Celebrating the Spirit of the Season: The Woodlands Texas Holiday Adventures
Nestled amidst the lush piney woods of Texas, The Woodlands is surrounded by a nature preserve and emerges as a vibrant community that comes alive with festive cheer during the holiday season. From enchanting light displays to community events and shopping extravaganzas, Woodlands Texas holiday adventures offer a unique blend of Southern charm and holiday magic.
Woodlands Texas Community Events
The Woodlands hosts a variety of community events that bring people together to celebrate the holidays, from the annual Lighting of the Doves to the Woodlands Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center. Families can lace up their skates and glide across the ice beneath the glittering lights. Make new memories while dancing to The YMCA while skating around as the snow falls from the ceiling of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
The Lighting Of The Doves
The Woodlands transforms into a winter wonderland with dazzling light displays that capture the spirit of the season. The annual Lighting of the Doves festival marks the official start of the holiday season, where thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the sky and a majestic fireworks display lights up the night. Waterway Square and Market Street are adorned with festive decorations, creating a magical ambiance that invites locals and visitors alike to stroll and soak in the holiday spirit. The snow play areas with the snow slides are perfect to keep the kids busy while you shop the vendor booths that surround the playful area. Santa Claus makes a special appearance during this annual Christmas celebration and reads The Night Before Christmas right before they light the doves and the entire sky with fireworks. This is just one of the Woodland’s free events during the Christmas season.
Santa’s Wonderland
Santa sightings are everywhere in The Woodlands. He can be found at Market Street Mall, or head over to Santa’s Wonderland at The Woodlands Mall. This winter wonderland is filled with festive activities, including photos with Santa Claus, holiday-themed games, and seasonal entertainment. The Woodlands Mall also hosts special events throughout the season, providing a one-stop destination for holiday shopping and festive fun. You will hear festive music throughout the mall that will put you in the Christmas shopping mood, and be sure to visit the merry-go-round, located in the food court.
Market Street Magic
Market Street, a premier shopping and dining destination, becomes a holiday haven during this time of year. Festive lights, elegant decorations, and the sound of carolers create a joyful atmosphere as shoppers explore the upscale boutiques and enjoy delicious holiday treats. The annual Market Street in Lights event features live entertainment, a tree-lighting ceremony, and a visit from Santa, making it a favorite tradition for many Woodlands residents. Photos with Santa Claus are available, and there are selfie areas throughout the market for that perfect holiday photo. There is also free parking in the Town Center Parking Garage, as well as street parking throughout the mall.
Explore The Woodlands By Water
One of the best ways to explore the Woodlands is by water. The Riva Row Boat House and Lakes Edge Boat House offer a variety of kayak, paddleboard, and water bike rentals, including a life jacket and oar. You can also rent a swan boat at The Woodlands Mall after a day of shopping and exploring. It’s a great way to enjoy the town, look at the holiday decorations, and catch some wildlife at the same time. I saw a mama duck and her babies, a whooping crane, and quite a few other native birds during my kayak ride.
The Woodlands Resort Is The Place To Stay
Newly renovated, The Woodlands Resort is the perfect place to have a Merry Christmas. Part of the Hilton family of hotels, this resort is pet-friendly and offers walking trails, golf, kayaking, a full spa, and on-site restaurants. If you are bringing your furry friend, be sure to ask for the Pampered Pups Package, which includes a bed for your pups, water and food bowl, and treats. The pool area includes a lazy river and private cabanas. The resort hosts festive events throughout the holidays, like breakfast with Santa and cookie decorating. Be sure to check out the live music at the Back Table restaurant where they offer holiday-themed cocktails and amazing menu options.
Where To Eat When Celebrating The Holidays In The Woodlands
The holiday season in The Woodlands is not just about sights and sounds; it’s also a time for indulging in culinary delights. Local restaurants like Bosscat Kitchen and Back Table Kitchen & Bar offer special holiday menus, featuring seasonal flavors and festive treats. You will find many pet-friendly restaurants in The Woodlands, like The Kitchen, Bluestone Lane, and The Goose’s Acre. Whether it’s a cozy dinner with family, a festive brunch with friends, or grabbing a cup of hot cocoa while strolling through the holiday lights, The Woodlands provides a diverse range of dining experiences to satisfy every palate.
Culinary Delights On The Woodlands Texas Holiday Adventure
We were able to enjoy a few restaurants during our stay in The Woodlands. Each one with its own unique menu and drink options. There are a lot of pet-friendly restaurants in The Woodlands and we were able to check out a few of them. Always call ahead to a restaurant to see what their pet-friendly options are, most allow you on the outdoor patio with your pups, just be sure to keep them on a leash, and I always bring a blanket and treats. Most pet-friendly restaurants will give you a water bowl, and we were surprised how many gave the pups treats too.
Back Table Kitchen & Bar
Our first meal in the Woodlands was at the Back Table Kitchen & bar. Located on-site at the Woodlands Resort, this newly renovated restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor seating is pet-friendly, and they are very welcoming to the pups with a water bowl and friendly pets that my girls loved. They offer live music every Friday and Saturday evening, a happy hour from 4 – 6 pm, and a Yappy Hour every Thursday from 5 – 7 pm.
