Come See ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Alley Theatre Now Through December 30th

'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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Don’t Miss the Bacon Cheeseburger at Rachel’s Cafe

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.

Begin a Day of Gratitude at the Thanksgiving Yoga Class

Before you embark on a busy day of cooking, eating, and napping, come find some inner peace at the Thanksgiving Yoga Class at Texas Yogini. From 10:30 a.m. to noon, instructors Hope and Stacey will lead a slow flow class set to the soft melodies of live music. It culminates in a soothing round of meditation so that yogis embark on their Thanksgiving days calmly.

The class is donation-based, so attendees are encouraged to pay what they can. You may be inspired to give generously when you learn that the proceeds benefit Camp Aranzazu, a camp that welcomes children with special needs. It was ravaged by Hurricane Harvey—but it's currently in the process of rebuilding—and any dollars you give could help speed up that process so that more children can be reached.

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Jog Through a World of Color at The Fun Run on November 18th

If you're looking for some motivation to get back into running, The Fun Run in Houston might be it. It's not a standard 5K race. Participants get splashed with colored powder at stations sprinkled throughout the course, and since everyone receives a white shirt and headband when they register, you go home with a newly tie-dyed outfit.

So even if you don't consider yourself much of an athlete, you're welcome to come to The Fun Run and take the race at whatever pace you find comfortable. It begins at The Silo at noon on Saturday, November 18th—so it's the perfect opportunity to burn some calories before Turkey Day. Come ready to stroll or jog through the clouds of colored powder and hang out at a lively fest at the finish line when you sign up for The Fun Run.

Find Inspiration at the Jumpstart Your Writing Workshop on November 4th

Every author knows what it's like to experience writer's block. Even if you're working on a project that inspires you, writer's block can rear its ugly head after a few weeks or months of labor. There are ways to break through it, though, and Dr. Cindy Childress will teach you some of them at the Jumpstart Your Writing workshop on Saturday, November 4th.

The class will take place at Writespace from 1 to 4 p.m. Over the course of the afternoon, Dr. Childress will lead writers in free-writing exercises based on specific prompts, visual aids, and props. The exercises are designed to trigger new ideas and inspiration, however, you can also come to the workshop to breathe some new life into a project that's been floundering. All levels of writers are welcome.

Cheers to Your Health: Learn About the Technology of Wines, Tonics, and Potions at The Health Museum

Being healthy isn't all about restriction. You can indulge occasionally and still reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The Health Museum in Houston offers all kinds of insight into healthy living through permanent exhibits that explore everything from the human anatomy to the power of the scientific laboratory. It also hosts regular wellness-centric events like Cheers to Your Health: The Technology of Wines, Tonics, and Potions on Friday, October 27th.

Cheers to Your Health is all about the indulgent side of healthy living, the part that allows you to splurge and enjoy your everyday. When you come to this special event, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m., you'll get to learn all about the science behind making wines, spirits, and cocktails as you actually sip on samples of them.

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Dress Up Your Pup for the Annual Dog Costume Contest

The First Annual Dog Costume Contest was such a hit last year that even its organizers were surprised. They'd planned for 15 or 20 dogs to show up in costume and were stunned when nearly 100 arrived instead. So this year, they're prepared for a huge turnout at the Second Annual Dog Costume Contest on Sunday, October 22nd.

Axelrad is hosting the event starting at 2 p.m. when a parade of costumed pooches will head across the stage. If you want your dog to be among them, email the event coordinator in advance to enter him in the contest. The best-dressed dogs will earn prizes while owners enjoy beer from Saint Arnold Brewing Company and Brash Brewing Company. The Harris County Animal Shelter and Reggie's Friends will also be on-hand if you're thinking about adding to your growing fur family.

Celebrate the Season at the 7th Annual Houston Halloween Festival

The 7th Annual Houston Halloween Festival is an all-ages event that celebrates the fun and spooky aspects of Halloween. It's slated for October 21st from 5 to 10 p.m., and it has a slew of things to do. Youngsters can pick a pumpkin from the patch, watch magicians and jugglers perform, play carnival games, or create some Halloween-themed crafts, among many other activities.

There's also plenty of entertainment for adults. Enjoy a brew or two in the beer garden, and then listen to live music at the Bud Light stage. Check out the vendors from around Houston and grab some grub from a food truck. Tickets are $10 for adults (kids under 11 are free), and the proceeds go to a scholarship fund for local students.

Midtown in Motion on October 14th: Get Your Yoga Flow On

Every second and fourth Saturday of the month, Bagby Park hosts Midtown in Motion from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. It's a free fitness class—or sometimes a pair of free fitness classes—designed to get Houstonians outdoors with other community members as they work out.

On Saturday, October 14th, local fitness guru Roz Jones will lead the two-hour sweat session. At 9:30 a.m., she kicks off the first half of her workout: a round of high-intensity interval training (or HIIT). This approach to exercise aims to boost metabolism and encourage a more efficient burning of energy. Then at 10:30 a.m., participants switch tracks and flow through a yoga practice for the next hour. In addition to enjoying a free fitness class, those who participate in Midtown in Motion will also be entered in a drawing to win gift cards to local businesses in Midtown.

Wanderlust 108 Houston: A Mindful Type of Triathlon

The three-pronged athletic endeavor that participants will complete at Wanderlust 108 Houston is a little different than your average triathlon. Instead of swimming, biking, and running long distances, competitors will start with a 5K race, followed by a healthy activity of your choice, like yoga, and meditation.

The fun kicks off with the 5K at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 14th. Once you reach the end, decide whether you want to take part in a round of acro-yoga or hula-hooping. Then grab a healthy, organic lunch at True North Cafe, explore the lineup of arts and crafts vendors, and dance along to music from local bands and DJs. There will also be health-centric speakers and teachers at the post-race festival, so you can spend some of your day deepening your understanding of healthy living. Tickets are $39 for individuals.

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