CITY LIGHTS
DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY MAGIC
There’s no better place to get into the holiday spirit than in the heart of downtown Houston! City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic, presented by Shell Energy, is back for the third year with more spectacular lights, music, and magical fun. During this annual tradition, Houston First Corporation is once again teaming up with Downtown Houston +, Discovery Green, Alley Theatre, POST Houston, Hilton Americas-Houston, and Marriott Marquis to create memorable experiences for everyone at 12 uniquely themed locations. Open to the public and mostly free to enter, these locations offer an ice skating rink, sparkling lights, mesmerizing Christmas trees, totally post-able selfie stations, and many other activities to brighten the season for the whole family. To make exploring even easier, hop on the Hop-in Hop-off Holiday Bus, which will take you on a festive tour of the city's holiday highlights. If you’re visiting Houston in November and December of this year, start exploring the city through Downtown and experience the magic of the holiday season.
1 Peppermint Plaza
GEORGE R. BROWN CONVENTION CENTER | 1001 AVENIDA DE LAS AMERICAS, HOUSTON, TX 77010
November 22, 2024 - December 25, 2024
Experience the holiday spirit at the George R. Brown Convention Center, where a display of 16 beautifully decorated Christmas trees will grace the Grand Holiday Window facing Avenida de las Americas, benefitting the Alley Theatre's educational community and artistic initiatives. The City Lights tree-lighting kickoff party will take place on November 22 in front of the Grand Holiday Window on the Houston Avenida Plaza, now Peppermint Plaza for the season. In this festive atmosphere, you can enjoy musical performances on the Plaza's main stage every Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. from November 23 through December 21.
Read more about Peppermint Plaza here
2 LAND OF SWEETS
HILTON AMERICAS | 1600 LAMAR ST., HOUSTON, TX 77010
November 14, 2024 – January 26, 2025
Prepare to be wowed in the lobby of the Hilton Americas-Houston by its iconic display of a chocolate-crafted holiday scene featuring life-size characters. Sweeter than ever, this year's hand-sculpted masterpiece, The Night Before Christmas, will be made from more than 1,800 pounds of chocolate.
In the hotel lobby, guests and visitors alike can take delight in the sight of a large Christmas tree and thousands of lights surrounding it. Don't miss Breakfast with Santa at the hotel's 1600 Bar + Grill taking place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in December. To stay at the hotel, take advantage of the 'Tis the Season' package from November 15, 2024 - February 02, 2025 which includes deluxe accommodations, buffet breakfast daily, a Christmas gift for the kids, and tickets to the ice rink at Discovery Green Park. This package is offered from mid-November through the end of January.
3 Ice @ Discovery Green
DISCOVERY GREEN | 1500 MCKINNEY ST., HOUSTON, TX 77010
November 15, 2024 – February 02, 2025
Ice skate under the bright lights of downtown Houston and soak up the holiday cheer at The ICE powered by Green Mountain Energy! Kickoff party is November 15th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Every week, The ICE features theme nights filled with lots of fun and live music. Kids of all ages, along with their parents and friends, are invited to visit Santa Claus at The Ice! Skate rental is included in the price of admission. Tickets must be purchased online.
If skating isn’t your thing, enjoy a free holiday movie under the stars on select dates, visit the Flea by Night market for a variety of holiday gifts and home goods, or enjoy a festive concert (December 14, 7-9 p.m.). New for 2024: Ice Bumper Cars (January 6-19). Explore more.
Read more about ICE @ Discovery Green here
4 Texas Winter Lights
MARRIOTT MARQUIS | 1777 WALKER ST., HOUSTON, TX 77010
November 08, 2024 – December 31, 2024
Be prepared for magical nightly snowfalls, themed family activities, VR ride on Santa’s sleigh and more dazzling holiday lights than ever before at the Marriott Marquis’ Altitude Rooftop featuring the Texas-shaped lazy river. Floating along the 80-degree river under the twinkling lights is part of the holiday magic. New this year, reserve a cozy private igloo amongst Texas Winter Lights for date nights, small events, or indulge in an exclusive room package for an unforgettable wedding proposal. There’s a nominal fee for non-hotel guests to enjoy the holiday festivities.
Admission: Free for hotel guests; $30 for adults and $20 for children ages 2-12. Other activations this year include Santa’s virtual sleigh and reindeer experience, concerts Nov. 20, Dec. 4 and 18, igloo dining experience, theme nights (Monday Night Football and Silent Disco), poolside movies every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, poolside DJ from 6-9 p.m., nightly snowfall, yard games and more. New for 2024: Texas Winter Lights Marry & Bright package for couples looking to propose.
Read more about Texas Winter Lights here
5 TWINKLE TOWN
TREBLY PARK | 1515 FANNIN STREET, HOUSTON, TX 77002
November 22, 2024 – December 31, 2024
This new park , located near the Toyota Center, opened last year and is ready to bring holiday cheer to Downtown. Snap a family photo with your four-legged, fur babies in front of the dazzling holiday tree and steal a kiss under Texas' largest mistletoe ball to celebrate the holidays. Enjoy free hot chocolate and holiday music. To get your pooches in on the fun, bring them to Santa Paws every Saturday from 12-3 p.m. from December 7-21. Be sure to indulge in sweet macarons at the park’s fast-casual cafe, Tout Suite. On December 5 at 6 p.m., watch a holiday movie and soak up the atmosphere. On December 12, put on your ugly Christmas sweater and join the Ugly Sweater Holiday Jam (7-9 p.m.).
