The Woodlands Christmas holiday events

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Fireworks, international foods, strolling carolers, holiday light displays and the largest seasonal ice rink in the southwest once again will make The Woodlands a premier destination for the holidays as the 30th Annual Lighting of the Doves, 6th Annual International Winter On The Waterway (iWOW), The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center, presented by your Houston Area Chevy Dealers, and Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland start this Saturday, November 17, 2012.

30th Annual Lighting of the Doves

Lighting of the Doves and iWOW kick off the 2012 holiday season in The Woodlands on November 17, 2012 as live music, interactive booths and games, snow play area, balloon artists, face painters, inflatables, ice carvers, amazing fireworks and more entertain families from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. Produced by The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau, the celebration also includes with the arrival of Santa, sponsored by Talisman Energy, on a decorated sleigh on The Woodlands Waterway®. The free event will be held at Town Green Park (2099 Lake Robbins Dr.) and is open to the public.

A schedule of events and activities for the Lighting of the Doves and iWOW is below. Don't forget to visit the Woodlands Online booth for some holiday fun and bring your donations for Pink Defying Gravity, supporting local teens in need.

Town Green Park – Celebration Stage*

3:05 p.m. Champion Life Centre

3:50 p.m. Paddington British School

4:30 p.m. The Woodlands High School Japanese Club

4:45 p.m. Robert Greaney

5:05 p.m. Boni’s Dance & Performing Arts Presents The Woodlands Dance Company

5:25 p.m. Cass Academy of Irish Dance

6:00 p.m. Louis Lamb & The Gentle Lamb Experience

7:00 p.m. Santa arrives and Fireworks**

8:00 p.m. Vince King- Elvis tribute band featuring holiday songs & free photos for kids

9:00 p.m. Stage Closes

Town Green Park – Festival Stage*

(sponsored by BBVA Compass)

3:05 p.m. The Woodlands High School Japanese Club

3:15 p.m. Runyan Elementary Choir

3:40 p.m. Robert Greaney

4:15 p.m. Champion Life Centre

4:50 p.m. Texas Twirlers

5:10 p.m. North Oaks Baptist Church Choir

5:45 p.m. Boni’s Dance & Performing Arts Presents The Woodlands Dance Company

6:00 p.m. Ice Carvers

7:00 p.m. Stage Closes for Santa & Fireworks**

Pavilion South Plaza along The Woodlands Waterway® – International Stage* (sponsored by Service King)

3:35 p.m. Cass Academy of Irish Dance

4:10 p.m. The Woodlands High School Japanese Club

4:30 p.m. Yellow Rose Clogging Team

5:15 p.m. Rathna Kumar and the Anjali Center for Performing Arts

6:00 p.m. D.R.U.M – Divine Rhythm United Motion (African Music)

7:00 p.m. Stage Closes for Santa & Fireworks**

8:00 p.m. Flying Fish Sailors- Upbeat Irish band

9:00 p.m. Stage Closes

*Times subject to change.

**Weather permitting

Admission to the festival is free and the following activities will be available:

(All sales by ticket only. $1 = 1 ticket)

Snow Play Area Sponsored by CB&I – 3 tickets (2 areas)

Inflatables – 2 to 3 tickets

Snow Slide – 2 tickets

Bubble Runners – 5 tickets

Bumper Boats – 5 tickets

Bungee Trampoline – 5 tickets

The Woodlands Children’s Museum Craft booth – FREE

Balloon Artists – FREE

Caricaturists – FREE

Plus Strolling Entertainers, Live Music, and FIREWORKS!

*All pricing subject to change.

Parking Information

Park FREE By Donating an Unwrapped Toy Sponsored by Talisman Energy

Bring an unwrapped toy (valued at $5 or more) to the Town Center Parking Garage and park FREE. Toys will be donated to Interfaith of The Woodlands.

Other FREE Parking Areas

Green, Yellow and Orange Lots (located on Timberloch Place)

PAID Parking

Town Center Parking Garage (on Six Pines Drive)

Flat lot at the corner of Lake Robbins Drive and Six Pines

24 Waterway Square Parking Garage

Waterway Square Parking Garage

Surface lot at corner of Timberloch Place and Waterway Avenue

Handicap Parking is available in the South Regional Library (West of Town Green Park) on Lake Robbins Drive.

6th Annual International Winter On The Waterway (iWOW)

In conjunction with the Lighting of the Doves Festival, International Winter On The Waterway (iWOW) will celebrate its sixth year on Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. along The Woodlands Waterway adjacent to Town Green Park.

With its “street fair” atmosphere, iWOW provides attendees an opportunity to learn about countries and their unique holiday traditions. From foods, arts & crafts, to music and entertainment, iWOW adds an international flavor to holiday celebrations in The Woodlands, Admission to iWOW is free and open to the public.

The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center

The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center, presented by your Houston Area Chevy Dealers and produced by The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau, will open daily November 17, 2012 through January 21, 2013 at the northeast corner of Lake Robbins and Six Pines Drive. A special preview opening of The Ice Rink will take place November 10-11, 2012 and is open to the general public.

Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland

Another must-see while in The Woodlands, the Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland presents a fabulous array of illuminated holiday scenes and storybook displays surrounding The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center along the northeast corner of Lake Robbins and Six Pines Drive. Visitors can wander through the fantasyland of magical lighted toy soldiers, elves, doves, musical angels and snowmen from dusk until 11 p.m. beginning November 17, 2012 through January 21, 2013. Admission to Donoho’s Jewellers Winter Wonderland is free and open to the public.

Caroling on the Square

Finally, when it’s time to unwind, come to Waterway Square for Caroling on the Square featuring live caroling groups Saturdays in December from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

For complete information on all holiday events in The Woodlands, please visit HolidayinTheWoodlands.com

This year’s sponsors include Donoho’s Jewellers, Houston Area Chevy Dealers, Talisman Energy, Coca-Cola, Waste Management, CenterPoint Energy, Bud Light, The Woodlands Development Company, Wright’s Printing, BBVA Compass, Service King, Fidelity Investments, Hubbell & Hudson Market & Bistro, University of Phoenix, The Strong Firm, Kyle Sherburne – State Farm Insurance, Kroger, CB&I, The Woodlands Young Learners Academy, St. Luke’s – The Woodlands Hospital, Spectrum Events, and Sunny 99.1.