The annual event will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Dec. 12; and from Dec. 17 through Jan. 2 at Moody Gardens, 7 Hope Blvd., in Galveston. Admission is $5.95, and skate rentals will be available for $5. Tickets can be purchased online at www.moodytickets.com, or call 800-582-4673, Ext. 4186.
Holiday lighting at Galvez
Hotel Galvez will have its second annual holiday lighting celebration from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 27 at 2024 Seawall Blvd. in Galveston. Santa Claus will make a visit, and the Galveston Ballet and Galveston College Choir will perform. The hotel also is collecting unwrapped new toys for the Toys for Tots program.
Festival of Lights
The 12th annual event will be from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 28 through Jan. 2 (weather permitting) at Paul Hopkins Park, FM 517 E. at Maple Drive, in Dickinson. The park is wheelchair accessible. Park on west side of park Mondays through Thursdays. Free shuttle service will be provided on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays behind True Cross Catholic School off Interstate 45 at FM 517 E. The grand opening will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 with a salute to veterans. Visit www.dickinsonfestivaloflights.org for schedules.
Christmas tree lighting
Santa Claus will light the Christmas tree at 7 p.m. Saturday at Saengerfest Park, 23rd Street and The Strand, in Galveston. Call Lesley Sommer, 409-763-7080.
Santa’s Kingdom holiday festival
The annual event will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 18, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 19, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 20 at Santa Fe Junior High School, 13304 state Highway 6, in Santa Fe. Admission is free. There will be carnival rides, a car and bike show, arts and crafts, pictures with Santa and live entertainment. Santa will arrive by helicopter at 10 a.m. Dec. 19. Call Kevin Salter, 409-526-4798, or e-mail kevin.salter(at)yahoo.com.
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CHRISTMAS PARADES
La Marque Christmas parade
The city of La Marque will have its Christmas parade at 6 p.m. Wednesday starting at La Marque High School, 300 Vauthier Road, in La Marque. The parade will then turn left at Cedar Drive, take a left at Bayou Road and proceed to Walter Fiegel Park. If you would like to participate, call 409-935-1408. Deadline to register is Friday.
Texas City Christmas parade
The city of Texas City will have its annual parade at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3 beginning at the corner of Sixth Street and Third Avenue North. It will travel on Sixth Street to Ninth Avenue N.; west on Ninth Avenue to 21st Street; turn left and end at Charles T. Doyle Convention Center. The Lights of Christmas is the theme. Call 409-643-5990.
Hitchcock Christmas parade
The Hitchcock Chamber of Commerce will sponsor this annual event at 6:45 p.m. Friday starting on Bulldog Lane, by the junior high school, and proceeding down state Highway 6 to Good Ole Days grounds. The deadline to enter is Dec. 3. There also will be a Christmas tree lighting after the parade. If you would like to perform after the parade, call 409-986-9224, so that times can be coordinated.
Christmas parade sign-up
The Dickinson Rotary Club is accepting applications for the annual Dickinson Christmas parade, which will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 10. The theme is Christmas Around the World. Forms are available at Amegy Bank, 2401 Termini, in Dickinson. Call Janet Tombrella, 281-337-9324, or Delores McWhorter, 281-229-6054.
Galveston Christmas parade
The Galveston Municipal Police Association will have this event at 4 p.m. Dec. 12 in the downtown area of Galveston. The lineup will start at 3 p.m. at 25th Street and Santa Fe Place. Entry fee is one canned good per person. Call John Bertolino, 409-765-3775 during the day or 409-682-0374 in the evening.
Santa’s Kingdom Christmas parade
The parade will start at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Santa Fe Junior High School, 13304 state Highway 6, in Santa Fe and will end at Big Chief Foods. Rachel Blundell will be the grand marshal. Call Kevin Salter, 409-526-4798, or e-mail kevin.salter(at)yahoo.com.
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HOLIDAY EVENTS
Santa by the Sea
This event will be from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Tremont Ballroom in the Davidson Building, 2300 Mechanic, in Galveston. Following the entertainment, Santa will light the tree on The Strand at 7 p.m.
Cup of Christmas Cheer
The Friends of the Moore Memorial Public Library will have this event at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at 1701 Ninth Ave. N. in Texas City. Refreshments will be provided. Take your favorite seasonal book to share. Call 409-643-5977.