6 Snow Glow on the Bayou
ALLEN'S LANDING @ BUFFALO BAYOU | 1005 Commerce St, Houston, TX 77002
Boat Tours: November 22, 2024 – December 29, 2024
Snow Glow: December 20, 2024 – December 29, 2024
Enjoy this year's debut of Snow Glow on the Bayou at Allen's Landing. It's a spectacular fusion of technology and nature. You'll be treated to stunning art and light projections on a 100-foot water screen over Buffalo Bayou. For a more immersive experience, take a bayou tour with the whole family and get closer to the magic.
Read more about Holiday Boat Tours here
Read more about Snow Glow Tours here
7 Tinsel Town
MARKET SQUARE PARK | 301 MILAM ST., HOUSTON, TX 77002
November 22, 2024 – December 31, 2024
This holiday season, enjoy festive fun at Market Square Park with complimentary hot chocolate and Puppychinos every Friday and Saturday from 6pm-9pm (11/22-12/28). Dance under the stars at the Silent Night Disco (11/22-12/20) or catch Movies Under the Stars on 12/19. On Saturdays (12/7-12/21), bring your pets to Santa Paws for festive photos, live music, face painting, and more. It's a holiday celebration for everyone, including your furry friends!
Read more about Tinsel Town here
8 WINTER WONDERLAWN
POST HTX | 401 FRANKLIN STREET, HOUSTON, TX 77002
November 01, 2024 – January 11, 2025
POST, the newest destination in downtown Houston, is joining the holiday season with Winter Wonderlawn , a holiday lights display on the Skylawn rooftop park. The 5-acre space will be adorned with illuminated lights and decorations. Enjoy hundreds of thousands of lights, a 25-foot Christmas tree, and multiple holiday-themed activations with the best views of the Houston skyline as your backdrop. Snap unforgettable, one-of-a-kind photos! Through Thanksgiving, tickets are $7 Monday-Thursday and $10 Friday-Sunday. After Thanksgiving, tickets will be $10 Monday-Thursday and $15 Friday-Sunday. Children ages 5 and under are free. Find your tickets HERE .
Read more about Winter Wonderlawn here
9 SUGAR PLUM PLAZA
WORTHAM THEATER | 501 TEXAS ST., Houston, TX 77002
November 20, 2024 – January 02, 2025
For this magical time of year, the iconic Fish Plaza at the entrance to the Wortham Theater Center becomes Sugar Plum Plaza. Listen to cheerful tunes as you stroll past oversized gift boxes and LeMonde Studio's Santa's sleigh. Enjoy the atmosphere and snap unique photos!
10 DECK THE TREES
Alley Theatre | 615 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002
November 17, 2024 - January 01, 2025
The Alley Theatre’s 18th annual Deck The Trees event will delight visitors with a festive display of holiday trees at both the Alley Theatre and the George R. Brown Convention Center’s Great Houston Holiday Window. Attracting 250,000 visitors annually, this holiday tradition celebrates Houston’s arts and culture through a combination of whimsical, cultural, traditional and eclectic tree designs. This year, the event will turn both the Alley and the George R. Brown Convention Center into a joyous wonderland featuring 40 stunning trees and wreaths. Each tree will be artfully adorned by a renowned designer, adding a touch of holiday magic to the atmosphere.
The decorated tree display at the theater will complement the Alley's annual holiday classic, A Christmas Carol , from Nov. 15 to Dec. 29, and The Night Shift before Christmas from Dec. 5 to Dec. 29.
Read more about Deck The Trees here
11 JINGLE TOWN
LYNN WYATT SQUARE | Louisiana @ Capitol Houston, TX 77002
November 20, 2024 – January 02, 2025
In the heart of Houston's Theater District, take the whole family to Lynn Wyatt Square in front of Jones Hall. This park, which opened in September of last year, will be transformed into Jingle Town with several interactive installations produced by LeMonde Studio. You'll see two giant holiday-themed photo frames and three interactive Christmas trees that play music. You'll also love Santa's sleigh! From November 23 to December 21, you can enjoy live music every Saturday.
Read more about Jingle Town here
12 CITY HALL-IDAY
CITYHALL | 901 BAGBY ST, HOUSTON, TX 77002
December 07, 2024 – December 31, 2024
Enjoy the festive atmosphere at Hermann Square in front of City Hall. On December 7th from 6-8 p.m. don't miss the free Reliant Lights Mayor's Holiday Spectacular. Bring the whole family to enjoy live music and entertainment, the lighting of the towering Christmas tree, and fun activities for all ages. Santa will even be there! You can take free photos with him at his North Pole-themed booth. The plaza will be decorated through the end of December.
Read more about City Hall-iday here
Hop-in Hop-off Holiday Bus
- Fridays and Saturdays, November 22 – December 13, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Climb aboard a festive, holiday-decorated double-decker trolley and explore Downtown’s sparkling lights! For a nominal fee, guests can hop on and off at stops including Trebly Park, Heritage Society, Avenida Houston/Discovery Green, Market Square Park, and Post HTX.
- Special Holiday Route: December 20 – 21 and December 27 – 28, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Extend the holiday fun with an enhanced route featuring an extra stop at Allen’s Landing for a magical experience of Snow Glow on the Bayou!
City Lights Holiday Bus is operated by Houston City Tours.