Once again the holidays are upon us. I did the best I could as I have been running way behind schedule on a lot of things. I undoubtedly missed something worthy of note; if I find anything else I may add it later in the month. I did stretch the date range until December 4 to fit in Dickens on the Strand, and also since I missed a whole week. Expect December’s monthly LOVIEE to only cover from the 5th on as a result.

I may not get weekly LOVIEEs up for each week. I will endeavor to have one up but do remember that the most prominent events still get mention in the monthly LOVIEEs if I do not post a weekly.

Thursday 11-17

28th Annual French-American Wine and Food Festival, JW Marriott, 5150 Westheimer, 6:30-9:30pm, $45 (FACC members/with promo code)/$65 (non-members advance)/$75 (day of event). A fine wine and gourmet food tasting in the heart of the Galleria area. 11-M11-1

Saturday 11-19 and Sunday 11-20

Via Colori Houston, Lamar & Bagby and surrounding area, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Street art festival benefiting the Center for Hearing and Speech. See On The Horizon post, recap from 2010 and recap from 2009 for more information. 11-M11-2

Thursday 11-24

Holiday Parade Houston, Downtown (see website for parade route), 9am.  Presented by HEB. 11-M11-3

Beginning Thursday 11-24

Ice at Discovery Green, Discovery Green Park, see website for hours/days of operation, $10+tax including skate rental. Kinder Lake is transformed into an outdoor ice skating rink. Great for homesick northern transplants, or those who just want an ice skating fix and don’t feel like fighting Galleria area traffic. 11/12-IADG

Beginning Saturday 11-26

Houston Ballet presents The Nutcracker, Wortham Center, see website for dates and ticket availability. Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet has become virtually synonymous with the holiday season. I believe everyone should see this at least once in their lifetime (I have, though it was years ago). 11-NUTCRACKER

Saturday 12-03 and Sunday 12-04

Dickens on the Strand, The Strand between 20th Street and 25th Street (Galveston), Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10pm-6pm, $14 adult/$8 students 7-12 (advance purchase discount available). 11-M12-1