East End Christmas light contest
The annual contest will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. All decorations must be up by then. The signs for the winners will be placed in the yards Dec. 4 in time for the East End Candlelight Home Tour. First prize is $100, second prize is $50 and third prize is $25. Call Kay Schwartz, 713-542-7509.
Tree of Angels ceremony
The Galveston County District Attorney’s Office will have its 11th annual event at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Galveston County Courthouse, 600 59th St., in Galveston. Families and friends of a victim, survivors of a violent crime and families with missing loved ones are invited to take an angel ornament to place on the tree. Call 409-770-5124.
‘Holiday by the Bay’
Interfaith Caring Ministries will have this style show and luncheon at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 2 at South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center, 2500 South Shore Blvd., in League City. Runway seating is $95, and general seating is $75. Call 281-332-3881.
Sea Aggie craft and gift fair
The Texas A&M-Galveston Staff Advisory Committee will have this event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 4 in the Sea Aggie Center, Building 3026 on the Pelican Island campus, in Galveston. Call Amber Beasley, 409-740-4438.
Arts and crafts show
The Hitchcock Chamber of Commerce will have its annual Hometown Christmas Arts and Crafts Show from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 4 on the grounds of Good Ole Days on state Highway 6 in Hitchcock. The deadline to enter is Monday. For information, call 409-986-9224.
East End Historic Homes Tour
The 20th annual event will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 4. The tour will begin at The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, in Galveston. Five decorated homes that show the grandeur of Galveston’s Victorian architecture, will be featured. Visit www.galveston.com for information.
Holiday Hustle 5K fun run
The city of Friendswood will have a 5K run/walk and kids’ K run starting with registration from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. Dec. 5 at Stevenson Park, 1100 S. Friends-wood Drive, in Friendswood. The children race will start at 8 a.m., and the 5K run/walk will start at 8:15 a.m. Cost of the event is $10 for the children’s run and $20 for the adult race. Register by Friday to receive a T-shirt. Proceeds will benefit the Laura Recovery Center Foundation. Participants must park behind city hall or on Shadwell Street. Call 281-996-3220 or visit www.friendswood.com.
‘Snow Zone’ at Tuscan Lakes
AMOCO Federal Credit Unit will have 30,000 pounds of snow from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 5 at its Tuscan Lakes Branch, 1692 E. League City Parkway, in League City. Hot cocoa, cookies, crafts and holiday music also will be available. The public is invited. Santa Claus also will make an appearance for the children. The Marine Corps also will be accepting new toys for their Toys for Tots program. A shuttle bus from LA Fitness will be provided for free. Visit www.amocofcu.org or call 281-534-5511.
‘Dickens’s Dream’ to be on display
These original artifacts from the Charles Dickens Museum will be on display Dec. 5-6 at the Dickens Emporium, 2215 The Strand St., in Galveston. For information and tickets, visit www.galvestonhis
tory.org or call 409-765-7834.
17th annual ‘Toy Run’
Custom Specialists and Murphy’s on Main will have this annual event starting with registration at noon Dec. 5 at 1010 Yupon in La Marque. The event will start rain or shine at 2 p.m. Take unwrapped toys for children. Donations are accepted. Call 409-935-9873.
Sunday brunch with Santa
This event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 at Hotel Galvez, 2024 Seawall Blvd., in Galveston. Guests will be able to take pictures with Santa Claus, and a gingerbread replica of the hotel will be on display. Call 409-765-7721.
‘Four Tickets to Christmas’
Aldersgate United Methodist Church choir and drama ministry will present this musical at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12; and at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at 13217 FM 1764 in Santa Fe. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. Child care will be provided. Call 409-925-2552.
Pancakes and pictures with Santa
This breakfast event, sponsored by the Kemah Police Academy Alumni Association, will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 12 at the Jimmie Walker Community Center, 800 Harris Ave., in Kemah. Call 281-334-1611 or visit www.kemah-tx.gov.
Historic Homes Tour
This annual event sponsored by the League City Historical Society will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 12. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased at Nana’s Attic, 501 E. Main St.; Park Avenue Show Place, 447 S. state Highway 3; League City Chamber of Commerce, 260 Park Ave.; and West Bay Common School, 210 N. Kansas, in League City. Call 281-554-2994 or 281-316-2122.
The Nutcracker at The Grand
This holiday favorite, performed by the City Ballet of Houston, will be at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 12, and at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., in Galveston. Visit www.thegrand.com or call 409-765-1894 for ticket information.
