Fwd: Best Christmas Lights in Houston Guide
Melissa Duffel
From: "Houston On The Cheap" <feed...@mail.feedblitz.com>
Date: Dec 7, 2016 1:32 PM
Subject: Best Christmas Lights in Houston Guide
To: "melissa.duffel" <melissa...@gmail.com>
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In This Issue...
Best Christmas Lights in Houston
Looking for the best Christmas lights in Houston and beyond? Our city is full of neighborhoods decked out in Christmas lights — often synchronized to music. But how do you find these often tucked-away places in such a big city?
Word-of-mouth with my readers is certainly one way. After doing my own research, here is my list of Houston’s don’t-miss Christmas light displays in 2016:
Central
River Oaks — Drive through River Oaks to see the mansions and huge oaks wrapped in lights. These traditional displays are amazing with dripping lights and more. River Oaks Country Club, Inwood Drive, Willowwick and Del Monte are some prime streets! The common route is west on Del Monte from Kirby, so try going east on Del Monte to avoid traffic!
photo: Eric Farque
Woodland Heights — This area of the Heights is known for its Christmas lights. The neighborhood is hosting Lights in the Heights, Saturday, December 10, 6:30 pm – 9 pm. Streets are blocked off to enjoy the lighted homes and musical performances — right from the porch! The neighborhood is trying to downplay the event after it got rowdy a few years ago, but it’s still open to the public. Of course, private parties are private. (Thanks, 365houston.com!)
photo: Theresa Quintanilla
Spring Shadows — At the end of Kemp Forest (off Gessner) sits Quincannon. This Christmas lights display in the 3000 block of Quincannon includes several vacant lots and homes for a magical treat! Check out this video for an idea of their holiday fun.
Northwest
Prestonwood Forest — Prestonwood Forest in Northwest Houston is considered the “granddaddy” of Houston neighborhoods with entire streets participating in elaborate light displays since the 1970s. The holiday displays will be lit December 10 – December 31 (dusk to 10 pm weekdays and till 11 pm weekends). Check out the Visitor’s map for details. The neighborhood is off Tomball Parkway (SH249).
Johnson’s Christmas Corner (Cypress) — The Johnson family is taking a break this year after 10 years of light displays. Hopefully they return in 2017!
Franck’s Christmas Light Show (Copperfield) — The Franck family on Viney Creek shares a neighborhood lights tradition since 2008. Songs are timed to music. The light show runs nightly from 5:30 pm – 10 pm (Sunday through Thursday) and till 11 pm on weekends. Located at 15923 Viney Creek. Music is broadcast on 89.7 FM. Check out this fun sequence dedicated to J.J. Watt! Every time I visit I smile. The music and lights are so fun and uplifting! The whole show is around 45 minutes and is on a loop.
North
Christmas Ranch (Cleveland) — This massive drive-through display is celebrating 32 years of bringing joy to the community. The Christmas display has grown so much the Hanleys moved to a larger, more accessible home in 1995! It features nearly 300,000 lights, holiday scenes, 32-ft reindeer, and more. Santa will be around for the kids Saturdays 6 pm – 8 pm and December 23-24. Located about an hour north of downtown at 14651 FM 1725 in Cleveland. And it’s completely free! Hours are 6 pm – 10 pm Sunday through Thursday and 6 pm – 11 pm Friday and Saturday. The display is open Thanksgiving to New Years.
photo: Christmas Ranch
Schultz Holiday Lights (Spring) — The Schultz family enjoys displaying Christmas on Rose Dawn, its animated holiday lights from Thanksgiving to New Years since 2010. Hours are 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm Sunday – Thursday and till 10:30 on weekends. Located at 19827 Rose Dawn, Spring. Check out videos from last year.
Dodd Family Holidays (The Woodlands) — Since 2001, the Dodd family has shared their love of Christmas lights with the community. Hours are 6 pm – 10 pm Sunday – Thursday and 6 pm – midnight Friday and Saturday. Music is simulcast on 95.1. Located at 62 W. Knightsbridge Dr. in The Woodlands.
West
Christmas Katy (Katy) — This home in Pin Oak is celebrating its 10th year of synchronized Christmas lighting. It features more than 50,000 LED lights, 32 ft. tree, 10 ft. Nutcrackers, and 16 songs in its show. Neighbors are incorporated into the show so it’s a beautiful street. Music is broadcast at 89.9 FM. Hours are 6 pm – 9 pm (Sunday through Thursday) and till 10 pm on weekends through December 25. Located at 24603 Stoughton Court off I-10 and Pin Oak in West Houston.
Southeast
Dickinson Festival of Lights (Dickinson) — Since 1998, the Dickinson community comes together to create Dickinson Festival of Lights, a free walk-through lights display at Paul Hopkins Park. Lights will be on nightly through December 30, 6 pm – 8:30 pm. All parking and shuttle buses are free. Parking on weekends is courtesy the Dickinson Plaza Shopping Center, exit 19, I-45 N feeder. Only those needing handicap parking can park onsite Friday through Sunday. The shuttle is the best way to go!
photo: Dickinson Festival of Lights Society
Moss Lights (League City) — The Moss family is taking a break in 2016, so no Christmas lights. They are planning for a big return in 2017!
Bufkin Christmas Wonderland (Pasadena) — This amazing lights display — a Pasadena tradition for many area families — hit a record year of nearly 24,000 visitors last year. The Bufkin family’s light display fills the front and back yards with more than 165,000 lights. Since its beginning in 1994, it’s estimated more than 250,000 folks have visited this display. Hours are 6:15 pm – 9:30 pm daily through December 27. The home is located at 2731 Lilac in Pasadena.
Edwards Family Lights (Scarsdale area) — The Edwards family started their Christmas lights about four years ago, and it’s truly their passion. This year features 45,000 lights, 20 ft. mega tree, singing Christmas trees, 6 ft. Bethlehem star, and music in a 40 minute show. New renovations include 30 arches, 24 snowflakes plus snow, fog and fire! Come visit Santa December 17 beginning at 6:30 pm. The family selects a different charity each year and has a donation box for those who wish to contribute. This year donations will be split between Make A Wish Foundation and Texas Children’s Hospital — Childhood Cancer Center. Lights are on daily through January 1: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm Sunday – Thursday and till 10:30 pm Friday and Saturday. The home is located off Blackhawk and Astoria close to I-45 and Scarsdale at 10014 Citruswood.
photo: Eric Edwards
South
Green Tee Subdivision (Pearland) — This is another neighborhood with a long history of beautiful light displays. Each year the Tour De Lites features a leisure 6-8 mile bike ride (or hay ride) through Green Tee just to see the lights. This year the ride is Saturday, December 10, 6 pm – 9 pm. Seats are still available for the hayride but they must be reserved online. This is located off FM 518 and Country Club.
Southwest
Pecan Grove (Richmond) — This Fort Bend neighborhood near Richmond is known for its Christmas lights. Hayrides are common as folks gather up the kids and drive through the many lighted streets.
Light Displays for a Fee
Zoo Lights — Houston Zoo
Magical Winter Lights — Gulf Greyhound Park, La Marque
Sugar Land Holiday Lights — Constellation Field, Sugar Land
Santa’s Wonderland — College Station
Moody Garden’s Festival of Lights — GalvestonThe post Best Christmas Lights in Houston appeared first on Houston On The Cheap.
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