Oh what fun it is to ride... through Christmas lights each year! Driving through a decorated park full of Christmas lights or going on a neighborhood hunt to find all the houses that light up the most is a tradition for many people in East Texas.

This article originally started out to only show all the local drive-thru Christmas lights, however, the article ends up growing to include all the ‘Holiday Experiences’ one could enjoy this holiday season. How could we possibly leave out these exciting Christmas Experiences? There are so many fun Christmas activities such as nativity drive-thrus, shopping events, holiday performances, and more!

If you know of another experience, or see an inaccuracy below, please let us know here.

Athens

Christmas Park Land of Lights

November 10th-January 3rd | 6:00 PM -10 PM

$30 cash/$35 card per car and pickup
$50 cash/$55 card per limo, motor home, and van that hold up to 12-15 passengers
$5 cash/$6 card per person on bus

*Note no riding in the back of the truck and no trailers

Enjoy pictures with Santa, visiting with Santa is free, first picture $10 and additional $5 for each picture taken after the first picture. The park boasts over 4 million lights, and thousands of characters for you to see!

Arp

High Hill Farm Holiday Celebration

Sunday, December 11 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

$5 Children Age 3 and Up
$10 Adult

Santa Clause is coming to the farm! Watch a Christmas movie, write letters to Santa, and enjoy festive snacks, eggnog & hot chocolate.

*Food & cocktails available for an additional price

Canton

Yesterland Farm’s Christmas Carnival

December 2-17

Fridays 5-9 PM | Saturdays Noon-9 PM | Sundays Noon-7 PM

December 18th

Sunday Noon-9 PM

$29.95 Christmas Admission
$49.95 Super Admission

Christmas Light Experience, Tree Farm, Corn Maze, Christmas Decorated Wagon Ride, Amazement Rides, Farm Attractions, Multiple Food Locations including Hog Wild Grill and Burger Bin

Daingerfield

Daingerfield State Park’s Christmas in the Park

10th Annual Christmas in the Park

Free entrance from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM with a canned food item per person
$4 per adult, Free for children 12 and under

December 14th & 15th 6-9 PM | December 16th & 17th 6-10 PM

Hot Chocolate & Cookies with Santa | Christmas Lights and Decorated Campsites | Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest

Diboll

Hometown Christmas Light the Park

December 3rd at 5 PM

Cookies with Mrs. Clause, Living Nativity, Food Trucks, Community Choir, Santa, and S’mores!

Gladewater

Nutcracker Party-A Christmas Tea

December 18th | 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM

$23 per person

Experience Walker Manor’s interpretation of the Nutcracker through sight, sound, taste, and music. Enjoy the sounds of the Nutcracker. Audience will participate in the storytelling while enjoying Nutcracker themed sweets and savories. The Sugar Plum Fairies will come to life and deliver to the table treats from the Land of Sweets. A Home tour is included (stairs will be used) in the evening’s festivities and is appropriate for all ages. Seating is limited.

MENU: Snow Queen’s Soup & mini scones, Nutcracker themed sandwiches - Roast Beef, Cucumber, Chicken Salad, Desserts from the Land of Sweets, Sugar Plum Fairy nectar, and Christmas flavored teas.

Jacksonville

Jax Illuminations

December 1-31 | Tickets must be purchased online this year

$25 per vehicle on Sunday-Thursday 6-9:30 PM
$30 per vehicle on Friday & Saturday 6-10:30 PM
$40 per 12-15 Seat Passenger Vans and Limos
$50 VIP Skip the Line

Jax Illuminations has created a wonderful opportunity for families to create a new holiday tradition. Enjoy the magic of driving through holiday lights that are synchronized to holiday music. Come see a MILLION brilliant LED lights that dance, twinkle and sparkle to some of your favorite holiday songs.

Jefferson

Christmas Express

November 25 - December 24

Tickets are $15 plus tax, lap children are free

Make this a Christmas to remember aboard the Christmas Express Train, narrated day tours. Passengers will enjoy vignettes along the beautiful Big Cypress Bayou River as they hear the story of Christmas. Evening train will include lighted vignettes.

This is NOT the Rail of Lights Train – there will NOT be lights all along the track. The trains are a nice ride along the Bayou to enjoy the wetlands, river views, vignettes and story-telling.

The narrated Day Train will depart at 4:30 PM and the narrated Evening Train will depart at 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM.

The depot opens at 2:00 PM.

Kilgore

Forest Home Baptist Church’s Drive Through Nativity

December 8th-10th | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

We present the Christmas story for the entire community. The cost is free.

