Houston's best neighborhoods to see Christmas lights

According to readers, River Oaks is a highly recommended neighborhood to enjoy bright festive lights. Streets around River Oaks Boulevard fill up with Houstonians this time of year to get their eyes on these colorfully decorated mansions.

River Oaks is one of the most popular neighborhoods during the Christmas season. You’ll find homes decorated on every street. The River Oaks Santa House at 3400 Del Monte Dr. is a popular house in this neighborhood.

Pecan Grove in Richmond is filled with lights and many large decorations such as inflatable Christmas-themed characters. This area is full of decorated houses as soon as you enter the neighborhood.

"It seems to be a requirement to have Christmas spirit to live there because almost every house in the neighborhood has awesome lights," one reader said in their response to the Chronicle's poll.

The Woodland Heights neighborhood is gearing up for their annual Lights in the Heights event which returned last year after a two-year pause due to the pandemic. According to one reader, the Woodland Heights’ lights are "without equal."

"Walking down the treelined streets, looking at quaint cottages and foliage decorated with lights and holiday ornaments, and some truly over-the-top festive decorations greeting visitors in many yards, is like looking at bubble lights on the tree as a four-year-old on Christmas Eve," the reader describes.

Houstonians may enjoy extravagantly decorated homes along the route down Woodland Street and Bayland Avenue during the event Dec. 10, or pass through to see displays throughout the holiday season.

Prestonwood Forest is another neighborhood that goes all out during the holidays. For decades now, Prestonwood presents an annual neighborhood-wide lights display known as Nite of Lites. Hundreds of houses participate in the event, which usually begins the second weekend of December and continues through the last weekend of the month.

According to a reader, "Prestonwood has the entire neighborhood participating. Each block has a different theme. Some of them go back decades and others are new."

Green Tee is a Pearland subdivision known for its joyful light displays. For several years, Green Tee has held its annual Tour De Lites that features bike rides and hayrides. On Dec. 10, participants will take a bike tour of Green Tee's decorated homes. The 29th annual Tour De Lites starts at 4:30 p.m. at the pavilion at Independence Park and will be led by the Pearland Police Department.

Tanglewood is another neighborhood known for its holiday lights. The subdivision in West Uptown Houston can be found off San Felipe Street west of Loop 610.

Shepherd Park Plaza was recommended by readers for the light displays throughout the entire neighborhood. Shepherd Park Plaza is located north of Loop 610 near the intersection of Ella Boulevard and W 43rd Street. According to a reader, the neighborhood likes to "go all out on the light displays."

This long drive-thru display in Cleveland has put on light shows since 1995. It features over 300,000 lights and is located on the northeast corner at the intersection of FM 1725 and Fostoria Tram Road. The Christmas Ranch light display can be viewed from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Light Park has returned to Katy this holiday season for the second year at Typhoon Texas Waterpark. This mile-long drive-thru park boasts having the world's "longest holiday light tunnel," with millions of LED lights synchronized to music provided on K-GLO radio.

The Light Park is back in Spring for its third year at Hurricane Harbor Splashtown. In addition to the mile-long drive-through light show, the park now offers small refreshments to purchase such as lemonade, popcorn, candy and more. Tickets prices vary depending on when they are purchased. Prices start at $29 per vehicle for pre-purchased tickets.

The tradition continues as Space Center Houston hosts their annual Galaxy Lights presented by Reliant from Nov. 12 through Jan. 1. This interactive display has bright lights and high-tech decorations throughout the center. Ticket options start at $19.95 for adults and $15.95 for children four and older.

Lightscape has returned to Houston Botanic Garden. This bright laser light show is a unique display that is hosted at the garden. Holiday music accompanies each light show on this 1-mile trail.

The Marriott Marquis Texas Winter Lights is another holiday attraction downtown. Texas Winter Lights offers a variety of displays and experiences on the 6th floor Altitude Rooftop & Pool including an adult playground and grove of lights, according to the Marriott Marquis Houston website. Guests can also float under an Archway of Lights down the lazy river, which is heated to 80 degrees all winter. The Texas Winter Lights runs from Nov. 11 through Jan. 8. Tickets start at $25.

Sugar Land has several neighborhoods full of lights, but Constellation Field has over three million holiday lights with 10 themed areas offering food, movie nights, a carnival and more. This event is open daily from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6 to 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Christmas.

City Lights Downtown is back with Holiday Magic, featuring eight themed villages in downtown Houston. Visitors can enjoy an open-air ice-skating rink, holiday markets, a stroll through a Winter Wonderland and more.

If you are driving through Post Oak boulevard between San Felipe and Westheimer you may notice several streets, restaurants, bars and bright shopping centers. Post Oak Boulevard has over 200 20-foot trees filled with LED lights that lasts a mile down the road.

Johnson Family Christmas Corner light display has been around since 2005. This display has over 70,000 lights, thousands of bubbles, snow machines and more. Johnson Family Christmas Corner is also known for its light tunnel with over 10,000 lights throughout.

Pin Oak in Katy is another spot that is full of lights to cheer you up for the holidays. This neighborhood is in the same area as Katy Mills Mall on Kingsland Boulevard and is full of decorated homes and holiday music.

Paul Hopkins Park in Dickinson will be celebrating its 25th Annual Dickinson Festival of Lights. This walk-thru event has free parking, admission and shuttle service. This light show also features options to decorate cookies, take photos and snack on hot cocoa, popcorn and more.

Scott Terrace offers an incredible home light display near Scott Street and Yellowstone Boulevard. This neighborhood is full of lights during the holiday season. It features homes with decorations and even unique lights on parked cars.

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Houston's best neighborhoods to see Christmas lights