Six area holiday light displays stay open into the new year
Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa will all come to an end by Jan. 1, but many holiday light shows will continue on well into the new year in the Houston area.
From walk-through winter wonderlands to drive-through displays, here are nine holiday light shows to catch while school’s still out around Houston:
Magical Winter Lights at Katy Mills
More than 60 lantern displays, ranging from life-size dinosaurs to ice kingdoms, will illuminate Katy Mills through Jan. 7.
Visitors can stroll through the winter wonderland’s illuminated tunnels, take a turn through the Space Maze and enjoy interactive exhibits, carnival rides and character entertainment.
The light show opens at 5 p.m. daily at 5000 Katy Mills Circle. Tickets start at $18.
Houston Zoo Lights
While the Houston Zoo’s living animals slumber each night, light-up lions, tigers and bears get the spotlight at its nightly Zoo Lights experience.
Trees lined with lights and lantern displays form a holiday grove, while a canopy of glowing butterfly lanterns and flowers welcomes visitors into the Hanging Pollinator Garden exhibit. The zoo also hosts an enchanted
forest, a 33-foot-tall color-changing tree and holiday-themed concessions.
Tickets are online only and start at $25.95. Zoo Lights opens nightly at 5:30 p.m. through Jan. 7 at 6200 Hermann Park.
Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston
A 100-foot-long shooting star and other aptly-themed light installations will illuminate Space
Center Houston through Jan. 7.
High-tech space displays range from a 40-foot cascading crystal fireworks show to a 200foot LED light tunnel and lightup exhibits honoring Houston’s role in space explorations. Hot cocoa and make-your-own s’mores are also available for visitors.
Tickets start at $19.95. Galaxy Lights opens from 6-10 p.m. through Jan. 7 at 1601. E. NASA
Parkway.
‘Radiant Nature’ at Houston Botanic Gardens
While the new year begins Jan. 1, the Lunar New Year isn’t until Feb. 10.
That’s why the Houston Botanic Garden will be decorated with 50 Chinese lantern displays, including a 200-foot dragon and 12-foot peacock, through Feb. 25.
The Radiant Nature exhibit hopes to embrace the essence of Chinese lantern festivals, honoring nature while also hosting interactive zones with kaleidoscopic displays, illuminated swings and food and drinks.
Tickets start at $28.50. Radiant Nature opens at 6 p.m. nightly through Jan. 7 and is open for several three-day weekends and certain weeknights through Feb. 25 at 1 Botanic Lane.
Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens hosts a vast array of holiday-themed entertainment, including the annual Festival of Lights, Ice Land, an arctic slide, an ice skating rink, 3D and 4D holiday films, a Christmas Wish Holiday Show and New Year’s Palooza.
Galveston’s famous pyramids will host a mile-long trail featuring 2 million lights and several holiday events through Jan. 6.
Tickets range from $21-$70 at 1 Hope Blvd. in Galveston.
Post Houston’s Winter Wonderlawn
A close-up view of Houston’s skyline serves as the backdrop for a mini holiday-light skyline at Post Houston’s annual Winter Wonderlawn display.
The five-acre rooftop park features hundreds of thousands of lights, a 25-foot Christmas tree, walk-through displays and views of the city through Jan. 14.
Tickets start at $10 starting at 5 p.m. each day through Jan. 14 at 401 Franklin.