Best Spots to See Christmas Lights Texas in 2023
Texas is known for doing things big, and Christmas light displays are no exception! During the holiday season, the Lone Star State is home to some of the most impressive and elaborate Christmas lights the country has ever seen. Both charming small towns and busy cities in Texas have plenty of spots to see the best Christmas lights in Texas for the 2023 season.
We live in the greater Austin, TX area giving us the opportunity to see many of these light displays in person! We spend the month of December exploring as many Christmas lights in Texas as we can, making memories and capturing images to share with you to inspire your own adventure! Some of these displays are grand while others are charming, quaint experiences in small towns – they are all beautiful!
If you’re planning a trip to Texas during the holiday season, be sure to add a few Christmas light displays to your itinerary. From Grapevine to San Antonio, there are plenty of must-see displays that will make your holiday season magical. So grab a cup of hot cocoa, put on your favorite holiday tunes, and get ready to experience the magic in Texas’ best Christmas towns.
Some of the links below are affiliate links which means that we earn a small commission if you choose to purchase – at no additional cost to you. See our full Privacy Policy here.
Best Christmas Light Displays in Texas
Texas is known for its big celebrations, and Christmas in Texas is no exception. From Grapevine to Wimberley, the Lone Star State is home to some of the most spectacular holiday light displays in the country. Here are some of the best Christmas light displays in Texas that are sure to make the season merry and bright.
Grapevine
Grapevine, also known as the Christmas Capital of Texas, is a must-visit destination during the holiday season. The city boasts over 1,400 holiday events in 40 days, including the Grapevine Christmas Parade of Lights, the North Pole Express, and the Carol of Lights.
We spent last Christmas in Grapevine and it was MAGICAL! We 10/10 recommend working a day or two into your holiday plans. Don’t miss the Visitor’s Center. It is a hidden gem!
You can also enjoy millions of lights, animated displays (think singing snowmen!), and a walkway of lights just by making your way down Main Street in late November through early January. Take the short drive to the Gaylord Texan to see their outdoor lights as well!
>>>Read Next: Best Christmas Towns in Texas
San Antonio
San Antonio is home to the famous Riverwalk, which is transformed into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. The Riverwalk is decorated with over 100,000 lights, making it a magical sight to see. We visited here last year and can’t imagine seeing the Riverwalk when it is NOT Christmas – so lovely!
Visitors can enjoy the Ford Holiday River Parade, the Holiday Artisan Show, Fiesta de las Luminarias (lanterns lining the river!) and the Holiday Boat Caroling. Head to Travis Park for the downtown Christmas tree and outdoor ice skating rink. The Alamo also puts on a beautiful lights display when the sun goes down. We have more things to do in San Antonio for Christmas and San Antonio Christmas lights in these detailed posts.
Dallas
Dallas is home to several amazing holiday light displays, including the Highland Park Christmas Lights, which features over 4 million lights and is one of the most popular holiday traditions in the city. You can either drive yourself or take a horse drawn carriage ride! If the weather isn’t cooperating, see the largest indoor Christmas tree at the Galleria!
Whatever you do, please don’t miss Christmas the Dallas Arboretum! The 12 Days of Christmas exhibits and the German village is just spectacular! This can be visited during the day or night hours, but we prefer the sparkling lights of a late evening visit!
Nearby towns on this list with more lights to see: Grapevine, Fort Worth + Grand Prairie
Austin
The Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park is one of the most popular holiday events in the city and, frankly, in the whole state of Texas. Over 2 million lights, a light tunnel, and animated displays make this decades long tradition a fantastic place to explore. The event also features live music, food trucks, and hot chocolate.
To check out some lesser known gems that locals love to frequent, don’t miss the gorgeous tree inside the historic Driskill hotel as well as the FANTASTIC light show at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters (reservations required). For a special treat, book a boat ride and watch the lights from the water, and definitely pick up some treats from the Bavarian bakery.
For more festive fun in Austin, check this out for more Christmas lights in Austin.
Johnson City
Johnson City is a small town in the Texas Hill Country that goes all out for the holiday season! This tiny town packs a mighty punch when it comes to Christmas. The Blanco County Courthouse is transformed into a dazzling display of lights, and visitors can also enjoy the Lights Spectacular at the Pedernales Electric Cooperative, which features over 1 million lights.
This event reportedly can be seen by NASA from space! A lot of work goes into earning the title of “Twinkliest Town in Texas!)
Grand Prairie
Prairie Lights is a drive-thru Christmas lights in Texas event in Grand Prairie that features over 4 million lights (yep! You read that right!), a light tunnel, and animated displays. Don’t miss the Holiday Village, which features Santa’s Village, a Christmas Village, and a walk-through snow globe. This two mile-long drive-through experience is not to be missed if you are looking for one of the best Christmas lights displays in Texas. Stop by the holiday village for a walk-through light forest, theater, a Christmas market, and food and drink vendors.
Fort Worth
Fort Worth is home to the Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway featuring over 3 million lights synchronized to holiday music and is a must-see Christmas light display.
Walk the streets at the historic Forth Worth stockyards to see this western town twinkling each evening. Check out the Live Stock Exchange for the chance to see a rodeo. AND keep your eye out for Cowboy Santa!
Houston
Houston is home to many holiday light displays! You can spend several days here exploring them all!
Join the viewers at City Place to see the 35 foot lit tree…floating in the pond! If you prefer a drive-thru option, Dasher’s Light Show is your best option. If you want the biggest Christmas tree in town, head over to City Hall, but if you want the coolest Texas Christmas light display, then head to the Galaxy Lights at the Space Center!
The Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo also features over 2 million lights with a gorgeous walk through experience. The tunnel at the Houston Botanical Garden is to die for – a great photo spot here at their Lightscape event!
Baytown is just a short drive away and this small town put on an Ah-mazing display of SIX MILLION lights and these incredible passages to walk through with unique themes.
I warned you that Houston takes the cake with their Christmas lights in Texas! The options are numerous!
Marble Falls
The Walkway of Lights in Marble Falls is a walk-through holiday light display that features over 2.5 million lights synchronized to holiday music. This is one of our favorite places to visit each year. This event is free and offers ice skating nearby for a reasonable fee. Seeing the Marble Falls lights in this Hill Country town is just magical!
Bonus! Head to the nearby Burnet for the Walkway of Lights at Lakeside Park. It is short and sweet but very festive.
College Station
College Station is home to Santa’s Wonderland and is one of the best places to see Christmas lights in Texas with little ones. As soon as you pull up to the big read barn with its Texas star, the fun begins. very building on the property is decked out with incredible strung lights.
The event features over 3 million lights, a light tunnel, tubing, campfires, animal corral, and a snow play area. Add hayrides, train rides, and hot chocolate to your list of things to do. To see the best lights in town, you’ll want to see the Trail of Lights, Grand Illumination, Lone Star Christmas Ship, and Frostbite Forest.
And where else can you ride a mechanical bull while viewing the gorgeous twinkling lights?
Galveston
Galveston is a beach town in Texas near Houston that is well worth the trip from the city. The Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens is among the most popular spots and features over 2 million lights. This Festival brings twinkling trees, s’mores by the campfire, and views of the bay.
To see the gorgeous contrast of a giant Christmas tree surrounded by palm trees covered in Christmas lights, stop by the Grand Galvez.
New Braunfels
New Braunfels is home to the beautiful Santa’s Ranch, a drive-through holiday light display that features over 2 million lights. The route is a mile long throughout the country landscape with amazing lighted displays.
Wimberley
Wimberley is a small town in the Texas Hill Country that is known for its charming holiday events. Head to the Trail of Lights at EmilyAnn Theatre, which features over 100 lighted exhibits, as well as complimentary sweet marshmallows at the campfire by the yule log. Watch their calendar for special themed lights, live music, and hot dogs from the concession stand.
Frisco
Christmas in the Square is one of Frisco’s biggest events and a great places to see Texas Christmas light displays. A drive-through holiday light display that features over 175,000 lights synchronized to holiday music shouldn’t be missed! You can choose to walk through them instead to really soak up the festivities.
Head over to Skate the Square ice rink afterward for some more holiday fun. The Burkman Holiday Home is another twinkling event in Frisco featuring over 70,000 lights, a train village, photo-ops, and a mailbox for letters to Santa.
Odessa
The Starbright Village in Odessa is a self-proclaimed “Largest display of lights in the Permian Basin” with over 270,000 lights that play along with Christmas music. This drive thru display also includes a holiday village with Santa’s house, a train, and a nativity scene.
Marshall
The Wonderland of Lights in Marshall is one of the most popular historic Christmas light displays in Texas. The town is transformed into a winter wonderland with over 1 million lights and festive decorations. The historic courthouse decked out in white lights as many other merry events are sprinkled on the calendar contributing to the joy of the holiday season.
FAQs
What are the best drive-through Christmas lights in Texas?
Texas is known for its extravagant Christmas light displays, and there are plenty of drive-through options to choose from. One of the most popular is the Santa’s Wonderland in College Station, which features over 3 million lights and a hayride through a winter wonderland. Another great option is the Trail of Lights in Austin, which boasts over 2 million lights and a 2-mile drive through the park.
Where can I find Christmas lights near me?
If you’re looking for Christmas lights near you, there are plenty of options in Texas. Many neighborhoods go all out with their decorations, so take a drive through your local area to see what you can find. Additionally, many parks and attractions offer Christmas light displays, such as the River Walk in San Antonio or the Zoo Lights in Houston.
What are the top Christmas lights in Dallas?
Dallas is home to some of the most impressive Christmas light displays in Texas. The Vitruvian Lights in Addison is a popular choice, featuring over 1.5 million LED lights and a synchronized music show. Another great option is the Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie, which has over 4 million lights and a drive-through light tunnel.
What are the best drive-thru Christmas lights?
If you’re looking for the best drive-thru Christmas lights in Texas, there are several options to choose from. The Enchant Christmas in Arlington is a popular choice, featuring over 3 million lights and a synchronized light show. Another great option is the Magical Winter Lights in Houston, which boasts over 6 million lights and a 20-acre drive-through park.
Where can I see a Christmas lights show in Texas?
Many parks and attractions in Texas offer Christmas lights shows, such as the Luminova Holidays in Frisco or the Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio. Additionally, many cities offer Christmas parades and tree lighting ceremonies, which are great opportunities to see festive lights and decorations.
Where are the best walk-through Christmas lights near me?
If you prefer to walk through Christmas light displays, there are plenty of options in Texas. The Dallas Zoo offers Zoo Lights, a walk-through display featuring over 1 million lights and holiday-themed activities. Another great option is the Festival of Lights in Galveston, which features a mile-long trail through Moody Gardens with over 2 million lights.
Best Christmas Lights Display in Texas
Texas is home to some of the most stunning and historic Christmas light displays in the country. From the River Walk in San Antonio to the Holiday Trail of Lights in Marshall, there are plenty of opportunities to soak up those twinkling lights!
Some of our favorites are Wimberley’s Trail of Lights and Grapevine’s Main Street? Where are you headed in 2023? 🌟
