Festivals, concerts, plays and more, there are lots of events in the area to keep your calendar booked.

Festival of Lights [Through Jan. 3]
Enjoy more than 1 million lights within 100 sound-enhanced animated light displays and nightly live entertainment. You also can skate around on the area’s only outdoor ice skating rink, try out the new Arctic Ice Slide or take pictures with Santa.
Through Jan. 3, Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston, www.moodygardens.com

Ice Land: Ice sculptures with SpongeBob SquarePants [Through Jan. 3]

Ice Land: Ice Sculptures with SpongeBob SquarePants. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds

This frosty new addition to Moody Gardens’ holiday offerings features 900 tons of ice transformed into holiday scenes with the beloved Bikini Bottom inhabitants from Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants.
Through Jan. 3, Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston, www.moodygardens.com

Festival of Trees Gala & Fashion Show [Dec. 4]
The 21st annual Festival of Trees, sponsored by the Interfaith Caring Ministries, will feature a fashion show, dinner, live and silent auctions, music and more.
6 p.m. Dec. 4, South Shore Harbour Resort, 2500 South Shore Blvd., League City, www.icmtx.org or 281.332.3881, Ext. 1103

Christmas Belles [Dec. 4-21]
A church Christmas program spins hilariously out of control in this Southern farce about squabbling sisters, family secrets, a surly Santa, a vengeful sheep and a reluctant Elvis impersonator.
8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays from Dec. 4-21, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 state Highway 3, Dickinson, 281.337.7469 or www.harbourplayhouse.com

East End Christmas Homes Tour [Dec. 5]
The East End Historical District Association will have its 25th annual “A Victorian Christmas” Holiday Homes Tour at five homes decorated for the holiday season in Galveston.
5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 5, East End Galveston, www.eastendhistoricaldistrict.org

‘A Christmas Carol’ [Dec. 5]
The miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is made to see the light as he survives a merciless battery of revelations by the ghosts of his own Christmases: Past, Present and Future.
8 p.m. Dec. 5, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com

Dickens on The Strand. Photo by Kevin M. Cox

Dickens on the Strand [Dec. 5-7]
The annual holiday street festival, based on 19th-century Victorian London, features parades, nonstop entertainment on six stages, strolling carolers, roving musicians, bagpipers, jugglers and a host of other entertainers. Costumed vendors peddle their wares from street stalls and rolling carts laden with holiday food and drink, Victorian-inspired crafts, clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations and gift items.
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 and noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 7, Downtown Galveston, galvestonhistory.org

‘Miracle on 34th Street’ [Dec. 5-21]
When a little old man named Kris Kringle takes over as the store Santa Claus at Macy’s in New York City, hard-nosed Events Director Doris has doubts about his claim to be the real Santa Claus. But her daughter sees something very special in Kris.
8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays from Dec. 5-21, Clear Creek Community Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay, 281.335.5228 or clearcreekcommunitytheatre.com

Holiday Express [Dec. 13-14]
Dickinson Historical Society will host the seventh annual Holiday Express featuring model train exhibits at the Dickinson Historic Railroad Center.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 13 and noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 14, Dickinson Historic Railroad Center, 218 FM 517 W., Dickinson, 281.534.4367 or dhs@ci.dickinson.tx.us

Nutcracker Afternoon Tea [Dec. 13]
This delightful event features tea-time fare of finger sandwiches, cookies, punch and, of course, tea!
12:30 p.m. Dec. 13, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com

Crystaland Christmas Parade [Dec. 13]
The Crystaland Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Bolivar Chamber of Commerce, begins at the Courthouse Annex Building, 946 Noble Carl Road, in Crystal Beach. Afterward, Santa will greet all the kids with a gift and picture taking. Hot dogs, cookies and drinks will be served.
6 p.m. Dec. 13, Crystal Beach, www.bolivarchamber.org

Christmas Boat Lane Parade [Dec. 13]
The 53rd annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade will feature hundreds of decorated boats. Beginning at South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center, the parade is on the League City side of Clear Lake. It will take about 45 minutes for the first boat to make it down to the Kemah Boardwalk, 215 Kipp Ave.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 13, Clear Lake, www.kemahboardwalk.com

Holiday Charity Ball [Dec. 13]
The Holiday Charity Ball is the Junior League of Galveston County’s largest annual fundraising event. This year’s gala invites guests on a Parisian holiday to a Rendezvous at the Moulin Rouge at The San Luis Convention Center, where they will enjoy live entertainment, fine dining, and a unique array of silent and live auction items.
6 p.m. to midnight Dec. 13, San Luis Convention Center, 5600 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, www.jlgalveston.org or email juniorleagueofgalvestoncounty@gmail.com

‘The Nutcracker’ [Dec. 13]
This annual holiday favorite tells the story of a young girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince, a Sugar Plum Fairy and a fierce battle against a Mouse King.
2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com

Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas [Dec. 16]
Gather ‘round the campfire for cowboy poet “Triple M’s” yearly yuletide show. Enjoy many of Murphey’s memorable hits, including “Carolina in the Pines,” along with cowboy poetry, and tales of Christmas cheer and wonder.
8 p.m. Dec. 16, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com

Island Market [Dec. 20]
From beautiful quilts to handmade soaps to photography to jewelry, the Galveston Island Market offers a festive outdoor event where local artisans, handcrafters and growers can showcase their creations for island residents and visitors.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 20, Mechanic and 23rd streets, Galveston, www.galveston.com

Robert Earl Keen: Merry Christmas from The Fam-O-Lee [Dec. 20]
Country legend Robert Earl Keen, along with his guitar, his backup band and plenty of holiday decorations, brings you a sleigh full of holiday music and daffy family memories.
8 p.m. Dec. 20, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com

Houston Children’s Chorus: Holiday Pops Show [Dec. 21]
Founded in 1989, this youthful choir is made up of more than 100 talented performers ranging from ages 8 to 13 years, selected by annual audition.
4 p.m. Dec. 21, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com

Jerry Jeff Walker [Dec. 27]
He’s been called “Mister Bojangles,” “The Gypsy Songman” and “The Jimmy Buffett of Texas.” One of the Lone Star State’s most popular musical ambassadors returns to The Grand as Galveston prepares to ring in 2015.
8 p.m. Dec. 27, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com

Manhattan Transfer Christmas Show [Dec. 28]
Enjoy favorite holiday songs performed with spectacular four-part harmonies, swinging rhythms and jazzy arrangements to ring in the holidays.
4 p.m. Dec. 28, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com

In case of cancellations and changes to events, check with venues for updates. To submit an event, send pertinent information to calendar@coastmonthly.com.