Holly Jolly

Sip on libations, grab a bite to eat and put Santa to shame with the most unique and unexpected holiday gifts at HMNS! 

Sip-n-Shop is an afterhours shopping event hosted by the HMNS Museum Store before the Black Friday rush begins! Take advantage of our free gift wrapping station, sign up for giveaways, and treat yourself to something bubbly while shopping for the holiday season. 

Plus, save 25% on (almost) everything in store!

Jingle Tree, presented by Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and Honorary Chairs, Judi Dai & Catalina Flores-Rau, features a silent auction showcase of beautifully decorated trees and décor. 

Your support enables the Museum to partner with 180+ Fort Bend area schools and 40+ local nonprofits annually, expand museum access to diverse communities including seniors and more than 16,500 school-aged children, and removes barriers to our goal of making the Museum accessible to all visitors. 

Presenting sponsor Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. 

Location: Moran Lecture Hall (Lower Level) 

No one does holiday magic quite like Santa Claus, so we’re teaming up with the big guy himself to bring you the sweetest breakfast of the season!

Pile your plate high with fluffy waffles and all your favorite toppings, sip on rich hot chocolate, and soak up a morning filled with festive fun and holiday cheer.

Then, before Santa heads back to the North Pole, gather the family, strike a pose, and capture a photo you’ll look forward to pulling out with the holiday decorations year after year.  
 
A ticket is required for every guest enjoying breakfast, including both adults and children.

Parking is sold separately. 

Photo opportunities with Santa will be available for General Admission guests in the Morian Hall of Paleontology Overlook from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. 

Make magical memories before the big day! Bring the little ones to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus during their Sugar Land stop. Dive into hands-on crafts in Santa Land, enjoy classic milk and cookies, and take home a keepsake photo. 

Doors open at 6:15 pm  

Step into the spirit of the season with a heartwarming evening at the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre as we present the beloved holiday classic, The Polar Express (2004), on the big screen!  

Climb aboard for an unforgettable journey through snow-covered mountains and sparkling winter skies as the train races toward the North Pole. Whether you know every word by heart or you’re introducing a new generation to the story for the very first time, there’s something magical about experiencing this holiday favorite together on the giant screen.  

Arrive early for festive family fun before the show! Create a special holiday craft to take home, then pick up your Kid’s Movie Box, filled with buttery popcorn, a juice box, and a Fruit Roll-Up: the perfect treat for your journey to the North Pole.  

Before the train departs, be sure to stop by and meet Santa Claus! Strike a festive pose for a photo with Santa between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm, then settle in for an evening filled with holiday wonder.  

Enjoy complimentary parking for the evening.

A ticket is required for every person occupying a seat during the movie.

Location: Moran Lecture Hall (Lower Level) 

Get ready to jingle all the way into the holiday spirit because Santa’s setting up shop right here at the museum, and he’s counting on your little helpers to lend a hand! Slip on your elf shoes and join us for a magical morning of festive fun, hands-on activities, and a special holiday craft to take home.

Before Santa heads back to the North Pole, gather the family for a photo with the big guy himself. It’s a holiday keepsake you’ll be glad to have long after the decorations are packed away.

A ticket is required for every guest participating in the activities.

Parking is sold separately.

Photo opportunities with Santa will be available for General Admission guests in the Morian Hall of Paleontology Overlook from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Ho-ho-ROAR! Celebrate the holiday season with a trip back to the prehistoric era for a holiday party unlike any other. While Santa Claus won’t be making an appearance, he’s sending his festive stand-in, Santa Claws; Fluffy the Walking Dinosaur! 

Enjoy an evening of holiday fun with activities for the whole family, including festive crafts, a balloon artist, a 360° photo booth, a live DJ, and the chance to watch Santa’s elves make candy right before your eyes. And because no holiday party is complete without a sweet treat, we’re serving up free churros (yes, really!) 

This dino-sized celebration takes over the museum’s first floor, so come ready to explore, play, and kick off the season with a holiday adventure the whole family won’t soon forget. 

Free parking is available for this event.

The exhibits on the first floor will be open for this event. 

Location: Moran Lecture Hall (Lower Level)

Santa loves cookies… and we do too! Join us for a festive morning filled with holiday magic as we decorate (and taste!) delicious cookies with Santa himself. 

Get creative with frosting and sprinkles, then stop by for a photo with Santa and share in a little holiday magic, and maybe a quick check-in on that Nice List status! 

Parking is sold separately. 

A ticket is required for every guest participating in cookie decorating. 

Photo opportunities with Santa will be available for General Admission guests in the Morian Hall of Paleontology Overlook from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Location: Sundial Plaza 

With 130,000 pounds of snow, the Houston Museum of Natural Science is officially the coolest place in town! Watch HMNS transform into a winter wonderland and celebrate the first day of winter at Snow Flurry, where real snow makes the magic come to life.

Play, explore, and make memories as you enjoy a day filled with sweet treats, live entertainment, a live DJ, and plenty of winter fun. Whether you’re building, tossing, or simply enjoying the snow, there’s no better place to celebrate the holiday season! 

Event subject to change based on weather conditions. 

Parking is sold separately.  

A ticket is required for every guest participating in the activities.