Holiday season officially underway in The Woodlands

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- With the Market Street tree now shining brightly, and Lighting of the Doves at Town Green Park slated for Saturday Nov. 19 -- not to mention a highly-anticipated cold front on the way -- it indeed is starting to feel like Christmas in The Woodlands.

Hundreds of folks gathered in Central Park at Market Street Nov. 17, dancing and singing to rock versions of popular holiday carols – and waiting for 2-year-old Lighting Luminary Dominic Larkin to pull the the rope that would light up the infamous 70-foot Christmas tree.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.

Dominic took to the stage with his mom, dad, sister and brother amid cheers from the crowd. His mother spoke about the importance of CPR training. She used CPR to save Dominic's life following a near-drowning incident at their home swimming pool in February 2016.

The American Heart Association will host a CPR training event 9 a.m. – noon Saturday Dec. 3 at Market Street Central Park.

Dominic was in a drug-induced coma for nearly two months as he recovered, but there was no sign of any lasting effects Thursday night as he smiled brightly, pointing out the sparkling lights and shyly waving at the crowd.

Now that the Central Park tree has been officially turned on, several holiday events are planned across The Woodlands, including carriage rides and live music at Market Street, and skating at the new ice rink at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. For a full calendar of events, visit the Woodlands Online Christmas Guide.

Meanwhile, Lighting of the Doves kicks off Saturday Nov. 19 at Town Green Park. Festivities begin at 3 p.m., with the actual lighting of 38 ornamental doves across The Woodlands around 7:30 p.m. For more information, click here.