Hey Houston listeners, it's your friendly guide to the best things happening right now through the weekend and beyond this holiday-packed December week. Kick off today, Wednesday the 17th, with Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo starting at 5:30 pm, where TXU Energy presents a magical winter wonderland of twinkling lights, immersive sights, and sounds that transform the zoo into a festive dream until 9:30 pm, according to the Houston Cultural Events Calendar. Comedy fans, catch Zarna Garg live at Punch Line Houston tonight, with tickets starting around $58 via Vivid Seats for her hilarious stand-up set.

For a laugh-out-loud adults-only night, head to Alley Theatre's The Night Shift Before Christmas in the Neuhaus Theatre, running through December 28. This one-woman show stars Margot working a chaotic Christmas Eve drive-thru, dealing with cranky customers and a ghostly best friend visit that mixes big laughs, heart, and Scrooge-like revelations in a tight 75-minute run with no intermission—perfect for a date night, as Click2Houston reports.

Family vibes? Tonight's Memory Cafe at Amazing Place West on Circle deMatel offers a cozy 90-minute gathering for those with early dementia and caregivers, sharing stories and laughter in a stigma-free space. Museums shine too: Bayou Bend's Christmas Village through December 30 features carolers, Gingerbread Lane, garden lights, and family films for $18 admission, per CultureMap Houston.

Glide into ice skating fun all week at Green Mountain Energy Presents The Ice at Discovery Green downtown, with $18 sessions including 75 minutes on the rink, DJ Skate Nights on Saturdays, and Cheap Skate Mondays for $9. Rice Village's Ice Village rink across from Starbucks runs evenings and weekends for $20 with rentals, open till 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Memorial City's rink hosts a festive final skate on the 27th with holiday hits.

Stage magic continues with Houston Ballet's The Nutcracker through the 28th, a family fairy tale of Clara's enchanted journey; Stages' It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play sharing George Bailey's hopeful story; and Alley's classic A Christmas Carol. Dive into holiday pop-ups like Frosty's two-story wonderland in East Downtown with roaming Santas and movie-inspired cocktails through December 30, or Holidaze at GreenStreet's massive three-level activations on Fannin Street until January 4. Jingle Bell Bar at Botonica offers three themed rooms, craft workshops, burlesque, and movie nights through the 28th.

Light displays dazzle: Houston Botanic Garden's Holiday in the Garden with zodiac animals and bluebonnets Fridays through Sundays till February, and Moody Gardens' holiday lights, ice sculptures, and films through January 3 for $25 to $60.

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