Holiday Events in The Woodlands
The Woodlands, Texas

When: mid-November through December

Where: The International Winter on the Waterway (iWOW) takes place on the Woodlands Waterway in The Woodlands Town Center, while the Lighting of the Doves Festival is held in Town Green Park at 2099 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Texas.

From "Froehliche Weichnachten!" to "Feliz Navidad!," the citizens of one of the state's fastest growing communities offer season's greetings from around the globe at the International Winter on the Waterway (iWOW). Although the words may be foreign to your ears, the festive feeling is familiar as carolers sing the original, German version of "Silent Night," "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" around a decorated Tannenbaum, while visitors celebrate south of the border-style with a tasty Buñuelo de Navidad or nibble a Buche de Noel, which adds a touch of French flair to the fete. Yuletide tunes and performances continue the globe-trotting theme as festival-goers go in search of stocking stuffers among the crafts booths.

Whether you know him as Kris Kringle, Father Christmas or Saint Nick, no celebration of the season would be complete without a visit from Santa Claus. The toy-toting, jolly old elf, accompanied by Mrs. Claus and other visitors from the North Pole will be on hand at the Lighting of the Doves Festival later that evening so little ones can whisper their Christmas wish list. An evening filled with fine fare from area restaurants, holiday music and a snow hill custom-made to create your very own Frosty culminated in a fireworks display and, as the festival's name implies, the illumination of eight birds of peace, which will dangle over Lake Robbins Bridge through the end of the year.

For more Christmas merriment, wander through the Winter Wonderland, a two-acre attraction outside of the Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center featuring lighted snow flakes, elves, snowmen, and everything else that helps to make the season bright. Finally, lace up your skates at the Ice Rink, which is decorated with Christmas trees and lighted doves through mid-January.

For more information:

• visit www.HolidayInTheWoodlands.com