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    Light It Up

    5 best Houston-area neighborhoods for spectacular holiday light displays

    Nicole Raney
    Dec 12, 2015 | 9:30 am
    Sugar Land holiday lights
    The Candy House decorated by the Stavinoha family in Sugar Land was last year's winner.
    Facebook/City of Sugarland

    'Tis the season to be delighted, and you're in the right place: Houston has been named one of the top 25 cities to see holiday lights. Real estate website Redfin released the list, which features the five best neighborhoods in and around the Bayou City for sensational light displays, as determined by local real estate agents.

    While some of these neighborhoods have professional displays, Redfin gives props to the dedicated families and communities that put in their own time to create spectacular holiday attractions.

    Residents of Prestonwood Forest have been lighting up their northwest Houston neighborhood for 40 years. More than 750 homes participate in the annual Nite of Lites (through December 27), all competing for top prize in the 2015 People’s Choice Award.

    Each year River Oaks is decked out to the nines with dazzling holiday décor. From mansions with giant Santas to oak trees dripping with cascading lights, the posh neighborhood never fails to impress. Redfin says to make sure not to miss Inwood Drive and Bellmeade Street.

    Sugar Land residents go head-to-head on social media competing for first place in the area’s annual holiday lights contest. Check out the competition on the city’s Facebook page, or on Instagram (hashtag #SweetLights) as it heats up now through December 21. Redfin says to be sure to check out last year’s winning house – The Candy House in Covington Woods. The Stavinoha family has been decorating their home with a holiday treats theme for nearly 20 years.

    Shepherd Park and Candlelight Park join together for a blowout Christmas lights display. Surrounding homes and parks get a holiday makeover with festive arches over the streets and large inflatable decorations. Redfin says it’s best to start north of West 43rd Street on either side of Ella Boulevard — and don't miss the aptly named Bethlehem Street.

    If a car isn't your thing, pedal your way through a lights tour in Green Tee with mapped out stops at Independence Park, Liberty Drive and the Green Tree subdivision via bicycle. Keep Pearland Beautiful sponsors the 22nd Annual Tour de Lites Family Bicycle Ride on December 12, with proceeds supporting the city's hike-and-bike trails. (Note: due to the threat of rains and high winds, the bicycle ride has been canceled.)

    Check out the Redfin roundup for more information on each neighborhood's collection of stunning light displays.

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    news/city-life

    This Week's Hot Headlines

    Austin restaurant chain bowls over River Oaks and more popular stories

    CultureMap Staff
    Dec 27, 2025 | 11:00 am
    Honest Mary's restaurant exterior
    Photo by Becca Wright
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    Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, including restaurant openings and a major acquisition for MFAH. Plus, where to celebrate New Year's Eve in Houston. Catch up on our most popular stories below, then visit this guide to the best Christmas weekend events.

    1. Meet the men behind River Oaks' new destination for bowls and broth. On this episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Honest Mary’s founder Nelson Monteith and COO Andrew Wiseheart joined CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss the Austin-based restaurant that just opened its first Houston location in the River Oaks Shopping Center.

    2. Houston's only Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant now open in Bellaire. It didn’t take Sambrooks Hospitality Group long to turn Mandito’s into Candente. First announced in September, the restaurant’s second location officially opened December 22.

    3. 25 Houston restaurants celebrating New Year's Eve with caviar, bubbles, and more. Houston restaurants are ringing in the new year with indulgent menus featuring caviar, lobster, and steak, along with plenty of bubbly.

    4. Houston museum acquires historic Masonic lodge property for new greenspace. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston has acquired a prime parcel to expand its campus in the Museum District.

    Holland Lodge masonic building The building at 4911 will be torn down for the new greenspace. Holland Lodge No. 1, A.F. & A.M./Facebook

    5. Houston's richest residents, best suburbs, and more top city news in 2025. As 2025 comes to a close, we're looking back at the stories that defined Houston this year. These are the City Life stories that captured Houston's attention.

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    news/city-life
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