Children’s Museum Houston’s fully reimagined annual holiday exhibit showcases a “mini neighborhood” representing Houston’s cultural diversity

Now through Jan. 7

HOUSTON (Dec. 7, 2023)—Children’s Museum Houston embraces Houston’s diversity with its completely reimagined Seasons of Sharing exhibit, open now through Jan. 7, 2024. One of the most international cities in the nation, Houston is home to many faiths from around the globe. As Houston’s only multicultural holiday exhibit for children, Seasons of Sharing celebrates practices and traditions celebrated throughout the year in Houston and around the world!

Embark on a colorful journey of real Houston families who observe Ramadan, Diwali, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Christmas, Vaisakhi, Kwanzaa, and Lunar New Year and have each adopted a house in Seasons of Sharing. This block-long mini neighborhood highlights not just each holiday, but also each family’s personal traditions. See dipa lamps, menorahs, kinaras and Christmas lights dazzle the most diverse neighborhood in town! Then, step inside each home to share each family’s festive traditions through games, songs, and crafts.

• Drum a beat in the Kwanzaa House.
• Decorate the tree in the Christmas House.
• Try Dreidel, a fun top-spinning game in the Hanukkah House.
• Sing along in Las Posadas House.
• Make a mosaic in the Ramadan House.
• Create Rangoli patterns in the Diwali House.
• Play Zodiac match in the Chinese Lunar New Year House.
• Learn Punjabi in the Vaisakhi House.

“Seasons of Sharing allows kids and their parents to learn about other cultures’ celebrations, traditions, and practices while reflecting on their family traditions,” said Kaitlyn Dougherty, exhibit development coordinator at Children’s Museum Houston.  “Through this exhibit, we want to highlight how Houston’s diversity is what gives Houston its strength, making it a wonderful place to live.”

The Museum provides additional Seasons of Sharing programs and activities throughout the holiday season by showcasing different cultures through hands-on activities, classical dance performances, storytelling, workshops, and more!  

Seasons of Sharing fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for Houston's robust diversity.  Explore the beauty of our shared experiences and differences celebrating the city’s strength and be sure visit to the most diverse neighborhood in town!

‍
SEASONS OF SHARING BI-WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

NOW TO DEC. 20, 2023

‍

DIWALI

Diwali Diyas:  Celebrate the Festival of Lights with this hanging decoration as a symbol of prosperity.

‍

HANUKKAH

Macaroni Menorah:  Make your own Macaroni Menorah Candelabra in honor of the Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights and Feast of Dedication.

‍

EID / RAMADAN

Moon Mosaic:  Design a mosaic crescent which signifies the beginning and end of fasting during Ramadan.

‍

LAS POSADAS

Poinsettia Bracelet:  The poinsettia is used to remember Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay to give birth to Jesus. Create your own.

‍

CHRISTMAS

Angel Ornament:  Angels helped spread the news of Jesus’ birth. Create your own angel from coffee filters and use it to trim the tree.

‍

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Paper Lanterns:  Craft a lantern signifying the first full moon in the Chinese New Year.

‍

KWANZAA

Bendera Garland:  The colors of the Bendera, the Kwanzaa flag, are black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the hope for the future. Produce your own paper version to display at home.

‍

VAISAKHI

Chaur Sahib:  During Vaisakhi, a ceremonial whisk is waved over the holy scripture as a sign of reverence, respect and dedication. Use the materials provided to make a simple version of your own!

‍

DEC. 21, 2023 TO JAN. 7, 2024

‍

DIWALI

Toran Flower Garland:  Decorate the entrance of your home to attract the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, with beautiful paper flowers!

‍

HANUKKAH

Star of David Mobile:  Create a mobile using a Jewish symbol that represents the shield of David, the biblical King.

‍

EID / RAMADAN

Fanous Suncatcher:  Fanous, or lantern, is a special symbol of Ramadan. Make your own and hang it in a window to bring beautiful colored light into your home!

‍

LAS POSADAS

Paper Bag Luminarias:  Design your own luminaria and use it to light up your community.

‍

CHRISTMAS

Gingerbread Man Ornament:  Gingerbread desserts are common Christmas traditions. Use the materials to decorate your own paper gingerbread man!

‍

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Fancy Fireworks:  Make quiet fireworks to use in a Chinese New Year celebration.

‍

KWANZAA

Seven Principles Hat:  Design a kufi cap, a traditional hat, with seven special symbols to learn about the principles of Kwanzaa.

‍

VAISAKHI

Paper Cup Dholak:  Bhangra, a traditional dance, is performed to the beat of the dhol (drum) during Vaisakhi. Make a smaller version of the dhol called a dholak using paper cups!

SEASONS OF SHARING UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

DEC. 10

Celebrate Hanukkah with Us

In collaboration with PJ Library

Craft projects using Hanukkah symbols such as the menorah, dreidel and more! Read Hanukkah books.

DEC. 14 (FREE FAMILY NIGHT THURSDAY)

Celebrate Hanukkah with Us!

Flying in from New York, Jewish musician Carla Friend will conduct an interactive performance.  Plus, get messy with some slippery olive pressing during an interactive workshop with the Chabad Outreach Center of Houston.

DEC. 27

Celebrating Kwanzaa

Funded in part by City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

Come shake it to the beat of the drums as the Kucheza Ngoma Dance Company presents a heart-pounding Pan African Passport performance to explore and engage in African cultures.   Joy of Djembe will perform an African drumming concert, representing culture and traditions through tribal rhythms.

***Activities, events and times subject to change.