Click2Daily: Holiday hot spots to visit in Houston

HOUSTON – With the holiday season officially underway, we hit the road to check out some holiday hot spots across the Houston area.

While there are plenty of options out there for folks to enjoy, this quick look will give you a break down of some of the best and brightest.

PHOTOS: Holiday hot spots around Houston

We're talking millions of bright twinkling lights to get you into the festive spirit, and even a visit to some pretty cool places offering lots of family fun.

While some stops are free for families to enjoy, others do charge, so be sure to plan accordingly.

To help you out a little, we also have a breakdown of prices and direct you to the right place for more information.

Holiday hotspot No. 1: Discovery Green Park

Prices:

  • Some aspects free, others, like ice skating, will cost between $8-$17

Highlights:

  • "Frostival:" a fun-filled night happening on Nov. 18 to celebrate opening of The ICE at Discovery Green
  • Winter art installation called "Hello Trees!"
  • Live music performances, interactive ice sculptures and more.

Hours, dates of operation:

Nov. 18 - Jan. 21, 2018

  • Monday–Thursday: 5 – 10 p.m.
  • Friday: 5 – 11 p.m.
  • Saturday and school holidays: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
  • Sunday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Thanksgiving Day: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
  • Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Martin Luther King Day: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

For more information, visit this website.

🦌'HOLIDAY HOT SPOT #1'🎄 - last minute touches at Discovery Green ahead of this weekend's opening, the fun will include...

Posted by KPRC2 Jonathan Martinez on Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Holiday hotspot No. 2: Houston Zoo Lights

Prices:

  • Value nights: Member $11.95, non-member $16.95
  • Prime nights: Member $16.95, non-member $19.95
  • Children 1 and under: free

Highlights:

  • Houston Zoo transformed into a winter wonderland
  • Over 2 million lights set up to show you the zoo like you never seen before
  • Festive caroling, holiday decorations and plenty of fun

 

 

Hours, dates of operation:

Nov. 18 - Jan. 15, 2018

  • Closed Dec. 24 and 25
  • Value nights: 6 – 10 p.m. (Last entry at 9 p.m.)
  • Prime nights: 6 – 11 p.m. (Last entry at 9:30 p.m.)

For more information, visit this website.

 

 

Holiday hotspot No. 3: Moody Gardens Ice Land

Prices:

Ice Land & Festival of Lights combo:

  • Adults - regular days: $30.95, value days: $25.95
  • Children and seniors - regular days: $25.95 value days: $20.95

Highlights:

  • Moody Gardens turned into a winter wonderland including holiday favorite: Ice Land
  • Festival of Lights, a mile-long trail with over 1 million brights lights guiding you around Moody Gardens
  • An ice slide, music and plenty of holiday decorations

☃'HOLIDAY HOT SPOT #3' 🦌 - Moody Gardens Ice Land is already open & ready for you to visit, from a 'cool' ice slide to...

Posted by KPRC2 Jonathan Martinez on Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Hours, dates of operation:

Sept. 11 - Jan. 7, 2018

  • 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

For more information, visit this website.

Holiday hot spot No. 4: Magical Winter Lights

Prices:

Reserve Tickets:

  • Adult (13 - 64): $21.00
  • Child (4-12): $13.00
  • Senior (65+): $13.00
  • Child under 4: Free

Unlimited Carnival Rides Wristband: $20.00
Family 4-Pack: $76.00

Highlights:

  • Largest lantern festival of its kind in the U.S.
  • At Gulf Greyhound Park
  • Themed sections include: Magical Wonderland, Christmas Candy Land, The Lone Star State, Dinosaur Land and Mystery of the East
  • Holiday Market Square
  • Photo opportunities with Santa Claus and Ice Sisters.
  • Nightly acrobatic performances, authentic arts and crafts, amusement rides and games, live entertainment

Hours, dates of operation:

Nov. 10 - Jan. 2, 2018

  • The festival will not be open Nov. 13, Nov. 27, Dec. 4 and Dec. 11
  • Sunday - Thursday: 5 - 10 p.m.
  • Friday - Saturday: 5 - 11 p.m.

For more information, visit this website.


About the Author:

Galveston-born, award-winning journalist, dog owner, foodie & occasional golfer.