Experience

City Lights Holiday Events in Downtown Houston

Enjoy the holiday season in Downtown Houston with a district-wide celebration featuring 12 Holiday Villages, a new Buffalo Bayou experience, a holiday trolley tour and more!

CITY LIGHTS DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY MAGIC

Downtown Houston transforms into a festive wonderland as City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic brings 12 unique themed villages to beloved parks and community spaces across the Downtown district.

Downtown Houston+ has teamed up with Houston First, Discovery Green, Alley Theatre, Post Houston, Hilton Americas-Houston and Marriott Marquis to create memorable holiday experiences that capture the magic of the season.

This year, we’re introducing Snow Glow on the Bayou, a spectacular blend of light, music and digital projections at Allen’s Landing, celebrating Houston’s historic waterway.

Plus, with the City Lights Holiday Trolley, visitors can easily explore all the attractions, hopping on and off at the city’s holiday highlights.

EXPERIENCE THE VILLAGES

CITY LIGHTS HOLIDAY TROLLEY

For a nominal fee, hop aboard the Holiday Trolley from Houston City Tours to visit each festive village—all without the hassle of driving.

Hop on and off the trolley at each of the stops below:

• Avenida Houston / Discovery Green – 1500 McKinney Street
• Trebly Park – 1515 Fannin Street
• Lynn Wyatt Square – 601 Capitol Street
• Market Square Park – 301 Milam Street
• Post Houston – 401 Franklin Street
• Allen’s Landing – December 20-29 only

For convenient parking options, visit our Parking Map where you can find and reserve spots, and pay in advance.

PURCHASE A BUS TOUR TICKET

Downtown Houston+ Holiday Events

Tinsel Town | Market Square Park
Nov. 22 – Dec. 31

Market Square Park transforms into Tinsel Town, featuring a 40-foot holiday tree with synchronized music and lights every evening—plus free hot chocolate and puppy-chinos on Friday and Saturday nights!

• Silent Night Disco – Fridays, 7pm to 9pm
  Groove under the stars at a fun headphone dance party and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
• Santa Paws – Saturdays, 6pm to 9pm
  Snap pet photos with Santa, and enjoy live music, face painting and a celebration of global holiday traditions.
• Movies Under the Stars: Elf – Thursday, Dec. 19 at 6pm

Twinkle Town | Trebly Park
Nov. 22 – Jan. 6

At Twinkle Town in Trebly Park, you’ll find Texas’ largest mistletoe ball alongside a stunning holiday tree, creating the perfect spot for family photos and holiday fun!

• Santa Paws – Saturdays, 12pm to 3pm
  Each week, a unique Santa representing Houston’s cultural diversity poses for pet photos. Plus, enjoy live music, free hot chocolate, face painting and cultural celebrations.
• Movies Under the Stars: Frozen – Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6pm
• Ugly Sweater Holiday Jam – Thursday, Dec. 12, 7pm to 9pm
  Rock your ugliest holiday sweater, enjoy food and drinks from Tout Suite, and revel in dueling pianos and holiday photo ops.

Snow Glow on the Bayou at Allen’s Landing
Dec. 20 – 29 | 6pm to 10pm

New this year, Snow Glow on the Bayou debuts at Allen’s Landing, bringing a limited-time, immersive light and music experience to the historic site of Houston’s founding.

Four-story-tall digital projections, a festive soundscape and bridge lighting will illuminate the bayou, viewable from hillside spots at the Sunset Coffee Building as well as along the waterway’s banks and trails. 

For an up-close experience, Buffalo Bayou Partnership offers holiday boat tours for $20 per person on the final two weekends of December.

PURCHASE A HOLIDAY BOAT TOUR TICKET

Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt

Embark on an exciting scavenger hunt through City Lights destinations!

Find hidden elves at each location from December 20-22, with a chance to win the ultimate Downtown staycation that includes hotel accommodations and tickets to top attractions.

More information coming soon!

---

Mentioned in this Post