Tis the season to go out.

Yes, just about everyone knows that heading out is a part of the Holidays.

Whether it's heading out to see a parade, ice skating, seeing fantastic lights or hearing great holiday tunes, Houston is the place for holiday fun.

And the best part is the events are all across our area.

No one else but the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau can put a list like the following:

Downtown

The Mayor's Holiday Celebration - Nov. 30

One of the most festive events of the holiday season, featuring fireworks, entertainment and choirs, is found at The Mayor's Holiday Celebration and City Hall Tree Lighting on Nov. 30 in Hermann Square Park near the City Hall Reflection Pool. www.houstonspecialevents.org . KHOU-TV will carry this ceremony live on Channel 11. You can also watch highlights on KHOU.com.

Downtown Holiday Walk & Rail Tour - Nov. 30-Dec. 26

Celebrate the season on a Downtown Holiday Walk & Rail Tour, a two-hour stroll and METRORail ride on Main Street featuring downtown decorations and the fountains at Main Street Square, Nov. 30-Dec. 26. www.discoverhoustontours.com

Candlelight Tour in the Park - Dec. 7-8

The historic homes clustered in downtown's Sam Houston Park open their doors evenings Dec. 7-8 for the Heritage Society's 45th Annual Holiday Candlelight Tour in the Park. Centuries-old seasonal decorations and costumed carolers take revelers back in time to celebrate the season. www.heritagesociety.org 

Jingle Jam - Dec. 9

Toyota Center is hosting the 9th annual 104.1 KRBE Jingle Jam were Avril Lavigne, Fall Out Boy, 2007 American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, Sean Kingston and Lifehouse will sing along toChristmas-inspired songs, Dec. 9.   www.toyotacentertix.com

A Christmas Carol -A Ghost Story of Christmas - Nov. 20-Dec. 29

The Alley Theatre's amusing and musical rendition of A Christmas Carol — A Ghost Story of Christmas is performed Nov. 20-Dec. 29. This adaptation revisits the meaning of Christmas with Ebenezer Scrooge and classic characters like Tiny Tim as Scrooge embarks on a wild nighttime journey through re-imagined scenic designs, spectacular costumes and original music. www.alleytheatre.org

The Nutcracker -  Nov. 23-Dec. 29

Houston Ballet's timeless and dreamy production of the classic holiday tale The Nutcracker runs Nov. 23-Dec. 29 at the Wortham Theater. Families can join Clara as she marvels at the Christmas tree, flying cooks, the Sugar Plum Fairy and Prince dancing, and her unforgettable journey in the Kingdom of Sweets - a place children will dream about for years to come. www.houstonballet.org

Irish Tenors Christmas Special - Dec. 7

One of the most successful Irish touring acts ever, second only to U2, will bring their holiday spirit to Houston when the Society for the Performing Arts presents an Irish Tenors Christmas Special, Dec. 7. www.spahouston.org

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas - Dec. 8

Celebrate the holidays with a special musical telling of Clement Clarke Moore's magical tale of the annual Christmas Eve visit from the jolly old elf St. Nick at Houston Symphony's ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas family concert, Dec. 8. The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Chorus will sing songs of the season, and the audience will be invited to join in for a traditional holiday sing-along!   www.houstonsymphony.org

It's a Wonderful Life - Dec. 11-23

The musical adaptation of Frank Capra's 1946 classic film It's a Wonderful Life will come to life on stage when Theatre Under The Stars produces its own version of this holiday production, Dec. 11-23.  Join in the homecoming as the meaning of family and faith is celebrated anew in story and song. www.tuts.com

Handel's Messiah - Dec. 14

The gifted Houston Chamber Choir joins Mercury Baroque for a unique take on Handel's Messiah Dec. 14 at the Wortham Center. Listen as the ensemble unwraps the sweetness of the pastoral opening and the drama of the resurrection. www.mercurybaroque.org

