Nov 22, 2023 - Things to Do
Guide to Houston's best holiday light displays
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Photo: Courtesy of Houston Zoo
'Tis the season for twinkling lights and festive delights!
- We've got a roundup of Houston's most enchanting light displays sure to drum up the holiday spirit.
⛸ City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic
- Downtown has transformed into a holiday destination with several free and cheap things to do, like the Winter Wanderland light display outside City Hall and ice-skating at Discovery Green Park.
- The events run now through Dec. 31.
🐯 Zoo Lights
- This special wintertime event pairs zoo animals with glistening lights. There are life-size animal lights, an enchanted forest, a colorful holiday light tunnel, a canopy of glowing flowers and butterflies, and more.
- Tickets range from $22 to $35 based on the day. Now through Jan. 7.
🕯 Cistern Illuminated
- The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, formerly a drinking water reservoir, has a special light installation by a local artist on view from Saturday through Jan. 7.
- The 30-minute show happens Wednesdays through Sundays regularly from 10am to 5pm. Tickets are $12.
🏠 Extravagant neighborhood displays
- You don't have to shell out money to see photo-worthy light displays. Drive through River Oaks, the Heights, Briargrove or Pecan Grove to see the exuberant displays (and enjoy glimpses of luxurious homes, if that's your cup of tea).
🌸 Botanical Garden Radiant Nature
- See the botanical gardens glow up, with a majestic 200-foot-long dragon, 12-foot-tall peacock and other animals. The nature-themed light display is up through the end of the year. Tickets around $30.
🪐 Galaxy Lights
- Space Center Houston has an out-of-this-world light show. The space-themed installations are open through Jan. 7. Tickets range from $20 to $30.
🎅 Constellation Field in Sugar Land
- The 10th annual holiday light show in Sugar Land is a sparkling wonderland featuring 3.5 million lights. Santa Claus is present until Dec. 23.
- There are also holiday food vendors and themed nights, including Cowboy Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Night and more. See the full schedule here.
- Through Jan. 1. $15 to $20 tickets.
🚗 The Light Park in Spring and Katy
- Drive through an electric show while staying warm in your car. There are two locations in the Houston area — in Spring and Katy — and both are open till Jan. 1.
- $39 per vehicle online or $50 at the gate.