Texas offers many incredible holiday light displays, ranging from massive drive-through parks to charming neighborhood strolls.
Major Attractions & Events
Santa's Wonderland in College Station: This popular destination features 4.5 million lights, an open-air hayride tour, a petting zoo, and real snow for tubing and snowball fights.
Lights Spectacular in Johnson City: Known as the "Twinkliest Town in Texas," its display is so extensive (over 2 million lights) it has reportedly been seen from the International Space Station.
The event is free and centered around the historic Blanco County courthouse.
San Antonio River Walk Holiday Lights in San Antonio: Over 100,000 lights are draped from the towering cypress trees lining the river, creating a magical, reflective glow. You can enjoy this view from a river boat tour or a casual stroll along the banks.
Grapevine, the "Christmas Capital of Texas": This city hosts more than 1,400 events, including a light show in the town square, a parade of lights, and an indoor experience called ICE! at the Gaylord Texan resort.
Walk-Through Displays
Dallas Arboretum's Holiday at the Arboretum in Dallas: Features an immersive exhibit with millions of lights, themed displays like the 12 Days of Christmas gazebos, and special nighttime events.
Houston Zoo Lights and San Antonio Zoo Lights: Both zoos transform into glittering winter wonderlands with dazzling light displays, themed areas, and holiday music.
Lightscape at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden: This ticketed event guides visitors along a one-mile path featuring unique light installations, a fire garden, and the impressive light tunnel.
Drive-Through Options
Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie: One of Texas's largest drive-through displays, it features a two-mile path with over 4 million lights, animated displays, and a Holiday Village midway through.
The Light Park (various locations including Arlington, Frisco, Katy): Offers a mile-long drive-through experience with millions of lights synchronized to music you can tune into from your car radio.
Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth: You can drive your vehicle around the speedway track, experiencing over two miles and nearly 3 million lights.
For great Christmas lights, check out huge drive-thru displays like Prairie Lights (Grand Prairie), immersive walks such as Lightscape at Fort Worth Botanic Garden, neighborhood spectacles like Interlochen (Arlington) or Highland Park (Dallas), and choreographed shows like Christmas in the Square (Frisco), plus national spots like Dyker Heights (NYC), with many DFW-area options offering music synchronization.
DFW & North Texas (Local Favorites)
Prairie Lights (Grand Prairie): A massive 2-mile drive-thru with millions of lights and a Holiday Village.
Vitruvian Park (Addison): Transforms into a magical, illuminated park with dancing lights.
Interlochen Lights (Arlington): Over 200 homes create a huge neighborhood display.
Christmas in the Square (Frisco): A huge light and music show with over 180,000 lights.
Light Scape (Fort Worth Botanic Garden): A stunning, immersive walk-through experience with large installations.
Highland Park & Kessler Park (Dallas): Upscale neighborhoods known for elaborate, professional displays.
The Light Park (Multiple Locations): Giant drive-through displays in Arlington, Frisco, and more.
Beyond DFW (Texas & National)
Johnson City's Lights Spectacular (Hill Country): A central Texas tradition.
San Antonio River Walk: Lined with over 100,000 lights.
Dyker Heights (Brooklyn, NY): Famous for over-the-top home decorations.
Types of Experiences
Drive-Thru: Prairie Lights, The Light Park, Gift of Lights.
Walk-Through: Lightscape, Vitruvian Park, Dallas Arboretum.
Neighborhood Tours: Interlochen, Highland Park, Deerfield (Plano), and Diamond Loch in Haltom City
Choreographed Shows: Christmas in the Square, individual home displays (check local listings).