Very Merry Pops - Dec. 14-16

The Houston Symphony brings back the beloved Christmas tradition, Very Merry Pops, with yuletide carols from the Houston Symphony Chorus and dancers Dec. 14-16. www.houstonsymphony.org

Handel's Messiah - Dec. 21-23

Rejoice in the glory of the text and music in the Houston Symphony 's premier performance of Handel's Messiah, featuring powerful arias and choruses including For Unto Us a Child is Born and the timeless Hallelujah Chorus, Dec. 21-23. www.houstonsymphony.org

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Dec. 27

Toyota Center welcomes the Trans-Siberian Orchestra back to Houston on Dec. 27 for two shows. This amazing musical group has sold more than five million albums and performed before more than two million fans in sold-out venues across the country. The Orchestra includes an orchestral string section, a full rock band, multiple vocalists, a narrator, extensive pyrotechnics, a stunning laser and light show and even a snowfall! www.toyotacentertix.com

Galleria/Uptown

22nd Annual Uptown Holiday Lighting - Nov. 22

While the Galleria area is known for its fabulous shopping, it also boasts one of the best lighting events in the city. The 22nd Annual Uptown Holiday Lighting takes place Thanksgiving night, Nov. 22. Enjoy the yuletide sounds of local choirs and bands while a flip of a switch simultaneously illuminates the half a million lights adorning more than 80 Christmas trees lining Post Oak Boulevard . It is truly a spectacular sight. www.uptown-houston.com

Gingerbread Nights at The Houstonian - Nov. 23-Dec. 15

Experience the joyous sounds of the holiday season while relaxing by the 30-foot stone fireplace in The Houstonian hotel's Great Room. Local choirs, hand bells, violin ensembles, soloists and more will usher in the holiday spirit. 6 to 7 p.m. www.houstonian.com

Omni Houston Hotel's Holiday Bites - Nov. 23-Dec. 11

On Nov. 23 the Omni Houston Hotel will debut its Spirit of the West Gingerbread House as a part of a gingerbread installation taking place at all of Omni's Texas Collection. The seven-foot by nine-foot gingerbread dreamscape will include a western town reminiscent of Houston 's heritage. Other holiday acitivites include Caroling for Kids and collection of new toys for Toys for Tots. Daily caroling performances will occur in the main lobby Monday thru Thursday evenings from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Nov. 27-Dec. 11. www.omnihotels.com 

Even if you are not an Olympic skater (the Galleria ice rink was Tara Lipinksi's home rink), a trip to the Polar Ice Galleria is in order. A spin around the rink under a giant Christmas tree does wonders for holiday spirit.

When done ice skating, you can begin your holiday shopping at more than 350 retail stores where a diverse blend of upscale boutiques and more affordable shopping alternatives are found. The Galleria, the fourth largest shopping center in the nation, is just one of many world-renowned shopping centers where you'll find something for everyone in your family, from furniture to house wares and from sporting goods to jewelry. www.galleriahouston.com 

Museum District/Reliant Park

Nutcracker Market - Nov. 8-11

The Houston Ballet's Nutcracker Market is an annual tradition that kicks off the holiday season. This four-day shopping extravaganza takes place Nov. 8-11 at Reliant Center and features and features unique items for the entire family, including home decór, gourmet food, apparel toys, garden items and much more. www.houstonballet.org/Nutcracker_Market

Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service - Nov. 13

For an intimate meditative environment for people of every belief, the Rothko Chapel is the place to visit. Established 20 years ago, the Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service returns to the Chapel with representatives from 10 participating religions for this interfaith Thanksgiving tradition, Nov. 13.  Representatives, including Baha'is, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and Zoroastrians, will pray and reflect on this year's theme: Journeying to Friendship. www.rothkochapel.org

