Nothing says happy holidays like beautiful holiday light displays!
Check out this comprehensive list of light extravaganzas, festive neighborhoods with impressive displays, light shows, events, and more!
Light Show Experiences
Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant
{November 12th – January 1st}
Enjoy Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant, an immersive holiday experience at Space Center Houston that brings guests the most interactive and technologically advanced light display
in all of Texas!
New this year is a one-of-a-kind journey through the Deep Space Backyard, where guests can walk underneath the stars and take photos among astronauts exploring space as well as a 35-foot-tall cascading crystal fireworks display (one of only two in the world!).
Visitors will also enjoy two high-tech kinetic light shows, a 200-foot LED light tunnel, an interactive light pad under the wing of the historic shuttle carrier aircraft, an original film “Holidays in Space,” massive light models of each planet in the solar system and holiday treats like s’mores and hot cocoa. Galaxy Lights is a true Space City holiday tradition!
General public tickets are $19.95 and member tickets start at $15.95; Ages three and younger receive free admission.
Grab your tickets here!
Lightscape, presented by Houston Botanic Garden
The internationally acclaimed holiday exhibit, Lightscape, presented by Reliant, is making its return to Houston! In its second year, the outdoor illuminated trail – with returning favorites such as the “Winter Cathedral,” “Neon Tree,” and “Fire Garden” – will also feature exciting new creations by artists from across the globe, including an exclusive-to-Texas installation featuring 2,000 lighted Bluebonnets! Guests can grab festive food and drinks, including fire
pit s’mores, while strolling through the illuminated trail. Set to your favorite holiday music, this light show, which is produced by Sony and Culture Creative, is sure to entertain and become a new holiday tradition for Houstonians.
Timed-entry tickets are on sale now for select nights through January 1, 2023, starting at $18 for children and $28 for adults. Children ages two and under receive free admission and garden members receive a discount.
TXU Energy presents Zoo Lights
{November 18th – January 8th | 5:30pm – 10:30pm, Final entry at 9:30pm}
This beloved Houston holiday tradition is celebrating its tenth year in 2021! Stroll through this incredible light display and be sure to check out the animal themed lanterns in Holiday Grove, and you definitely don’t want to miss the perfect photo opp in front of the color-changing 33′ tree! For the 21+ crowd, Brew Lights is a great chance to check out the lights and sip a cold beer! Get your tickets now!
Lighting of the Doves
{November 25th – December 30th | 6:30pm – 9pm}
Peppermint Parkway in Austin
{November 25th – December 30th | 6:30pm – 9pm}
Looking for a fun, family road trip to see an amazing lights display? Check out the Peppermint Parkway in Austin! This event, sponsored by HEB, is a drive-thru holiday spectacular that will immerse visitors in millions of holiday lights, décor pieces standing at over 30’ tall, a 6-story light show tree, and much more.
Dasher’s Lightshow
{November 18th – December 30th | 5:30pm – 10:30pm}
You don’t want to miss this magical display of lights! The route through this wonderland is approximately a mile long, and you will be immersed in fun, holiday music and a lightshow spectacular!
Marriot Marquis Houston’s Texas Winter Lights
{November 11th – January 8th | 5:00pm – 10:00pm}
Looking for something more local? A staycation, if you will? Then, book your stay at the Marriott Marquis Houston for their Texas Winter Lights. This is an interactive walk-through or float-under light experience available on the 60,000 square-foot Parkview Terrace. Every night, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. the hotel’s iconic Texas-shaped lazy river will be illuminated by one-mile worth of sparkling lights, providing an interactive light experience 110-feet above street level, complete with stunning views of downtown Houston skyline, overlooking Discovery Green Park.
Texas Winter Lights at Marriott Marquis Houston is available to all registered guests staying November 11th through January 3rd. General Admission tickets are available for the public to experience the event Monday through Thursday for $20. Entrance to the event over the weekend is exclusive for registered guests of the hotel and included in room reservation. Check out their full event information to get all of the details.
The downtown Houston hotel is offering special holiday rates for two-night stays over select dates this winter! One-night stays are also available to book in Pool View rooms, which overlook the pool and provide stunning views of the Texas Winter Lights Event!
