EVENT
GUIDE
Holiday
Say goodbye to scorching summer rays, and hello to the holiday season! And there is no better place to do so than Houston with City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic presented by Shell Energy. This annual tradition is back for a second year, bringing even more spectacular lights, larger-than-life experiences, and vibrant destinations to the city's central business district. Downtown Houston transforms into a lively winter world with 11 unique villages that offer a variety of familiar activities and new attractions. Go ice skating with Santa, take magically unforgettable pictures, or enjoy live festive entertainment. Challenge yourself to visit all the villages, or explore the ones that interest you. There’s something for everyone, and it’s all right here in the heart of the city!
This family-friendly experience kicked off on November 17, 2023 and extends through Sunday, December 31, 2023, and is mostly free!
“Houston First strives to create unique experiences that residents and visitors alike can enjoy, and this memorable holiday event is a great example,” says Michael Heckman, President and CEO of the Houston First Corporation.
Downtown Houston Sparkles with Holiday Wonders
Sponsored by
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Deck the Trees
George R. Brown Convention Center
November 17, 2023 - December 25, 2023
Relish in the stunning Christmas trees at Alley Theatre and the Grand Holiday Window at the George R. Brown Convention Center. This display is beautifully lit and decorated, with live music performances on The Plaza at Avenida Houston during select weekends.
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Hilton Americas
November 17, 2023 – December 29, 2023
Sweet smells and sweet sights! The legendary annual chocolate exhibit returns! Surrounded by 80,000 wondrous lights and 14-foot Champagne trees, the life-sized Super Mario Bros Chocolate statue crowns the hotel lobby.
LAND OF SWEETS
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Marriott Marquis
November 10, 2023 – December 31, 2023
Float across the top of Marriott Marquis in an 80-degree Texas-shaped lazy river, showered with twinkling lights and colorful archways. You can’t miss it! Admission is complementary to hotel guests, with a nominal entry fee for others.
Texas Winter Lights
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Discovery Green
November 10, 2023 – January 28, 2024
Immerse yourself in the holiday season with open-air ice-skating at the Discovery Green Park. Look out for a guest appearance from Santa and take the opportunity to join him on the ice!
ICE @ Discovery Green
A winter dream world is waiting for you to discover it! Whether a group of friends looking to get out, a couple wanting something festive, or a family enjoying time together, this is the place to be. You’ll be hard-pressed to walk away without a few special moments, all thanks to the City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic presented by Shell Energy.
Festive Exploration,
Joyful Discovery
Hilton Americas
November 17, 2023 – December 29, 2023
Sweet smells and sweet sights! The legendary annual chocolate exhibit returns! Surrounded by 80,000 wondrous lights and 14-foot Champagne trees, the life-sized Super Mario Bros Chocolate statue crowns the hotel lobby.
LAND OF SWEETS
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A Bigger, Better Wonderland!
This year’s extravaganza has some new major standouts! First, immerse yourself in music and magic with Harmonies by LeMonde Studio. Crank these interactive music boxes to power captivating soundscapes and mesmerizing winter lights. Each creation has its own individual soundtrack and unique shape, from banjo to massive boombox. Discover for yourself what all 10 are! Travel wise, festive pedicabs provided by Downtown Houston+ allow free travel from village to village! Keep an eye out for holiday pickup stations at Discovery Green, Lynn Wyatt Square, POST Houston, Trebly Park, and Market Square Park. Or, ride the holiday themed double-decker trolley for a small fee. The route makes stops at Trebly Park, Heritage Society, Avenida Houston/Discovery Green, Market Square Park, and POST Houston.
Don’t forget to pick up a holiday passport and record your winter adventure through Downtown Houston! Explore all 11 holiday villages for the chance to win outstanding prizes as well as a holiday staycation package, which includes a one-night stay at Hotel Icon, 4 tickets to a Theater District performance, and 4 tickets to a Houston Rockets game. Get your passports from Market Square Park, Trebly and Heritage Society, and start collecting stamps! Whether you win or not, you will surely walk away with a bundle of new, exciting memories.
Here’s a snapshot of what awaits you at each 2023 Holiday Village:
Marriott Marquis
November 10, 2023 – December 31, 2023
Float across the top of Marriott Marquis in an 80-degree Texas-shaped lazy river, showered with twinkling lights and colorful archways. You can’t miss it! Admission is complementary to hotel guests, with a nominal entry fee for others.
Texas Winter Lights
Discovery Green
November 10, 2023 – January 28, 2024
Immerse yourself in the holiday season with open-air ice-skating at the Discovery Green Park. Look out for a guest appearance from Santa and take the opportunity to join him on the ice!
ICE @ Discovery Green
Lynn Wyatt Square
November 17, 2023 – January 02, 2024
Give breath to the holiday spirit across various interactive melody installations! Three Harmonies music boxes mark the heart of Downtown’s latest green space, one of which is a violin. Come discover the other two!
Jingle Town
Fish Plaza, Wortham Theater
November 18, 2023 – January 02, 2024
Take control of time with larger-than-life hourglasses outside the Wortham Theater! Visitors can turn the wheels for a magical experience of light and sound. Sing, dance, or clap along! Also, check out the Harmonies music box!
Sugar Plum Plaza
Bagby St.
