My family has been living in Katy, TX for 15 years and every year I look forward to the Christmas traditions that Katy has to offer.

There's nothing quite like the Holiday in the Park . In its 38th year, this annual family event features the official lighting of the City Christmas Tree and photos with Katy’s Santa Claus. The Parks and Recreation Department will have childrens activity booths with holiday activities including letters to Santa to making your own Christmas Ornaments and Candy Cane Reindeer. Photos with Santa are available for $5. The event hosts local entertainment from church and school choirs, dance teams and the community favorite Katy Tiger Mascot. The festivities begin at 5pm at Heritage Park.

This year Katy Market days have organized an Old Fashioned Holiday Festival. The festival that will take place on Saturday, Dec. 18th and will feature snow (arriving at 1pm), Santa, carolers, entertainment, food and a Christmas Village. Sounds like a great afternoon of fun!

Each year my kids' all-time favorite holiday tradition is when Santa rides through our neighborhood on a firetruck decorated with Christmas lights throwing candy to the kids who come out to wave at him. I love watching my three enjoy the glimpse of Santa and what that signifies... Christmas is near! The schedule for Santa can be found here and don't forget to forward this to your neighborhood friends.

If you are new to the Katy area or just have not ventured out to enjoy what Katy has to offer families, why not try one of the activities mentioned above?

If these activities do not fit in your Katy family's schedule, why not try the many other festivals going on in our area. Click on FreckleTown's December calendar for other family-friendly Christmas events.

Toy Drive: $1 Bounce with donation

Come bounce with us and help needy kids (ages pre-K thru middle school) get a toy for Christmas. 

 Just bring a new, unwrapped toy (min. value $5) to BounceU Houston WEST during a scheduled session between November 29th - December 7th, 2010.
 
For each toy donation you’ll get admission for just $1. 
 
BounceU’s Kids Helping Kids toy drive is an excellent chance to give back to the community while teaching children the significance of helping those less fortunate. Kids can have fun, stay fit, active, and truly make a difference.

Please call for more info:  (281) 716-JUMP(5867) or go to our website: BounceUhouston.com

Join us December 2 for Holiday in the Park and Tree Lighting and look for Santa in your neighborhood on the following nights!

Friday Dec 3- Old Town Katy, West Katy, Victoria Lakes, Falcon Point Apartments, North/South Woods & Danover
Monday Dec 6-Heritage Meadows, Katy Land, East Avenue, Airline, Drexel, Heights, Tenth Street, Whispering Lakes
Tuesday Dec 7- Heritage Park West, Pine View Terrace, Garden Villa, Summit, Town Park
Wednesday Dec 8- Gardenia, Delfren, Iris, Fawn Lake, Village Green, Patna, Fortuna, Griffin, Kelly, Pine Lakes
Thursday Dec 9- Wood Creek Reserve, Pin Oak
Monday Dec 13- Falcon Point
Tuesday Dec 14 – Hunters Terrace, Pine Forrest, Huntington Court
Wednesday Dec.15- Remington Trails, Lakes of Katy, Katy Lakes Estates, Willow Creek Farms

Santa will be leaving the fire station at the North Pole no later than 6:30 p.m. Canned goods and new unwrapped toys will be accepted
 

**Bad Weather days will be rescheduled. If time does not permit finishing a route by 8:30 , the route will be completed the next night.