‘Journey to Bethlehem’ presentation
Peace Lutheran Church will have its 21st annual event from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 12 and Dec. 13 at 9111 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway in Texas City. The event is free and handicapped accessible. Visitors will be able to walk through the Bethlehem village and marketplace of biblical times. Live nativity scene. Call 409-938-1277.
‘Old Galveston Glamour’ holiday ball
The 58th annual Holiday Charity Ball sponsored by the Junior League of Galveston County will be from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Hotel Galvez, 2024 Seawall Blvd., in Galveston. For ticket information, call Liz Rogers, 409-771-0051, or e-mail liz-rogers(at)hotmail.com. For sponsorship information, call Reene Bradshaw, 832-250-6211. To donate silent auction items, call Kimberley Walker, 281-236-9101. Call 409-765-7646 or visit www.jlgalveston.org.
‘Greeks in Hollywood’ holiday dance
The Galveston Council of Greeks will have its annual holiday dance from 8 p.m. to midnight Dec. 12 at the Wayne Johnson Community Center, 4106 Main St., in La Marque. Tickets are $25 per person. A portion of the proceeds will go toward scholarships to help Galveston County students. Call 409-948-0309 or 281-684-1459.
Christmas Tour of Homes
The Pilot Club of Dickinson will have its annual event from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 13. Tickets are $10 and are available at Crowder-Deats Flower Shop, 845 FM 517 W., No. 1, in Dickinson. Call 281-337-4222.
Harvest Moon gala
This event, which will benefit Gleanings from the Harvest, will start with a social hour from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 13. The program will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Moody Ballroom at Moody Gardens, 7 Hope Blvd., in Galveston. State Reps. Craig Eiland, Mike Jackson and Larry Taylor will be the honorees. Evening attire and jackets are required. RSVP by Dec. 3. Visit www.gfthgalveston.org for information.
Christmas open house
The board of directors, staff and residents of The Independence Village will have their annual event from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 15 at 905 state Highway 3 N. in Texas City. Call 409-935-4335.
Senior citizens gala
The Seniors will have a gala honoring senior citizens at 11 a.m. Dec. 16 at the Charles T. Doyle Convention Center, 2010 Fifth Ave. N., in Texas City. Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough will be the host. The event is open to all economically disadvantaged seniors of the county. Must RSVP. Call 409-643-5877.
Gift of Christmas live dinner and show
This event will be nightly at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17-27 at the Moody Gardens Expo Arena, 7 Hope Blvd., in Galveston. The children’s matinee will be at 1 p.m. Dec. 16-18. Tickets for the dinner show will be $43 for adults; $25 for children 3-12; and $20 to $35 for groups of 20 or more. Tickets for the children’s matinee will be $15 for adults; $10 for children 3-12; and $8 for groups of 20 or more. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.moodytickets.com or calling 800-582-4673, Ext. 4186.
Holiday Christmas luncheon
AARP Chapter No. 199 will have this event at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 18 at Chabuca’s Restaurant, 316 W. NASA Road 1, in League City. The cost is $15 per person. Seating is limited. Call 281-334-4698.
Ball High School Alumni holiday gala
The Ball High School classes of 1969-79 will have its annual holiday gala from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 18 at Old Central Cultural Center, 2627 Ave. M, in Galveston. Tickets are $25 in advance or $35 at the door. Call Cynthia Maddox, 409-938-7172; Sheila Brown, 409-526-4978; Wayne Brown, 409-789-6320; or Jay Netherly, 713-858-8234.
Santa and Snow breakfast event
This free event for children ages 10 and younger will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dec. 19 at First United Methodist Church, 200 FM 517 W., in Dickinson. There will be 22,000 pounds of snow, breakfast, face painting, crafts and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. For information, call 281-534-3511.
Central High School Christmas party
This annual event will be from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 19 at the Old Central Cultural Center, 2627 Ave. M, in Galveston. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12.50 at the door. BYOB. Setups will be sold, too. Donations of new toys will be accepted. Call 409-935-5441.
Christmas cookies with Santa
This event will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 22 at Village on the Park, 400 E. Parkwood Drive, in Friendswood. Admission is free. Take your grandchildren or grandparents and your camera. RSVP by calling 281-996-8871.
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HOLIDAY GIFT SHOPS AND TREE SALES
Gift shop open for holidays
The Dickinson Historic Railroad Center will have its annual nonprofit holiday gift shop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 24 at 218 FM 517 W. in Dickinson. Call 281-337-2795.