Healthy, Happy Holiday Breakfasts - Nov. 17 & Dec. 16, 22

Celebrate the holidays with Elmo and The Health Museum for three weekends this holiday season, Nov. 17, Dec. 16 and Dec. 22. He will be making special appearances at three Healthy, Happy Holiday Breakfasts hosted by The Health Museum.  Elmo will greet the Museum's youngest visitors and take pictures with them as they enjoy a light breakfast.  www.healthmuseum.org

Home Sweet Home Gingerbread Bash - Dec. 2

Bringing together families in the spirit of the season, the Children's Museum of Houston (CMH) is hosting its second Annual Home Sweet Home Gingerbread Bash Presented by Compass Bank on Dec. 2.  Filled with laughter, fun and of course…gingerbread, the evening's events will feature one-of-a-kind Gingerbread Houses created by local chefs that will be auctioned off to the highest bidders.  All proceeds will benefit CMH's educational exhibits and programs. www.cmhouston.org

Snow Flurry IV - Dec. 8

Don't miss the chance to play in 80,000 lbs. of snow, pet a live reindeer and get your picture taken with Santa himself at Snow Flurry IV at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on Dec. 8. www.hmns.org

Seasons of Sharing - Dec. 10-Jan. 13

Embark on a multicultural holiday journey spotlighting various religious and cultural celebrations at the Children's Museum of Houston's Seasons of Sharing exhibit, Dec. 10-Jan. 13. Step into the city's only multicultural holiday exhibit, where dipa lamps, menorahs, Christmas lights, crowns of candles, Chinese lanterns, luminarias, kinaras and the glimmer of the crescent moon light the way. www.cmhouston.org

Ornament Making Extravaganza - Dec. 13

Star Light Star Bright is the theme for this year's Ornament Making Extravaganza - an artist led adult-only workshop at the Museum of Fine Arts , Houston . Create your own masterpiece ornament inspired by great treasures of world art, Dec. 13. www.mfah.org 

Breakfast with Santa - Dec. 15, 22

Join the Houston Zoo this December for Breakfast with Santa , including a scrumptious meal, fuzzy animals to get up close and personal with and a visit by the jolly guy himself, Dec. 15, 22. www.houstonzoo.org 

2007 Texas Bowl - Dec. 28

Watch as teams from the Big 12 and Conference USA go head-to-head at Reliant Stadium during the 2007 Texas Bowl, Dec. 28. The day will begin with TexFest featuring great Texas music, food and games. www.texasbowl.org

River Oaks

Bayou Bend Yuletide Exhibition - Nov. 17-Dec. 30

View early American holiday traditions against the backdrop of 17th-19th century American furniture, paintings, ceramics and silver to celebrate the holidays at the Museum of Fine Arts , Houston 's Bayou Bend Yuletide Exhibition Nov. 17- Dec. 30. This year's theme is Holiday Heroines and the central figure is Houston philanthropist Miss Ima Hogg, who lived at Bayou Bend from 1928 to 1957. The historical scenes recreated for Holiday Heroines feature period furniture and props, holiday greenery and fabulous faux food and drink. A variety of Yuletide tour options are offered, including three Candlelight Open House evenings on Nov. 23, 30 and Dec. 7, where docents will discuss the holiday settings and the customs of the times that inspired Holiday Heroines. On Dec. 16 the entire family can hear local talent of all ages sing songs and tell stories for Christmas and Hanukkah at Bayou Bend's Free Family Day - Seasonal Splendor. www.mfah.org/bayoubend

Free Family Day: Harvest Celebration - Nov. 18

On Nov. 18 a Free Family Day, Harvest Celebration, will take place at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. Traditional Native American performances, music, storytelling, and demonstrations of the dress and customs of the earliest European settlers will take place. Guests will also be able to make corncob dolls or pine cone turkeys at a craft table, and will be among the first to tour the 2007 Yuletide exhibition. Admission is free. www.mfah.org/bayoubend

Christmas Tree-O - Nov. 16-Dec. 31

Celebrate the joy of the season with the A. D. Players' holiday play, Christmas Tree-O.This family-friendly play wraps three one-act plays together into one great show. www.adplayers.org 

