best winter lights

Houston's most spectacular winter light shows dazzle for the holidays

The cool temps, the pumpkin spice, the Christmas decorations — the holidays are here. That means it’s the perfect time to don a winter coat and stroll through some dazzling, sparkling holiday light displays around town.

From cosmic Christmas at Space Center Houston to a wild affair at the Houston Zoo to a wondrous spectacle at Houston Botanic Garden, these 12 events are sure to light up Yuletime.

Dasher's Lightshow
Formerly Rudolph's Lightshow (all the reindeer will get a turn helming this), this drive-thru light show includes light tunnels, snowmen and acres of land. These lights will also be merrily synced to your favorite holiday tunes. Runs through December 31. 6 pm.

Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston’s holiday light extravaganza returns for its third year with exciting new wonders. Guests will experience two high-tech, kinetic light shows where dozens of suspended lights move in precise choreographed sequences to music above the Main Plaza. Runs through January 2. 6 pm.

The Galleria Christmas Tree
The 55-foot tree just had its ceremonial lighting, featuring 450,000 twinkling lights and 5,000 ornaments in a variety of colors and shapes. The installation took more than 24 hours of work by 45 men and women. And don't forget about the 1,000 branches that were hand-fluffed! 10 am.

Holiday in the Gardens at Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens is once again bringing out all the good stuff this holiday season. Look for the Festival of Lights, holiday 3-D films, an arctic slide, train rides, pictures with Santa, and nightly fireside s'mores. Runs through January 2. 4 pm.

Holiday Lights in Clay Family Eastern Glades
This spectacle will feature oversized ornaments, tinsel-wrapped light poles, and colorful tree lights. This year, the holiday light display will make its way around the Eastern Glades’ entire half-mile, Promenade natural surface pedestrian path, encircling nine acres of open space, native plantings, and habitat. Runs through January 3. 6 pm.

The Light Park
This park features a large, animated holiday light show along with the world’s largest 700-foot animated LED tunnels. The parks, with locations both in Spring and Katy, feature a unique light show synced and choreographed to holiday music on a dedicated music station, K-GLO, the North Pole’s No. 1 hit radio station. Runs through January 2. 5:30 pm.

Lightscape at Houston Botanic Garden
Get ready to enjoy magical light displays set along a beautifully illuminated path winding through the Garden this holiday season. The captivating illuminations — including installations unique to Texas created by local and international artists — will dazzle the senses. Runs through January 2. 5:45 pm.

Magical Winter Lights
Over at Baytown's Houston Raceway, this will feature such landmarks as the entrance castle, dinosaur exhibits, and Houston’s beloved displays. Family-friendly experiences include the Santa and Mrs. Claus meet and greet, Ice Sisters meet and greet, cultural performances, carnival rides, food and games, music, and dino rides. Runs through January 2. 5 pm.

Marriott Marquis Houston presents Texas Winter Lights
This interactive light experience will feature light displays, walk-through experiences, and selfie stations. There will be a nostalgic holiday-themed movie every Thursday, nightly snowfall, and a winter-themed dining menu filled with signature cocktails, dinner, and dessert. Runs through January 3. 5 pm.

Sugar Land Holiday Lights
Sugar Land promised to dazzle with more than three million lights, eight themed areas, holiday shopping, great food, holiday movie nights, a carnival, appearances from Santa and much more. Runs through January 9. 6 pm.

Winter Wanderland
This event kicks off on November 19 with a program at 6 pm at City Hall, facing Bagby. After the short program, where they will turn on the holiday lights (100,000 twinklng LED lights installed between Lamar & Franklin!), stroll down the newly renovated corridor and experience tons of activities along the way. Runs through January 2. 6:30 pm.

Zoo Lights at Houston Zoo
Head over to Houston Zoo as they celebrate 10 years as one of Houston’s best loved holiday traditions. Stroll through the beautiful zoo grounds as you take in the sights and sounds this holiday season. (The zoo animals will be enjoying a full night’s slumber.) Runs through January 9. 5:30 pm.

Lightscape at Houston Botanic Garden.

