LOCAL Houston | The City Guide December 2016 | Page 46
City of Lights
SUGAR LAND HOLIDAY LIGHTS
Sugar Land Skeeters Stadium | www.sugarlandholidaylights.com
Price: $$
Sun–Thurs: 6–9pm | Fri, Sat & Holidays 6–10pm
If you are a little more adventurous about seeing Christmas lights this winter,
head out to Sugar Land to see the Skeeters Stadium featuring more than 2.5
million lights. With eight themes of light displays, including a fan favorite,
the tunnel of lights, the North Pole and the 12 days of Christmas, this event
will get you in the Christmas spirit. Listen to various bands, choirs and dance
performances from community groups while enjoying holiday treats from
vendors and local food trucks.
Most importantly, they have what we like: Texas-sized attractions like a 12ft
x 20 ft, lit Texas flag, inflatables for the kids and fundraising opportunities
because it is a time to give and receive.
A workshop will be open every night for the little ones where they can
mail their Christmas list to the North Pole, and, yes, Santa will be there
too! Make a holly jolly playlist for a singalong and enjoy the drive to Sugar
Land.
IF YOU’RE AMBITIOUS:
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Moody Gardens | www.moodygardens.org
Price: $$
Mon–Sun: 6–10pm
Plan a holiday visit to historic Galveston and see its breathtaking views
from the famous Moody Gardens. Every year, you’ll enjoy more than 100
sound-enhanced animated light displays and nightly live entertainment. All
ambitious Christmas light enthusiasts must visit this winter wonderland to
admire the giant pyramids and the many events that are hosted, like their Ice
Land Ice Sculptures, Cirque Joyeux Noel, 3D films and Rudolph 4D.
If you have been dreaming of a white Christmas your whole life but have
never left good ol’ hot Houston for the holidays, you must visit the
Texas-sized, 100-foot-long Arctic Ice Slide, where you can plunge down
with a tube and pretend it has been snowing for days. You can also strap
on a pair of skates and cool off in their outdoor ice skating rink.
SANTA’S WONDERLAND
College Station | www.santas-wonderland.com
Price: $$
Mon–Thurs: 6–11pm | Fri: 6pm–12am | Sat: 3pm–12am | Sun: 3–11pm
You best stop at the biggest Christmas attraction in Texas if you are wishing
for a white Christmas. College Station outdoes itself every winter! Here,
you can find snow falling and the sights and sounds of the holiday season,
creating a one-of-a-kind Texas Christmas experience! An epic, western
cowboy Santa can be spotted every night next to Mrs. Claus, making a
grand entrance on a horse and carriage into Santa’s town.
While you’re there, don’t forget to catch up on your holiday gift list by
visiting their unique Christmas shops. You must ride their cozy hayride that
goes through tunnels of lights, and roast marshmallows while drinking hot
cocoa. You can also find tons of attractions for the little ones, like Frostbite’s
Toboggan Chute and The West Pole Mountain Adventure slide.
Santa’s Wonderland is also known for their sweet tooth at Maw’s Country
Kitchen. Their must-tries are funnel cake, roasted nuts, jams and, our favorite,
their incredible pies. The BEST feature, I gotta say, is Santa’s winery. If that
doesn’t say “ho ho ho,” I don’t know what else will drag you to this winter
wonderland. I think it is safe to say, “Well done, Aggies.”
Enjoy this season of light!
Christmas Village at Bayou Bend Photography by Collin Kelly
Festival of Lights | Moody Gardens
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L O C A L
| december 16