The Woodlands Kicks Off Holiday Season

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Night Lights: The Woodlands to kick off holiday season

Lighted Trees along The Waterway

Nov. 18, 7 p.m.

The Woodlands will be alight with the spirit of Christmas as the Lighting of the Doves and The Woodlands Waterway reflect 270,000 lights off 183 trees that can be seen from The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion to The Woodlands Mall Ring Road.

Wolda said the lighted trees along The Waterway are a fairly new tradition that started just last year on a smaller scale.

"It's just now in its second year," Wolda said. "Last year there were only 40 lighted trees, but this year that number has been significantly enhanced."

Susan Vreeland-Wendt, director of marketing and communications for The Woodlands Operating Company, said last year only a few trees were lit because of a late start.

"We just really wanted to expand the display this year," she said. "This year we wanted to make sure we started earlier because last year we started close to the end of the season and were not able to do as much."

Wolda said TCID is thrilled to continue the new tradition and he said he looks forward to its continuity.

"Whether on the cruiser, walking on a pathway or riding the trolleys, the lighted trees along the waterway are a great destination for residents and visitors," he said.

Wolda said the lights have been up since mid October and will stay up until early March. He said lighting The Waterway was an idea that originated at TWOC. Vreeland-Wendt said the idea for the lights was first initiated by TWOC CEO and President Thomas J. D'Alesandro.

"He (D'Alesandro) has seen it done in other locations and thought it would be a good addition to The Waterway."

D'Alesandro said The Waterway is meant simply for the enjoyment of the community and its visitors.

"We want The Waterway to be a welcoming 'Main Stream' into The Woodlands Town Center, especially at this busy time of year when millions of people are shopping, dining and enjoying movies and concerts," D'Alesandro said. "The lights are visible to the residents of the lofts and townhomes bordering The Waterway, hotel guests, the employees in the office buildings and passengers on the water taxis. No matter where you go, you see this newly expanded lighting display."

The Waterway Water Taxi, which is one way of viewing the lighted trees, operates daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and tickets are $6 each.

"We want everyone to come down, take a Water Taxi ride and see all the beautiful lights," Vreeland-Wendt said.