Photo courtesy of Houston Botanic Garden

Lightscape at Houston Botanic Garden.

holidays event-planner

celebrating space city

More than 20 deals and specials celebrating Houston's 713 Day

Courtesy of the Houston Zoo

Visit the Houston Zoo for $7.13 this weekend.

Is it just us, or has 713 Day blown up these past few years?

Although this holiday that’s named for Houston’s original area code is still unofficial, that hasn’t stopped bars, restaurants, and other venues from celebrating July 13 by creating big, blowout events and/or food and drink specials.

Here is a thorough rundown of all the places locals can go to this weekend and be — as they say around these parts — Houston Proud.

Axelrad will host “Houston 713 Day,” complete with $1 off all Houston-based draft beer, special guest hip-hop legend Grimm, and Chicano Boulevard. Lowriders, slabs, DJs, vendors, food, a full bar, and live art by Meenr will all round out the event. 5 pm.

Bayou Heights Biergarten is throwing it back to Houston’s roots with 713 FEST — a night dedicated to all things H-Town. Houstonians are invited to enjoy high-energy DJ sets, flash tattoos, local vendors, and Houston-themed sips. 8 pm.

Cafe Leonelli at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston invites Houstonians to celebrate their city with its festive 713 Day cocktail, the Astro Fizz, for $7.13. The restaurant will also offer a 713 Day food special: brisket flautas ($16) and sweet potato succotash ($7.13). 9:30 am.

Craft Pita will have its third annual “Craft Pita Cookout.” The restaurant will team up with Houston’s newest James Beard Award winner Thomas Bille (of Belly of the Beast) and ice-cream shop Milk and Sugar for a special 713 Day cookout collaboration. 11 am.

Doves Restaurant is celebrating with an all-day happy hour, along with its signature, Southern cuisine-with-an-Asian twist brunch. Guests are encouraged to show their Houston pride by wearing their favorite Astros, Rockets, Texans, or H-Town gear. 11 am.

Over at Fielding’s River Oaks, customers will enjoy happy hour brunch with 50 percent off Fielding’s cocktails, $3 off wine by the glass, and $2 off all beer. Brunch options include lemon cream cheese pancakes, crab avocado toast, and the classic Eggs Benedict. 11 am.

Giant Texas Distillers will hold a 713 Day celebration that includes a car show full of slabs and lowriders, a vendor market, and other delights. There will also be live performances from Dat Boi T, GT Garza, Dank OG and others. 1 pm.

Happy Liquor will host a “713 Day Mafia Takeover” block party. Along with vendors, food, games for kids, and a whole bunch of tricked-out slabs, we also have live performances from Brattz NuNu and other local artists. 3 pm.

Hidden Bar, the speakeasy-style cocktail bar tucked inside Norigami in West U., is serving up the 713 Day-exclusive cocktail Side the Sunrises. For $7.13, this cocktail mixes butterfly pea tea-infused gin, yuzu, cucumber, and shiso that brings the chill and flavor in one sip. 3 pm.

Hongdae 33 Korean BBQ will pairs its all-you-can-eat Korean feasts ($25 for lunch, $36 for dinner) with buy-one-get-one beers all day on Sunday.

Houston Zoo is offering $7.13 admission tickets on Saturday and Sunday. This offer is part of the Zoo’s ongoing effort of offering Houstonians the opportunity to rediscover their zoo and connect with animals and take action to save wildlife. 9 am.

H-Town Bingo will have a Saturday-night, 713 Day kickoff party featuring a live performance from local rap great Lil’ Keke. It costs $10 to get in, but the $50 VIP package includes skip-the-line access and an official Lil’ Keke “SLFMADE” T-shirt. 7:30 pm.

Karbach Brewing Co. will have a full day of music, market vendors, and H-Town pride in the Biergarten. Lil’ Flip & Friends will be doing a live performance and photographer/taco journalist Marco Torres will be spinning some Houston classics. 3 pm.

