Each December, the Houston Airport System (HAS) invites students from  local schools to showcase their talents and share the holiday spirit with travelers. 

“Our holiday entertainment program was designed to create a cheerful environment in our terminals by bringing the joy of music to our passengers and guests during the busy holiday travel period,” said Caroline Schneider, Director of Airport Initiatives and Volunteer Services. “Our passengers tell us time and time again that the holiday serenade provided the perfect start to their trip, and we are happy to give travelers a great send off to their holiday destinations.”

Mona Hattan was traveling with her young daughter from Austin, Texas to Saudia Arabia to see family. Her layover at George Bush Intercontinental Airport gave her daughter an opportunity to play and sing along with the carolers before the long flight. 

Entertainment is provided by orchestras, bands and choirs from neighboring elementary, middle and high schools. The students serenade passengers at gates and restaurants with holiday carols; they are often met with huge smiles and cheers. 

Jason Watt, Choir Director for Kingwood High School, was excited to see the solicitation from HAS for holiday entertainment. His students have been participating in the program for four years. “It is nice to see passengers’ faces light up when they walk off the plane,” Watt said. “The kids like surprising the travelers and hopefully cheering up someone’s day.” 

The following schools participated in the program in December 2013: Kingwood High, William J. Plummer Middle, Aldine Middle, Aldine High, MacArthur High, Dwight D. Eisenhower High, Mattie B. Hambrick Middle, Ross Shaw Sterlig High, Garden Villas Elementary and Donna Lewis Elementary.