Light Up the Holidays
By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos by BRANDY CRUZ and courtesy of Lights Spectacular, City of Waco, and Lights of West
Central Texas offers some unique and season-inspiring Christmas Light venues. If you’ve never experienced the magic and excitement of spending a December evening immersed in lights and all things Christmas, this is your year! From the beloved BLORA Nature in Lights tradition at Fort Hood, to Texas’ newest drive-thru Christmas light park in West, we’ve got you covered.
BLORA Nature in Lights
Located on Fort Hood, the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area has been hosting the Nature in Lights trail for almost three decades. Visitors slowly drive through the 5.5-mile trail, enjoying the larger-than-life light displays ranging from 40 feet to 300 feet, many of which move with the help of computer animation.
In addition to the Nature in Lights trail, BLORA features a scenic Santa’s Village and Depot area. In Santa’s Village, visitors can shop at local toy and food vendor booths and enjoy special holiday-themed items. The kiddos especially enjoy the pony rides, hot cocoa, treats, novelties and pictures with Santa. Santa’s Depot offers even more holiday joy.
“BLORA has a beautiful, shiny train engine, which runs through a trail of lights exclusively seen via train,” said Lisa Lorenz-Bass, program director of BLORA. “It departs the station located at Santa’s Depot. Santa’s Depot features food concessions under the stars, glow-in-the dark toys and a train playground where kids can both burn off some energy before heading home and be entertained between train rides.”
Address: Cottage Road, Building NAF 126, Fort Hood
Phone: 254-287-2523
For cost, hours and other info, visit https://hood.armymwr.com/view-event/nature-lights/6600704/934
Lights Spectacular
This free Christmas Lights display in Johnson City is an event you won’t want to miss. With more than two million Christmas lights, this display is so big that NASA reported seeing it from space! This community-driven event is supported entirely by volunteers and local businesses in the “Twinkliest Town in Texas” and has been free to the public for 36 years.
Johnson City is in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, about 45 minutes west of Austin via US 290. It is also near Fredericksburg, Dripping Springs, and other Hill Country destinations perfect for a weekend getaway.
The 2025 season kicks off in late November with fireworks, a local chili cook-off, outdoor movies, and the town’s famous “Lighted Hooves & Wheels Parade” featuring decorated tractors and classic cars.
Throughout the Lights Spectacular season, you can look forward to horse-drawn carriage rides, hayrides, live entertainment, character visits (Santa and The Grinch), and photos with Santa. Plus, the town’s local shops, eateries and craft beverage tasting rooms will offer festive specials and menus throughout the season.
Come out before sundown, walk around the historic downtown with your family, and enjoy local food, beer, wine, and festivities in a family fun atmosphere.
Or book a stay in local B&Bs and hotels. The holiday lights will continue to glow in Johnson City from dusk to midnight, Nov. 29 to Jan. 4, in the city’s historic district off Main Street, Memorial Park and PEC headquarters.
Website: https://lightsspectacular.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LightsSpectacularTXHillCountryStyle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightsspectacularjctx/
Wild Lights at Cameron Park Zoo
Experience the magic of the holidays at Cameron Park Zoo’s Wild Lights. Though the animals will be in bed for the night when you visit, Cameron Park Zoo offers the largest Christmas lights display in Waco.
From Nov. 28 through Dec. 30, the zoo will sparkle with millions of dazzling Christmas lights, festive photo ops, and a chance to meet Santa himself. Festive treats and warm drinks will be available.
Wild Lights is open Thursday through Sunday evenings from 6-9 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.), with special openings on Dec. 22, 23, 29 and 30.
Please note, Wild Lights will be closed on Dec. 24 and 25.
Santa will return to the North Pole after making his rounds on Christmas so be sure and visit him before closing on the 23rd.
By attending, you’re not only creating unforgettable memories but also helping fund vital conservation, habitat preservation, and emergency support efforts that advance the zoo’s mission to protect animals and their homes.
Website: https://www.cameronparkzoo.com/event/wild-lights-2/
Santa’s Wonderland
Immerse yourself in millions of dazzling lights, REAL Texas snow and ice, and a multitude of cheerful attractions spread across acres of festive wonderland at the world’s largest Christmas park, located in College Station.
Together, Santa and his trusty pal, Marshall Frostbite, have brought snow to Texas, and you can race down one of 12 lanes of Snow Tubing at Frostbite’s Mountain.