Kazzan Ramen & Bar invites Houstonians to enjoy Ube Bae ($7.13), a cocktail made with Awamori, Batavia Arrack, ube, guava, lime, nutmeg and purple yam. It pairs with the restaurant’s signature ramen that’s served in a 350-degrees Celsius hot stone bowl. 11 am.

Le Jardinier, the Michelin-starred French restaurant at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, will offer the Astro Fizz, an Astros-inspired drink special. It’s made with vodka, orange juice, and blue curacao. 11:30 am.

Meow Wolf Houston and Saint Arnold Brewing Company are teaming up to throw a neighborhood-sized celebration. Guests of all ages can expect live music, local merch, ice-cold drinks, and a wild pop-up portal that opens straight into the unexpected for free. Noon.

The Original Ninfa's Uptown location will offer chile con queso (sharp cheddar and melting cheese, pico de gallo, flour totopos) and Ninfaritas (Houston’s most famous margarita, made with 100% agave tequila blanco) for $7.13. 10 am.

Peachez HTX is throwing an R&B-infused bash. Signature cocktails like Purple Syrup, Screw 75, and Chopped and Screwed will be flowing alongside all frozen drinks for just $7.13. There will also be a soulful Sunday brunch with live music. Noon.

Pitch 25 Beer Park will have a ”713 Takeover,” powered by the Houston Dynamo FC and local art collective Free Walls. Kick off the day by signing up for Cascarita, a free pick-up soccer tournament, then shop a lineup of local vendors from The Good Market HTX. 10 am.

Pizaro’s Pizza will offer its classic, Neapolitan-style margherita pizza for 7.13 (plus tax) for phone orders, carry out, and dine-in only. The offer is available all day and customers should mention "713 Day" to claim their offer. Noon.

River Oaks Theatre will have fine dining and live music for its celebration. International hip-hop violinist Josh Vietti will perform a tribute to iconic, Houston hip–hop songs live on stage, while DJ Kiotti spins favorite Houston classics. 7:15 pm.

Salad and Go will be giving love to H-Town by slinging out salads and wraps for only $7.13, from Saturday to Monday. It’s valid at all drive-thru locations during regular business hours. For online orders, use the code “713.” 7 am (8:30 am Monday).

The Savoy is hosting mechanical bull-riding contests on Friday and Saturday at 7:13pm. First Prize is $713, to be awarded on Sunday. Also on Sunday, they’ll have $7 specialty cocktails, along with $13 brunch and dinner specials. 11 am.

Social Beer Garden HTX will have the one-and-only Michael “5000” Watts spin for its free party. DJs Charlee Brown and Vic G will do special sets, while a special “Purple Drank” cocktail, served in a medical bottle, will be available for a limited time. Noon.

Over at Solarium, customers can enjoy the signature Purple Drink cocktail for $7.13. Made with 12-year aged rum, coconut, ube, pineapple, and lime, the cocktail is a tribute to the city’s culture. $1 from every Purple Drank cocktail will be donated to Kerr County relief efforts. 10 am.

On Saturday, Soluna will partner with Do713 for the “Splash & Slabs Pool Party.” The event will be complete with DJ sets, cocktails, classic car displays, and major giveaways, including a free Heights House Hotel stay. 2 pm.

Taste Kitchen + Bar will feature three 713 Day specialty cocktails, served in custom Taste styrofoam double cups for customers to keep. Featured drinks include the Screwed Up Smash, the Lavender Rita, and a Screwtown Punch tribute to the Astros. 8 am.

Tavola is offering three special cocktails priced at $7.13 each all day. The lineup includes the Biggio Loves Espresso, a nod to the Astros; Orbit’s Soul, a vibrant green cocktail; and the Post Oak Sunset, a tribute to Tavola’s neighborhood. 11:30 am.

Both WILD Concepts locations in Montrose and the Heights will have two $7.13 cocktails: Still Sippin (Maker’s Mark 101, Four Roses Single Barrel, maple, and bitters) and Purple Rain (Rémy Martin, coconut, ube, butterfly pea tea, pineapple, clarified citrus, and Topo Chico). 8 am.

Courtesy of the Houston Zoo

Visit the Houston Zoo for $7.13 this weekend.

holidays 713 day