[wpcol_2third id=”” class=”” style=””]NOVEMBER NEWS YOU CAN USE
Housing Stats ∙ Opt Out of Credit or Insurance Offers ∙ Houston Area Holiday Events
HOUSTON HOME SALES DECLINE IN OCTOBER
Houston homes sales had a double-digit declne in October which affected all pricing segments. In turn, the Houston area went from a 2.8-months supply of homes last October to a 3.5-months supply this year. Sales of all property types were down 11.9 percent compared to October 2014, with single-family homes dropping 10.2 percent.
According to the latest monthly report prepared by the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR):
OPT OUT OF RECEIVING OFFERS OF CREDIT OR INSURANCE
Have you received unsolicited offers of credit and insurance after financing a house, car or other purchase?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the consumer credit reporting companies, Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion, are permitted to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm offers of credit or insurance that are not initiated by you (“Firm Offers”). The FCRA also provides you the right to “Opt-Out”, which prevents Consumer Credit Reporting Companies from providing your credit file information for Firm Offers.
2015 HOUSTON AREA HOLIDAY EVENTS
PERFORMING ARTS
A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas – Nov. 20 – Dec. 28 – Alley Theatre
A Ghost Story of Christmas returns this year with a re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story that follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with the three ghostly spirits that visit him on Christmas Eve.
Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker – Nov. 27 – Dec. 27 – Wortham Theater
Set in nineteenth century Germany, the ballet opens at a charming Christmas party at which the mysterious Dr. Drosselmeyer gives his little niece Clara a magical toy that takes her on an unforgettable journey.
The Santaland Diaries – Dec. 4 – 31 – Alley Theatre
Chronicles of NPR humorist and best-selling author David Sedaris’ experience as a worker in Macy’s SantaLand display. This compact, one-character comedy is a hilarious cult classic, featuring comic encounters during the height of the holiday crunch.
A Christmas Story – Dec. 8 – 20 – Theatre Under the Stars
Follow the childhood dreams and schemes of little Ralphie, whose heart is set on getting one thing and one thing only for Christmas: the official Red Ryder rifle.
Very Merry Pops – Dec. 11 – 13 – Jones Hall
Back again in 2015 is this much loved, Houston Symphony holiday tradition, with favorites like “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,” “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bell Rock,” plus the return of a special piece, “Glad Tidings”.
HOLIDAY FESTIVALS
Nutcracker Market – Nov. 12 – 15 – NRG Park
Over 300 national and international merchants selling gifts for the entire family-home décor, gourmet food, garden, clothing, novelties, accessories and more. All proceeds from the market benefit the Houston Ballet Foundation.
Festival of Lights – Nov. 14 – Jan. 10 – Moody Gardens
The Gulf Coast’s largest holiday lighting event features a 100-foot slide, ice skating, and a mile-long trail of more than a million lights and 100 sound-enhanced animated displays sparkling over the beautiful Galveston Bay. Photos with Santa will be available nightly throughout the festival, and it will snow in Galveston every Friday night.
Zoo Lights – Nov. 20 – Jan. 9 – Houston Zoo
The Houston Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland, filled with brilliant displays of colorful lights and festive holiday music.
Magical Winter Lights – Nov. 20 – Jan. 10 – Sam Houston Race Park
The 52-day festival will become the largest holiday light festival in Houston, and the largest lantern festival of its kind to ever take place in the U.S.
66th Annual H-E-B Holiday Parade – Nov. 26
Houston’s signature H-E-B Holiday Parade with fantastic floats, high-flying hot air balloons, marching bands and costumed characters.
Uptown Holiday Lighting – Nov. 27
On Thanksgiving evening, thousands will gather along Post Oak Boulevard for the Uptown Holiday Lighting. This fun-filled family event will ring-in the holidays with more than a half-million twinkling lights on 80 brilliantly-lit holiday trees; festive music; holiday characters including clowns, larger than life Santa’s reindeer; a special appearance from Santa and a fireworks extravaganza.
Mayor’s Holiday Celebration – Dec. 4
The annual event will include the Mayor’s Official Tree Lighting Ceremony, music, a fireworks extravaganza and more.
Dickens on the Strand – Dec. 4 – 6
Characters from Dickens novels walk the street. Food and entertainment fill the area with sights and smells that take you back to another era.
Chanukah Fest – Dec. 6
The City of Houston co-sponsors Chanukah Fest 2015 in front of City Hall. Highlights include a Live Concert by the 8th Day Band from California, Live Entertainment shows, Fireworks, dozens of super-fun activities for kids and adults, a dazzling Food Quarter, Judah the Maccabee Live Statue & Dreidel Mascot, and so much more.
Heritage Society’s Annual Candlelight Tour – Dec. 12 – 13
Step back in time and tour eight of Houston’s oldest historic homes, trimmed to perfection in traditional 19th century décor. Children may also visit with Santa, enjoy a holiday story reading from historic characters and make crafts at Santa’s Workshop.