Culinary veteran chef Ivan Rodriguez offers a seasonal menu with a southern twist. I enjoyed the Poison Apple cocktail which was a perfect choice for the cool holiday night. We shared a charcuterie board appetizer while we waited for our dinner, the pups enjoyed the extra apples from the bartender. For dinner, my husband’s burger and fries were great, the cheese was melting off the burger with yumminess. I chose the smoked trout dip for my meal, which includes fried saltines, I have to learn how to make those. We finished our meal off with a seasonal cobbler and coffee.
The Kitchen
The Kitchen is a fun market, and the restaurant offers a large selection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. I started with a mimosa flight, because, why not, I was getting my holiday started. We both also ordered coffee. We both ordered off the breakfast menu, I ordered the 3 egg omelet with goat cheese, avocado, and cherry tomatoes, it was amazing. He ordered the Texas classic which included eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and toast, it was a Texas-sized breakfast.
Bosscat Kitchen
Located in the Woodlands Market Street Mall, Bosscat Kitchen is a must-visit. This is a restaurant I could see myself hanging out at a lot if I lived in The Woodlands. The unique decor and impressive whiskey collection of over 300 bottles draw you in. Chef Peter Petro creates a menu of American comfort food with a contemporary twist.
The restaurant also offers an over-the-top Saturday and Sunday brunch. I had an Old Fashioned, of course, because it is my favorite cocktail. We shared an order of beignets, which came with a chocolate mocha coffee sauce to dip them in. I also ordered the roasted mushroom chilaquiles. This gluten-free dish of corn tortillas, red sauce, cheese, sour cream, and a sunny egg was one of the most delicious meals I have ever eaten, I’m still savoring this dish. We finished our meal off with the Bosscat coffee, which paired perfectly with the beignets.
Bluestone Lane
This pet-friendly and fun brunch location was the perfect start for our day of exploring. Bluestone Lane is a coffee shop that offers high-quality coffee and complementary foods. Their menu features an all-day menu that is health-focused and progressive, with notable dishes such as Gluten-Free Banana Bread, Avocado Smash, and house-made granola with fresh berries and citrus curd 2. They also offer Bluestone Lane’s award-winning premium coffee, wellness drinks, signature cold-pressed juices, and organic teas. I enjoyed the Brekkie Board which had a half portion of avocado smash and gluten-free granola, berries, and yogurt. My husband ordered a la carte and enjoyed pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon. The lattes were scrumptious and went perfectly with our meal.
Xalisko Cocino Mexicana
Xalisko Cocino Mexicana is a family-owned culinary gem rooted in Jalisco’s rich tradition. Chef Beatriz Martines was born and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and she has brought those flavors she was raised on to the community of The Woodlands. The choice of cocktails was amazing, and it was very hard to choose just one.
I ordered the seasonal wine & pear salad with shrimp. I could eat this salad every day, it was that good. My husband went with a more traditional dish called Carne En Su Jugo. It is beef broth made with flank steak simmered in tomatillo sauce, with clay pot beans and crumbled bacon. It was really good.
Goose’s Acre
After a long stroll checking out the Christmas lights on the riverway, we stopped in at The Goose’s Acre. This Irish pub-themed restaurant was our funniest meal stop. The waitress fell in love with the pups and brought them a water bowl and treats, which made their day. I enjoyed a lemon drop martini, and my husband was in heaven with the selection of Irish beers. For dinner, I ordered fish and chips, a traditional Irish dish, and he ordered a burger with green beans. The fish and chips were cooked perfectly, and both I and the pups enjoyed the fresh fish. We finished our meal off with an Irish coffee and brownie sundae. This was the perfect meal to end our amazing time at The Woodlands.
Love Beans Coffee House
Our last stop before we headed out of town on the last day was Love Beans Coffee House. I love the name of this quant coffee house. If I lived in The Woodlands, I could see myself going here often, it had a great atmosphere that I could certainly work from every day. I ordered my go-to oat milk latte and of course a black coffee for the husband. We decided to try the kalaches, and boy am I glad we did. They make them fresh every day, and the dough is so light and flakey. I also ordered a couple of pastries for the drive home, that barely made it out of the parking lot, the food was that good.
Let Your Dog Have A Woodlands Texas Holiday Adventure At Dogtopia
There were a few events that we wanted to do that weren’t suitable for the pups to join us on so they got to take a little holiday adventure at Dogtopia. This is a wonderland of fun for your fur baby. They offer daycare and overnight stays. Your pup does have to pass an inclusion test, and after they pass their first day of daycare is free. My girls had a wonderful time at Dogtopia and they even met a few friends.
Holidays In The Woodlands
Holidays in The Woodlands, Texas, are a magical blend of festive lights, community events, and warm southern hospitality. As the community comes together to celebrate the spirit of the season, the enchanting atmosphere and diverse festivities make The Woodlands a truly special place during the most wonderful time of the year. Located just 28 miles north of Houston, the Woodlands is the perfect place for the entire family to get a full stocking’s worth of Christmas. Visiting The Woodlands may become one of my family’s holiday traditions.