November 17, 2023 – January 02, 2024
The perfect picture spectacle! Marvel at the dazzling 80-foot-long tunnel featuring over 100,000 striking lights. Then, stop by Sam Houston Park for the holiday hot chocolate hub and free pictures with Texas Cowboy Santa!
Winter Wanderland
Trebly Park
November 17, 2023 – January 02, 2024
Live holiday music every Friday night! And on Saturday afternoons, take photos with four-legged fur balls of cuteness at Santa Paws. In addition, a Harmonies music box is available whenever the park is open!
Twinkle Town
City Hall
December 02, 2023 – December 25, 2023
This is the best seat in Houston for the wonderful Christmas tree featured at Hermann Square! On December 2nd, 2023, from 6 to 8 PM, live music and a free photo with Santa will accompany the annual tree lighting festivities.
City Hall-iday Headquarters
Market Square Park
November 18, 2023 – January 02, 2024
The state’s biggest mistletoe is back! Bring a significant other and stand under the 150-inch ball of shrubbery propped by an enormous 15-foot candy cane. A harmonies music box is on site as well!
Mistletoe Square
Post HTX
November 04, 2023 – January 14, 2024
For a nominal fee, discover the Post’s decked out rooftop garden! Houston's skyline sets the stage for thousands of lights, festive decorations, and a majestic 25-foot Christmas tree. Let the magical view whisk you into wonderland!
Winter Wonderlawn
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Downtown Houston is the region’s go-to destination for recreation and entertainment, and the holidays are no exception. This year’s program will offer festivities for everyone, and we’re excited to welcome Houstonians from near and far to experience joy in the heart of the city. We extend our sincere thanks to our dedicated partners at Houston First and give a special nod of appreciation to this year’s presenting sponsor, Shell Energy, for their support.
- Kris Larson, President and CEO of Downtown Houston+
We are pleased to join forces once again with Downtown Houston+ and to have Shell Energy as a presenting sponsor to help transform Downtown into multiple ‘holiday villages’ with some impressive first-time activities that will captivate audiences through music, lights, interactive art, and much more.
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This year’s extravaganza has some new major standouts! First, immerse yourself in music and magic with Harmonies by LeMonde Studio. Crank these interactive music boxes to power captivating soundscapes and mesmerizing winter lights. Each creation has its own individual soundtrack and unique shape, from banjo to massive boombox. Discover for yourself what all 10 are! Travel wise, festive pedicabs provided by Downtown Houston+ allow free travel from village to village! Keep an eye out for holiday pickup stations at Discovery Green, Lynn Wyatt Square, POST Houston, Trebly Park, and Market Square Park. Or, ride the holiday themed double-decker trolley for a small fee. The route makes stops at Trebly Park, Heritage Society, Avenida Houston/Discovery Green, Market Square Park, and POST Houston.
Don’t forget to pick up a holiday passport and record your winter adventure through Downtown Houston! Explore all 11 holiday villages for the chance to win outstanding prizes as well as a holiday staycation package, which includes a one-night stay at Hotel Icon, 4 tickets to a Theater District performance, and 4 tickets to a Houston Rockets game. Get your passports from Market Square Park, Trebly and Heritage Society, and start collecting stamps! Whether you win or not, you will surely walk away with a bundle of new, exciting memories.
Here’s a snapshot of what awaits you at each 2023 Holiday Village:
learn more
Trebly Park
November 17, 2023 – January 02, 2024
Live holiday music every Friday night! And on Saturday afternoons, take photos with four-legged fur balls of cuteness at Santa Paws. In addition, a Harmonies music box is available whenever the park is open!
Twinkle Town
learn more
Bagby St.
November 17, 2023 – January 02, 2024
The perfect picture spectacle! Marvel at the dazzling 80-foot-long tunnel featuring over 100,000 striking lights. Then, stop by Sam Houston Park for the holiday hot chocolate hub and free pictures with Texas Cowboy Santa!
Winter Wanderland
learn more
Lynn Wyatt Square
November 17, 2023 – January 02, 2024
Give breath to the holiday spirit across various interactive melody installations! Three Harmonies music boxes mark the heart of Downtown’s latest green space, one of which is a violin. Come discover the other two!
Jingle Town
learn more
Fish Plaza, Wortham Theater
November 18, 2023 – January 02, 2024
Take control of time with larger-than-life hourglasses outside the Wortham Theater! Visitors can turn the wheels for a magical experience of light and sound. Sing, dance, or clap along! Also, check out the Harmonies music box!
Sugar Plum Plaza
learn more
Post HTX
November 04, 2023 – January 14, 2024
For a nominal fee, discover the Post’s decked out rooftop garden! Houston's skyline sets the stage for thousands of lights, festive decorations, and a majestic 25-foot Christmas tree. Let the magical view whisk you into wonderland!
Winter Wonderlawn
learn more
City Hall
December 02, 2023 – December 25, 2023
This is the best seat in Houston for the wonderful Christmas tree featured at Hermann Square! On December 2nd, 2023, from 6 to 8 PM, live music and a free photo with Santa will accompany the annual tree lighting festivities.
City Hall-iday Headquarters
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Market Square Park
November 18, 2023 – January 02, 2024
The state’s biggest mistletoe is back! Bring a significant other and stand under the 150-inch ball of shrubbery propped by an enormous 15-foot candy cane. A harmonies music box is on site as well!
Mistletoe Square
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