Sondra Hernandez Staff writer November 7, 2024

This weekend the The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is transforming into a giant playground for the return of the annual Children’s Festival.

The event is presented by Texas Children’s Hospital — The Woodlands and will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Pavilion. 

Here’s what to know about the popular family event:

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What is the Children’s Festival?

The Children’s Festival two-day event is hosted each November by The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and is a long-standing tradition in The Woodlands. 

With performers on multiple stages, character meet and greets, a special toddler area just for the youngest festival goers, arts and crafts, hands-on activities and exciting active adventures, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Themed areas are throughout the grounds. 

This year’s theme is “Barnyard Bash.” 

Who is the main stage performer?

Peppa Pig is making a big splash at this year’s Children’s Festival and she’ll be giving out plenty of hugs and smiles throughout the festival weekend. 

Peppa Pig started as a British cartoon aimed at preschoolers but has become a global phenomenon. It’s now broadcast in at least 180 countries and in 40 languages and has expanded to toys, apparel and theme parks.

Join Peppa Pig and her brother, George as they celebrate their trip to America in mini performances full of laughs, music and snorts. After the shows, don’t miss the opportunity to meet and take photos with Peppa Pig. Saturday live shows on the main stage are from 10:45 to 11:05 a.m., 1 to 1:20 p.m. and 3 to 3:20 p.m. Meet and greet opportunities are after each show. 

On Sunday live shows are from 12:20 to 12:40 p.m., 2:10 to 2:30 p.m. and 4 to 4:20 p.m. also with meet and greet opportunities after the live shows. 

Featured activities

Activities will be spread out across the Pavilion’s complex. 

• STEAM Stables: This area will be full of interactive and educational activities providing families with an opportunity to learn in a fun, exploratory environment. Launch into space with Janet’s Planet, create glow-in-the-dark slime with Little Beakers, get up close and personal with real robots made by Woodlands Robotics and experience STEAM elements in a fun, new way with 1ST-Gen Scholars. This zone is also home to other activities including planting a sunflower and the instrument petting zoo where kids can get their hands on real orchestra instruments.  

•  Creative Coop: Kids are encouraged to unleash their inner artist and create their own masterpieces in the Creative Coop. Located in The Pavilion Event Center, children will learn about lines, colors, shapes, patterns, unity, balance and more by using these elements to make a variety of imaginative creations. Kids can discover the art of drawing with hands-on drawing classes presented by Young Rembrandts all weekend long. On the Jamboree Junction Arts Stage, families can sing along with princesses or ignite their creativity with performances by local arts groups.

• Central Corral: This area is the gateway to Children’s Festival and home to the Community Stage. Catch student performers as they show off their  skills in a variety of shows and programs. Plus, swing by The Woodlands Children’s Museum booth for hands-on fun.

• Adventure Acres: This area is packed full of adrenaline-raising fun for kids of all ages. Be on the lookout for rock-climbing walls, bungee jumpers, huge slides, inflatable games and an animal petting zoo. 

• Moo-ving Meadows: Learn about the inner-workings of some of the best trucks, tractors and automobiles that The Woodlands area has to offer. This area also includes The Pavilion’s Barnyard Express, a train ride full of farm-themed surprises. 

• Grazing Grasslands: On the Pavilion lawn, kids can experience giant bubble play with The Texas Bubblers, build and fly their own farm animal kite and participate in parachute races down the lawn.

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Want to go?

Festival hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 per person and includes all performances and activities.

Children age 2 two and younger are admitted free. See the Pavilion’s website to buy tickets. 

Preferred parking is available in the on-site Town Center Garage, located along Six Pines Drive. Parking is $10 per vehicle for this and most performing arts events. Tickets for on-site parking can be purchased in advance at all Ticketmaster locations and The Pavilion Box Office.

Guests also may park in any of the five free parking lots on the southwest side of The Pavilion off Timberloch Place. The free, color-coded lots are connected to The Pavilion by corresponding pathways with signs leading across The Waterway.

Evan MacDonald contributed to this report. 

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