Houston Autumn Bucket List

Autumn Bucket List: Houston

Houston continues to surprise us with its abundant and diverse activities, festivals, museums, and more. As September and October roll into November and December, and the holiday festivities begin, Houston promises loads of fun and entertainment.

See our Autumn Bucket List for Houston, TX.

The Sam Houston; photo by The Atlantic

Tour the Port of Houston Aboard the Sam Houston.

Tuesday through Saturday, the Sam Houston ferries passengers around the Port of Houston. The 90-minute voyage is free of charge, and it's something I've been wanting to do for years!

Get Our Science On at Space Center Houston.

Space Center Houston opened in 1992 with a focus on educating the public about the history of NASA in a fun and entertaining environment. Entrance is $29.95 for adults and $24.95 for kids aged 4-11. We've heard nothing but good things about the space center, so we're really looking forward to our visit!

Location: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058

EAT A PICNIC LUNCH AT BEAR CREEK PIONEERS PARK.

We were originally intending to do this in the summer, but thought better of it when we remembered how agonizingly hot it gets at lunchtime during the summer. So we're waiting until the weather breaks and we can sit outside without melting.

Home for the Holidays Gift Fair

Find Unique Christmas Gifts.

Every year, the Home for the Holidays Gift Fair takes place in Katy, TX. This year the event runs from Friday, November 22 to Sunday, November 24 and will be held at the Leonard E. Merrell Center, a multi-purpose stadium with plenty of room for the 160+ vendors.
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Location: 6301 S Stadium Ln, Katy, TX

Watch the Thanksgiving Parade.

Each year, H-E-B sponsors a Thanksgiving Day Parade in downtown Houston. We haven't attended before, so this will be a special treat.

The Nutcracker Suite

Watch a Traditional Christmas Ballet.

Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite will be performed by the Houston Ballet at Brown Theatre at the Wortham Center in Houston's theatre district. The show runs November 29-December 29.

Location: 501 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002

Visit the Zoo After Hours.

No, I'm not talking about sneaking into the zoo. Every year, the Houston Zoo presents "Zoo Lights," when the zoo comes alive with a winter wonderland of twinkling lights and holiday decorations. Every year that we've lived in Houston, I've said that I want to go, but this year is the year! Zoo Lights runs from November 17 to January 13.

Dickens on the Strand

We love Galveston, and we especially love that it's a quick, easy drive from Houston. The Victorian world of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol comes alive in downtown Galveston December 6-8 with a lively festival full of food, carolers, stage performances, jugglers, parades, and vendors. As a huge Dickens fan, this is a dream come true!

Speaking of A Christmas Carol...

We loved watching the cast of the Alley Theatre perform The Three Musketeers this summer, so we're equally excited to see their performance of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The show runs from November 15 to December 29 this year.

Location: 615 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002

Christmas Lights in River Oaks

See the Lights in River Oaks.

Every year, we make our annual drive through River Oaks to see the stately mansions covered in lights and Christmas decorations. From Nativity scenes to Santa displays to a real live Santa taking pictures with visiting youngsters, River Oaks residents know how to "make the season bright."

Christmas Village at Bayou Bend

Hosted by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Christmas Village at Bayou Bend takes place December 12-30. Complete with a 15-foot Christmas tree, model train, carolers, and thousands of sparkling lights, the former estate of Ima Hogg turns into a merry Christmas village.

Location: 6003 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77265

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What are your plans for the Fall? Leave a comment below!