30 dated events
Christmas lights season runs from the start of November to the first week of January: drive-through and walk-through light shows, festivals of decorated trees, seasonal ice rinks and visits with Santa. A holiday market or a holiday concert is a different evening out and is not listed here, and nor is an autumn lantern or light festival that opens before November.
30 dated events across 28 attractions, soonest first. Many run on selected evenings only and several are ticketed separately — the venue’s own page, linked under every quote, is the one to check before you set off.
Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027Season
Independence Plaza, Houston
A space-themed outdoor light show with a galactic snow slide, open select evenings from November 14 through January 3, 6pm–10pm.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Open select dates from November 14 through January 3”
Nov 15 – Dec 20Season
Heritage Museum & Potton House, Big Spring
Between 60–70 decorated Christmas trees are displayed throughout the museum for viewing during the holiday season.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“November 15 - December 20, 2026: Christmas Tree Forest Open for Viewing”
Nov 15, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027Season
Santa's Wonderland, College Station
Santa's Wonderland reduces music and sound levels, offers reserved seating at select areas, adds queue seating, and provides staffing interpreters. General admission ticket required.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Nov 15 & Jan 3 - 3:00PM - 6:00PM”
Nov 20 – 22Event
The Sophienburg Museum & Archives, New Braunfels
A German-style Christmas market with a Texas twist featuring authentic German collectibles, ornaments, decorations, gifts, apparel, and antiques from retail merchants and artisans.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Nov. 20 – Nov. 22 Weihnachtsmarkt”
Nov 21 – Dec 30Season
Dewberry Farm, Brookshire
Families enjoy a hay wagon ride through a winter wonderland of lights, toss real snowballs, meet Santa Claus, and ride the Jingle Bell Express through five million synchronized Christmas lights. Over 40 holiday attractions are available.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“NOV 21st- Dec 30th”
Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027Season
Museum of East Texas, Lufkin
A brightly colored forest lined with rows of festive holiday-decorated trees, ranging from 4 to 12 feet tall, sponsored by businesses, families, and individuals. Families visit to view the display and take photos.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“November 21, 2026 through January 15, 2027”
Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027Event
Palm Beach At Moody Gardens Water Park, Galveston
Moody Gardens' 25th holiday season features ICE LAND: Caribbean Christmas, a mile-long Holiday Lights Trail with two million lights, evening ice skating, the Arctic Slide, and the new live show A Very Electric Christmas from Lightwire Theater, nightly November 21 through January 2.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Holiday in The Gardens, running nightly from November 21, 2026 through January 2, 2027.”
Nov 28Event
Abilene Field of Dreams, Abilene
A 3/4-mile paved walking path through nearly 3 million lights features photo ops, Santa, a scavenger hunt, hot chocolate, and s'mores. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., last admission 9 p.m., walking trail 6–10 p.m.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Saturday, November 28th”
Nov 28 – Dec 31Season
OC Junior, Forney
The OC celebrates the holiday season starting November 28 with concerts, photos with Santa, community classes and seasonal vendor markets throughout December.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Starting right after Thanksgiving on Nov. 28, the Opportunity Central is bringing the holiday cheer for the whole family”
Dec 1, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027Season
Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum, Harlingen
Beautifully decorated trees fill the museum with holiday warmth and wonder. Guests stroll through glowing displays, vote for favorite designs, and enjoy holiday music and lights. A reception with live music and refreshments is held Thursday, December 10, 6–8 PM.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Dec 01, 2026, 10:00 AM CST – Jan 02, 2027, 4:00 PM CST”
Dec 1 – 31Season
Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum and World Birding Center, Hidalgo
A South Texas holiday tradition featuring over 5 million lights along a 2.5-mile illuminated trail, Santa Express Train Tour, Santa's Village, live performances, and family-friendly activities.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Experience the magic of the holiday season at the Hidalgo Festival of Lights—a cherished South Texas tradition that brings families and communities together each December.”
Dec 1 – 19Season
Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, Orange
The Gardens transform with thousands of Christmas lights, decorated trees by community members, and holiday flowering displays. Families stroll through on select December evenings with limited capacity.
Venue admission is free; event tickets may differ.
The venue: “Admission is free of charge”
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Christmas Strolls: Tuesdays – Saturdays, December 1-19, 2026 – 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.”
Dec 3Event
Jefferson Candlelight Tour Of Homes, Jefferson
Tour elaborately decorated historic homes in Jefferson, Texas during this 44th annual Christmas event. Families explore featured properties at their own pace with tickets valid across all event dates.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Thursday, Dec. 3 3 pm - 7 pm”
Dec 5Event
Comanche County Museum, Comanche
The museum hosts a Christmas party with snacks, desserts, music and stories from Tommy Patterson, and a children's choir singing holiday favorites.
Venue admission is free; event tickets may differ.
The venue: “Admission is free to all visitors.”
