Celebrate the holiday season with fun and joyful events and activities in Houston and the surrounding regions. From Christmas lights to a gingerbread build-off, make your holiday in Houston extra festive this year. With so much to do in Houston, it’s not hard to get into the Christmas spirit.
Top Christmas Events in Houston
Houston Zoo Lights
6200 Hermann Park Dr
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 533-6500
Houston’s most loved holiday lights experience is returning at the Houston Zoo! Houston Zoo is transformed into a beautiful winter wonderland every evening from mid-November to mid-January with animal-themed light exhibits and 15 miles of tree lights. Take a picture in front of the 33’ tall color-changing holiday tree, and don’t forget to stop by Santa’s Workshop to take a photo with Santa in his workshop at Twiga Café. The beautiful Zoo grounds are a fantastic setting to have fun with the views and sounds of the Holiday season with family and friends. zoolights houstonzoo.org
Galaxy Lights
1601 E NASA Pkwy
Houston, TX 77058
(281) 244-2100
Enjoy the holiday season while learning about science and space discovery with Houston’s holiday tradition, Galaxy Lights, brought to you by Reliant. Discover the most interactive and technologically advanced light exhibit in Texas. spacecenter.org
ICE at Discovery Green
1500 McKinney St
Houston, TX 77010
(713) 400-7336
Glide beneath the shimmering lights of downtown Houston and explore the holiday magic on Green Mountain Energy Ice at Discovery Green! If you love outdoor ice skating, sharpen those ice skates and visit The ICE at Discovery Green, open from the Thanksgiving holiday through early February. discoverygreen.com
Dickinson Festival of Lights
1000 FM 517 Rd E
Dickinson, TX 77539
(713) 560-4429
The Dickinson Festival of Lights is always a fantastic event to attend. What could be better than cost-free admission, free parking as well as free shuttle service? Dickinson Festival of Lights is an incredible walk-through event for almost two decades southeast of Houston. It’s open on weekends only in early December and every night during the second half of the month at Paul Hopkins Park. It’s really worth stopping by when you’re looking for free holiday events in Houston. dfoltx.com
Moody Gardens Festival of Lights
One Hope Blvd
Galveston, Texas 77554
(409) 744-4673
Have a joyous stroll along this mile-long trail showcasing over two million lights as well as lighted scenes inspired by holiday songs that take you around the Moody Gardens property with the magnificent sights of Galveston Bay. Stops as you go along bring you to see Star the Dancing Tree of Light, hot chocolate, fireside s’mores and other foods, mistletoe, and lots of photo opportunities. moodygardens.com
Winter: Nite of Lites at Prestonwood Forest
Hwy 249
Houston, TX , 77070
Drive through the Prestonwood Forest neighborhood in NW Houston for its Nite of Lites. It has been a holiday tradition and competition since the 1980s. Guests can drive through the neighborhood on weekdays until 10 pm and on weekends until 11 pm. The area usually lights up the last three weeks of December, which makes it the perfect thing to do for The holiday season! prestonwoodforestonline.com
Christmas Train
1407 Victory Ln
Alvin, TX 77511
(281) 388-2267
Complete your Christmas experience by riding the Christmas Train at Victory Camp in Alvin. Witness the 279 trees covered in lights, enjoy more than 500 lbs of popcorn popped, and some delicious deep-dish pizza. This holiday experience is one of the local’s favorite Christmas events in Houston. thechristmastrain.com
The 13th Annual Gingerbread Build-off
3801 Eastside St
Houston, TX 77098
Enjoy holiday creativity at the Gingerbread Build-Off. Over 4,000 visitors are expected to be present and cheer on the teams, play in the kids’ construction zone, and meet Santa! All of that entertainment is free and available to the public! If you have kids on your trip to Houston, this should be on the holiday plans. aiahouston.org
Starry Night Express
5555 Hermann Park Dr.
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 639-4629
Starry Night Express will take you on a night sky tour, through the solar system, and into the Universe. This traditional live planetarium presentation is ideal for stargazers of various age groups! Visitors can find stars, meteor showers, constellations, the Moon, the Milky Way band, and other astronomy events. hmns.org
Christmas Village at Bayou Bend
6003 Memorial Dr
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 639-7750
Explore a fascinating Christmas experience at Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. A spectacular bridge brings you into a winter wonderland showcasing hundreds and hundreds of lights throughout the 14-acre estate. mfah.org
