Clear Lake Boat Lane Parade - December 9th

H-Town is seriously busy! This weekend brings Lights in the Heights, The Citrus Festival, the XMAS Tree Project, The Tree Lighting Downtown, The Houston Blues Society Holiday Ball, ensuring the homeless have plenty to eat, and shopping for either gifts, or that perfect ensemble to wear to Houstonist's Birthday Party. But wait, there really is more - and more, and more - 'tis the season, after all. If you are not imbibing on the company dime, smack in the middle of all of these goings on, you can flee the metropolis for Clear Lake, Kemah or Seabrook and watch the Clear Lake Boat Lane Parade! The "parade" should feature over a hundred lighted boats and will have a "route" from the South Shore Harbour Marina and Nassau Bay Lagoon to Galveston Bay, via the Clear Lake channel, of course. This is the forthy-fifth annual occurrence of the parade - and it looks like a fun time and an escape, of sorts. Plant yourself along the route, enjoy the salt air - and take a thermos of cocoa to keep warm!

Houstonist recommends a drive down 517 to the Top Water Grill in San Leon as a very nice addition to a trek south to the water. We know, the Kemah Boardwalk is rife with eateries - we just feel that they do not hold a candle to the Top Water. Drunken Redfish, oysters and a white chocolate and blueberry bread pudding with rum sauce - excellent. If you are driving down to see the boats, drive a wee bit farther and treat yourself. Nothing will be tearing us away from the Woodland Heights on Saturday - but, we want to be sure you know more of your holiday options.