This year, Santa Claus is trading in his fur-cuffed boots for a pair of skis. Immersive holiday light show Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas is returning to the Houston area at Katy Mills on November 21 with a new Alpine Adventure theme that will schuss Houston revelers through a fanciful mountain hideaway. Tickets go on sale September 9.
The spectacular display, presented by Coca-Cola and Social House Entertainment, debuted in 2024 with a winter wonderland theme. This year, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be hosting from a magical chalet, bringing real snow flurries, slides, outdoor ice skating, and lots of treats. Maybe this year, we’ll even learn the North Pole matriarch’s first name. Edna? Eunice?
The event will include visits from Santa.Photo courtesy of Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas
The attractions this year include fun for the whole family, including:
- A massive light display: 90,000 square feet of sculptures and immersive scenes lit up with thousands of twinkling lights
- Alpine Ice Skating: An outdoor rink canopied by even more twinkle lights
- Slip ‘N’ Slide Summit: A real ice snow slide where guests can race down the beginner and Black Diamond slopes in an inner tube
- Visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus: Catch Santa on vacation in his ski gondola or Mrs. Claus during story time
- Cinemark Christmas classics: Cozy up for screenings on iconic Cinemark films like Elf, The Polar Express, and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Après-ski dance party: A mountain lodge will transform into a glittering discotheque
- Live music and holiday programming: Christmas karaoke, ugly sweater contests, festive bands, carolers, and more
- Trailside treats and sips: Hot cocoa, holiday cocktails, themed snacks, and Coca-Cola galore
“The response from families last year was nothing short of magical,” said Jayson Babel, Senior Vice President of Social House Holidays, in a release. “This year, we’ve dialed up the whimsy, the interactivity, and the nostalgia. From expanded snow slides to the return of our movie screenings, Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas is where new memories are made.”
Winter wonderland or boogie wonderland?Photo courtesy of Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas
As to why the soda giant is plowing into the interactive holiday entertainment business, it has been a part of the company’s brand identity since the 1910s. Coca-Cola’s 1930s ads — featuring a red-suited St. Nick — helped popularize the modern image of Santa today. Needless to say, Coke has a stake in the game.
Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas runs from November 21 through December 28 at Katy Mills. The production will only pop up at two other Texas sites, San Antonio FC’s Toyota Field and Dallas Midtown, formerly Valley View Mall. Although general sale tickets will not launch until September 9, early access is now available for holiday parties and groups larger than 26. Individual prices have yet to be revealed.