Ultimate Guide to Houston Holiday Events
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Houston Winter Guide | Christmas Activities, Cheery Festivals, Santa Sightings, Magical Lights, & More! {2024}

It’s time for Christmas activities and all the winter events! Welcome to the season after Halloween! (Thanksgiving, who? – seems like we skip right past this holiday)

Christmas movies are already on a 24/7 loop of Hallmark love and jingle bells. I bet this is where Sabrina the Teenage Witch gets most of her residuals from.

Whether you are in the spirit, or not, it’s here!? This is definitely a situation where if you can’t beat them – join them! What’s the worst that could happen? Your jolly might get out of control?

To help you get in the spirit we have rounded up Houston’s best family-friendly Holiday & Christmas activities. Find out where around town where you can Deck the Halls, see the big man himself, shop ’til you drop, and all the other Houston winter wonderland-filled activities!

Need somewhere to send the kids on the long winter break we’ve got you covered with a complete roundup of winter camp opportunities!

Ongoing Seasonal Events

Winter Festivals, Tree Farms, and Christmas Activities

IndividuAl Events

Winter Festivals and Christmas Activities

Gingerbread Contests, Villages, & More!

Santa Sightings (November | December)

Holiday
Lights

Craft/ Holiday Markets

Snow in
Houston!

Ongoing Seasonal Events

Winter Festivals, Tree Farms, and Christmas Activities

Jump to: Individual Events by Date

Houston Winter

INDIVIDAUL Seasonal Events

Winter Festivals and Christmas Activities

Jump to: Ongoing Seasonal Events

Little boy sitting in front of a reflecting pool looking at oak trees strung with white lights at the Houston Zoo

Holiday Christmas Lights

Many of the above facilities have events and light shows or trails. Most of the Christmas Activities and Holiday lights listed below are put on by private individuals or groups and will run from when they get the show ready through the New Year.

As such, it is imperative that you check their pages and socials for updates. To find a light show in your area check the map above and filter by the green light bulbs (additionally, it also shows some suggestions that don’t have a dedicated page). Looking for a full holiday event check out our list of Holiday Festivals, Christmas Activities, and Events.

Candy Cane Court and other neighborhoods in Atascocita

Candyland on Amber Sky –  located at 10 Amber Sky Pl., The Woodlands, TX. Lights usually run from 6 pm – 11 pm. Check their Facebook page for updates and tune to 88.1 on FM!

Dodd Family Holidays – This family is based in The Woodlands and has its lights set to music (broadcast to 95.1 FM. The hours are Sunday through Thursday, 6-10 p.m. (Friday and Saturday until midnight). The address is 62 W. Knightsbridge Dr., 77385. FREE. Check their social media for unexpected closings before heading out if weather is expected or just past.

Falling Star Court (The Woodlands) – Lights stay on until about 10:00pm and later to 11pm, closer to Christmas.

The Light Park (Spring) – November – December, 5:30 pm – 10 pm; A drive-through light spectacular at Hurricane Harbor Splashtown. $40 per vehicle with an online reservation – required for Fri-Sun admission, $50 at the gate – available Mon-Thursday only)

Whoville, Texas – Welcome to Whoville, Texas! We come to life every Christmas season with custom Whos, decorated yards, and lights over the streets! Come see us y’all and be part of a Woodlands tradition! The address is 1313 June Breeze Place The Woodlands, TX 77382 and lights typically stay on from 6pm – 10 pm.

Woody Wonderland –  over 25,000 lights, nearly four miles of cables, integrated DMX and RGB technologies and theatrical style floods/moving heads, kids’ favorite cookies, candy canes, a running train and snow bubbles! Head over to 18 Forge Hill Place, The Woodlands, Texas 77381 and tune in to FM 95.1. Lights are on from 5:30 pm – 10 pm.

Franck’s Christmas Light Show – The Franck family runs their light show nightly from 5:30-10 p.m. (10:30 p.m. on the weekends). The lights are timed to music which is broadcast on 89.7 FM and lasts about 45 minutes. The address is 15923 Viney Creek. FREE.

Gullo’s House Of Lights (Magnolia) – The 5-acre home of Tony Gullo, of Gullo auto dealerships, turns his home into Christmas wonderland each year. Sometimes, he even dresses up as Santa for the kids. 30723 Old Hockley Road. FREE.

