The holidays come but once a year, and my, are they a special time here in Texas? Forget the snow and cold; we’ll take the sun and mild temperatures any day because no state does the holidays better than the Lone Star State! As the old saying goes, Everything is bigger in Texas – and you can rest assured that adage is accurate for our Texas Christmas lights, too! Here are 11 of the best, most breathtaking Christmas lights in Texas to help get your holiday season started right. Let the festivities commence!

1. The River Walk (San Antonio)
San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
Flickr/jmtimages
Each year, the already lively River Walk explodes with vibrancy in the form of thousands of lights illuminating the trees, buildings, and riverbanks. This is the magic of the River Walk's holiday lights. Even the gondolas that traverse the river are lit up, and the drivers are dressed up like Santa Claus. Many Texans claim the River Walk is the most magical place they've ever been during the holiday season, and we have to say, we agree. Oh, and did we mention this epic display is free to visit and enjoy?!
2. Trail of Lights (Austin)
2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
Flickr/mirsasha
The Trail of Lights is a 1.25-mile pathway lined with millions of multicolored Christmas lights. Now a drive-thru event, you'll be positively enchanted by this beautiful, magical wonderland of over two million lights. This is a can't-miss experience, y'all.
3. Light Spectacular Event (Johnson City)
Johnson City, TX 78636, USA
Flickr/dawilson
If you've never experienced a Johnson City Christmas, you've been missing out. They do it big there - the courthouse is draped in over 100,000 lights (not including the ones inside!), and the surrounding trees are wrapped so tightly that they appear to be made of solid gold when lit up. In fact, this light display is so big, NASA reported seeing it from the International Space Station! Yes, that would be the Johnson City Texas Lights Spectacular, a magical, must-visit event.
4. Zoo Lights (Houston)
Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Flickr/etee
A perennial Lone Star State favorite, Zoo Lights is as big as Texas itself, featuring two million lights adorning tree branches and the exhibits of all your favorite furry friends. You'll see an interactive talking zebra, an Enchanted Forest, a 33-foot tall tree, and even a 1958 Cadillac illuminated and set to music. And it's still a zoo, so you get to admire all the exotic, beautiful animals as you enjoy the lights. Talk about an amazing holiday experience!
5. Prairie Lights (Grand Prairie)
Prairie Lights, 5610 Lake Ridge Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX 75052, USA
Facebook/PrairieLights
Prairie Lights is a two-mile long drive-thru attraction with over four million lights. Yes -- you read that right! You'll see all sorts of elaborate displays that are absolutely dazzling. And it gets even better - halfway through the drive, you can get out of your car and explore Holiday Village, a realistic little Christmas town with food, a gift shop, Santa, an indoor laser show, and the stunning Holiday Magic Lighted Walk-Through Forest. After you're done there, the final half of the drive is this mesmerizing light tunnel. Prairie Lights is an amazing, only-in-Texas event you simply must experience.
6. Santa's Wonderland (College Station)
Santa's Wonderland, 18898 Hwy 6, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Instagram/santaswonderland
Santa's Wonderland is Christmas, Texas-style. You'll see enormous lighted displays of our state's flag, cowboy boots, and other distinctly Southern objects. You can take a hayride, shop in the life-sized Christmas village with an abandoned ghost town theme, ride in a carriage pulled by a horse, watch a synchronized light show, and more. It truly is a Texas-sized Christmas experience, full of fun for the entire family. Once you've experienced this epic event, it will undoubtedly become part of your annual holiday traditions.
7. Gaylord Texan Resort (Grapevine)
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX 76051, USA
Facebook/GaylordTexanResort
Grapevine is known as the "Christmas Capital of Texas," which is no surprise considering what lengths this resort goes to during the holiday season. Not only is the entire lobby decked out in lights, decorations, and a tree that's at least 50 feet tall, but there's also an on-site ice sculpture exhibit featuring over two million pounds of ice shaped like popular fictional characters (and a few giant ice slides, too). The hotel is generally decorated all season long, so stop in and look around if you're in the area anytime soon.
8. Festival of Lights (Moody Gardens)
Grapevine, TX, USA
Flickr/galvestonisland
One of our personal favorite light displays in Texas, Festival of Lights is an absolutely magical celebration complete with over one million lights, an outdoor ice-skating rink, and the opportunity to make your own s'mores and sip hot chocolate. Seeing the pyramids illuminated from head to toe is an absolutely captivating sight. The festival generally runs through the beginning of January, so you have plenty of time to experience this beautiful holiday lights display in Texas!
9. Andrews Christmas Lights (Andrews)
301 NW Ave D, Andrews, TX 79714, USA
andrewschristmas.org
The Andrews Christmas Lights is absolutely spectacular, especially considering it's the work of one man. The show has a 75-foot tall tree, numerous 11 foot trees, and thousands of lights. The show begins at dark, and you will want to be sure to turn your radio to 100.5 FM so you can hear the holiday tunes! Please check with the Facebook page (linked above) to confirm dates and details for the current season.
10. Santa Land (Lindale)
Interstate 20 West, Interstate 20 W, Lindale, TX, USA
Santa Land Tyler tx/Facebook
Santa Land was the first drive-thru light display in Texas, so it's not only fun but it is also historic as well. This amazing display is spread out over 24 acres and consists of over 2.5 million lights, ending with a 250-foot long tunnel, a gift shop, and a concession stand. Families have been making the drive out to Lindale to experience this beautiful display since 1995!
11. Whistle Stop Christmas (Cleburne)
Hulen Park, 1010 Hillsboro St, Cleburne, TX 76033, USA
Whistle Stop Christmas
Experience the holidays in Texas like never before at the Whistle Stop Christmas event in Cleburne. From the moment the lights come on during the tree lighting ceremony, this Texas town is transformed into a total winter wonderland that even the Grinch couldn't resist. Don't miss out the chance to experience it for yourself!