You may drive through the presentation, or you can choose to go through on a hayride. There are over 150 cast members in 13 different scenes. Free hot chocolate is also given to everyone who drives through. You will see scenes including Santa’s workshop, Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, The Polar Express, Singers and Handbell ringers, a biblical Market, the Shepherds in the field, the Nativity, and much more. Begun in 1993, the Drive-Through Nativity has become a family tradition for much of East Texas.

Mirth & Merriment

December 9th - 11th | 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM | Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Center

$30 per ticket

Featuring readings from classic authors and poets, Mirth & Merriment is a nostalgic holiday treat starring TSF alums sharing Christmas tales, songs and poems in an unforgettable and entertaining evening fit for the whole family.

Starring Travis Ascione, Laura Brennan, Jo Garcia-Reger, Micah Goodding, Rick Higginbotham, and Nathan Noel.

A Christmas Carol Ghost Hunt (with Ashley Storm)

December 10 at 9:00 PM-Midnight

$10 per person

On Saturday, December 10, take a tour with us for a Yuletide search for spirits, ghosts, and phantoms. Although it’s not snowy Victorian London, Historic Downtown Kilgore has its own festive charm and you can explore it for yourself. Led by paranormal investigator Ashley Storm, you’ll visit several sites known for paranormal activity and possessing a noted history, such as The World’s Richest Acre.

Liberty City

Christmas In The Park

Pictures are available with Santa and Mrs. Claus at their house on the top of the hill from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 & 17.

It is free to drive through the lights and will be open through the new year.

Lindale

Christmas in Lindale

December 4th - Jan. 1st | Open daily from 9 AM-9 PM

Free entry

Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square is completely transformed and open for your family to visit! Load up your loved ones, grab your camera, and take advantage of the beautiful Christmas vignettes and fun photo ops provided by the City of Lindale.

Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus around Lindale on December 17th, from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.

Longview

Carmela’s Magical Santa Land

Sunday-Thursday 5:30-10 PM | Friday & Saturday 5:30-11 PM

Open until January 3rd, 2023.

Donations Accepted

Awesome Christmas Light Drive thru-nearly a mile long! Along with a 1/4 mile walking trail (optional)Winter wonderland with nearly 4 million lights. Dancing trees, Nativity scenes, Mickey Mouse + more!

Lufkin

Light Up Lufkin

December 19th | 6:00 PM

Light Up Lufkin Christmas Convoy is back for another year! Join us at Kit McConnico Park for live entertainment, free milk and cookies, a visit from Santa and of course the Christmas Convoy to see the best Christmas lights in town.

Christmas in the Pines

December 3 | 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Be sure to come hungry as we will also have some of your favorite local food trucks (as well as a few new ones) ready to serve up something delicious!

From 2:00pm-4:00pm we will have live performances on the stage from local groups who will be showcasing some of their fun programs.

From 2:30pm-5:00pm Santa Clause will be posing for photos inside the historic Pines Theater.

Photos will be taken by Texas Size Selfie and are complimentary for attendees.

At 5:30pm, join us as Brookshire Brothers will have milk and cookies as we join Lufkin Industries to light Rudolph. Then join us as we honor a Lufkin tradition- The Lighting of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Pumping Unit!

Marshall

Piney Park Trail of Lights

November 17 - December 31

Monday-Thursday 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Friday & Saturday 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

$20 Peak Pricing
$13 Non-Peak Pricing
An additional $3 per person for early access with Santa

Walk our Trails of lights for a nearly half-mile adventure through state-of-the-art light displays, take pictures in front of our 45 foot tall Christmas tree and stay for family friendly activities, photos, and more!

Mineola

Stay-N-Play Indoor Holiday Light Experience

December 2nd - 24th | Fridays thru Sundays from 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM

$10 ages 13 & up
$1 per child

Come take a walk at your own pace through rooms of lights & family fun activities! Open every Weekend in December thru Christmas Eve.

Featuring Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, Indoor Snowball Fight Arena, Christmas Karaoke, Kids Activities, Vendors, Refreshments, and more!

Nacogdoches

Millard’s Crossing’s Old Fashioned Christmas

December 2nd from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM | December 3rd from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

We will have a Live Nativity, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, Bounce Houses, Crafts, Demos, Santa and photos with Santa by BP Photography, and so much more. Lamplight Theatre will present A Christmas Carol.

The fun doesn’t stop there! December 3rd 10am to 2pm we will have our first Ginger Bread, Cookie, and Wassail Competition, please call office for more details.

Admission is $10.00 per person ages 3 and up, $5.00 ages 1-2 and Free under age 1.