CHRISTMAS WENT THAT-A-WAY - Nov. 28-Dec. 22

The A.D. Players Children's Theatre presents the charming Christmas tale CHRISTMAS WENT THAT-A-WAY, Nov. 28-Dec. 22 on the Rotunda Theater stage at St. Luke's United Methodist Church . The play sends a strong reminder on the reason for the season and is perfect holiday event for the whole family. www.adplayers.org 

Holiday Happenings at Rienzi - Nov. 30-Dec. 1, Dec. 13 & Dec. 16

Music is in the air this holiday season at Rienzi, the Museum of Fine Arts , Houston 's historic home displaying European decorative arts. Rienzi is inviting the public to three holiday-themed events in November and December that include recitals by Houston Grand Opera Studio, Nov. 30 -Dec. 1; a Gallery Talk about renowned Spanish painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo's The Nativity, Dec. 13; and Texas Early Music Project's A Renaissance Christmas concert, Dec. 16. www.mfah.org/rienzi

The Heights

2007 Holiday Home Tour & Market - Nov. 30-Dec. 2

Thousands in the Houston area look forward to The Historic Houston Heights Holiday Home Tour & Market all year long. Themed "Christmas Past and Present," this year's event will be held Nov. 30-Dec. 2 and will highlight three beautifully restored turn-of-the-century homes and two recently constructed homes reflecting traditional Heights architecture. See all five homes, decked out in their holiday best and with docents to point out the rich history, architecture and unique holiday decorations of each home. www.houstonheights.org

Greater Houston Area

Pre-Holiday Shopping Tours in Chinatown - Going on now

The Chinese Community Center is offering Pre-Holiday Shopping Tours to the public this holiday season.  The guided tours are going on now and are held weekdays and some Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The tour begins at the Chinese Community Center and includes a dim-sum lunch and visits to Asian markets and the Asian wholesale shopping district. www.ccchouston.org

Home for the Holidays - Nov. 10-Dec. 23

Load up the whole family and take a short drive to one of the most festive areas in Houston-Old Town Spring's Home for the Holidays .  This Christmas celebration begins Nov. 10 and provides yuletide entertainment every weekend until Christmas. Holiday spirit is found rampant as carolers and street performers abound in the brightly decorated streets and shops nestled in a collection of wonderful old houses. Spend the day shopping, listening to carolers and barbershop quartets, taking pictures with Santa, enjoying train rides and last but not least skating around the town's new Ice Skating Rink. www.oldtownspringtx.com

All Day Holiday Skate - Nov. 22

Burn of some Thanksgiving calories at Ice Skate USA's All Day Holiday Skate in Memorial City Mall on Nov. 22. For only $5 dollars you can skate till your hearts delight from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. www.skatememorialcity.com

Christmas Holiday Market - Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23

Every weekend in December Traders Village hosts its annual Christmas Holiday Market. The vast market turns into a holiday wonderland of shopping, family fun, free music, festive foods and pictures made with the jolly old elf himself... Santa Claus! www.tradersvillage.com

Campfire Christmas - Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22

Enjoy Christmas cheer 1830s-style at the George Ranch Historical Park Dec. 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22. Families can experience a Campfire Christmas with a traditional Texas meal with all the trimmings, wagon rides, caroling, campfires and tours. www.georgeranch.com

The Nutcracker on Ice - Dec. 8-9

Each holiday season, Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center transforms into a magical land of sugar plums, candy canes and fairies as local ice skaters of all ages take to the ice to present The Nutcracker on Ice. This year's show is sure to please viewers of all ages and is the perfect way to launch the most wonderful time of the year, Dec. 8-9. www.sugarlandice.com

The Woodlands

The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center - Nov. 15- Jan. 14

Take a lap around the largest outdoor ice rink in the southwest at The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center, open Nov. 15-Jan. 14. www.town-center.com

