From holiday galas to civic appreciation, there’s a fun festival happening near you. When you need a few suggestions, use our handy guide. Here are the top annual festivals and events we bring our families to around The Woodlands, Texas.

Arts in the Park

Enjoy an afternoon with family and friends at Arts in the Park. The Woodlands Township hosts this unique event at Rob Fleming Park on Creekside Forest Drive each spring and fall. The event features a youth art contest for kids ages 7 to 18 with themes like “Why I love The Woodlands.” A panel judges each child’s submission based on factors such as creativity, originality, artist interpretation, quality, and overall impression.

You’ll also enjoy plenty of other attractions at this annual event, like a variety of delicious cuisine and a kid’s play zone with inflatable bounce houses and a craft station. While you’re at the show, you can purchase original work created by local artists and catch a live theater presentation at the Fall showcase.

Bike The Woodlands Day

Bike The Woodlands Day annual event in The Woodlands, Texas

“Giarratano bike ride” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by MoBikeFed

May is national bike month, and what better way to celebrate than with Bike The Woodlands Day. The festivities take place at Northshore Park on Lake Woodlands Drive. This event offers something for riders of all ages, from exhibitions to cycling demonstrations.

You’ll meet with local bike shops and bicycle club members and learn how to do essential bike maintenance, like flat tire repair and the fundamentals of bike safety. In addition, there are children’s activities like a bike rodeo, plus live music and food. This month also includes other cyclist events, such as the National Bike Challenge and Bike to Work Day. Morning bike commuters will meet at the park for refreshments.

The Lighting of the Doves

The Woodlands residents, young and old, have gathered at the Town Green Park for the annual Lighting of the Doves Festival for nearly 40 years. The doves symbolize peace during the holidays, and thousands of residents flock to this cherished occasion to see the ceremonial lighting of these giant doves.

Every season Santa makes a special appearance, arriving by sleigh to the delight of area children. Developers nestled this 4-acre green space along the banks of The Woodlands Waterway on Lake Robbins Drive. Free parking is available in the marked lots near Timberloch Place. This cherished November tradition kicks off the joyous holiday season with loads of community activities, including:

  • Snow play areas with snow slides.
  • Vendor booths.
  • Children’s activities.
  • Strolling entertainment.
  • Live reindeer photo area.
  • Fireworks display.

Red, Hot, and Blue Festival

Celebrate Independence Day in The Woodlands. This Fourth of July gala features vendor booths, delicious food, plenty of children’s activities, and live entertainment on multiple stages. Each summer, this community-wide celebration offers fun for all ages and culminates with one of the largest fireworks displays in the area.

Past events included activities like watermelon eating contests, a golf range, live entertainment, face painting, and inflatables. There’s even a classic parade with a marching band, fire engines, floats, and clowns. The Stars at Night – A Salute to Service celebration honors our local service heroes. The best spots in town to catch the fireworks show include:

  • Waterway Square.
  • East of Waterway Avenue Bridge.
  • North side of The Woodlands Waterway.
  • Town Green Park turning basin.

Trick or Treat Trail

Whether your kiddos are princesses, superheroes, or ghosts, they’ll want to put on their best costumes and head to Northshore Park for the Trick or Treat Trail. This free annual celebration gives children the opportunity to collect candy from booth to booth in a safe and supervised environment.

Even toddlers can fill their bags with goodies from an average of 30 local vendors. This free event also includes plenty of Halloween-themed activities for the whole family, from carnival games and crafts to costume contests. Prizes are awarded to winners in first through third place. Food trucks are usually on-site for real meal options when little tummies get sick of gobbling down sweets.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) is the largest exhibition of its kind in the world. This annual Texas extravaganza takes place in March and includes one of the industry’s most prestigious professional rodeo events. The Super Series puts riders to the test with challenging competitions like team roping, bull riding, steer wrestling, and women’s barrel racing.

The 2022 season represents the show’s 90th year, and organizers believe it will be the best one yet with concerts, a carnival, a wildlife expo, a wine garden, and the Super Shootout. This invitation-only exhibition features competitors in five traditional rodeo events. The winner takes home a $250,000 prize. There are also loads of family-friendly pre-rodeo events like:

  • Barbeque contest.
  • Best Bites competition.
  • Go Texan Day.
  • Parade.
  • Rodeo Run.
  • Wine show and auction.

Water Lantern Festival

Houston’s annual Water Lantern Festival is more than an event. For many, it’s a life-changing experience. Everyone in our community has experienced both struggles and personal gains, and at this cherished ceremony, residents gather to share hope and solidarity. 

You’ll have the chance to figuratively let go of the things that hold you back by releasing your lantern and allowing the positive forces that connect you with others to flow in. Whether you meet new neighbors or longtime friends at this emotionally inspiring and motivating experience, the whole family will make a few enduring memories together at this peaceful and reflective, all-ages affair. Each adult ticket comes with:

  • Floating lantern to launch on the water.
  • Marker for decorating your lantern.
  • Entry wristband.
  • Commemorative drawstring bag.

There you go! Crème de la Crème of The Woodlands just told you about some of the area’s best annual kid-friendly festivals to attend this year. What do you think of the events we included on our list? Did we miss your family’s favorite gala — one other Texas parents will love? If we did, let us know! Drop us a line. We want to add your recommendation to our list.