Johnsons Christmas Corner– This family might have the Griswald’s beat. Similarly, they are completely decked out, have themed days, and regular visits from Santa (follow them on Facebook or Twitter to get tips for when he’ll show and for weather updates). The address is 14811 Cypress Meadow Drive, 77429. FREE.

NJ’s Texas Christmas Lights – Located at 4419 Leaning Aspen Court, Cypress, TX 77429. Lights run daily 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm.

Preston Woodforest Nite of Lites – This Northwest Houston neighborhood goes all out. Emphatically, the neighbors band together to create a Christmas event of themed light displays. It is truly an amazing trip. The later in the season the more traffic you should expect, check out their visitor map to plan your drive. FREE.

Dasher’s Light Show – Located at Sam Houston Race Park it runs throughout the month of December, daily from 6pm – 11pm. Tickets are $35-$70 per vehicle (or $10 per person) – only available for pre-purchase online.

Schultz Holiday Lights (updates are on Facebook) – The Schultz family has moved and the final show was in 2022.

Christmas Katy – 24603 Stoughton Ct, Katy, TX 77494. Shows begin on Thanksgiving! Nightly from 5:30-9 pm & 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays – FREE.

Dewberry Farms – Wednesday and Thursday nights you can drive your vehicle through their Trail of Lights for $30 per car. On the weekends it is viewed on a wagon ride and included with admission.

Magical Winter Lights Houston (Katy) – Open from Nov. – Jan. This festival will feature themed sections, interactive dinosaur exhibit, acrobatic performances, carnival, and live entertainment. Buy your tickets in advance to avoid long lines.

City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic – 11 themed villages covering dozens of blocks throughout the city’s central business district:

  1. Deck the Trees at Avenida Houston
  2. Land of Sweets at Hilton Americas – Life size chocolate and gingerbread display!
  3. Texas Winter Lights – An interactive walking or float-through lights experience in the iconic Texas-shaped lazy river, heated to 80 degrees all winter long. November through January. $15-$30. Christmas movies on Thursday nights!
  4. ICE @ Discovery Green
  5. Sugar Plum Plaza at Fish Plaza and Wortham Theater
  6. Jingle Town at Lynn Wyatt Square
  7. Winter Wanderland at Bagby St.
  8. Twinkle Town at Trebly Park
  9. Cultural Holiday Extravaganza at Mistletoe Square at Market Square Park – Journey Through Santa’s Workshop” is a unique, family-friendly, and multicultural Christmas event that will take place every Saturday night from November to December in Market Square Park
  10. City Hall-iday Headquarters at City Hall
  11. Winter Wonderlawn at Post HTX – A 5-acre rooftop park, is decked out in beautifully illuminated lights and decor. Experience 100,000’s of lights, a 25ft Christmas Tree – through Jan. 14th.

Deck the Trees – View the Alley Theatre’s Deck the Trees at the George R. Brown Convention Center and at the Alley Theatre. The spectacular display features 30 holiday trees decorated by Houston’s top decorators in a dramatic windowscape along Avenida de las Americas. Trees will be lit daily from 5 to 10 p.m. through January 1st. 

Lights in the Heights – December 9, 6-9 pm. Due to road closures it is a public event, but please be mindful that this is a neighborhood (be respectful of their property and families). Likewise, while the event is open to the public individual events at homes are private. If you just want to see the lights we recommend coming after the event to just drive the streets and see the displays and lights. FREE.

River Oaks – If you head toward the street around the River Oaks Country Club then you will see some amazing displays and huge oaks robed in lights. Generally, nightly 6-11 p.m. (some lights will stay on until midnight). There will be heavy traffic on Saturdays and the heaviest route is from Kirby going west on Del Monte. FREE.

Spring Shadows – This neighborhood is north of I-10 and east of Beltway 8 and gets busy. Accordingly, there will be police to help traffic flow but expect long lines the later you go in the season. FREE.

Houston Zoo’s: Zoo Lights (Med Center) – mid-November – mid-January, 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm (closed December 24 & 25. Not included with zoo admission.) Prices vary.

City of Sugar Land’s Christmas Tree Lighting (Sugar Land) – Dec. 1 . The event will include performances, Mr. & Mrs. Claus, crafts, and more. FREE

Giant Menorah Lighting Celebration (Sugar Land) – December 7: 5 pm – 6:30 pm; FREE. Celebrate Chanukah with the lighting of the giant menorah in the Sugar Land Town Square. There will be music, dancing, performances, and more.

