Happy Friday, The Woodlands. In today’s edition: Trail of Lights, The Nutcracker, hospital awards for surgical care, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Local dining shake-up: Killen’s Barbecue will close its location in The Woodlands on Dec. 7, with Ronnie Killen citing a Whataburger deal he couldn’t pass up, and Pearland and Cypress locations remain open — read the full story.

Sophisticated rentals with perks: Howard Hughes has opened 1 Riva Row, The Woodlands’ first residential high-rise, a 13-story, 268-unit tower along The Woodlands Waterway with a four-story amenity center and targeting LEED Silver certification — read the full story.

Honors recognize exceptional care: HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe was named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Surgical Care in 2026, according to Healthgrades, and earned multiple five-star awards — see all the Healthgrades awards.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Enjoy seasonal turkey dishes at this holiday extravaganza
• Celebrate Payton Riley’s headlining Jingle Bell Bash
• Celebrate at Tomball German Christmas Market
• Shop Texas artists at outdoor market
• Meet Santa, enjoy snow and shows
• See why December’s the best time to try new hearing aids
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%

🫶 We got your back

Retail roster keeps growing: Market Street in The Woodlands has signed seven new brands, further upping its luxe mix. Highlights: David Yurman, Draper James, Love Shack Fancy, gorjana, Local Public Eatery, plus Texas’ first Pink Chicken now open and Le Labo arriving early next year. Several boutiques have already opened this fall. See the new brands and openings.

A celebratory music getaway: The Woodlands Resort will debut a three-day Songwriters Festival Dec. 29 to Jan. 1, pairing intimate songwriter sessions with headliners Neal McCoy, Darryl Worley, and The Frontmen. Expect chef-driven eats, a Boots & Bubbles New Year’s Eve bash with a countdown to 2026, and a live-band jazz brunch. Single-day tickets start at $160. See the schedule and lineup.

Pints + noodles, anyone? Ditch the chain taps and slide into Hop Scholar Ale House for a lineup that actually changes, weekly trivia, and the clutch Dragon Bowl C noodle bar inside. Easygoing vibe, repeat-worthy bowls and brews, and plenty of reasons to make this your neighborhood standby.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy that targets regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify your identity and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

✨ Trail of Lights 2025 @ Tomball Methodist Church | Friday (12/5) at 6:30pm – Bundle up and roam Tomball Methodist’s free, open-to-all Trail of Lights, a walk-through on the church acreage with Santa sightings, twinkly paths, and plenty of photo ops. It runs over three December weekends, ideal for wearing out grandkids, and topping off your cocoa levels.

🩰 Houston Repertoire Ballet Proudly Celebrates 30th Anniversary Season @ Visual & Performing Arts Center | Friday (12/5) at 7:00pm – If your holiday spirit needs a tune-up, Houston’s own HRB kicks off its 30th season with The Nutcracker, featuring Miami City Ballet’s Anabel Katsnelson and Alexander Peters, plus a live orchestra. Polished, festive, and actually live, not another canned soundtrack.

This weekend

🎺 2025 The Woodlands HS Band Holiday Market @ The Woodlands HS Cafeteria | Saturday (12/6) at 9:00am – Ready to shop local without braving the mall? The Woodlands HS Band’s Holiday Market is free, family-friendly, and packed with artisans, boutique finds, decor, and gourmet goodies, plus food trucks. Knock out gifts, support the kids, and maybe treat yourself, because balance.

🧵 APQS Road Show- Longarm Experience: Houston, TX @ Double E Quilting – APQS Houston | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Quilt stash giving you side-eye? In Houston, the APQS Road Show is a free chance to test-drive longarm machines, snag discounts and financing perks, and check out lifetime-warranty models built in the USA. Come curious, leave plotting a home studio, a side hustle, or both.