Campfire Christmas – Dec. 11 & 12, 18 & 19 – George Ranch
Enjoy a progressive Christmas dinner, music, hay ride, exclusive evening tours of the 1890s Davis Victorian Mansion and 1930s George Ranch Home and finish up with dessert around the campfire with the George Ranch cowboys.
Ice Land: Ice Sculptures with Sponge Bob Square Pants – Nov. 14 – Jan. 10 – Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens and Nickelodeon have come together to create the Gulf Coast’s only holiday ice sculpture attraction featuring the world-renowned underwater characters from Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants.
HOLIDAY CONCERTS
Holly Jolly Jingle – Dec. 3 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Guests can visit with Santa, Frosty and other holiday characters, make arts and crafts, play in the snow, listen to carolers sing and much more.
The Hot Sardines’ Holiday Stomp – Dec. 10 – Jones Hall
New York City’s Hot Sardines performs its Holiday Stomp – a “hot jazz” performance that gives voice to the history-defining jazz of the 1920s, 30s and 40s. The program will include “White Christmas,” “Le Noël de la Rue,” “Mele Kelikimaka,”
A Frosty & Frozen Christmas – Dec. 12 – Jones Hall
The Houston Symphony invites you to sing along to “Frosty the Snowman,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and rejoice in Queen Elsa’s reflective personal journey “Let it Go” from Disney’s Frozen.
Christmas at the Villa – Dec. 12 – 13
Christmas at the Villa is a joyful celebration bringing together fresh carols and seasonal favorites.
Handel’s Messiah – Dec. 18 – 20 – Jones Hall
Every year, the Houston Symphony brings you this holiday favorite, where you’ll hear your favorite arias and choruses from “Ev’ry Valley Shall Be Exalted”, “O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion”, “Rejoice Greatly”, and the timeless “Hallelujah” chorus.
EXHIBITIONS/EVENTS
2015 TXU Energy Turkey Trot – Nov. 26
Competitive run or fun run/walk benefiting Sheltering Arms Senior Services. There will be a 10K, 5K and a Kids Run (>1 K) on Thanksgiving Day.
2015 Heights Holiday Home Tour – Dec. 4 – 5
Friday and Saturday tours of five unique Houston Heights homes.
Lights in the Heights 2015 – Dec. 12
Stroll down select streets of the Woodland Heights neighborhood, admiring the elaborately decorated homes while musicians perform in front of select homes.
Bayou Bend Family Day: Festive Traditions – Dec. 20
Activities, music, demonstrations, performances, craft workshops, giveaways, and more abound throughout the home and gardens. Enjoy tours of the first floor of the house, hosted by volunteers from Houston Junior Woman’s Club.
Winter Break at the Museum – Dec. 22 – Jan. 3 – MFAH
This winter break, join the family fun as you explore a lifetime of art created by renowned artist Mark Rothko.
ADDITIONAL FAMILY ACTIVITIES
The Galleria’s 27th Annual Ice Spectacular – Nov. 14
The 27th Annual Ice Spectacular at The Galleria will kick off the holiday season with the lighting of its 55-foot Christmas tree, featuring 450,000 twinkling lights and 5,000 ornaments in a variety of colors and shapes.
Ice at Discovery Green – Nov. 24- Feb. 7
Skate among the downtown skyline at Discovery Green’s now 7,716-sq. ft. outdoor rink in the heart of Texas.
Galveston Holiday Lighting Celebration – Nov. 27
The Holiday Lighting Celebration kicks off with the arrival of Santa Claus by horse-drawn carriage, performances from The Nutcracker, a hand bell choir, and Old-Fashioned Christmas Carolers, followed by the lighting of Hotel Galvez & Spa Hotel’s iconic 35-foot Christmas tree on the front lawn.
Houston Symphony: Home Alone Film with Live Orchestra – Dec. 4 – Jones Hall
Give your holiday a little laughter with Home Alone, the beloved comedy favorite featuring renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score performed live to picture.
Christmas in the Park at George Ranch – Dec. 6 – 31
George Ranch Historical Park will explore special holiday traditions that evolved over a 100 years.
7th Annual Gingerbread Build-Off – Dec. 13
More than 30 teams will create gingerbread buildings and structures with in a few hours to be judged by an independent panel of food, design, art, and architecture experts in downtown Houston’s Market Square Park.
2015 Jingle Bell Run and Walk – Dec. 13
The event includes more than 5,000 participants of all ages, benefits the Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA Partners Campaign.
2015 UIL Football State Championship Games – Dec. 17 – 19 – NRG Stadium
Get ready Houston because NRG Stadium will be hosting all 11-man UIL Football Championship Games.
Santa Hustle – Dec. 20
Runners have a “jolly good time” in Galveston for the annual Santa Hustle! At this event, half marathon and 5K runners compete in Santa suits and beards in a race that takes them along the island’s gorgeous Gulf waters and historic downtown streets. Along the route, participants can stop at cookie and candy stations while enjoying holiday music.
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