Winter Wonderland - Nov. 17-Jan. 2

Before or after ice skating, take a stroll through Donoho's Jewellers Winter Wonderland and take a walk along the carpeted pathways as you delight in the fantasyland of magical, lighted toy soldiers, elves, doves, musical angels and snowmen from Nov. 17- Jan. 2.                    www.town-center.com

Lighting of the Doves - Nov. 17

More than 250,000 lights will illuminate The Woodlands night sky during the 25th annual Lighting of the Doves ceremony. Enjoy an incredible display of fireworks, samplings from The Woodlands Town Center restaurants, local entertainment and the ice rink. www.town-center.com

Festival of Giving - Dec. 2

Domino magazine celebrates Festival of Giving Dec. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Woodlands Mall. This special one-night event helps local charities raise funds for their organizations. Individuals who purchase tickets enjoy exclusive, one-night discounts from retailers at The Woodlands Mall and also are invited to enjoy refreshments, entertainment and prize giveaways. Registered nonprofits will sell $10 tickets for the evening's event, and each nonprofit will retain 100 percent of proceeds from ticket sales. www.town-center.com

On the Water - Lights Beckon in Bay Area Houston

The Kemah Boardwalk, festively decorated, is full of holiday fun everyday in December and pictures with Santa are the norm. www.kemahboardwalk.com

Christmas Boat Lane Parade - Dec. 8

On Dec. 8, more than 100 beautifully lighted and extravagantly decorated boats travel leisurely through the lake and up Clear Creek Channel to Galveston Bay for the 46th Annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade. www.visitbayareahouston.com

Santa's Swingin 40's Christmas - Dec. 22
Bay Area has a lot to offer this holiday season including pictures with Santa aboard historic Battleship Texas, complete with entertainment and music from the 1940s during Santa's Swingin 40's Christmas, Dec. 22. Visit throughout the month of December to see the Battleship Texas adorned with lights, ornaments and decorations in the spirit of the season.   www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Galveston and the Outdoors

Festival of Lights - Nov. 17-Jan. 5

Festive sights and sounds will fill Moody Gardens Nov. 17-Jan. 5 during Festival of Lights, one of the largest presentations of Christmas lights in southeast Texas . Guests will journey through Moody Gardens to Santa's Workshop, a gingerbread house, an outdoor ice rink, a giant poinsettia tree and many more places reminiscent of the holiday season. www.moodygardens.com

A Tuna Christmas - Nov. 28-Dec. 16

It wouldn't be Christmas (or the holiday season) without Tuna! It's the night before Christmas, and comedy is about to break loose in Tuna, Texas . Join the original Tuna stars in more roles than there are ingredients in a tuna casserole at The Grand 1894 Opera House for a laugh-out-loud performance of A Tuna Christmas, Nov. 28-Dec. 16. www.thegrand.com

Dickens on the Strand - Nov. 30-Dec. 2

Ring in the season Victorian style at the 34th Annual Dickens on the Strand Nov. 30-Dec. 2 in downtown Galveston . From Bobbies to beefeaters to Her Royal Majesty Queen Victoria herself, this holiday festival is a family affair with costumed characters, unique vendors, glittering parades shopping, children's activities and much more. www.dickensonthestrand.com

Galveston's East End Christmas Homes Tour - Nov. 30

While you're in Galveston for Dickens on the Strand , enjoy the East End's Annual Christmas Homes Tour on Nov. 30. Walk through some of Galveston 's most impressive and authentic Victorian residences and enjoy transportation between homes by horse-drawn carriage. www.galveston.com

Mrs. Bob Cratchits Wild Christmas Binge - Nov. 30-Dec. 31

Christopher Durang turns Charles Dickens' holiday classic on its head with his comical parody Mrs. Bob Cratchits Wild Christmas Binge. Join Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future at The Strand Theatre in Galveston Nov. 30- Dec. 31.  www.strandtheatregalveston.org