HOUSTON — There's plenty to see and do in Houston and surrounding cities over the holidays, including dazzling light displays that are guaranteed to get you in the 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 back for its third year and guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Houston First Corporation partners 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. 22.
For 2024, they've added the debut of Snow Glow on the Bayou at Allen's Landing. "It's a spectacular fusion of technology and nature" with stunning art and light projections on a 100-foot water screen over Buffalo Bayou and surrounding infrastructure, the website promises. For a more immersive experience, take a bayou tour and get closer to the magic. The cost for the boat tour is $25 per person and you'll need a reservation. More details here.
Downtown Holiday Magic also includes 11 unique, themed villages with dozens of Insta-worthy spots from Avenida to the Theater District.
- Avenida - Peppermint Plaza
- Marriott Marquis – Texas Winter Lights
- Market Square Park – Tinsel Town
- 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 - City Hall-iday
- Post HTX - Winter Wonderlawn
- Alley Theatre - Deck the Trees
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. 22 to Dec. 31.
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 $26.95 to $29.95 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 is bringing back its breathtakingly beautiful holiday light display with larger-than-life Chinese lantern installations that celebrate the joys of nature.
Radiant Nature, presented by Reliant, features a life-sized Chinese palace, a canopy tunnel constructed of traditional oil paper umbrellas, pandas in a field of bamboo with a waterfall, interactive morning glories and sunflowers, and an interactive dragon that guests can manipulate to make it “dance.”
The interactive zone again features illuminated swings and an angel wings photo spot, plus a collection of new immersive, Instagram-worthy features sure to put a smile on the faces of visitors of all ages.
Radiant Nature is open from Nov. 8-Feb. 23 and admission is $28.50. Children 3 and under are free. The extended run makes it a great spot to celebrate through the Lunar New Year celebration on January 29, the annual Chinese Lantern Festival on February 12 and Valentine’s Day.
Must purchase tickets in advance to park on-site.
Photos: Radiant Nature
Lights in the Heights
Thousands of people will head to the Heights on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, for the 37th year of 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. 14, 6 - 9 p.m.
Where: Byrne, Euclid and 7-1/2 are the streets chosen for the official route for LITH this year and they'll be closed to vehicular traffic.
PHOTOS: Past Lights in the Heights
Photos: 2023 Lights in the Heights
Reliant Lights Mayor's Holiday Spectacular
Downtown is the place to be on December 7 for the annual Mayor's Holiday Spectacular in Hermann Square at City Hall.
The star of the show is a 47-foot-tall white fir tree with nearly 100,000 LED lights and 4,000 ornaments.
The free event is from 6 to 8 p.m. and also features Santa, music, fireworks and the lighting of the beautiful Christmas tree at Hermann Square.
LeToya Luckett, a two-time Grammy award winner and founding member of Destiny’s Child, will co-headline the show with two-time Academy of Country Music New Female Vocalist nominee RaeLynn, of Baytown.
“This amazing family-friendly celebration is an incredible way to kick off the holiday season for Houstonians,” Mayor John Whitmire said. “I encourage everyone to join us for some holiday cheer and to celebrate the most festive and wonderful time of the year.”
Sugar Land Holiday Lights
You can't help but get in the Christmas spirit at the 11th annual Sugar Land Holiday Lights at Constellation Field.
"This sparkling wonderland" features 3.5 million twinkling lights, 10 themed areas, ice skating, a 40-foot Christmas tree, a carnival, Santa and a sensational light show from Nov. 15 to Jan. 5. (Closed Nov. 18-21)
You can even bring your dogs on special Lights & Leashes nights.
Ticket prices vary.
Magical Winter Lights moves to Rosenberg
Six million lights and more than 60 lanterns combine for a dazzling display at Magical Winter Lights, which has moved to the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds in Rosenberg for 2024.
From The Undersea Paradise to Dino Land or Space Maze, 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 5 and promises to be even bigger and better this year.
- Children 3-12 & Seniors 65+: $19 ($22 at the gate)
- Ages 13-64: $27 ($32 at the gate)
- Children 2 and under are free
Photos: Magical Winter Lights
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 $49 per vehicle in advance or $55 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 North and South Pole 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!
Take a festive journey from the North to South Poles where you'll encounter polar bears, penguins, humpback whales, snowy owls, walruses, reindeer and so much more.
The attraction opens on Nov. 23 through Jan. 1.
ICE LAND tickets range from $29 to $35 or $24 to $29 for children 4-12 or seniors 65+
Festival of Lights tickets start are $25 to $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.
Photos: ICE LAND
Polar Express
All aboard for the popular Polar Express Train Ride at the Railroad Museum in Galveston!
The family-friendly event rolled into the island on Nov. 8 and the round-trip rides to the "North Pole" will continue through Dec. 23. Meet many of the characters from the movie including the conductor, the singing chefs, dancing elves and of course the main man himself, Santa Claus.
Guests are invited to put on their PJs to board the train for a fun-filled journey.
The train doesn't run on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays except the week before Christmas but the Railroad Museum is open on those days.
Ticket prices 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 51st annual Dickens on the Stand. Enjoy parades, live entertainment, shopping and more as you stroll through the Strand on Dec. 6, 7 and 8.
The event features parades, live entertainment on four stands and new additions, including Tiny Tim’s Play Land, Shopkeeper Skills Village and roaming characters.
Mingle with royalty as "Her Majesty Queen Victoria" and "Prince Albert," and their court roam through the Strand. You can also meet Ollie Dickens, the great-great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens himself.
Costumed vendors sell food and drinks on rolling carts or you can do a little Christmas shopping.
Friday, December 6, 5-9 p.m. -- FREE admission
Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday, December 8, noon – 6 p.m.
Tickets on Saturday and Sunday are $25 for adults and $13 for children 7-12. Children 5 and under get in free.
Pearland
Hometown Christmas Festival
Date: Friday, Dec. 6
Time: 6 - 9 p.m.
Location: Independence Park, 3449 Pearland Parkway
Parking: Available at Pearland High School; ADA parking available at the Independence Park Liberty Drive Entrance
Pearland's Hometown Christmas Festival is back with an evening of entertainment, shopping, lights, inflatables, food trucks and much more! Enjoy a drone show presented by the University of Houston Clear Lake at Pearland beginning at 8:30 p.m. or play in the snow at HEB Winter Wonderland. Word has it that Santa will also drop by to spread Christmas cheer.
Hometown Christmas Parade
Date: Saturday, Dec. 7
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: FM 518 (Broadway), from Old Alvin Road to Pearland Parkway - Map of parade route, detours
The City of Pearland will host the 42nd annual Hometown Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7. The evening parade includes dozens of colorful floats, marching drill teams, unique classic cars and 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 show with holiday music every hour beginning at 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. daily.
Market Street in Lights also offers plenty of shopping and dining options.
While you're in the area, lace up some ice skates and check out The Woodlands Ice Rink daily through mid-January.
Home for the Holidays in Spring
Old Town Spring is all decked out for its 44th annual Home for the Holidays. Enjoy the "Texas-style winter wonderland" while you browse for unique gifts at all the shops through Dec. 24.
Enjoy holiday lights, horse-drawn carriage rides and entertainment throughout town.
The Christmas Train in Alvin
Alvin has its own Christmas Train that chugs through festive light displays in Victory Camp.
The Christmas Train called "Old Smokey" operates Nov. 29-30, Dec. 5-7, Dec. 12-14 and Dec. 16-23.
Online tickets for $12 to $14 are recommended and some dates and times are already sold out.