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“December 5 2026: Saturday 1pm to 4pm”
Dec 5 · 11:00 amEvent
Museum of the American GI, College Station
Saturday, December 5th brings a holly jolly day filled with holiday crafts and photos with Mrs. Claus at the Museum of the American G.I.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Crafts with Mrs. Claus 2026 Dec 5 Crafts with Mrs. Claus 2026 11:00 am - 1:00 pm”
Dec 5 – 23Season
Natural Bridge Caverns, San Antonio
Families enjoy caroling, lights, Santa, s'mores, ice skating, reindeer maze, trail of lights, campfire, and storytime with Mrs. Claus from 4:30pm to 9:00pm.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“🎄 12/5 – 12/6”
Dec 5 – 6 · 5:30 pmSeason
Pioneer Museum, Fredericksburg
Pioneer Museum hosts a one-hour Christmas concert featuring a 65-person choir performing around a 30-foot decorated tree, celebrating German carols and traditions.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Sat, Dec 05 | Pioneer Museum Singing Christmas Tree One-hour Christmas Concert Time & Location Dec 05, 2026, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM”
Dec 5 – 21Event
Sundrop Springs, New Braunfels
Families enjoy a trail of lights, meet Santa Claus, warm up by fire pits with hot chocolate, ride a tractor-pulled hayride through a holiday light display, and participate in outdoor games and activities.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Dates: 5PM - 9PM | Dec. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21”
Dec 5 – 6Event
The McFaddin-Ward House Historic Museum, Beaumont
The museum hosts an admission-free holiday celebration with festive refreshments, live music, carolers, and Santa's Craft Workshop. Guests ride a trackless train around the grounds and tour the historic house decorated with holiday cheer and twinkling lights from 5 to 7 p.m.
Venue admission is free; event tickets may differ.
The venue: “The McFaddin-Ward House Museum offers admission-free tours of the Historic Home, Carriage House, and Gardens”
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Dates: December 5, 2026 at 5:00 pm”
Dec 5 · 11:00 amEvent
The Williamson Museum, Georgetown
The 45th Annual Hometown Christmas Stroll takes place at The Williamson Museum in Georgetown, offering families a festive holiday celebration.
Venue admission is free; event tickets may differ.
The venue: “Admission is Free! As a small non-profit museum, we pride ourselves in offering free admission to the Williamson Museum.”
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“45th Annual Hometown Christmas Stroll Dates: December 5, 2026 at 11:00 am”
Dec 6Event
Gelman Stained Glass Museum, San Juan
The museum hosts a winter celebration on Sunday, December 6th from 11am to 4pm with holiday magic and activities designed for all ages.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Winter Wonderland at the Gelman Stained Glass Museum on Sunday, December 6th from 11 am – 4pm”
Dec 10Event
Jefferson Candlelight Tour Of Homes, Jefferson
Tour elaborately decorated historic homes in Jefferson, Texas during this 44th annual Christmas event. Families explore featured properties at their own pace with tickets valid across all event dates.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Thursday, Dec. 10 3 pm - 7 pm”
Dec 10Event
The Discovery Science Place, Tyler
An evening of holiday wonder where families explore the museum, get a picture with Santa, enjoy face painting and holiday snacks, and participate in an exciting experiment.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“date: DEC. 10, 20264:00 pm - 8:00 pm”
Dec 12Event
Cave Without A Name, Boerne
Texas Cellos performs a candlelit Traditional Nordic cello choir concert in the Queen's Throne Room at 7 PM, celebrating St Lucia's Day with folksongs and carols in the underground venue.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Saturday, December 12, 2026 Event Time: 7 PM”
Dec 12Event
Jefferson Candlelight Tour Of Homes, Jefferson
Tour elaborately decorated historic homes in Jefferson, Texas during this 44th annual Christmas event. Families explore featured properties at their own pace with tickets valid across all event dates.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Saturday, Dec. 12 4 pm - 8 pm”
Dec 12Event
John Bunker Sands Wetland Center, Combine
Guests discover how wetland wildlife survives cold months through educational stations. Families learn animal adaptations, create winter crafts like pinecone bird feeders and ornaments, and enjoy hot cocoa with twinkling lights and seasonal cheer.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“When:Saturday, December 12th, come and go, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.”
Dec 19Event
Bastrop County Historical Society, Bastrop
The Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center hosts a holiday caroling tour on Main Street, bringing festive Christmas music and seasonal cheer to the community.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Caroling Tour on Main Sat, Dec 19”
Dec 19Event
Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park, Conroe
Families meet Santa, make s'mores, enjoy a holiday cookie walk, visit a festive photo booth, and walk through lighted displays with carolers at this seasonal celebration.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Holiday in the Park December 19, 2026 at 5:00-8:00 p.m.”
Dec 19 · 8:00 amEvent
USS Lexington Museum, Corpus Christi
Families enjoy a festive breakfast with Santa aboard the USS Lexington Museum, featuring a delicious pancake bar and holiday activities.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“December 19 @ 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM”
Dec 26 · 8:00 amEvent
878 Airsoft, Waxahachie
Day After Christmas at 878 offers open play all day with fast-paced games and constant rotations, allowing families to break in new gear and enjoy squad-based gameplay.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Day After Christmas December 26 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm”
