HOUSTON — There's plenty to see and do in Houston and surrounding cities over the holidays, including dazzling light displays that are guarantee to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Whether you're looking for ways to entertain the kiddos, date night hot spots or places to show off Houston to holiday visitors, we've got you covered!
Houston holiday events
Downtown Holiday Magic
City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic presented by Shell Energy is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Houston First Corporation partnered with Downtown Houston+ to create a family-friendly destination to celebrate the holidays in the heart of downtown.
The mostly free event kicks off on Friday, Nov. 17 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 31.
It features 11 unique, themed villages with dozens of Insta-worthy spots from Avenida to the Theater District.
- Main Street Square – Santa’s Village
- Bagby Street - Winter Wanderland
- The Plaza @ Avenida - Deck the Trees
- Marriott Marquis – Texas Winter Lights
- Market Square Park – Mistletoe Square
- Wortham Theater – Sugar Plum Plaza
- Hilton Americas – Land of Sweets
- Discovery Green – Ice skating
- Lynn Wyatt Square - Jingle Town
- Trebly Park - Twinkle Town.
- Hermann Square - See Houston's towering Christmas tree
- Post HTX - Winter Wonderlawn
This year, they've added a magical series of interactive music boxes presented by the Houston Theater District in partnership with Lynn Wyatt Square, Market Square Park and Trebly Park. The 10 music boxes feature a giant Nutcracker, guitar slide, massive boombox, a banjo, violin, music note, theater mask, mic and an elegant harp, each with its own unique soundtrack and light show.
Get around with free pedicab rides or hop on board the double-decker trolley for a small fee.
Zoo Lights
Stroll through the Houston Zoo to see their magical holiday lights from Nov. 17 to Jan. 7. The beautiful Zoo grounds provide the perfect setting to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season with family and friends.
Zoo Lights presented by TXU Energy features beautiful, life-sized animal lanterns, an enchanted forest, a colorful holiday light tunnel, a canopy of glowing flowers and butterflies, Santa's Workshop and more!
Zoo Lights is open most evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Ticket prices vary depending on when you go, but they range from $22.95 to $31.45 for adults and children over 2. Discounts are available for military, first responders and teachers. You need to buy your tickets in advance.
Botanic Garden Radiant Nature
The Houston Botanic Garden has a breathtakingly beautiful new holiday light display this year with more than 50 larger-than-life Chinese lantern installations.
Radiant Nature, presented by Reliant, showcases the beauty of nature with a majestic 200-foot dragon, a gorgeous 12-foot tall peacock and many more.
The interactive zone features illuminated swings, whimsical seesaws, a digital kaleidoscope you can step inside, and other immersive, Instagram-worthy features.
If you're looking for the best Instagram-worthy light display in H-Town, this one is guaranteed to impress! Here are just a few the highlights.
Photos: Radiant Nature
Lights in the Heights
Thousands of people will head to the Heights on Saturday, Dec. 9 for this beloved tradition.
Woodland Heights gets all decked out for Lights in the Heights and the whole city is invited to enjoy Houston's biggest and brightest block party.
Stroll through the neighborhood to admire the work of Heights residents who spend countless hours dressing their historic bungalows and Victorian homes to impress.
Bands and DJs add to the festive atmosphere of the free event.
When: Saturday, Dec. 9, 6 - 9 p.m.
Where: Highland and Omar Streets are featured this year but there are lights throughout Woodland Heights.
Photos: Lights in the Heights
Reliant Lights Mayor's Holiday Spectacular
Downtown is the place to be on December 2 for the annual Mayor's Holiday Spectacular in Hermann Square at City Hall.
The star of the show is a 52-foot-tall white fir tree with 99,680 LED lights and 4,000 ornaments.
The free event kicks off is from 6 to 8 p.m. and also features Santa, fireworks and the lighting of the beautiful Christmas tree at Hermann Square.
Sugar Land Holiday Lights
You can't help but get in the Christmas spirit when you "celebrate the season in the most magical way" at the 10th annual Sugar Land Holiday Lights at Constellation Field.
"This sparkling wonderland" features 3.5 million twinkling lights, 10 themed areas, a 40-foot Christmas tree, a carnival, Santa and a sensational light show through Jan. 1. They have giveaways, movie nights and even a few nights where you can bring your four-legged family members. See the full schedule and get tickets here.
