Do you remember how much fun it was to go see Christmas light displays when you were a kid?
For most of us, nothing has changed. It is still a thrill to go see the millions of twinkling lights and the wondrous world they create.
If you will be in Texas this holiday season, here are ten spectacular Christmas light displays to go see…
Christmas Light Displays in Texas
1. Nature In Lights – Fort Hood
Along the shores of Belton Lake, near Fort Hood, is the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area. The locals call it BLORA.
They host the annual Nature In Lights holiday lights display.
A cool thing about Nature in Lights is that visitors drive through the lights display. It stretches over 5½ miles and has more than 120 displays.
Along the way, you can stop by Santa’s Village where you can buy homemade cookies and hot chocolate.
Prices are very reasonable, ranging from $8 per car or mini-van to $60 for a big bus.
2. Trail Of Lights – Zilker Park, Austin
The Austin Trail of Lights is located in Zilker Park. It is probably one of the best Christmas light displays in Texas!
There are more than 50 light displays to enjoy. Many food vendors along the way will ensure that you don’t get hungry or thirsty.
If you’re planning to drive there, you have to buy your parking ticket before the time. A good option might be to park at the Burger Center or Republic Square Park, and then take a shuttle to Zilker Park.
While it may be a little tougher to get there, the Trail of Lights is spectacular and well worth a visit.
3. Prairie Lights – Grand Prairie (Dallas Area)
Prairie Lights is another “drive-thru” Christmas lights display in Texas. It is located in Grand Prairie, between Dallas and Arlington.
Prairie Lights has about 4 million lights set in various displays along a 2-mile path. It takes about 45 minutes to drive through.
Holiday Village is about halfway through the drive. Here you can get out of your car to buy some concessions, like hot chocolate, apple cider, funnel cakes, and more. The Holiday Village also has an indoor laser show and a walk-thru forest (for an extra fee).
Prairie Lights is in Lynn Creek Park at 5610 Lake Ridge Pkwy.
4. Zoo Lights – Houston Zoo
The Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo has a great holiday lights display.
There are more than 2 million lights in multiple displays along the way. They have holiday music playing as well.
For those who need a little warmth in the tummy, there is hot chocolate available too.
The Zoo closes at 5 p.m. for regular visitors and then re-opens at 6 p.m. for Zoo Lights visitors.
Parking can be an issue at times. If that is the case when you go at 6 p.m., grab some dinner first and return at 8 p.m. after the first wave of visitors has left.
5. The Riverwalk – San Antonio
Whether it’s Christmas or not, the San Antonio Riverwalk is a special place.
But when it is Christmas, the Riverwalk is even more special!
The entire Riverwalk gets covered in millions of colorful lights that turn the place into a magic wonderland.
If you’ve never been to the Riverwalk over Christmas, don’t miss out on the opportunity when it comes up. You’ll love it!
6. Walkway Of Lights – Marble Falls
The Walkway of Lights is a very nice Christmas light display in the Texas Hill Country.
It is located in Marble Falls, along the shores of Lake Marble Falls.
The Walk of Lights boasts more than a million lights on 230 displays. It takes about 30 minutes to walk through. There is a concession along the way where you can buy hot chocolate, apple cider, and cookies.
The Walkway of Lights is free, although they give you the opportunity to make a donation at the entry or exit.
If you’ll be in the Marble Falls area this holiday season, go see it. We’ve been there a few times and love it.
7. Santa’s Wonderland – College Station
Santa’s Wonderland in College Station is a treat!
It consists of two parts. The first is Santa’s Town, a Christmas village that has food, music, shopping, and other activities, like a petting zoo and pony rides. The second part is the Trail of Lights.
There are two ways to see the Trail of Lights. The first is Santa’s Hayride Tour, which is a 50-person hay ride that takes you through the trail of lights. The second option is the VIP Horse & Carriage tour (make reservations for this tour).
Santa’s Wonderland offers a lot. Go see it if you can.
8. Santa Land – Tyler
Santa Land is near Tyler in East Texas. It is the original drive-thru Christmas lights display in Texas.
Santa Land boasts more than 2 million lights, with many light displays in an area of more than 20 acres.
They have a large gift shop where you can buy many Christmas creations and hot chocolate and apple cider.
You can also have pictures taken with Santa.
9. Concho Christmas Celebration – San Angelo
The Tour of Lights is part of the Concho Christmas Celebration in San Angelo.
It is also a drive-thru Christmas lights display.
The Tour of Lights features more than 3 million lights in various displays over 2½ miles along the Concho river.
There is no entry fee, but they suggest a donation of $5 per vehicle.
10. Rock ‘N Lights – Round Rock
The final Christmas lights display in our round-up is Rock ‘N Lights Holiday Light Tour.
It is a fairly new drive-thru holiday lights display in Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
Rock ‘N Lights has more than 2 million lights in several displays along a 1½-mile path in the park.
The organisers recommend entering the park at the north entrance along Old Settlers Blvd.
After traveling through the lights display, you can stop at Christmas Towne, which has carnival rides, go-kart rides, food, and more.
There is no way that these are the only awesome Christmas light displays in Texas. If you know of any others, please share them in the comments.