A New Christmas Village is Rising in Houston

Snowballs, Trains, Live Actors and Plenty of Shopping

By Shelby Hodge // Nov 14, 2016

Photography Cameron Bertuzzi

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Millions of lights brighten Bayou Bend beginning December 10.

The Spiegeltent is the center of the holiday entertainments.

Garden features bedazzle in a variety of colors.

Elaborate lighting stretches across the 14 acres of gardens.

It's happy holidays at Bayou Bend.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus would approve.

The John Staub-designed home is swathed in lights for the holidays.

If last year’s inaugural Christmas Village at Bayou Bend tickled your holiday fancy, the 2016 holiday extravaganza could have you swooning throughout the season. New this year — the caroling trio the MistleTones, a personal appearance by Jingles the reindeer, a faux reindeer scavenger hunt, a faux snowball toss, a holiday crafts station, a model train display, and holiday gift shopping

Launching on December 10, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston transforms the 14-acre gardens of Bayou Bend into a Christmas dreamland which dazzled guests last year with millions of lights. The stained-glass Cristal Palace Spiegeltent returns as focal point of activities with seasonal music and photo opps with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Creative director Todd Waite once again stages a holiday-themed tour — featuring live actors, theatrical effects, and Christmas decorations.

This holiday happening continues through January 1m running from 5:30 to 10 pm nightly. Tickets are on sale now. Admission is $15 for non-members and $13 for Bayou Bend members on regular nights, and $18 for non-members and $16 for members on premium nights — with lower prices for kids. Full details and reservations are available here.