Magical Winter Lights moves to Katy
Six million lights and 100 glowing lanterns combine for a breathtaking display at Magical Winter Lights, which has moved to Katy Mills for 2023.
From massive dinosaurs to princesses to space shuttles, they have something for everyone at seven themed lantern attractions.
There are also carnival rides and games and live entertainment from characters.
Magical Winter Lights runs nightly through January 7 and promises to be even bigger and better this year.
- Children 3-12 & Seniors 65+: $18
- Ages 13-64: $25
- Children 2 and under are free
The Light Park in Katy or Spring
You don't even have to leave your car for "the most EXCITING and ELECTRIFYING light show south of the North Pole!" the Light Park's website promises. It's open seven nights a week through Jan. 1.
There are two Houston-area locations: Texas Typhoon waterpark in Katy or Hurricane Harbor Splashtown in Spring.
Sundays-Thursdays: 5:30 to 10 p.m.
Fridays, Saturdays and Christmas week: 5:30 to 11 p.m.
Online tickets are $39 per vehicle in advance or $50 at the gate.
Galveston holiday events
Moody Gardens in Galveston
ICE LAND: Rainforest Holiday
The popular ICE LAND at Moody Gardens is back this year with a Rainforest Holiday vibe.
Award-winning master ice carvers from Harbin, China have been busy creating turning two million pounds of ice into breathtaking works of art. To keep them from melting, they're kept in a 28,000-square-foot tent where the temperature is kept at nine degrees so dress warm!
Experience the vibrancy of the world's rainforests with the monkeys, birds, butterflies and orchids. A giant ice slide transports guests from the canopy to the forest floor, past ancient ruins, and along river edges.
The attraction opens on Nov. 18 and runs through Jan. 6.
ICE LAND tickets range from $29 to $35.
Festival of Lights tickets start are $25 - $29 for adults and $21 - $25 for kids and seniors 65+.
A holiday pass includes ICE LAND, the Festival of Lights Trail, skating rink admission, the Aquarium Pyramid, 3D film and 4D film. Ticket prices range from $65 to $70 for adults and $45 to $50 for children 4-12 and seniors 65+. You can buy tickets here.
For more information visit www.moodygardens.org or call 409-744-4673.
VIDEO: ICE LAND 2022 highlights
Polar Express
Another popular holiday tradition in Galveston is The Polar Express train ride at the Railroad Museum.
The family-friendly event rolled into the island on Nov. 10 and the round-trip rides to the "North Pole" will continue through Dec. 23.
Tickets range vary depending on the date and time. More details here.
Dickens on the Strand
Take a trip back in time to 19th-century Victorian London at Galveston's 50th annual Dickens on the Stand. Enjoy parades, live entertainment, shopping and more as you stroll through the Strand Dec. 1-3.
Pearland
Hometown Christmas Festival
UPDATE: Pearland has canceled this event due to the weather.
Date: Friday, Dec. 1
Hometown Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, Dec. 2
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: FM 518 (Broadway), from Old Alvin Road to Pearland Parkway
The City of Pearland is excited to host the 41st annual Hometown Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 2, at 6 p.m. The evening parade brings out dozens of floats and walking groups decked out in lights and holiday spirit. Spectators will see marching drill teams, unique classic cars, dazzling floats and so much more!
Market Street in Lights in The Woodlands
Market Street in The Woodlands is magical this time of year. They have a Texas-size, 70-foot-tall Christmas tree and nightly synchronized light and music shows.
Market Street in Lights also offers plenty of shopping and dining options.
Home for the Holidays in Spring
Old Town Spring is all decked out for its 42nd annual Home for the Holidays. Enjoy the "Texas-style winter wonderland" while you browse for unique gifts at all the shops through Dec. 24.
There's live entertainment and photos with Santa on weekends and it's all free.
The Christmas Train in Alvin
All aboard for this "unique holiday experience unlike anything else in Houston."
You'll see all the festive light displays as you ride through Victory Camp on The Christmas Train called "Old Smokey." There's also an elf show, go-karts and more!
You can buy tickets for the train online for $10 or get them at the gate for $12.