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
🎄 'HOLIDAY HOT SPOT #2' 🐧 - So what’s all happening over at the @houstonzoo this holiday season & Zoo Lights? Take a listen:#Click2Daily pic.twitter.com/enqb555gHb
— KPRC2Jonathan (@KPRC2Jonathan) November 16, 2017
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 HOT SPOT #2' 🐧 - Zoo Lights over at the @houstonzoo is now officially open, over 2 million bright lights welcome you to the zoo like you never seen before just in time to get you into the holiday spirit
— KPRC2Jonathan (@KPRC2Jonathan) November 16, 2017
For More Information:https://t.co/rREqJlEZ1z pic.twitter.com/DNExmylrMS
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.