasonal favorite that the Houston Press said, "...has spectacular London sets... the inimitable Dickens tale - spiced with the usual fog and an unusual twist on the ghosts past present and future." A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas returns this year with a re-telling of Charles Dickens` classic story that follows Ebenezer Scrooge`s journey with the three ghosts that visit him on Christmas Eve. Truly one of the best retelling of this holiday classic.

The Houston Ballet puts on the Nutcracker and is a Houston favorite. The Nutcracker is a dazzling spectacle of holiday glitter. With dancing dolls, flying cooks, giant rats and living snowflakes, The Nutcracker has something to delight everyone in your family. `Tis the season for magic, for family, for fun. It wouldn`t be the holidays without The Nutcracker at the Wortham Theatre.

The world famous Radio City Rockettes grace the stage in Houston this winter. One for the whole family and infamous for their eye high kicks and high-style precision dancing, the Rockettes have strutted their way into the hearts of millions and continue to be a beloved family holiday tradition. Don`t miss Santa Claus and the dancing bear who will be performing at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Houston this December.

Bayou City Performing Arts puts on its annual winter spectacular, WinterSong, at Jones Hall in Downtown Houston. Described as "A holiday roller-coaster ride! Seatbelts please! WinterSong will feature some of your favorite holiday tunes and the festive camp you have come to expect." Gay Men`s Chorus of Houston kicks off our 30th Anniversary with BCPA`s first major choral commission, "The Promise: A Christmas Miracle," written by Robert Seeley.

Other, more intimate venues can be equally as enjoyable for the entire family. A few worth mentioning are:

Houston Family Arts Center`s, Winter For Sale (Slightly Used). Houston Family Art Center is a new comer to the Houston Arts Scene, but adds quality shows that are always suitable for the entire family. "Dave Rusk hasn`t enjoyed a "real Christmas" for years, and feels no need to join in the holiday rush. Almost on a dare, he decides to "buy Christmas" from Cameo Corners, who owns the local resale shop."

If your looking for some place to take the kids, both of these shows have been highly recommended. A. D. Players: Cold, Frankin` Sense and BRRR! Meet Franklin, a young boy with a bad cold who has lost Christmas. Follow him along his travels as he meets an assortment of characters ranging from a lost wise man to a set of singing bakers who all try to help him find it. They always put on high quality productions that are extremely enjoyable as well as affordable.

Another smaller theatre company with great shows is a Company OnStage who this year is putting up the highly acclaimed, Rudolph Rides Again. Each year Company OnStage does two Saturday performances of their Christmas show at the children`s theatre. Santa left Mrs. Santa`s favorite elf, Alvin, in Houston on Christmas Eve. Elvis the elf, and a retired Rudolph the Red-Nosed-Reindeer make the trip to rescue Alvin, amaze a couple of kids, fight some bad burglars and sing a song or two. A holiday treat for the whole family.

As these are only a few of the local shows, there are still more ideas to be had if you put in a bit of time. Being with family over the Holidays is always great... adding a bit of live theatre that the family can enjoy together will only add to making this Christmas a very special and memorable one. Happy Holidays and enjoy the New Year.