The Best Houston Holiday Activities in Downtown — City Lights Brings Eight Distinct Christmas Lands

Downtown Houston has been transformed into a wonderland of holiday lights and festivities. With eight attractions spanning across Downtown from the George R. Brown Convention Center to Bagby Street, all of which are open to the public and mostly free, City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic can be a fun experience for the whole family.

There is something for almost every holiday enthusiast from a giant Minion-themed chocolate display to a lighted poolside experience at the Marriott. 

“With eight holiday villages to see — set against the backdrop of some of the best hotels and restaurants found anywhere in the country — this expansive, multi-faceted installation provides families and holiday enthusiasts reasons to visit not once but multiple times as the season unfolds,” Houston Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Martin says. “Trust me when I say this, City Lights is not something that can be fully taken in with just one visit.”

The holiday season extravaganza features eight distinct areas that are worthy of a stop:

Hilton Americas – Land of Sweets

This massive holiday chocolate display is hand sculpted from more than 2,000 pounds of chocolate. 

Winter Wanderland on Bagby Street

This lights display boasts 100,000 twinkling LED lights, including giant angel wings and an 80-foot light tunnel across from the Hobby Center.

Marriott Marquis – Texas Winter Lights

Get ready for a pool experience including an archway of lights and a heated lazy river. Tickets start at $25 for an hour and are available here.

Discovery Green – Holiday Ice Village

You’ll find an open air ice-skating rink, holiday movies under the stars and solstice art installation at Discovery Green. Tickets for ice skating are $17 per person and include skate rental.

Plaza at Avenida – Deck the Trees

This display of 30 decorated Christmas trees and live musical performances is part of the Avenida Concert Series.

Wortham Theater – Sugar Plum Plaza

Wortham Theater’s Fish Plaza is brought to holiday life with larger-than-life custom built ornaments.

Market Square Park – Mistletoe Square

Get ready to kiss. Texas’s biggest mistletoe installation, a 150 inch ball of greenery hanging from a 15 foot candy cane, can be found in Houston’s Market Square Park.

Main Street Square – Santa’s Village

Yes, Santa is coming to town. Regularly. There is a holiday market where you can get photos with Santa Claus every Friday and Saturday on Main Street.

Put together by Houston First Corporation and Central Houston, Inc., City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic runs until January 2. Holiday devotees can also sign up for the free City Lights pass for a chance to enter to win holiday themed experiences every week. 

For admission to ticketed events and more information, click here.