70th annual Christmas tree sale
The Galveston Noon Optimist will open its annual Christmas tree lot daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 28 through Dec. 19 at 21st and Broadway streets in Galveston. Proceeds benefit children of Galveston through the club’s youth projects. Prices vary. Call Bill Stevens, 409-762-7863 or 409-354-6282.
Garden club gift shop
The Texas City Garden Club will have its 38th annual Holiday Gift Shop from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Showboat Pavilion, 416 Sixth St. N., in Texas City. Call Nancy Heard, 409-948-8497 or visit www.texascitygardenclub.org.
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VOLUNTEERS, FOOD DRIVES AND DONATIONS
Adopt-A-Child for Christmas
The Galveston Project for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth/Discovery Club is accepting donations for this event through Dec. 16 at 3904 Ave. T in Galveston. To donate, participants will be able to select students and purchase items from their wish list. Call Kelly Romar or Theresa Arceneaux, 409-750-9496.
Be a Santa to a Senior
Home Instead Senior Care will have this gift giveaway program for seniors through Dec. 21 at the island Walgreens, 2501 61st St., in Galveston; and at Walgreens, 3103 Palmer Highway, in Texas City. The citywide gift wrapping parties will be Dec. 10-17 at various locations. For information, call Cara Delgado, or Belinda Perez, 409-762-0444. Visit www.beasantatoasenior.com.
Blue Santa accepting donations
The League City Police Department will be accepting new toy donations for this annual event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays through Dec. 7 at 500 W. Walker St. in League City. Families can register daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration ends Tuesday at 5 p.m. Must provide a driver’s license or ID that shows a League City address or a utility bill with your name and address. Call officer Christy Galyean, 281-338-8201, or officer Reagan Peña, 281-338-4176.
Toy donations needed
David Rogers with Edward Jones is accepting new toys for the Toys for Tots Foundation from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 21 at 6710 Stewart Road in Galveston. The Marine Corps Reserve will distribute the toys to needy children before Christmas. Call 409-744-1769.
Tiny Tim food drive
Donations will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 8:40 p.m. Mondays through Fridays through Jan. 8 at any ticketing booth at Moody Gardens, 7 Hope Blvd., in Galveston. Visitors who take a canned or nonperishable food item will receive $2 off admission to the Disney’s “A Christmas Carol 3D.” Donated items will go to Gleanings From the Harvest. Call 800-582-4673 or visit www.moodygardens.org for information.
Volunteers needed to gift wrap
Bay Area Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers to help with Christmas gift wrapping Monday through Dec. 23 at Baybrook Mall to help raise funds for its home building efforts. Minimum age is 14 with an adult. Groups are welcome. Call Natalie Ainsworth, 281-337-2590, or e-mail nainsworth(at)bahfh.org to schedule your group.
The Christmas Store seeks donations
Bay Area Turning Point is seeking donations for its annual Christmas Store for needy families from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Dec. 4 and Dec. 7-11 at the Clear Lake City Community Association Recreational Center, Room G-100, 16511 Diana Lane, in Houston. Call Terri Muesse, 281-338-7600, Ext. 2117.
Blue Santa/Sonic Cop Hop
The Friendswood Police Officers Association will have this annual event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at Sonic Restaurant, 806 S. Friendswood Drive, in Friendswood. New toy donations will be accepted, along with “tips” from customers to benefit the toy drive. For information, call 281-996-3313 or visit the Friendswood Public Safety Building, 1600 Whitaker Drive, in Friendswood.
‘Adopt an Angel’ volunteers
The Salvation Army of Galveston County is seeking volunteers to help fill orders of the “Adopt an Angel” program from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 15-18 at 2228 Broadway in Galveston or at 4210 Texas Ave. in Texas City. It also will need volunteers to help distribute the gifts on Dec. 22-23. Call 409-763-1691, Ext. 10 or 409-935-1190, Ext. 110.
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CHURCH SERVICES
Christmas Eve service
Dickinson First United Methodist Church will have communion and candlelight service from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and contemporary service, 7 p.m. Dec. 24 at 200 FM 517 W. in Dickinson.
Christmas Day service
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church will have this annual event at 10 a.m. Dec. 25 at 2920 Ave. M1/2 in Galveston. Call 409-762-9855.
E-mail your holiday events to Angela Taylor, community news editor, angela.taylor(at)galvnews.com by Dec. 18.
