It's the most wonderful time of the year, and though we may not be in for a white Christmas here in the Lone Star State, we're still hauling out the holly and decking way more than just the halls. No matter where you go in Texas you are bound to find some absolutely magnificent Christmas lights displays. Grab your hot chocolate, pick out a Christmas tree, and check out 11 of the most impressive Christmas Lights displays in Texas.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Walkway of Lights - Marble Falls
The Marble Falls Walkway of Lights is an annual event that folks look forward to every year. This year's celebration started on Nov. 17 and continues nightly from 6-10 PM through Jan. 1 in Lakeside Park.
Starbright Village - Odessa
Located in McKinney Park in Odessa, you'll find the annual holiday lights display light up nightly from 6-11 PM. The city of Odessa says Starbright Village is the "Largest display of lights in the Permian Basin", with a holiday village featuring over 270,000 lights that play along with Christmas music on the radio. This year the village opens Nov. 30 and continues through Jan. 1.
Santa's Wonderland - College Station
Take one of Santa's Hayride Tours through a spectacularly Texan Christmas light display in College Station! It starts Nov. 11 and continues through Jan. 7. Also, stop by Santa's Town for food and shopping after viewing the lights. The tree lighting is a gorgeous display you have to see with your own eyes. Be sure to get your "super saver" tickets online.
Johnson City Lights Spectacular, Johnson City
The Blanco County Courthouse in Johnson City has some of the most impressive holiday lights in the Hill Country. From late November through December, the Blanco County Courthouse and its surrounding trees are draped in 100,000 Christmas lights. It's one of the best spots in America to celebrate Christmas. It's a free event that opens the last Friday and Saturday every November and runs through December.
Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway - Fort Worth
The annual Gift of Lights drive-through light display at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth features over 600 LED light displays on the 1.5 miles of track. On the inside track is Santa's Village, where you can get popcorn and hot cocoa, and meet the big guy himself. It starts Nov. 23 and goes from 10 AM to 10 PM for $25 per car.
Zoo Lights - Houston
Visit the Houston Zoo nightly through Jan. 9 to view an awe-inspiring, twinkling lights display that features light animals and blacklight jungle displays. There are plenty of other activities as well, such as gingerbread decorating, caroling and of course, the animals! (Those that aren't sleeping, that is). The zoo lights are on from Nov. 18 through Jan. 14 and tickets range from $6.95 to $19.95.
Mill Pond Christmas Extravaganza - San Saba
San Saba
San Saba
Beginning Nov. 23, you can drive or stroll through this Christmas park in San Saba, which has more than a million lights set to curated Christmas broadcast over local FM radio. This free is open nightly beginning at dusk until 10 p.m. and runs until Jan. 5.
Light Show Spectacular - Grapevine
Known as "the Christmas Capital of Texas", Grapevine has a lot to offer the holiday crowd. The annual Lights Show Spectacular starts Nov. 22 and runs every night from 6 to 11 PM until Jan. 7. The event is free and is located in Grapevine's historic downtown which offers plenty of other festive activities such as the ice display at the Gaylord Texan Hotel, and the Carol of Lights at the City Hall.
The Riverwalk - San Antonio
For a beautiful, festive experience take a walk down the San Antonio Riverwalk. The beautiful trees that line the San Antonio River are adorned each year in hundreds of thousands of sparkling Christmas lights. For a real treat, take a nighttime riverboat tour! It starts Nov. 25 and runs through Jan. 7.
Vitruvian Lights - Addison
Vitruvian Park in the North Dallas town of Addison is the perfect place to go to see some incredible Christmas lights displays. The park is lit nightly from 6 to 10 PM from Nov. 24 until Jan. 1, and features live music on Saturdays.
Christmas in the Square - Frisco
Called the "largest choreographed lights and music show in North Texas", Christmas in the Square in Frisco is a truly exciting holiday experience. Snow machines create snow flurries every 15 minutes so you and your family can go walking in a winter wonderland no matter what the weatherman calls for. The free fun begins Nov. 24 at 6 PM and continues through Dec. 31 at 10 PM.
Trail of Lights - Austin
Starting Dec. 9 and running nightly until Dec. 23 (from 7 to 10 PM nightly), the Trail of Lights is a beloved Austin tradition that has been going on for over 50 years - with a brief hiatus in 2009 and 2010. The trail of lights features over two million lights, a Ferris wheel, carousel, kettle corn and all kinds of displays and exhibits for the whole family!
