(Updated December 2023.) Cooler weather and the appearance of candy canes and Christmas lights announce the arrival of the holidays. No matter how you'd like to celebrate the 2023 holiday season, you’ll find an abundance of festive events in Spring, The Woodlands, and throughout North Houston. Situated among the restaurants and shops of City Place Plaza, The Mark is located right in the middle of it all.
From dazzling displays of Christmas lights and ice skating to shopping for one-of-a-kind treasures and visiting with Santa, here are a few ways you can make merry this holiday season.
Go Home for the Holidays in Old Town Spring
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and it’s also about time to wrap up all your holiday shopping. While there are shops aplenty throughout Spring and the North Houston area, you won’t encounter a better collection of unique finds than in Old Town Spring. Home to more than 100 local boutique stores, this historic part of town becomes a winter wonderland of glowing lights and holiday cheer throughout Home for the Holidays.
Step into old-fashioned storefronts shaded by stately oaks and browse the array of clothes, collectibles, jewelry, and even furniture, then stop by local spots like Excalibur Brewing or House Of Roux for a drink and a bite to eat. Come early in the day to take everything in, as all the fun includes carriage rides, balloon artists, live entertainment, and the chance to visit with Jolly Old Saint Nick himself.
Home for the Holidays is held every weekend from mid-November through Christmas Eve. Better yet, it’s located less than four miles from The Mark Apartments. Make your list, check it twice, and savor all the yuletide joy in Old Town Spring.
Take in All the Twinkling Lights of The Light Park
Christmas lights are synonymous with the holiday season and cruising around to see them is always a great time. Take all the guesswork out of uncovering the best spots by making your way down to The Light Park. An awe-inspiring collection of hundreds of light displays along with DJ holiday music, The Light Park certainly backs up its claim of being The Best Christmas Light Show South of the North Pole.
Bring a cup of hot cocoa and take your time as you drive through, watching millions of lights dance to your favorite holiday tunes all the while. Available every night through January 1, 2024 and situated in the parking lot of Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, The Light Park is a must-see this holiday season.
Carve Up the Ice at The Woodlands Ice Rink
Ice skating is an essential holiday tradition. If you live at The Mark, you won’t have to go far for this experience. Set within The Woodlands Town Center just six miles away, The Woodlands Ice Rink is a popular Christmas attraction for locals and visitors alike. The rink is open to skaters of all skill levels, and there are even helmet and walker rentals if you’re bringing your youngsters along.
The Woodlands itself is a fabulous place to get your holiday shopping done. During the day, browse the big-name shops in The Woodlands Mall. At night, stroll past all the vintage-style storefronts of Market Street as you take in all the vibrant Christmas decorations, including a 70-foot-tall tree with synchronized lights and music plus more than 25,000 lights sparkling in Central Park. Market Street has live music performances throughout the season as well. Check out this calendar of upcoming events so you don’t miss out.
Cruise through Dasher's Lightshow
Trees wrapped in shining lights, vivid displays of all shapes and sizes, and luminous tunnels that bathe the night sky in shades of blue, green, red, yellow, and white. Welcome to the mesmerizing wonderland of Dasher’s Lightshow, a Christmas drive-through at Big Rivers Waterpark that’ll have you feeling like you’re right in the middle of a neon kaleidoscope.
The walk-through / drive-through show is just a part of the holiday fun here, as you can go right from the light show to Enchanted Hay Rides, carnival rides and more. Full of memorable photo opportunities and places to get a drink and something tasty, Big Rivers Christmas has plenty to keep you busy. Stroll through Santa’s Walk of Lights, test your skills at axe throwing and archery, and let your kids play on the inflatables, then visit Santa so your youngsters can tell him what they want for Christmas.
Located in New Caney, Dasher’s Lightshow and Big Rivers Christmas are open through December 31. You’ll need to purchase tickets, so plan ahead and you’ll have a great time out this holiday season.
Holiday Events in City Place Plaza
If you’re a current resident at The Mark, you don’t even need to go that far to revel in all the holiday cheer. In fact, all you need to do is stroll on over to City Place Plaza. The plaza hosts all kinds of seasonal events, including Holly Jolly Train Rides and the Giant Gingerbread Village , open through Jan. 8, 2024. Follow a trail of giant candy canes, lollipops, and cookie trees to a 16-foot-tall house and a 12-foot-tall windmill in the Gingerbread Village. Festivities also include photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting and more.
City Place Plaza features hundreds of events throughout the year, so there’s always something going on. You can see what’s coming soon here.
Looking for your next home in Spring or the North Houston area? With a multitude of studio and one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans and spectacular amenities like a 24-hour fitness center with weekly classes, convenient access to the Springwoods Village trail system, and a resort-style pool, we are just the place for you. Schedule your tour today!
Main Photo Credit: The Light Park