Pecan Grove Subdivision – Lights will be on daily from dusk to 11 p.m. (midnight on weekends). You can drive through on your own but a fun option is to take a hayride (or here) through the lights. Although, Plantation Drive is the main drag, previous lighting contest winners were located on Morton League, Austin Colony, and Quarterpath as well. You may consider parking at Pecan Grove or Austin Elementary School and walking through the neighborhood. FREE.

Sugar Land Holiday Lights (Sugar Land, Constellation Field) Open from late Nov. – early Jan. Meet Santa and see over 3 million lights around Constellation Field.

Christmas Ranch {2023 is the final season}- Christmas Ranch is a drive-through light display in Cleveland, TX. At this time, the show is free but donations are appreciated and all proceeds are distributed by St. Mary’s Catholic Church to helping needy families within the community. The hours are nightly 6-10 p.m., 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. FREE.

Dickinson Festival of Lights – A Walk-thru Christmas Event at Paul Hopkins Park. With Free Admission, Parking and Shuttle Service. pictures with Santa every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and every night beginning Friday, December 15th through Friday, December 23rd (Weather Permitting). FREE.

Edwards Family Light Show – they’re back! Showtimes 5:30pm – 10:30 pm, daily. Check out the link and look in the announcements for a suggested route. Location: 510 Applewood Dr. League City, TX 77573 (It is very close to Moss Lights)

Galaxy Lights (NASA/ Clear Lake) – 6pm – 10 pm daily, An interactive technologically advanced light display. Admission is $19.95-$27.95, 3 & under are free (members $15.95). And a combo ticket includes admission to Space Center Houston.

Festival of Lights – Lights are on view from mid December through the 24th at Pearland Town Center. Visit with your family and friends for the scenic beauty of twinkling lights, giant lighted Christmas trees and more!

Moss Lights – The Moss Family is located in League City and puts their house on display Sunday – Thursday from 5:30-10:30 p.m. (11 p.m. on the weekends). The address is 540 Southhampton Lane, 77573. FREE.

Pearland’s Tour De Lites – Family Bicycle Ride begins at 4:30 p.m. at Independence Park and goes through the Green Tree Terrace Subdivision to view the Christmas lights. Registration and check-in for the ride ends at 8 p.m. Besides the event, Green Tree Terrace is a good destination most nights during the season to drive through and look at lights.

The Christmas Train (Alvin) – A unique holiday experience, unlike anything else in Houston!  Your whole family can enjoy an old-fashioned train ride on our open-air coaches while experiencing hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights and displays. $10-$12, ages 2 & under free.

Moody Gardens Holiday Attractions (Galveston): Open from Nov. – Jan. Moody Gardens is getting dressed up for the season and their Christmas activities are top notch! Tickets vary and can be purchased as a combination or for single attractions. You can look forward to lights, the regular attractions, plus seasonal attractions like the arctic slide, ice rink, and train or Cirque Joyeaux.

gingerbread

From contests to building and eating to walking through a life size village – here is your gingerbread HQ!

12/01-1/10 Gingerbread Village {FREE} at City Place (Spring)

12/05-07 Gingerbread House Contest at Fantasy of Lights (Sealy)

12/07 Gingerbread House Decorating at CyFair Library

12/14 Santa’s Merry Mingle at TWCM (The Woodlands) 

12/14 Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop at Pop Shop (Heights)

12/14 15th Annual Gingerbread Build-Off  (Levy Park)

12/15 Breakfast with Santa and Gingerbread House Decorating at Maggiano’s Houston (Uptown)

12/18 Mrs. Claus Gingerbread House Workshop at TWCM (The Woodlands) 

12/22 Icing & Ice Skates at The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center

Santa Sightings

November

jump to december

december

Side view of crop ethnic girl with Santa and dog toys standing in shop with Christmas decorations

Craft Fair/ Holiday Markets

Visit the link to see our page dedicated to Nutcracker and Holiday markets.

Christmas Activities in Houston

There are so many great markets, Christmas Activities and Winter Events during Houston winter. Be sure to check out our complete list, in the link, to plan your holiday shopping adventures!

Did we miss something? Comment below and we’ll add your favorite Winter and Christmas activities and events to the list.

Check out individual events on our Community Calendar.

Houston Winter Holidays & Christmas Events
Houston Winter Holidays & Christmas Events
Houston Winter Holidays & Christmas Events

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