Sensory-friendly ‘Pancakes at the North Pole’ to be hosted by Main Event on December 1

Enjoy a sensory-friendly event with non-abrasive lighting, low-volume Christmas music, touch and sensory craft stations, communications boards and sensory-friendly laser tag at Main Event on December 1 from 9 to 11 a.m. Enter the cookie decorating contest and compete for the grand prize of “The Ultimate Main Event Experience” for four. Event tickets include a meet and greet with Santa (along with a digital photo), two hours of unlimited activities, a one-hour game card and crafts. Tickets for adults and kids are $28.99 and children aged two and under are free, with one adult ticket. Family packs of four tickets are $79.96. RSVP by November 30 – call 281- 394-4800. Main Event is located at 24401Katy Freeway in Katy.

Katy ISD 2023-2024 ‘Teachers of the Year’ to be honored at legacy brick unveiling on December 3

Join Katy ISD as the district honors its 2023-2024 campus Teachers of the Year at the annual Legacy Brick Unveiling. Each remarkable educator will be recognized with a commemorative brick in Katy Heritage Park, adding to the long legacy of teaching excellence in Katy ISD. Light refreshments will be provided, as will entertainment by the Cinco Ranch High School Show Choir. This event is graciously supported by Venus Construction and Modern Pest Control, in partnership with the Katy Heritage Society. The event is at Katy Heritage Park, 5990 George Bush Drive in Katy on December 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Institute for Spirituality and Health to host free restorative retreat for veterans, veteran caregivers, and veteran service officers on December 7 The Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center will host the quarterly Heroic Self-Care: Impact Your Life event on Saturday, Deccember 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free, day-long restorative retreat for veterans, veteran caregivers, and veteran service officers (VSOs) will teach valuable skills to assist with stress reduction and provide opportunity for connection. This event will be held in-person at the Fort Bend County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management located at 307 Fort Street in Richmond. The quarterly one-day retreat is facilitated by the Institute’s Greater Houston Healing Collaborative (GHHC), the anchor program of its Center for Body, Spirit, and Mind, in partnership with Impact a Hero and the Fort Bend County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Have ‘Cookies with Santa’ at Nelson Water Gardens on December 7

Nelson Water Gardens, 1502 Katy Fort Bend Road in Katy, will offer cookies with Santa beginning at 9 a.m. on December 7. Come meet the big man himself while enjoying hot cocoa and cookies and searching for the perfect fresh-cut Christmas tree.

American Legion Post to honor first responders at annual appreciation dinner on December 7

Salute the first responders who serve the Katy area by attending the American Legion’s annual dinner and awards ceremony on December 7 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Katy Elks Lodge, 1050 Katy Fort Bend Road in Katy. The event is free to attend but an RSVP is required – please email Phil Malsbury at phil.malsbary@yahoo.com. Honorees will include the Westlake Volunteer Fire Department, the Harris County ESD #48 Fire Department, Katy Police Department, KISD Police Department, and the Katy Fire Department.

Santa visits Katy Fire Department Station No. 1 for pancakes on December 9

Get ready for more pancakes with Santa – 55 different pancake plates – plus music, raffle tickets and fun for everyone. The breakfast event will be held December 9 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Katy Fire Station No. 1 at 1417 Avenue D in Katy. Proceeds benefit the KT Firefighters scholarship program.

Drop off your donations for the City of Katy’s toy drive by December 10

This holiday season, make a difference by donating a new, unwrapped toy to Toys for Tots at Katy City Hall,901 Ave C, Katy. Whether you're paying your water bill, pulling a permit, or just stopping by, your donation will bring joy to children in need. Drop off toys anytime before the December 10th deadline. Or, donate during the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting on December 5 and meet Santa. Show him why you should be on the "nice list" and spread some holiday cheer.

It's ‘Beards and Bubbles’ at LaCenterra on December 10 Get ready to make your holiday season even jollier at LaCenterra’s Heritage Square at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in Katy. On December 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the shopping center’s “Beards and Bubbles” festivity will provide photos with Santa -- It’s the perfect chance for kids (and adults) to tell him their wishes and snap a memorable photo with the big guy. There will be kid-friendly DJ tunes with a playlist of holiday hits. Watch in awe as enormous bubbles fill the air, creating a whimsical, winter wonderland atmosphere. Perfect for kids and adults who still believe in a little bit of magic. A specialty balloon artist will conjure incredible balloon creations From reindeer to snowmen.

Come to Hotel Zaza Memorial City for ‘Mistletoe Magic on the Lawn’ December 11 and help Kids Meals

Hotel ZaZa Memorial City presents “Mistletoe Magic On The Lawn,” a charity event in support of Kids’ Meals and Toys for Tots at at 9787 Katy Fwy, Houston on December 11 from 5 to 9 p.m. Celebrate this magical evening on the lawn with festive delights like boozy hot chocolate, gourmet mac and cheese bar, and a s’mores station. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Kids’ Meals will receive 100 percent of proceeds from each ticket purchased, and as a special ‘thank you’ from ZaZa, those who bring an unwrapped book or toy in support of Toys for Tots will be awarded three raffle tickets as appreciation for brightening the holiday for those less fortunate. Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com/e/mistletoe-magic-on-the-lawn-at-zaza-memorial-city-tickets-1049698104287. Since 2006, staff, board of directors, and partners at Kids’ Meals have made it possible to deliver more than 14 million free meals to food insecure children in 56 zip codes in Harris County and Montgomery County.

And still MORE pancakes with Santa – on December 14 at Katy Fire Station No. 2

Yes, you’ll be able to choose from 55 different pancake plates – and there will be music, raffles and inflatables at this pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. on December 14 at Katy Fire Station No. 2 at 25420 Bell Patna Drive in Katy. Sponsored by the Katy Professional Fire Fighters Association, the event will benefit the KT Firefighters scholarship program.

Enchanted Gardens to host ‘Grinch Fest’ on December 14

Break out your best Christmas "Who-ville" attire and join Enchanted Gardens for some Grinchy fun! The green guy himself will be creating mischief around the nursery at 6420 FM 529 in Richmond from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on December 14. There will be plenty of opportunities for photos and a pop-up featuring

gourmet cookies from the Sugar Berry Cookie Shoppe. The event also features a Christmas tree decorating contest with local nonprofit groups.