It’s the holiday season and the most perfect time of the year to celebrate outside with those you love. What better way to celebrate the holidays than to see amazing Christmas lights! Yet, with all the festive events happening in the city, it’s hard to decide which event is perfect for you. I’ve teamed up with Silvia, from lovelysilvia.com, to share with you our top five holiday spots in Houston that give you a huge variety of places to see before the season ends! So without further ado, here is our top places:
1. Discovery Green
Address: 1500 McKinney, Houston, Texas 77010
Admission Price: Free
Details: If you’ve been reading my posts, then you would’ve already known that Discovery Green is such a popular place in Houston! What’s also spectacular about the park is that it’s a great place for the holidays as well! With this year’s art installments, Firmament and Enchanted Promenade, you will be walking in a Texas winter wonderland- just don’t count on snow to appear! Firmament is a beautiful night time installment that features bright, twinkling lights in a tent to classical music playing as guests sit underneath to see the lights change above them. Enchanted Promenade is a beautiful art installment that showcases flowers throughout the park. The best part is, the flowers light up at night! Along with the art installments, Discovery Green popularly showcases ice skating in the evening time as well. You can definitely find an activity you’ll enjoy at this park this holiday season.
Tips: The best time to visit is during the evenings since all the installments are showcased during the late hours of the day. I would suggest arriving right before dawn hits, around 5-6pm, so you can leisurely view the artwork before the crowd hits. Parking is difficult to find during the evening time at the park, so try riding the metro ($1.25 one way) or park blocks away at a near by parking lot. Don’t forget to wear winter clothing for the chilly, cold nights and a blanket to view the Firmament! It’s a great place for families as you explore the outdoor night scenery.
Admission Price: Free
Details: If you’ve been reading my posts, then you would’ve already known that Discovery Green is such a popular place in Houston! What’s also spectacular about the park is that it’s a great place for the holidays as well! With this year’s art installments, Firmament and Enchanted Promenade, you will be walking in a Texas winter wonderland- just don’t count on snow to appear! Firmament is a beautiful night time installment that features bright, twinkling lights in a tent to classical music playing as guests sit underneath to see the lights change above them. Enchanted Promenade is a beautiful art installment that showcases flowers throughout the park. The best part is, the flowers light up at night! Along with the art installments, Discovery Green popularly showcases ice skating in the evening time as well. You can definitely find an activity you’ll enjoy at this park this holiday season.
Tips: The best time to visit is during the evenings since all the installments are showcased during the late hours of the day. I would suggest arriving right before dawn hits, around 5-6pm, so you can leisurely view the artwork before the crowd hits. Parking is difficult to find during the evening time at the park, so try riding the metro ($1.25 one way) or park blocks away at a near by parking lot. Don’t forget to wear winter clothing for the chilly, cold nights and a blanket to view the Firmament! It’s a great place for families as you explore the outdoor night scenery.
2. Santa’s Wonderland
Address: 18898 Hwy 6, College Station, TX 77845
Admission Price: $24.95-$32.95
Details: Hayride or Carriage ride through light displays. Lots of different activities for everyone. Sell all kinds of treats, have fire pits to make smores or weenies! Have a huge screen to watch Christmas movies with kids.Can meet Santa and take pictures with Santa. Huge Texas country setting.
Tips: Go on designated days to get the cheaper rate! If you don’t get there early, you can park close for free! It’s appropriate for family and children in an outdoor setting.
Admission Price: $24.95-$32.95
Details: Hayride or Carriage ride through light displays. Lots of different activities for everyone. Sell all kinds of treats, have fire pits to make smores or weenies! Have a huge screen to watch Christmas movies with kids.Can meet Santa and take pictures with Santa. Huge Texas country setting.
Tips: Go on designated days to get the cheaper rate! If you don’t get there early, you can park close for free! It’s appropriate for family and children in an outdoor setting.