Now I’m definitely ready to deck the halls, strike the harp, and join the chorus. Christmas is such a heartwarming, joyful time of year — especially in the Lone Star State!

Have you been to any of these Christmas light displays in Texas? What do you consider to be the best Christmas lights in Texas? Please share your favorites with us in the comments below! And for fun all year long, be sure to take a look at our ultimate guide to seasonal activities In Texas!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

More to Explore

best Christmas light displays in Texas

Sarah | November 17, 2021

What's Christmas in Texas like?

While we Texans know better than to dream of a White Christmas, we also don't need any snow because our state is already brimming with festive fun! The holiday season in Texas brings with it an air of magic you can’t find anywhere else. Whether you take the family to a Christmas village, journey to the North Pole on a Christmas train, or drive around to look at Christmas lights, Santa takes a jolly sleigh ride to sprinkle festive magic all over the Lone Star State during the holidays. What's your favorite holiday tradition in Texas?

What are the top must-visit places to see the best Christmas light displays in Texas?

In terms of superlatives, nothing really tops this amazing Christmas light display in Texas, which has been named one of the best in the world! What is this magical place? Why, it's none other than Gaylord Texan Resort, a place that receives numerous accolades each year for its spectacular displays -- some even ranking its lights and decorations among the world’s most beautiful. In true Texas fashion, Gaylord Texan Resort leaves no stone unturned (or hall un-decked, we should say) when it comes to decorating for the holidays. Between a towering lighted tree out front and tons more displays throughout the entire hotel, you'll truly feel like you're in a winter wonderland.

Are there any Christmas towns in Texas?

Absolutely! All across the Lone Star State, big cities and small towns deck their halls, squares, businesses, buildings, and more, for the holiday season! Because the holiday season only comes once a year, and we like to make it magical. One of our more charming towns, Brownsville, goes all out with its Holiday Village. This walk-through attraction takes kids from one to ninety-two on a magical journey to the North Pole, with miniature cottages depicting everything from Santa's Workshop to Mrs. Claus' bakery. You'll get a fascinating glimpse into the elusive world of Saint Nick and his crew without leaving Texas. The kiddos can even take pictures with Santa and tell him what they want for Christmas -- what a fun holiday tradition for Texas tots!

Related Articles

Explore Texas