As Houston sparkles to life for its annual holiday celebration, a spectacular new light show will turn Buffalo Bayou into a winter wonderland unlike anything the city has seen. Snow Glow on the Bayou, presented by Downtown Houston+, makes its dazzling debut at historic Allen’s Landing for an exclusive ten-night run from December 20-29. This immersive experience combines cutting-edge technology with the natural beauty of Houston’s most significant waterway, creating a mesmerizing display where light, music, and water dance together in perfect harmony. The installation brings holiday magic to life through a massive water screen that towers four stories high and spans six stories in length, offering an extraordinary celebration of the season in the heart of Downtown.
A New Holiday Spectacle Lights Up Buffalo Bayou
Tradition during the holidays is important because it reminds us of what’s truly valuable: quality time spent with the ones we love. The holiday traditions at Fairmont Century Plaza offer guests heartwarming experiences they’ll treasure more than any material gift. From gourmet dining to spirited private events and curated family activities to Fairmont Century Plaza’s delightful winter chalets, guests can’t help but be swept up in the spirit of the season. So, whether you’re indulging in seasonal spa treatments or being pampered in the Fairmont Gold Lounge, let Fairmont Century Plaza create the perfect setting to make cherished memories during this special time of year. Here’s some holiday offerings to get you inspired for your stay.
Visitors can experience Snow Glow’s enchanting display every evening from 6 to 10 p.m., with spectacular views from every angle. While Snow Glow is free to attend,. Guests should text “Downtown Holidays” to 56512 to access a web-based app with more details, easy parking options, a map and photo ops. Visitors are encouraged to bring a cozy blanket and a thermos of hot chocolate to enjoy the show from Allen’s Landing’s spacious lawn areas and walking trails.
The show promises to push creative boundaries by featuring works from Houston’s most innovative digital artists, whose vibrant designs light up the massive water screen in a stunning fusion of art and technology. Each evening features rotating collections of original artwork celebrating Houston’s rich culture and holiday spirit.
By StoryStudio on December 18, 2024
Sponsored By DOWNTOWN HOUSTON
Register here for free
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Look for the friendly Downtown Public Safety Guides sporting festive Santa hats to help make your Snow Glow experience merry and bright. These easily spotted guides patrol the area until 11 p.m. nightly, working alongside off-duty Houston Police Department officers to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety.
Downtown Public Safety Guides combine welcoming hospitality with safety expertise, offering directions, recommendations, and assistance of any kind to help visitors make the most of their evening. They’re part of Downtown’s comprehensive safety strategy, which includes well-lit pathways throughout Allen’s Landing and regular patrols of the viewing areas. Visitors can focus entirely on enjoying the sparkling displays and family fun while the professional safety team maintains a secure environment throughout the event.
Your Guide to the Glow
Your Path to the Party
Ensuring Your Evening Shines
With Snow Glow running exclusively for ten nights this holiday season——planning your transportation is key. Luckily, getting to Snow Glow is a breeze, with plenty of parking options throughout Downtown. Want to skip the hunt for a spot? Text "Downtown" to 56512 for real-time parking, shop ahead for the best price, pay and book your space in advance.
Not interested in driving? The MetroRail can drop you off at the Preston Station that is within walking distance, or catch a taxi for a flat $6 rate within the Downtown area. Ride-share services like Uber and Lyft are also readily available. Download the Ride Circuit app today to book a free ride with Downtown’s newest microtransit shuttles.
Tradition during the holidays is important because it reminds us of what’s truly valuable: quality time spent with the ones we love. The holiday traditions at Fairmont Century Plaza offer guests heartwarming experiences they’ll treasure more than any material gift. From gourmet dining to spirited private events and curated family activities to Fairmont Century Plaza’s delightful winter chalets, guests can’t help but be swept up in the spirit of the season. So, whether you’re indulging in seasonal spa treatments or being pampered in the Fairmont Gold executive lounge, let Fairmont Century Plaza create the perfect setting to make cherished memories during this special time of year. Here’s some holiday offerings to get you inspired for your stay.
Need a Thanksgiving destination? Fairmont Century Plaza offers two elegant options for your holiday feast. At Lumière, a refined three-course prix-fixe dinner ($115 per person) features elevated classics like Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast Roulade and Pumpkin Crème Caramel, served in the romantic ambiance of the French-inspired brasserie from 5 PM to 10 PM. For those preferring to celebrate at home, the hotel offers a complete Thanksgiving Feast To-Go ($385), serving 4-6 guests with an organic turkey and all the traditional accompaniments, available for pickup Thanksgiving morning.
