Last-minute activities, events, entertainment, and establishments for Christmas Eve and Day

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Chances are, you laid your holiday plans from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day and beyond long ago. But too many times we’re caught unawares as things go wrong or plans change. As a result, you may find yourself on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day without a home-cooked meal or an empty house or some unplanned free time. But fret not; Woodlands Online has a list of things you can do and places you can go. Click on the links of each for details!

Ale & Ivy is open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Gather the entire crew and head on over to this Sawdust Road food and drink heaven; they’re welcoming guests on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to raise a toast to celebrate this festive season in style.

Hop a train at City Place. December welcomes back holiday Train Rides, which chug along around City Place Park’s main pond. Children are encouraged to climb aboard for a complimentary ride from 2 - 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Sorisso is offering a delicious, three-course ‘Feast of the Seven Fishes’ Christmas Eve meal. The Woodlands Waterway is gorgeous, and now it’s home to a delicious family-style dinner starting at 5 p.m. Call 832.839.5463 for reservations.

Strap on some ice skates and hit the rink! The Woodlands Ice Rink is open Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day for some skating shenanigans fun.

Dosey Doe - Breakfast, BBQ, & Whiskey Bar is offering a scrumptious Christmas Eve Brunch. Join in for some entrees like the slow-smoked prime rib served with natural au jus, the pan-seared Atlantic salmon in a citrus beurre blanc sauce, and the roasted Frenched pork chop in an apple demi glaze reduction. Mouthwatering!

Magically, Santa is still available for photos on Christmas Eve. Book your slot now for a Sunday morning session at The Woodlands Mall.

Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen is gifting you with some special Christmas Eve hours. Sample this menu consisting of Louisiana classics like seafood gumbo and bread pudding along with a variety of fresh fish from around the world, steaks, and lamb chops. Yum!

Bask in the glow of tens of thousands of lights at Woodlands Church’s Festival of Lights. Ten bucks will get you a walking tour of a massive and magnificent lightfest.

Fielding’s Wood Grill is serving a special Christmas Eve brunch from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and dinner from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. They may be closed on Christmas Day, but their sister restaurant Fielding’s Local Kitchen + Bar WILL be open on Monday serving brunch and dinner, with delicious meals and yummy cocktails galore all day and evening.

Partake in a Christmas Eve hunt for Santa’s hat at The Adventure Begins. Join in a joyous quest to find Santa’s hat. Until December 24th, kids 12 years old and under can search the shop for the Santa Hat. One stamp will earn a small prize, three stamps will get you a bigger prize, and once you get all five stamps, you get another prize and can turn in your passport to be entered into the Grand Prize giveaway on Christmas Eve.

Whether you’re by yourself or among loved ones, in your home or out on the Township, we here at Woodlands Online wish you a fun time this Christmas!