City Place Rings in the Season with Festive Events & NYE Drone Show

SPRING, TX -- North Houston's City Place is lighting up the holidays with a month-long calendar full of festive cheer, all ages enjoyment, and immersive art experiences. From the whimsical Giant Gingerbread Village and Roaming Elves installations to the Oh What Fun! Holiday Market, Pix on The Plaza movie screening and live music performances, December at City Place is brimming with seasonal magic.

As the year comes to a close, City Place invites guests to ring in 2026 with its inaugural New Year’s Eve celebration. Families can kick off the festivities early with Noon Year’s Eve, featuring balloon drops, apple juice toast, and giveaways for the little ones. As evening falls, City Place Midnight Lights pumps up the excitement with live DJs, dynamic performers, and an unforgettable countdown experience.

In true City Place fashion — where art and innovation meet — the night sky will come alive at midnight with a spectacular drone show. Thousands of synchronized lights will paint a digital masterpiece above The Plaza, forming symbols, shapes, and stories that move in harmony to celebrate the spirit of the season. Select imagery will even be inspired by winning entries from a student art contest at Harmony Schools’ City Place campus, making the event a true community collaboration.

Throughout December and continuing the art and innovation theme, guests can also experience the first U.S. installation from Amsterdam-based design studio VOUW. The pop up will feature three wonderous components: Chairwave, Poem Booth, and Roast Booth. These immersive works blend technology, creativity, and connection to transform The Plaza into a playful, interactive wonderland. Visitors can explore light, motion, AI-generated poetry, and witty social exchanges in an environment designed to spark joy and conversation.

Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., VOUW’s installations invite Houstonians to slow down, connect, and experience public art in a fresh, innovative way.

All City Place activities take place on and around The Plaza at 1250 Lake Plaza Drive and are complimentary unless otherwise noted.

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Giant Gingerbread Village and Roaming Elves

Through January 11

City Place’s signature Giant Gingerbread Village and Roaming Elves installations return with new elements and refreshed details, creating a whimsical, larger-than-life holiday scene that’s perfect for photos and outings with friends and family.

Young Audiences of Houston: Create a Snowflake Ornament

Friday, December 5 | 3:30–5:30 p.m.

Participants can create their own holiday snowflake ornament using popsicle sticks, paint, and other interesting materials. This hands-on workshop is perfect for kids looking to craft a keepsake to take home.

Pix on The Plaza: The Polar Express & Trackless Train Rides

Saturday, December 6 | Movie starts at 5:45 p.m.

All aboard! From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., families can enjoy complimentary train rides circling The Plaza before cozying up for an outdoor screening of The Polar Express (G, 2004). Presented by The Somerlyn Group | Compass, the event promises plenty of holiday wonder for all ages. Low profile chairs and blankets welcome.

AndyRoo: Special Holiday Show

Sunday, December 7 | Shows at 12 and 1 p.m.

Beloved children’s musician AndyRoo takes the stage for a lively, singalong-filled celebration of the season, with performances at noon and 1 p.m.

A Very Merry String Quartet Holiday Concert

Friday, December 12 | Shows at 6 and 7:30 p.m.

Let the sounds of the season fill The Plaza as the talented Divisi Strings Quartet performs a pair of 45-minute holiday concerts. Blankets and low-profile chairs are welcome for an enchanting evening under the lights

Oh, What Fun! Holiday Market

Saturday, December 13 | 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

A City Place tradition with free admission featuring seasonal shopping, artisan vendors, bites for sale, and a lineup of live entertainment include:

• 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. – Mr. Leo’s Holiday Puppet Show
• 1:30–3:30 p.m. – Tropical Holiday Steel Drums
• 3:30–5:30 p.m. – Strolling Christmas Carolers

Storytime with the Ice Queen

Friday, December 19 | Shows at 3 and 4 p.m.

Step into a winter fairy tale as the Ice Queen leads magical storytelling, interactive songs, glittery makeovers, and dance moments.

Toddler Time: Buddy’s Holiday Edition

Saturday, December 20 | Shows at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Buddy the Elf brings holiday hilarity to this special toddler-time session filled with songs, stories, and plenty of laughs.

Young Audiences of Houston: Make a Reindeer Art Workshop

Sunday, December 21 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Get into the holiday spirit with this workshop. Kids will design and decorate their own miniature reindeer using popsicle sticks, paint, and seasonal materials, fostering creativity and smiles.

Noon Year’s Eve

Wednesday, December 31 | 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Designed especially for children, the daytime celebration features a kids’ DJ, balloon drop at noon, apple and grape juice toast, and complimentary “2026” swag while supplies last.

City Place Midnight Lights

Wednesday, December 31 | 8:15 p.m. – 12:15 a.m.

As the sun sets, City Place transforms into the area’s ultimate outdoor celebration with a live DJ, roaming performers, photo ops, and local food trucks. At midnight, the sky lights up with a spectacular drone show featuring imagery in part created by students from City Place’s own Harmony Science Academy, bringing local imagination to life above The Plaza.

SPECIAL EVENTS

VOUW at City Place

Through January 11 | Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Making its U.S. debut, Amsterdam-based design studio VOUW presents three, remarkable popup installations — Chairwave, Poem Booth, and Roast Booth — that blend art, technology, and connection. Part of City Place’s continued investment in public art, this immersive experience encourages play, reflection, and human interaction through movement, light, and storytelling. Curated by Weingarten Art Group.

RECURRING PROGRAMMING

Weekend Wellness on The Plaza

Saturdays, December 6, 20, and 27 | Band Sculpt 9–9:45 a.m. | Yoga 10–11 a.m.

Stay active through the holidays with City Place’s favorite fitness classes, offering something for all levels.

Coffee & Pilates with Ora Studios

Sunday, December 14 | 1–2:30 p.m. (rain date: Saturday, December 20)

Join the community favorite for an energizing session on The Plaza.

Soccer Shots

Wednesday, December 3 & 10 | Mini (ages 2–3) 4:30–5:10 p.m. | Classic (ages 3–5) 5:10–5:50 p.m.

Youth soccer fun continues with skill-building, teamwork, and plenty of holiday cheer. Paid registration is required.

Fun Bus

Sunday, December 14 | 12–2 p.m.

An indoor, mobile playground of games and challenges for kids ages 18 months to seven years.