Holiday Tradition in the Heart of LA
Curated events. Create your own holiday magic with two curated hands-on experiences at the Fairmont Century Plaza. On December 11, join an intimate candle-making workshop in the serene Solarium, where local artisans from women-owned nu los angeles guide you through crafting all-natural coconut wax candles in signature concrete vessels. The two-hour experience ($120) includes light bites and is limited to 15 participants, ensuring personalized interaction. For families seeking sweet memories, Fairmont Century Plaza’s Executive Pastry Chef Nancy Guerrero hosts festive cookie decorating classes in the elegant Gold Lounge on December 1 and 14. These morning sessions transform traditional holiday treats into edible works of art, with additional refreshments available to complement the creative experience. Both events capture the spirit of the season while offering a unique way to celebrate with loved ones.
Choosing the Fairmont Century Plaza as your home for the holidays means you feel luxury is the ultimate gift. Since 1966, Fairmont Century Plaza has been the go-to stay of legends and icons. Its location on the Avenue of the Stars is no coincidence. From the Emmys to the Grammys to presidential state dinners, the “Hotel of the Future” continues to be a destination for one-of-a-kind experiences in decedent surroundings.
Sleekly stylish and reliably comfortable, the hotel’s luxurious guest rooms are the throughline from mid-century modernism of the 1960s to today. Enjoy a Sunset View guest room overlooking the dazzling city scape sparkling in the low winter sunset or a corner suite with a soaking tub and a furnished balcony a spacious Premiere Suite with marble accents and four balconies. No matter where you stay, you’ll experience Los Angeles the way it was meant: With star treatment.
Speaking of star treatment, Fairmont Spa Century Plaza offers a sanctuary of relaxation, rejuvenation and mind-body harmony. Escape the pulse of the city in a 14,000 square foot oasis featuring nine private treatment rooms where peace and calm are always on the menu. Zen-inspired and holistically unified, this retreat offers a comprehensive menu of body treatments, massages and facials, along with innovative salon services from Christophe Privé, where guests experience a cutting-edge, distinctive atmosphere celebrated for its professional, knowledgeable team of dedicated stylists and colorists, and its incomparable five-star customer service.
Historic Luxury for the Modern Age
Ready to experience Snow Glow on the Bayou? Visit DowntownHouston.org/snow to register for free. Don’t forget to text “Downtown Holidays” to 56512 for real-time event updates during your visit.
This exclusive holiday experience runs for just ten magical nights, from December 20-29.
Join the Downtown
Holiday Celebration
Looking to make Snow Glow part of a larger downtown holiday adventure? Check out the Downtown Houston+ events calendar—it’s packed with holiday festivities! But the seasonal fun doesn’t stop there—City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic brings downtown to life with dazzling light displays, festive holiday markets, ice skating, and live entertainment, transforming the city center into a winter wonderland. Watch as Downtown’s newest holiday tradition takes its place among Houston’s most cherished seasonal celebrations!
And yes—you can become part of the art! Children can also draw their own designs on an interactive screen and see their creations projected high in the air and reflected on the water’s surface.
“Snow Glow on the Bayou celebrates one of Houston’s most unique features—our historic waterway at the confluence of White Oak and Buffalo Bayou—and in a way that’s truly unique,” says Kris Larson, President and CEO of Downtown Houston+. “It’s something you can only do Downtown, and we hope this will establish a new tradition for enjoying the magic of the holiday season.”
Look for the friendly Downtown Public Safety Guides sporting festive Santa hats to help make your Snow Glow experience merry and bright. These easily spotted guides patrol the area until 11 p.m. nightly, working alongside off-duty Houston Police Department officers to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety.
Downtown Public Safety Guides combine welcoming hospitality with safety expertise, offering directions, recommendations, and assistance of any kind to help visitors make the most of their evening. They’re part of Downtown’s comprehensive safety strategy, which includes well-lit pathways throughout Allen’s Landing and regular patrols of the viewing areas. Visitors can focus entirely on enjoying the sparkling displays and family fun while the professional safety team maintains a secure environment throughout the event.
Ensuring Your Evening Shines
