Texas can't promise snow in December, so it overcorrects with everything else: millions of lights, trucked-in snow, and a Santa in cowboy boots. Here's every drivable holiday destination we could verify for 2026, from the tree farm down the road to the ones worth a full Saturday.
We pulled dates and prices from each venue's own site on October 25, 2026. A few spots haven't posted 2026 details yet, so we marked those and we'll update this page as they do.
🌲 Book these first
Santa's Wonderland: Pre-season Super Saver pricing ends October 31.
The Light Park (Katy and Spring): $29.99 per car through the November 5 pre-sale, then the regular price is $60.
Sugar Land Holiday Lights: Early bird tickets start at $15 until opening night, November 20.
Polar Express trains: Galveston's ride sells out, and the museum says to book early.
🌲 Close to home
Dewberry Farm's A Berry Merry Christmas (Brookshire)
The farm's Christmas page lists November 21 through December 30. Your ticket covers the hay wagon ride through the Trail of Lights and the walk-through Merry Berry Lights, plus Santa nightly from 5 to 10 p.m. through December 23. The Jingle Bell Express train through 5 million synced lights is an add-on ($13 online last season) and has limited seats. Parking is free and kids 2 and under get in free.
The Light Park (Katy and Spring)
A mile-long drive-thru light show synced to music on your car radio, priced per vehicle instead of per person. It runs November 6, 2026, through January 3, 2027, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Katy is in the Typhoon Texas parking lot; Spring is at the Hurricane Harbor lot on I-45.
Old Time Christmas Tree Farm (Spring Cypress Road)
Family owned since 1996 and closer than you think, at 7632 Spring Cypress Road. Tree sales start the day after Thanksgiving, with choose-and-cut pines and cypress or pre-cut firs. On weekends there's a train ride through the tree fields, a petting zoo, a giant slide and photos with Santa.
Spring Creek Growers (Magnolia)
Choose-and-cut Virginia pine and Leyland cypress, plus pre-cut firs and living trees you can plant after Christmas. The barnyard animals, duck races and treehouse are included with your tree, and Santa visits on weekends. 2026 opening date not posted yet.
Tomball German Christmas Market
The 18th annual market runs December 11 to 13 in Old Town Tomball, with street vendors along Market and Walnut streets and free admission. Go hungry.
Light the Towne at the Boardwalk at Towne Lake
The Boardwalk's free tree lighting with Santa, carolers and hot chocolate. 2026 date not posted yet; we'll add it when it is.
Prestonwood Forest Nite of Lites
The neighborhood off 249 has decked out every block for more than 40 years. It's free, it's a drive-through, and it usually runs mid-December through New Year's Eve. 2026 dates not posted yet.
Home for the Holidays in Old Town Spring
Weekend horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa and live performances through Christmas Eve, all free. 2026 schedule not posted yet.
🌲 Worth the drive into town
Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo
The 2026 season is listed as November 19 through January 3, 2027, nightly from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., closed December 9 and Christmas Eve. Tickets are online only; they aren't sold at the gate. Kids 2 and under are free. Last season's Santa's Workshop ran through December 23, and there's snow in Winter Wonderland.
Sugar Land Holiday Lights presented by Houston Methodist
Constellation Field turns into 3.5 million lights for 45 straight nights, November 20 through January 3. Santa is there nightly through December 23, plus a synthetic ice rink, mini golf, s'mores fire pits and a carnival most nights from November 27 to January 1. Early bird tickets start at $15.
Holiday on The Waterway and The Woodlands Ice Rink
A free light trail along The Woodlands Waterway, the outdoor ice rink, and Market Street's hourly light show under the 70-foot tree. Last season the Waterway lights ran November 22 through January 4. 2026 dates not posted yet.
Christmas Village at Bayou Bend
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston lights up Ima Hogg's 14-acre gardens with a faux-snow sled hill, a model train and Santa photos. Last year it ran December 5 to 30. 2026 dates not posted yet.
Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston
A space-themed light show under the shuttle replica and 747, with s'mores and a holiday film. Last season ran November 15 to January 4, with tickets from $19.95. 2026 dates not posted yet.
🌲 Day trips worth the gas
Santa's Wonderland (College Station)
The big one. Nearly 5 million lights, a hayride through the woods, real snow, snow tubing, and a Santa in a cowboy hat. Open November 13, 2026, through January 3, 2027, with hours varying by night. Super Saver tickets are $37.75 for adults and $32.75 for kids 3 to 12 on select dates through October 31; after that, any-day online tickets are $43.25 and $38.25. At the gate it's $59.95 and $54.95. Check the park's attendance forecast to pick a slower night.
The Christmas Village (Huntsville)
Back for its second year just north of Conroe off I-45: a Hallmark-style main street, a light trail, a train ride, live music and photos with Santa. Open November 12 through December 31, 5 to 11 p.m. on select nights. Adults from $34.99, kids 3 and up from $24.99, and parking is $10 per car.
Holiday in the Gardens at Moody Gardens (Galveston)
November 21 through January 2, 6 to 10 p.m. The mile-long Holiday Lights Trail starts at $24 and includes the outdoor ice rink. ICE LAND, this year themed Caribbean Christmas and kept at 9 degrees (parkas provided), starts at $29. The Holiday Pass bundles both and more from $55. Sunday through Thursday, November 30 to December 17, are the cheapest nights. Breakfast with Santa is December 12, 13 and 19 to 23.
The Polar Express Train Ride (Galveston)
Pajamas encouraged. The Galveston Railroad Museum runs the licensed Polar Express from November 13 through December 23, with tickets from $35. It sells out, so don't wait.
Dickens on The Strand (Galveston)
Victorian London takes over The Strand December 4 to 6 with parades, four stages and costumed vendors. Show up in full Victorian dress and admission is half off.
The Polar Express at the Texas State Railroad (Palestine)
The longer drive, but a real vintage train. The 2026 season is listed as November 14 through December 27 and runs on diesel this year.
The Christmas Train (Alvin)
Open-air train cars through 300,000 lights at Victory Camp, run by volunteers since 2000. Last season's train tickets were $12 to $14, and kids 2 and under rode free. 2026 dates not posted yet.
🌲 Just here for Santa?
Katy Mills Santa Photo Experience: November 13 through December 24. Katy Mills Santa hours
Bass Pro Shops Katy: A free 4x6 photo with Santa. Reserve online up to a week ahead. Bass Pro Santa reservations
Dewberry Farm, Sugar Land Holiday Lights and Zoo Lights all include Santa with admission through December 23.
Old Time Christmas Tree Farm and Spring Creek Growers have Santa on weekends.
Know a spot we missed, or a street in your neighborhood that goes all out? Reply and tell us. We'll add it.