Festival of Lights & Light Up Lake Jackson
{November 17-20th | Check website for details}
World’s largest snowman bounce house! All you need to know! The Festival of Lights 2022 is the perfect way to ring in the holiday season for Lake Jackson and the region. The 32nd Annual Parade of Lights will illuminate your holiday spirit, along with the Yuletide Carnival, Santa Pajama Jam and the Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony! Don’t miss out!
Tree Lighting Celebrations
From Katy to Kingwood, and from The Woodlands to the Heights, the Houston area is filled with local events!
Reliant Lights Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular
{December 3rd | 6-8pm}
Mayor Sylvester Turner and Reliant will kick-off the holidays with one of Houston’s favorite family events of the season, Reliant Lights Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular on Saturday, December 3 from 6-8 p.m. The FREE event invites the public to Hermann Square at City
Hall for live music and performances, the lighting of the official holiday tree, a spectacular fireworks display, free photos with Santa and much more. Gloria Gaynor, best known for her disco anthem “I Will Survive” will perform as this year’s headliner. Guests will receive Reliant’s fan-favorite blinking Santa hats and watch as this year’s 55.5 ft. tall holiday tree is lit with nearly 100,000 energy-efficient LED lights. More info can be found here!
Kingwood’s Christmas in the Park & Annual Tree Lighting
{December 3rd | 10am – 6pm}
Head north for “Christmas in the Park!” This annual festival attracts dozens of local vendors sure to get you in the shopping mood, and pictures with Santa are a must! Wrapping up the event, the Town Center Christmas Tree will be lit at 6pm.
Sugar Land’s Annual Tree Lighting
{December 2nd | 5 – 8pm}
This stunning 40 foot tree is not to be missed! Entertainment and activities are completely free to the public, and this year’s fun will include holiday crafts, face painting, performances by local artists and choirs, and photos with Santa. Food and beverages will be available for purchase too.
LaCenterra’s Annual Tree Lighting
{November 19th | 6 – 9pm}
If you are on the west side of town, head over to LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch for their spectacular 51′ foot tree lighting ceremony. With twinkling lights all throughout the outdoor mall and live entertainment, this Katy tradition is a must! Though pictures with Santa will not be available during the event this year, you’re encouraged to come back for Storytime with Santa where photo opportunities will be available (more details will be announced soon).
The Woodlands Annual Tree Lighting at Market Street
{November 18th | 8pm}
Come see the gorgeous 70ft Christmas tree illuminate Market Street! Kicking off a holiday season of events, the celebration continues with live musical performances, entertainers and holiday carriage rides.
Neighborhood Traditions
Every year, families prep some hot chocolate, pile into the car and take a long drive through the most festive, Christmas light filled neighborhoods. Here are a few favorites that catch the eyes of Houstonians every year!
Pecan Grove in Richmond
Practically the entire neighborhood takes part in creating magical light displays! The weekends are definitely a bit busier so try to go during the week or pick up said favorite hot chocolate and enjoy! Also, several of the area high schools offer hay rides as part of their Project Grad but book quickly because these fill up fast.
River Oaks
The stately mansions and gorgeous trees make for a beautifully lit wonderland! Park your car and take a walk under the gorgeous canopy of lights. Head towards the River Oaks Country Club and you are sure to find it!
Spring Branch
Head towards Quincannon Lane in the Spring Branch area for a Candyland display of lights! There is only one entrance into the street so be prepared for some traffic, but it is well worth it and a happy delight!
Connect with Reliant
The joy of community and the spirit of generosity make this season the most wonderful time of the year. At Reliant, our commitment to the communities where we live and work is as strong as our Texas roots. On behalf of Reliant, we hope you have a joyous holiday season!
Looking for more holiday fun?
Head over to The ULTIMATE Guide to Holiday Events in Houston!
Please Note :: While we make every effort to crosscheck current links and holiday events on our guides, we always encourage you to do the same before making final plans. If details are missing or incorrect, please let us know so that we can make every attempt to correct them. And if you know of any other holiday happenings around town, include them in the comments to keep the list going as well!
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