2023 Guide to Houston Mayor's Holiday Spectacular

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Mayor Sylvester Turner will begin this year’s holiday celebration on Saturday, December 2, 2023, in downtown Houston.  This free event will be happening from 6 pm to 8 pm.

American Idol star and Grammy nominee Jordin Sparks will headline the event.  This holiday variety show will also feature performances by 

  • Mariachi Prodigy Eduardo Trevino (America’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist)
  • Houston Children’s Chorus
  • Kinder High School for the Performing & Visual Arts Theatre Department
  • Dancers of Asian America
  • Theater Under The Stars
  • Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus
  • Ernest Walker & the Official Holiday Band

The Holiday Spectacular will feature the tree lighting and the “Hallelujah Chorus” from “Handel’s Messiah.”  The music will be orchestrated and timed with the fireworks.  It truly will be spectacular!

This is the 104th annual holiday celebration.  There will also be complimentary food samples and seasonal food and beverages for sale.  Free blinking Santa hats will be given to everyone (while supplies last).  Santa will be there to take photos of you and your family.  ABC13 will livestream the Holiday Spectacular.  

If you’d like to visit Houston for the Holiday Celebration, you should consider the following hotels.  They are all offering discounted rates which can save you money on your stay.  

  • The Lancaster Hotel: 30% Discount
  • DoubleTree Hilton Hotel & Suites Houston by the Galleria: 25% Discount
  • Wyndham Houston near NRG Park/Medical Center: 25% Discount
  • Americas Best Value Inn Houston NRG Park Medical Center: 23% Discount
  • Palace Inn Blue Tomball Parkway: 21% Discount
  • Sonesta ES Suites Houston Galleria: 20% Discount
  • Hotel Derek: 20% Discount
  • Hotel Granduca Houston: 16% Discount
  • Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Houston Downtown: 15% Discount
  • Omni Houston Hotel: 15% Discount
  • Signature Inn Houston Greensport: 15% Discount
  • Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Houston at Highway 6: 15% Discount
  • La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Houston NW Beltway8/West RD: 15% Discount
  • Americas Best Value Inn Medical Center Downtown: 15% Discount
  • La Vyoma Villas, West Highway 6
  • Sonder The Hogg Palace: 10% Discount
  • DoubleTree Hilton Houston Brookhollow: 10% Discount
  • Sonder The Hampstead: 10% Discount
  • Palace Inn Blue US 59 & Gossner: 10% Discount
  • Americas Best Value Inn at I-45 and Loop 610: 10% Discount
  • Sonesta Simple Suites Houston City Centre I-19 West: 10% Discount
  • Kiwi Inn: 10% Discount
  • Sonesta Simply Suites Houston – NASA Clear Lake: 10% Discount

Every year, a lot of people come to Houston for the Holiday Celebration, so if you want to save money on your hotel, don’t delay.  These deals won’t last long.

Texas Barbecue

Texas barbecue is as rich in flavor as it is in history.  Any visit to Houston should include the taste of barbecue.  These are the Best Barbecue Restaurants in Houston as chosen by the users of TripAdvisor.

  1. Pinkerton’s Barbecue
  2. Rudy’s Bar-B-Q
  3. The Pit Room
  4. Goode Company BBQ
  5. Gatlin’s BBQ
  6. The Brisket House
  7. Hickory Hollow Restaurant & Catering
  8. Ray’s BBQ Shack
  9. Truth BBQ
  10. Luling City Market

If you love barbecue and you’re unable to get to these restaurants one night, you can get food from Rudy’s Bar-B-Q and Good Company BBQ delivered by DoorDash.  

If you’re going to be flying into Houston, book your airline ticket here and you can save money on your flight.