From seasonal markets and visiting Santa to enjoying holiday light decorations and tree lightings, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the holidays in The Woodlands. The information for each event is accurate as of press time and is subject to change.

November

17

See Market Street in Lights


Market Street in Lights will officially kick off with a performance by Tiona Campbell, who created a song inspired by the Christmas tree at Market Street. 6-9 p.m. Free. Market Street, 9595 Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands. 281-419-4770. www.shopatmarketstreet.com


18

Sip and paint on a holiday theme


A Paint & Sip event includes instruction, art supplies, and a choice of a beer or a glass of wine. The classes are for age 21 and older. 5 p.m. $40. The Woodlands Resort, 2301 N. Millbend Drive, The Woodlands. 800-433-2624. www.woodlandsresort.com

18 through Dec. 24


Take photos with Santa at Market Street


Santa Claus will take photos with children at Market Street through the holiday season. Pet nights are held Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 from 3 p.m. to close. Days and times vary. $35-$40. Market Street, 9595 Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands. www.shopatmarketstreet.com

18

Go skating at the ice rink


The ice rink at The Woodlands Town Center will open for the season and be operational through Jan. 16. Times and costs vary. The Woodlands Ice Rink, 2005 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands. 281-419-5630. www.thewoodlandsicerink.com

19

Kick off the holidays


The Woodlands Township hosts its traditional Lighting of the Doves Festival to signify the beginning of the holiday season. Other festival activities include face painting, balloon art and crafts. 3-8 p.m. Free. Town Green Park. 2009 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands. 281-210-3800. www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov


19 through Dec. 20

Attend a local ballet


Boni’s Dance & Performing Arts Studio and The Woodlands Dance Company performances of “The Nutcracker” will take place at the College Park High School auditorium. 2 p.m., 6 p.m. $28-$35. College Park High School auditorium, 3701 College Park Drive, The Woodlands. 281-292-6121. www.bonisdance.com

25-27


See 'The Nutcracker' ballet


Vitacca Ballet and Vocational School for Dance presents “The Nutcracker” at The Woodlands Resort. 7 p.m. (Nov. 25), 1 p.m., 6 p.m. (Nov. 26-27). $60 and up. The Woodlands Resort, 2301 North Millbend Road, The Woodlands. 281-367-7185. www.vitaccadance.com

26

Join the Oak Ridge North Tree lighting


The city of Oak Ridge North will host its annual tree lighting at the intersection of Robinson Road and the I-45 frontage road. 5:30 p.m. Free. Robinson Road and I-45 Frontage Road, Oak Ridge North. www.oakridgenorth.com

29

Support small businesses


The Woodlands Christmas Gift Market will feature small businesses from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana and Arkansas. Both handmade and manufactured items will be on display. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. The Woodlands Country Club, 100 Grand Fairway Drive, The Woodlands. 281-863-1400.

www.invitedclubs.com/clubs/the-woodlands-country-club

December

03

Support a local cause


A Christmas celebration presented by Elite Medical Skin and Laser Center will raise money for Redeemed Ministries. The event will be free but will include opportunities for donations as well as proceeds from the purchase of food. The event will include food trucks, live music, a bake sale, face painting, a bounce house, snow and photos with Santa. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 25501 Richards Road, Spring. www.myeliteskin.com

08

Walk and enjoy art


The 1-mile Holiday Art Walk spans the area from The Westin at The Woodlands to Town Green Park, where participants can view the latest public art additions along The Waterway, including The Woodlands Art Council’s new art benches. 7 p.m. Free. The Westin at The Woodlands, 2 Waterway Place, The Woodlands. 281-419-4300. www.thewestinthewoodlands.com

08 through 18

See a holiday show


Class Act Productions will perform “White Christmas” Thursdays through Sundays. The Irving Berlin musical is based on the 1954 film. Times and costs vary. Class Act Theater, 25275 Budde Road, Ste. 25, The Woodlands. 281-941-8500. www.classactproductions.org

09

Take part in a flashlight scavenger hunt


Attendees can bring a flashlight and look for hidden candy canes with prizes available for the winners who find the “golden” candy canes. Parents must accompany children. 7:30 p.m. $10-$15. Terramont Park, 8500 Terramont Drive, The Woodlands. 281-516-7348. www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

10

Get milk and cookies with Santa


Participants can bring the family to get milk and cookies with Santa Claus. Alongside photo opportunities, guests can decorate cookies and make a holiday craft. 3:30 p.m. $15-$20. The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park, 6464 Creekside Forest Drive, The Woodlands. 281-210-3950. www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

10

See Santa at Creekside Park


A Winter Wonderland event hosted by The Howard Hughes Corp. and tenants of Creekside Park Village Green will include carnival games, a petting zoo, a pony carousel, photos with Santa, face painting, balloon artists, inflatables and holiday music. The Woodlands mascot, Puffy, will also make an appearance. 1-5 p.m. Free. Creekside Park Village Green, 26400 Kuykendahl Road, The Woodlands. www.thewoodlands.com/event/winter-wonderland

11

Enjoy a Christmas concert


The Woodlands Chorale will hold its annual Christmas concert, "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," with the Birnham Woods Elementary Fourth Grade Honor Choir and dancers from Lone Star College-Montgomery dance department as well as The Woodlands Ballet Theatre. 4 p.m. $20-$25. Christ Church United Methodist Church, 6363 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands. www.thewoodlandschorale.org

16 through Dec. 18

See a youth theater perform ‘Elf’


National Youth Theater presents “Elf, the Musical” with a cast ranging in age from 8-19. 2 p.m., 6 p.m. (Dec. 17-18), 7 p.m. (Dec. 16). $12-$20. Nancy Bock Center for the Performing Arts, 3800 S. Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands.

www.nationalyouththeater.org

16

Take a hayride with Santa


The city of Oak Ridge North will host its annual Hometown Christmas Hayride and Santa in the Park event. Hot cocoa will be served, and Santa Claus will be available for photos. Admission for the hayride is two nonperishable items. 5:30 p.m. Free (with donation). Marilyn Edgar Park, 26531 S. Hillside Drive, Oak Ridge North. www.oakridgenorth.com

Editor's note: This listing will be updated with additional events or schedule changes as needed.