🍪 GC Holiday Cookie Exchange @ Granny Camp CTX | Saturday (12/6) at 6:00pm – Bring 3 dozen of your signature cookies, swap with the neighbors, and leave with an overstuffed tin. Homemade is the vibe, bakery is a safety net, bring recipes, dress festive, RSVP your cookie type, prizes for tastiest, most creative, and most festive display.

🎅 Cookies and Cocoa with Santa and Friends @ The Ice Rink | Sunday (12/7) at 9:30am – Holiday mornings call for sugar, skates, and a guy in a red suit. At The Ice Rink, the kids get cocoa, cookies, and face time with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and friends. Sweet memories, minimal chaos, so register early before the good times fill up.

🎄 Tree Trimming Party @ VFW Post 4709 | Sunday (12/7) at 4:00pm – Whether you’ve had your lights up since Halloween or you’re still hunting the storage bin, this tree-trimming hangout delivers. Bring a potluck favorite, a patriotic ornament if you like, and plan for a 21-plus white elephant, $25 cap. Kids get games, you get laughs.

🎅 Meet & Greet @ We Care Urgent Care Plus | Sunday (12/07) at 2:00pm – Celebrate the season with Santa photos, festive face painting, giveaways, and even brunch bites while you tour the clinic and meet the care team. Kids can drop letters in Santa’s mailbox, adults can snag a discounted B12 shot, and everyone gets a dose of holiday cheer. A warm, family-friendly community hangout.

Next week

🦃 Thanksgiving Turkey Extravaganza at Fielding’s Wood Grill @ Fielding’s Wood Grill | Monday (12/08) at 11:00am – It’s your last chance to bite into Fielding’s legendary lineup of Thanksgiving creations, from their sweet-tea–brined turkey plates to the over-the-top “Leftover” Turkey Club. Whether you’re craving comfort food or hunting for one more excuse to eat stuffing, they’ve got you covered. A feast-worthy finale to turkey season.

🍷 Caymus Wine Dinner @ The Empty Glass Patio | Monday (12/8) at 6:30pm – Settle in for a Caymus Wine Dinner that means it, six courses thoughtfully paired and poured. It is $225 per person, which buys you great wine, conversation, and the kind of lingering, grown-up evening we always say we want, then forget to book.

🔔 Payton Riley’s Jingle Bell Bash @ Dosey Doe Big Barn | Tuesday (12/9) at 7:00pm – If you’ve been waiting to swap mall chaos for twang, tinsel, and good coffee, this is it. Payton Riley headlines at Dosey Doe Big Barn with her full band, originals, Christmas classics, a jolly bearded cameo, and photos after, no mall line required.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/5 Gene Watson @ Main Street Crossing – 8 pm
• 12/6 Evil Embers @ B-52 Brewing – 3 pm
• 12/6 Danielle Nicole Band @ Dosey Doe Big Barn – 8:30 pm
• 12/9 3 Redneck Tenors: Christmas Spec-Tac-Yule-Ar @ Main Street Crossing – 8 pm
• 12/10 Paige Lewis @ Mahoney’s Texish – 7 pm
• 12/10 Kyle Hutton @ Dosey Doe Big Barn – 8 pm
• 12/11 Old Mill Creek @ MB Speakeasy – 7 pm
• 12/13 Country & Christmas @ Dosey Doe Big Barn – 8:30 pm
• 12/14 Hamilton Loomis Christmas Show @ Main Street Crossing – 6 pm

🏠️ Price is right – The Woodlands edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Michael Seder (eXp Realty LLC)

Contemporary stunner in gated McDonald Estates, built for car candy and clean lines. Climate controlled 7-car garage with 5 bays, 2 lifts, and epoxy floors plus a circular drive. Inside, a curved staircase, soaring ceilings, huge windows, and Control4 mingle with hardwood and tile. The sleek island kitchen with Thermador gear and catering prep opens to a family room, and the plan lives like a single story.

A 120-inch theater with Sony projector, a fully equipped gym, and a private study cover play and productivity. Two suites down, two up. Pool, spa, and outdoor kitchen under trees.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →