The Best Holiday Displays in Houston

The-Best-Holiday-Displays-in-Houston Everyone is getting ready to deck their halls with boughs of holly, lights, garlands and other holiday flair. In addition to partying with friends, getting burned out on “Jingle Bells,” getting teary-eyed at another viewing of It’s a Wonderful Life and overdosing on holiday treats, part of the joy of the season is sightseeing. Houston holiday tours are about to begin, and if you’re not the type to sign up for the guided variety, don’t worry. You can pile the kids in the car with holiday cookies and a jug of hot chocolate or apple cider, and map out your own route.

The Houston area is loaded with neighborhoods so lit up astronauts could see them from space, and there are so many that it’s unlikely that you will see them all in one evening. After all, everything is bigger in Texas. So if you’re one who enjoys the sights of the season, get your walking shoes on, fill up the gas tank, and get ready to see some pretty spectacular displays. These are just a few places to add to your list.

Uptown Houston Holiday Lighting

Thanksgiving is a special day, and it becomes even more special when you get out to Post Oak Boulevard for a free family event. The annual Uptown Houston Lighting is one of the most well attended family events in the Houston area. Enjoy music by local groups while the kids are entertained by super-sized holiday characters. Get out your camera so you can take pictures with Rudolph, then end the night with the incredible fireworks display. Don’t fret if you don’t get there Thursday evening, though; the beautiful decorations will be on display throughout the season.

Mayor’s Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting

On December 6^th at City Hall, the Mayor will light up the Holiday Tree. This promises to be a wonderful time for the entire family, with music, Santa and fireworks courtesy of Southwest Airlines. Come see the beautiful tower tree full of gorgeous ornaments and lights. Then take a stroll down the street to see the other displays in downtown Houston.

Zoo Lights

Until January 4, visit Houston Zoo and check out the holiday displays. They’ve added over a million lights this year to really make the place sparkle like never before. Hours for Zoo Lights are 6pm. until 10pm each evening. Be there before 9pm, because the gate closes at that time. There’s plenty of holiday action, from oak trees covered with LED lights and holiday music playing throughout to an enchanted forest with life sized lighted animal sculptures, a doll-house village and holiday trains.

Moody Gardens Festival of Lights

If you’re up for a bit of a road trip to Galveston, Thursdays through Saturdays until December 7^th, you can enjoy the beauty of the lights at Moody Gardens. After that, from December 12^th through January 4^th, the display can be seen nightly. Make it a day trip, and end the festivities by seeing the lights. Moody Gardens offers plenty of activities, including ice skating, ice sliding and train rides. They also have theaters, interactive museum displays and more. The Festival of Lights is one of the largest holiday celebrations around Houston. Make this holiday one to remember by the fantastic display at Moody Gardens Festival of Lights.

Dickinson Festival of Lights

The 16^th anniversary of this festival carries on the tradition of the community coming together to make one tremendous display of holiday lights for everyone to enjoy. While you’re at the park, let the kids decorate a cookie for $1, or get a blinking memento at the Blinkey Hut that carries all things flashy and sparkling. There’s a concession stand with hot dogs and nachos, along with beverages and other snacks. Don’t forget the picture with Santa. Bring your camera for a free shot, or they will take it for you for just $5.

Prestonwood Forest

One of the most talked about neighborhood holiday lighting displays is in Prestonwood Forest. This year, once again, they are celebrating in grand style and inviting the world to check out the glitz. From December 7^th until the 29^th, homes will be dressed up in true holiday spirit with thousands of lights, blow-ups, cut-outs and dozens of other seasonal items. From dusk until 10pm on weekdays and until 11pm on weekends, cruise Prestonwood Forest to really get in the holiday mood.

Woodland Heights

This year they’re scaling back at Woodland Heights, but it still promises to be quite a display as the homes of Woodland Heights light up for the holidays. The big celebration day, complete with music, is December 14^th from 6pm until 9pm. Come enjoy this twenty-six year old celebration of illumined bliss with the whole family.

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