Holiday Lights in Houston

City Lights DownTown Holiday Magic
Nov. 17 - Dec. 31, 2023

City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic, presented by Shell Energy, is pulling out all the stops to transform Downtown Houston into the perfect winter wonderland with 11 unique themed villages. Open to the public and mostly free to enter, these sites offer an ice-skating rink, lights to gaze at, and activities to brighten the season for the whole family.

Enjoy Deck The Trees, Land of Sweets, Ice @ Discovery Green, Texas Winter Lights, Twinkle Town, Mistletoe Square, Winter Wonderlawn, Sugar Plum Plaza, Jingle Town, Winter Wanderland and City Hall-iday Lights.

EXPORE 11 UNIQUE VILLAGES

Zoo Lights 
Nov. 17, 2023 – Jan. 7, 2024
5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (last entry at 9:30 p.m.)

A favorite holiday tradition among Houston families, Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo will once again wow visitors with its impressive array of attractions. This year’s event will feature animal-themed lanterns and glowing flowers, an Illuminated Ocean experience where you walk under illuminated jellyfish and other sea creatures, a 33-foot tall color-changing holiday tree (perfect for pictures), and the 125-foot-long Infinity Tunnel of Light. Visitors will also have a chance to take a photo with Santa. Make sure you buy your tickets online before you go. Tickets will not be sold at the gate.

Self-Guided River Oaks Christmas Lights Tour
Nov. 25 – Dec. 26, 2023

If you want to see one of Houston’s most beautiful neighborhoods transformed into a magical Christmas village, head to River Oaks. The residents of River Oaks spare no expense in adorning their homes and properties with thousands of Christmas lights. Start at the River Oaks Country Club and work your way around the neighborhood. The intriguing lighting displays and fanciful mansions are truly reminiscent of your favorite Hallmark holiday movies.

Self-Guided Christmas Lights Tour in The Heights
Dec. 1 – Dec. 25, 2023

The charming Heights neighborhood has some of the best light displays in the city. Drive or walk around admiring the beautiful craftsman-style architecture of the area looking even more beautiful decorated for the holidays. Try starting Highland and Omar streets, between Studewood and Florence, and explore the area from there.

Galaxy Lights
Nov. 11, 2023 – Jan. 7, 2024
6  – 10 p.m. Daily 

Space Center Houston is ready to welcome you to an out-of-this world lights experience this holiday season. During Galaxy Lights, visitors experience interactive, technologically advanced displays like kinetic light shows, where dozens of suspended lights move to music in precise choreographed sequences. Other attractions include a light tunnel, an indoor meteor shower, and a brand new interactive show – “Celebrate Light” – that explores the science behind light. The show takes place every hour starting at 6:30 p.m. with the last show starting at 9:30 p.m.

Radiant Nature
Nov.17, 2023 - Feb.25, 2024

New this holiday season at the Garden, more than 50 larger-than-life Chinese lantern installations come to life in stunning displays that showcase the beauty of nature and celebrate the promise of the Lunar New Year in a spectacular way. Radiant Nature, presented by Reliant, is an unforgettable adventure for the entire family. See a majestic 200-foot-long dragon, a soaring 12-foot-tall peacock with a fan that gracefully unfurls, and much more. Explore an interactive zone buzzing with illuminated swings, whimsical seesaws, a digital kaleidoscope you can step inside, and other immersive, Instagram-worthy features.

Uptown 2023 Holiday Season
Nov. - Dec. 2023

This holiday season in Uptown, you can expect the sights and sounds of Christmas, like the 300 dazzling holiday trees along Post Oak Boulevard and 1000 twinkling stars, to be adorning the area in festive lights. Uptown will be illuminated earlier than ever this year, which means we can enjoy the magic together even longer! Download the Uptown Radio app for wonderful holiday music, synched to the majestic sweeps of holiday tree lights along Post Oak Boulevard. The easy-to-use app is more than a music player. You can get directions, local weather, and explore Uptown’s ultimate shopping, delicious dining options, and more. Grab your earbuds and a friend, and enjoy the show. The Uptown Radio app is available on both Apple and Google App Stores.

Sugar Land Holiday Lights
Nov. 17, 2023 – Jan. 1, 2024
Sun. – Thurs. 6 pm. – 9 p.m., Fri. – Sat. 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., New Year's Eve 6 p.m. - Midnight

Just 20 minutes south of Houston, you’ll find a sparkling wonderland featuring more than 3 million lights, eight themed areas, holiday shopping, food, and Santa Claus. The 8th Sugar Land Holiday Lights at Constellation Field is a holiday tradition that will surely make your holidays memorable. Make sure to check out the calendar of events to find out more about themed nights, discounts, and holiday movie showings.

Moody Gardens Festival of Lights
Nov. 18, 2023 – Jan. 6, 2024
4 p.m. – 10 p.m. Daily

Enjoy a festive stroll along the mile-long illuminated trail at Moody Gardens’s Festival of Lights. Featuring 2 million lights themed to holiday music with spectacular views of Galveston Bay, this beautiful attraction will get the whole family into the holiday spirit. Along the way, visitors can enjoy concession areas, hot chocolate, s’mores and plenty of opportunities for pictures. Moody Gardens also hosts other holiday activities, such as holiday 3D films, train rides, and an arctic slide.

Annual Nite of Lites
Dec. 11, 2023 – Jan. 2, 2024

The residents of Prestonwood Forest in Northwest Houston have been decorating their homes in grand fashion since the 1970s. Hundreds of homes participate in the neighborhood's annual Nite of Lites event. Neighbors compete in several categories, such as best block, best all-around, best house, best special effects, and even best mailbox. Start on Prestonwood Forest Drive, just off of Texas Highway 249, and you’re sure to run into other cars lining up to experience the neighborhood’s holiday hoopla.

Dasher’s Lightshow
Nov. 17  – Dec. 31, 2023
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

For another magical drive-thru experience, head over to Dasher’s Lightshow at Sam Houston Racepark. Drive through light tunnels, past snowmen and other attractions synced to holiday tunes in your car.  Tickets will not be sold at the gate.

The Light Park at Hurricane Harbor Splashtown
Nov. 3, 2023 – Jan. 1, 2024
5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.

The Light Park is a very merry, drive-thru spectacular at Hurricane Harbor Splashtown. Brighten your holiday with this festive and safe holiday light display near Spring. This holiday attraction features millions of lights synchronized to a festive mix of music. Tickets start at $29 per vehicle, so pack your cars, bring some holiday treats and enjoy the ride. Keep in mind that tickets must be purchased online in advance with a reserved show time.

Magical Winter Lights

Katy Mills: 5000 Katy Mills Cir, Katy, TX 77494
Nov. 17, 2023 – Jan. 7, 2024

Explore illuminated castles and world landmarks, peek under the sea and step into imaginary lands of delight and adventure at Magical Winter Lights (MWL) in Katy, Texas. Encompassing more than 7 dazzling themed displays and with more than 6-million lights, the 2023 MWL is held all holiday season from November 17, 2023, to January 7, 2024, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.

Happy Holiday Season!

Whether before or after viewing Houston's holiday light displays, discover holiday events the family won't want to miss and view our exclusive hotel deals if you want to be closer to family in town for the holiday season--but not too close.