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A favorite activity of friends, family and coworkers during the holiday season is looking at the lights around town. Whether that be in nearby neighborhoods or seeing professional set-ups, here are some dazzling displays in Houston to look forward to.

Zoo Lights

Presented by TXU Energy and hosted at the Houston Zoo, Zoo Lights is the go-to display for many Houstonians. Running until Jan. 7, crowds can see different displays in each quadrant of the zoo like the Enchanted Forest or the Snowy Slopes.

For those who are a member of the Houston Zoo tickets are discounted by 20%, for those who are not, ticket prices start at $27.95.

Radiant Nature

Hosted by the Houston Botanic Garden and presented by Reliant from Nov. 17 to Feb. 25, this display features over 50 Chinese lantern installations. Walking around the various flowers, animals and other light structures will ring in the Lunar New Year.

A ticket for admission to the garden show is $28.50 per person over the age of three. On-site parking at the main entrance to the garden is an additional $10 fee.

Winter Wonderlawn

As a part of the Downtown Holiday Lights Celebration, POST Houston is hosting a light display powered by Rhythm Energy until Jan. 14. The display will offer a Christmas Tree amongst the lights on the Skylawn park at the top of the building.

Tickets to check in to the experience are $10 Monday through Thursday, $15 Friday through Sunday and free for children under five. Keep in mind, the Skylawn is still free to the public before 4 p.m. each day.

Dasher’s Lightshow

For those not interested in walking around with a chill in the air to see lights, Sam Houston Race Park has the solution. See the 20-minute light show from a car at this holiday drive-thru. Sync the car radio to the station at the Dasher location and enjoy the dancing display.

The show goes on at times between 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. until New Year’s Eve. The tickets are priced per person in the vehicle, starting at $9.95 for a single rider. For those who do not want to drive, there is also a hay-ride option presented by King Ranch starting at $20 per person.

Texas Winter Lights

The Marriott Marquis Houston is known for its massive Texas-shaped lazy river pool, but it only becomes more illuminated during the holidays. There are themed nights, a poolside DJ and other lit-up yard games for visitors to enjoy until New Year’s Eve.

Hotel guests enter for free while general admission for adults starts at $25 and children under 12 start at $15.

Mistletoe Square

As another addition to the Downtown Holiday Lights Celebration, Mistletoe Square is lit up in Market Square Park. Running until Jan. 2, this light display claims to have the largest installation of mistletoe in Texas.

Walk through this display for free, but enjoy other activities around the Market for a fee.

Galaxy Lights

Vering into the suburbs of Houston, check out Space Center Houston’s Galaxy Lights until Jan. 7. This display powered by Reliant features celestial designs and lights shaped in many space-inspired forms.

General Admission to Galaxy Lights ranges from $19.95 to $27.95 a person. Children under three are free.

Sugar Land Holiday Lights

On the opposite side of town, visit the Sugar Land Holiday Lights display presented by Houston Methodist until New Year’s Day. The display features millions of lights and many themed areas for visitors to explore.

Tickets for adults start at $17 while children and seniors start at $14.

River Oaks Lights

To save a few bucks and witness some resident-made holiday light displays, consider walking or driving around the River Oaks neighborhoods. Within the 610 Loop, homeowners go all out for their house holiday displays.

As mentioned, there will be no tickets. Once you drive by the trees wrapped in white lights near Westheimer, you’ll know you are close.

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