Holiday displays and events happening in Texas this year

COLLEGE STATION: SANTA’S WONDERLAND

Santa's Wonderland spans 130 acres and includes a Christmas village full of light tunnels and mazes; the Trail of Lights that can be experienced via hayride or horse carriage; mechanical bull rides; train rides; a petting zoo; and food, local beer and wine vendors throughout the park. It's open nightly through Dec. 30. Fun fact: As part of a push to be more green, Santa's Wonderland uses LED lights, which use significantly less energy than incandescent bulbs.

FREDERICKSBURG: CHRISTMAS NIGHTS OF LIGHTS

Fredericksburg leans into its German heritage over the holidays. There's a German Christmas pyramid as well as a 30-foot Christmas tree. And a story about the town's German past is included in the Christmas Nights of Lights, complemented by holiday carols and a countdown to the lighting of the Marktplatz. The event takes place nightly at 6 p.m. through Jan. 6.

GALVESTON:

MOODY GARDENS’ FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS HOMES AND MORE

There's nothing quite like Christmas at the beach, and Galveston has no shortage of holiday activities. The Polar Express Train Ride, which runs through Dec. 23, is an immersive experience set to the soundtrack of “The Polar Express” on vintage locomotives from the Galveston Railroad Museum's collection. Until Jan. 2, visitors can walk through the mile-long Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens. Dickens on The Strand transforms Galveston's historic downtown into Victorian London Friday through Sunday. Visitors can enjoy more of the city's Victorian architecture on the East End Historical District's Victorian Christmas Homes Tour on Friday. Miracle, a Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar, will be open until Dec. 29 at Daiquiri Time Out. On Dec. 19, the Santa Hustle brings more than 5,000 runners in Santa attire on a communal, jolly jog.

GRAPEVINE: GAYLORD TEXAN RESORT’S LONE STAR CHRISTMAS AND MORE

They take the holidays seriously in Grapevine, the official Christmas Capital of Texas. For 40 days starting in early November, the town hosts more than 1,400 events. The North Pole Express Christmas Village runs through Dec. 23 (including the North Pole Express train). Until Jan. 2, Gaylord Texan Resort's Lone Star Christmas will have several light shows, a miniature train, an indoor skating rink, a snow-tubing hill, a “Mission: Save Christmas Featuring Elf” game and many more family-friendly activities. Tonight, from 7 to 9 p.m., more than 100 Christmas floats and marching bands will parade down Main Street for the Parade of Lights. Other events include the Elves on the Run 5K at Oak Grove Park on Saturday.

MARBLE FALLS: WALKWAY OF LIGHTS

Marble Falls is hosting 44 nights of holiday events this year. The signature affair is Walkway of Lights, which features 350 illuminated sculptures and more than 2 million lights. There will also be ice skating in Lakeside Park ($10 in advance, $12 day of, including skate rentals). Both events run through Jan. 1. Other events include Breakfast with Santa, Christmas Market on

Santa's Wonderland Santa’s Wonderland in College Station is the biggest Christmas destination in Texas.

Austin American-statesman Marble Falls Walkway of Lights mesmerizes thousands of visitors each holiday season.

Staff file photo Marktplatz fills Fredericksburg’s Main Street.

Moody Gardens Galveston’s Moody Gardens hosts a fest of lights.

Www.grapevinetexasusa.com Grapevine is the “Christmas Capital of Texas.”

Jacy Lewis / 191 News Odessa gets in the spirit with Starbright Village.

South Padre Island South Padre Island celebrates with lights.

Magnolia Market The Silos in Waco are a winter wonderland.

Contributor file photo After seeing the lights at the University of the Incarnate Word, hit the road.