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(Updated November 2025.)
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 2025 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 the 45th Annual Home for the Holidays, Nov 22 – Dec. 24, 2025.
Step into decorated 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 Wunsche Bros for a drink and a bite to eat. Come early in the day to take everything in, as all the fun includes carriage rides, live entertainment, and the chance to visit with Jolly Old Saint Nick himself.
The 2025 Home for the Holidays is held every weekend before Christmas. 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 4, 2026 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, open Nov. 21 – Jan. 19, is a popular Christmas attraction for locals and visitors alike. The rink is open to skaters of all skill levels.
Visits with Santa & Holiday Shopping in The Woodlands
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.
Santa will be at Market Street Nov. 21- Dec. 24, 2025 taking photos with children of all ages. Advanced reservations are required and can be made online here.
Check out the calendar with additional upcoming holiday events at Market Street in The Woodlands so you don’t miss out.
Santa's Sleigh Shop
Take a magical walk or hayride along a wooded trail lined with sparkling lights, festive holiday scenes, drifting snow flurries, and playful elves. Your short journey leads to Santa's Sleigh Shop, where you can meet Santa Clause before he heads to the North Pole to begin his gift-giving adventure. Located this year at Old Town Spring, Santa’s shop is open Nov.29 through Dec. 23 and offers photo packages for purchase.
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 the Giant Gingerbread Village, open Nov. 22, 2025 through Jan. 11, 2026. 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.
This year's annual "Oh, What Fun! Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration" at City Place is set for Nov. 30th from 3pm-7pm. The event, free to attend, includes a Holiday Market, a play area filled with snow and other seasonal activities plus the tree lighting at dusk.
On Dec. 6, enjoy trackless train rides from 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM before watching The Polar Express at 5:48 PM. Both the train rides and holiday movie are free.
Come back the following day and stroll through the Holiday Market on the Plaza. You can find unique gifts and holiday decor, baked goods, 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 state-of-the-art fitness center with weekly classes, convenient access to the Spring Creek Greenway, and a hot tub for those chilly nights, we are just the place for you. Schedule your tour today!
Main Photo Credit: The Light Park