Christmas Village at Bayou Bend began its first day of festivities at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5. The Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is a winter wonderland, fitting for the song “Winter Wonderland” playing over the speakers.
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, decorated the 14-acre property with Christmas lights. As the sun went down, the pathways lit up. Guests received programs that mapped out nine locations and the Christmas Village pathways to get there.
Guests began their tour at the entrance by crossing over the footbridge.
The bridge was decorated in Christmas lights and served as a tunnel transporting guests to Bayou Bend’s festive Christmas Village. A cappella singers greeted guests with Christmas songs as they stepped off the bridge and walked around the gazebo.
Guests continued walking to the Clio Garden. The Clio Garden is the second Christmas Village location. There, guests walked around and took pictures.
The garden was decorated in blue, purple and yellow Christmas lights. It also featured a statue of a woman in the middle of the garden with the inscription “Clio” on it.
After leaving the Clio Garden, guests were free to continue touring and experience the nine Christmas Village locations.
Some families stopped at a pop-up tent set up by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
There, a Christmas tree with various ornaments and a bow on top that nearly touched the top of the tent sat on a table with a village scene. Two trains circled the Christmas tree, going in opposite directions.
Guests were welcome to sit, eat, drink, shop and take pictures with Santa Claus. Some families stood in line to get their children’s photos taken with Santa Claus. Others sat and enjoyed their food and beverages, including hot cocoa served by Yuletide Bar and Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen.
Yuletide Bar and Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen were presented by the company Landry’s. Garland lined the posts of the tent, and Christmas music played over the speakers. A small gift shop was stationed in the corner, selling candy, cups, Santa Claus hats and other Christmas goodies.
Other Christmas Village locations included the Diana Garden, Euterpe Garden, East Garden, Butterfly Garden and the Bayou Bend House. There were also bell-ringing stations throughout the lawn where guests could play Christmas songs using the bells.
Across from the Bayou Bend House was Santa’s Sweet Shop, where guests could purchase plush toys, 3-D gingerbread house sets and more Christmas Village treasures.
Between the Euterpe Garden and the East Garden were the Cotton Snowball Zone, where guests entered a netted area and participated in a cotton snowball fight and the Sled Slide, where guests slid down a hill in a tube. The Sled Slide is a popular spot for families and children and is recommended for all ages.
This year, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, teamed up with the Film Festival of Berlin to show 30-minute Christmas movies from around the world.
The Christmas movies shown included “Snowfall,” directed by Jack Anderson and Jimmy Stofer; “The Christmas Human,” directed by Andre Maat; “Shine On,” directed by Yujin Mingala; and “Rudolph,” directed by Ramon Arango. One returning guest said the screen was cleaner and crisper this year.
Daniel Ackermann, director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, recommended visiting Rudolph’s House: Snacks and Sleds, where more than 500 gingerbread houses are on display.
The artist is Jon Lovitch from New York. He currently holds the Guinness World Record for the largest edible gingerbread village. This is a must-see spot when guests visit Bayou Bend’s Christmas Village.
The highlight of the Christmas Village was the Bayou Bend House. This year’s theme depicted Santa Claus crashing his sleigh on the lawn and trying to get inside the Bayou Bend House to deliver presents. Along the side of the house, a 3-D video animation played, showing Santa Claus attempting to get inside, but the spirit of the house would not let him in to deliver presents.
Guests were given a tour of the house with live actors as they were taken on a journey showing how Santa Claus could get inside and deliver this year’s presents, as well as the history of Houston philanthropist and collector Ima Hogg, who once owned the house.
The house is full of vintage paintings, furniture and rugs. In it, talented performers stationed as visitors followed along on the journey to find out how Santa Claus would get inside. Guests learned details about the house and Hogg’s life, such as being a trained classical pianist and a fan of Mozart.
The Christmas Village at Bayou Bend is a must-visit this Christmas season.
It is the perfect Christmas wonderland for families, children and guests of all ages.
The Christmas Village is open until Dec. 30. However, hours vary depending on the day. The village is closed on certain days, such as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so guests should check the website when planning a visit.
Prices also vary depending on the day, but the experience is worth every penny. The Christmas Village at Bayou Bend will make this Christmas a holiday guests will not forget.
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