3. Day for Night Festival
Address: 401 Franklin St, Houston, TX 77201
Admission Price: $100
Details: For music lovers, this festival is a one-of-a-kind experience for the holidays! Day for Night is a 2 day weekend festival in Houston that showcases live music with digital art. You get to explore art in a unique way as you walk through art installments, music arenas, and enjoy new music artists! There are different areas in the festival that have indoor and outdoor activities, so it truly is a festival that you can enjoy all day. What makes Day for Night so amazing is that this year is only the second annual festival, and it keeps growing every year!
Tips: The best time to visit is during the evening when the lights really glow at night. Plus, the top artists also perform concerts during the evening as well. Dress accordingly to stay warm for the winter weather, but it’s a great occasion to wear glow in the dark clothing and accessories! Check on the site for appropriate parking lots that shuttle to the festival since the surrounding streets are closed. This is the perfect event for college/young adults!
Admission Price: $100
Details: For music lovers, this festival is a one-of-a-kind experience for the holidays! Day for Night is a 2 day weekend festival in Houston that showcases live music with digital art. You get to explore art in a unique way as you walk through art installments, music arenas, and enjoy new music artists! There are different areas in the festival that have indoor and outdoor activities, so it truly is a festival that you can enjoy all day. What makes Day for Night so amazing is that this year is only the second annual festival, and it keeps growing every year!
Tips: The best time to visit is during the evening when the lights really glow at night. Plus, the top artists also perform concerts during the evening as well. Dress accordingly to stay warm for the winter weather, but it’s a great occasion to wear glow in the dark clothing and accessories! Check on the site for appropriate parking lots that shuttle to the festival since the surrounding streets are closed. This is the perfect event for college/young adults!
4. River Oaks Lights
Address: 1600 River Oaks Blvd, Houston, TX 77019
Admission Price: free!
Details: Iconic neighborhood in Houston! Huge houses with amazing Christmas lights. Most of the neighborhood is decorated and so is the country club. Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk around.You can also drive around if you would like!
Tips: Go early evening or late evening as it tends to be packed between 8-9. This outdoor event is great for family, children, couples, friends, anyone!
Admission Price: free!
Details: Iconic neighborhood in Houston! Huge houses with amazing Christmas lights. Most of the neighborhood is decorated and so is the country club. Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk around.You can also drive around if you would like!
Tips: Go early evening or late evening as it tends to be packed between 8-9. This outdoor event is great for family, children, couples, friends, anyone!
5. Houston Zoo Lights
Address: 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Admission Price: $15-20
Details: The Houston Zoo Lights is by far one of the most popular holiday attractions in Houston! With you and your family, you get to explore Christmas lights in a whole new way as you see the animal parks beautifully adorned in holiday decorations! But no worries, the animals are not in harm’s way. In fact, it’s a great way for parents and children to learn about the wilderness with the Houston Zoo’s interactive holiday installments. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate as you enjoy the holidays with the zoo animals!
Tips: I would suggest checking the website and ordering online to get the best ticket pricing. There is a designated parking for the Houston Zoo, but arrive early in the evening to get the best parking space. The event is in an outdoor setting, so don’t forget to wear lots of layers for the cold weather! Also, make sure you bring a camera, you’ll want to take photos of this amazing holiday event!
Admission Price: $15-20
Details: The Houston Zoo Lights is by far one of the most popular holiday attractions in Houston! With you and your family, you get to explore Christmas lights in a whole new way as you see the animal parks beautifully adorned in holiday decorations! But no worries, the animals are not in harm’s way. In fact, it’s a great way for parents and children to learn about the wilderness with the Houston Zoo’s interactive holiday installments. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate as you enjoy the holidays with the zoo animals!
Tips: I would suggest checking the website and ordering online to get the best ticket pricing. There is a designated parking for the Houston Zoo, but arrive early in the evening to get the best parking space. The event is in an outdoor setting, so don’t forget to wear lots of layers for the cold weather! Also, make sure you bring a camera, you’ll want to take photos of this amazing holiday event!
I really hope this helps you search for the perfect holiday spot this season! Creating this post was another great collaboration with Silvia! If you haven’t seen Silvia’s blog yet, please check out her lifestyle and fashion posts. Also don’t forget to follow her back on Instagram to follow her holiday adventures! Please leave me a comment below and tell me your favorite spot! Hope you are all enjoying the holidays, until next time!
