Santa's Christmas Village. Dinosaur Land. The Mystical Forest. These might sound like settings ripped from the pages of fairytales, but they're very real at the Magical Winter Lights display. From December 1st through January 2nd, Gulf Greyhound Park transforms into a twinkling land of holiday lights. It showcases seven distinct areas, each with their own theme, including the new Lone Star State.

Head toward the 36-foot cowboy lantern, and you'll land in the heart of the Lone Star State display. From here, explore a glowing maze that fans out toward eight Texan landmarks. Then make your way to the Holiday Market square for some food, gift shopping, and photo ops. Santa Claus will be there, waiting and ready for his close-up. In keeping with the event's international focus, you can also see acrobats, masterpieces crafted by Chinese artisans, and more at Magical Winter Lights. Tickets start at $15 for children and $22 for adults.

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'Tis the season to embrace old holiday traditions and make some new ones. Consider adding an annual trip to see A Christmas Carol at the Alley Theatre to your December to-do list. The Houston Press praises this local adaptation of the Dickens classic, citing its "spectacular London sets" as a means of transporting audiences to the world of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Now through December 30th, you can follow the tale of Scrooge as it unfolds on stage inside of the Hubbard Theatre at the Alley. Watch as seasoned actors portray the story of a greedy old miser who's forced to face his wicked ways when, on Christmas Eve, three ghosts visit him. Will Scrooge's journey end with redemption or condemnation? You probably already know the answer, but if you have kids or nieces and nephews who haven't been introduced to this classic, bring them along. Tickets start at $35.

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Even the strictest of healthy eaters have to indulge every now and then, which is why restaurants like Rachel's Cafe exist. The no-frills eatery in Houston dishes out classic burgers, sandwiches stuffed between two slabs of Texas toast, and baskets piled high with chicken fingers and fries.

So when you're craving comfort food, head to Rachel's Cafe. The popular bacon cheeseburger should do the trick. Chef's top it with your choice of cheese (Swiss, American, or cheddar) and all of the traditional fixings: lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, mustard, and mayo. A Swiss mushroom burger or a chili cheeseburger may delight your taste buds, too. But don't forget about the Texas toast sandwiches, like the grilled cheese, the chicken finger sandwich, and the club sandwich with turkey, ham, bacon, and cheese. You can also opt for a basket of fried chicken or shrimp or a salad at Rachel's Cafe.

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