Deck the Depot

Deck the Depot is Tomball's annual Christmas tree lighting celebration at Tomball Depot Plaza, 201 South Elm Street, in the heart of Old Town. Organized by the City of Tomball and previously known as Light It Up!, it turns the historic railroad depot grounds into a holiday wonderland for an afternoon and evening in early December. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, from 4 to 8 p.m., with the tree lighting at around 7 p.m. Past events have featured Santa, Mrs. Claus and Buddy the Elf, live music, choirs and storytellers, local vendors, crafts for kids, trackless train rides, snow slides, hot chocolate and treats, and the mayor's lighting of the city tree. Admission and parking are free, which makes it an easy outing for families visiting Tomball during the holidays. Some side streets close for the event, so plan to park a short walk away. Check the City of Tomball's events calendar for the full schedule.