Overton

An Enchanting Christmas Evening

December 14th | 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Free for children 10 and under
$10 Age 10-15
$25 Adult

Sharon Thayer, a renowned author of children’s book will read her famous Story of Santa’s Beard and sign books for sale. A professional photographer will take photos with Santa at an extra cost. A Christmas Dinner will be served.

Palestine

Christmas in Palestine

Special events planned November 18 through Dec. 27, 2022 make this Christmas an ideal time to visit the City of Palestine. The season is filled with family activities, events and decorations that capture the holiday season. Whether you are here with family or friends, you are encouraged to visit our shops, attractions and restaurants in your pajamas!

Check out the full extent of what you can expect in Palestine! Including the Polar Express Train Ride, the Grinch’s Lair, Festival of Trees, Photos with Santa, the Walk of Lights, and so much more!

Terrell

Santa on the Farm

Open November 24th - January 3rd, 2023 | 6-11 PM

Delicious food & treats, Pictures with Santa, Petting Zoo, and Pony Rides

Our drive thru light park is over one half mile long and is filled with beautiful lights, tunnels, candy canes, elves and so much more!! Our Santa village features Santa himself where you can take photos with him in our rustic atrium. We will have designer sweets, food, face painting, petting zoo and the best hot chocolate from this side of the North Pole.

Tyler

Rose City Christmas

Includes multiple wonderful events you can enjoy all December

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides in the Azalea District

November 25th - December 31
Horse-drawn carriages from Cowboys Carriages are back in Tyler, Texas located behind Bergfeld Park! Thursday thru Sunday evenings from 5:00 – 9:00 PM. *Weather permitting. There will be rides available for $5, $10, or $15 per person depending on the route chosen. For more information, call Mark at 903-681-2647.

Holiday Lights at the Tyler Rose Garden

December 8th - 22nd & 27th | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM each night

Azalea District Trail of Lights

December 1st - 31st
Be sure to join the Azalea District “Trail of Lights” Facebook group, where you can vote on your favorites!

Tyler Junior College Nutcracker Ballet

December 1st, 2nd, & 3rd at 7:00 PM | December 3rd & 4th at 2:00 PM

Come celebrate the magic and wonder of TJC’s special production of The Nutcracker! For 34 years we have loved performing this holiday tradition with East Texas. Performed at our very special Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center, we are privileged to present this wonderful ballet to your family this year. Bring your grandparents, your children, and enjoy a night out at the ballet.

Christmas Extravaganza with the TJC Apache Band & Belles

December 9th & 10th at 7:30 PM

Join the TJC Apache Belles and Wind Ensemble for an evening of live music, dancing, sing-a-longs and Christmas fun for the entire family. This is sure to become a Tyler Tradition, so you won’t to miss this Inaugural year of the Apache Band and Apache Belles Christmas Extravaganza!

Santa and Christmas Lights

December 13th | 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Bring the kids to get a photo with the best Santa around! Afterwards, we will be biking through the neighborhood to see all of the Christmas lights! Rent a bike ahead of time to reserve yours or bring your own. When we come back, enjoy a coffee drink or hot cocoa by the fire!

Plus a few other events you can check out at the bottom of this article.

Santa Land

Open thru January 4th

Sunday-Thursday 6-10 PM (Pictures with Santa closed at 9 PM) | Friday & Saturday 6-10:30 PM (Pictures with Santa closed at 10 PM)

$30 per vehicle up to 10 people
$60 per vehicle with 11-20 people
$5 per person with vehicles holding over 20 people

*Note pricing is for all vehicles (cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and trailers)

Pictures with Santa up until December 23rd.

Experience Texas’ Original Drive Thru Christmas Park with over 24 acres filled with millions of lights and countless original handmade animated light displays for you and your family to enjoy!

Tyler Lights Christmas Light Park

Thru December 11th | Fri/Sat/Sun open at 6:00 PM

December 16th-25th | Open daily at 6:00 PM

$20 per car or truck | *Note credit/debit cards not accepted

Tyler’s Only Drive Thru Christmas Light Park! We are 1 mile long on 12 acres!

Plantation Pines CHRISTmas Tree Farm

Monday thru Friday 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM | Sunday 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Free hot cocoa, Visit farm animals, Gift Shop, and Hayrides

*no hayrides on weekdays

Whitehouse

First Baptist Church Bethlehem Drive-Thru

December 4th & 5th | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

This is a FREE event for the WHOLE FAMILY to enjoy! Come, see Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Jesus. Hear the story of Christmas from the comfort of your own vehicle! Invite your friends and neighbors to drive through too!

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