Admission includes access to Frostbite’s Mountain, so grab a tube and get ready to have a blast. It’s SNOW much fun!
Or you can enjoy spectacular views on Santa’s Hayride with open visibility, festive holiday music, freshly bundled hay, and raised seating during your tour featuring more than 4.5 million, dazzling holiday lights!
If hayrides aren’t your thing, take a walking tour through millions of twinkling lights and experience the magical light tunnels and displays in the Candy Cane Forest, Nativity Scene, Christmas Chapel, and the walkway to Santa’s Sugar Plum Castle.
At Frostbite’s Snow Playground, folks can play in the REAL Texas snow. Build a snowman, make some snow angels, and have a good ole time with your family and friends. Access to the Snow Playground is included with your admission, so don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind winter wonderland experience.
When you are hungry, head over to chow down on some seriously delicious Texas-sized portions of mouthwatering food at Santa’s Wonderland. Whether you’re craving some delicious Texas BBQ, piping hot pizza, or a hefty half-pound burger, they’ve got you covered. And don’t forget to indulge in some sweet treats like hot cocoa, funnel cakes, and gelato. Plus, their Chuck Wagon serves up s’mores and steamy peach cobbler cooked over an open fire for a classic campfire experience.
When you’re all warmed up, how about some ice skating under the stars and surrounded by the beautiful twinkling Christmas lights of a Winter Wonderland? Or a horse-drawn carriage ride?
Enjoy your own Christmas dream in a pearl-white limo carriage decorated with LED lights and fabulous holiday decor, pulled by beautiful draft horses through the Trail of Lights. Hot cocoa, holiday music, and twinkling lights make it a magical experience with your loved ones.
Don’t forget to stop by the barnyard and say hello to the cuddly friends at the petting zoo or take a pony ride before experiencing the magic in Jingle Bell Square by sitting ‘round a warm and cozy campfire while you can watch the most talented musicians in the Lone Star State perform your favorite Christmas sing-a-long songs.
Next, experience the true meaning of Christmas by visiting the Nativity Scene. Meet some of the animals that were present at the manger and feel the warmth of the season in your heart.
Then don’t forget to take a family photo in front of the giant lighted Texas flag or in the Texas-sized snow globe.
And, if you still have time and energy, ride the Christmas train, jump on a few jumping pillows, or take an 8-second ride on Santa’s Buckin’ Bull or Rowdy Reindeer.
When you need time out, head over to Santa’s Big Red Barn and relax while you watch movies on the big screen. You’ll have enough Christmas spirit to last all season.
Website: www.santas-wonderland.com/
Phone: 979-690-7212
Email: info@santas-wonderland.com
Lights of West
With an enormous love for Christmas, Brad Luedke and friends, Tom Patterson and Fred Dodd, considered the possibilities of opening a Christmas park for more than a year.
In 2020, they decided to jump in feet first with the goal of providing a faith-filled experience for families around Central Texas wanting to celebrate the Christmas season in a new and memorable way.
Since then, Lights of West, Texas’ newest Christmas Park, has been creating unforgettable Christmas memories for families across Central Texas.
Conveniently located off Interstate 35 in West, this holiday park offers dazzling light displays, joyful attractions, and festive experiences for all ages.
Whether you’re coming with friends or family, there’s something for everyone to enjoy
The staff has added new attractions and events each year.
Now poised to celebrate their fifth year, Lights of West asks you to summon your courage to sing your favorite Christmas songs out loud with their new Carol-Oke music stage or find your way over to the Elves Playground to experience the new Gingerbread Slide and Santa Bounce House for your own little elves to enjoy.
Open-air trailer rides are a great way to enjoy the Light Trail for the whole family or bring a big group, as trailers can hold up to 28 passengers.
You can lose yourself in the Christmas Light Maze or spend a little time with a furry friend at the nightly petting zoo.
Not your average petting zoo, Noah’s Way Exotic Petting Zoo offers you the opportunity to get up close to camels, water buffalo, kangaroos, zebras, camels, and more.
Pony rides are available every night for the little ones.
Live music is also on the agenda with local artists lined up to entertain you while you enjoy holiday treats. And don’t forget to visit both the real Santa Claus or his 20-foot tall double for photos.
The Christmas Lights of West Park is just 10-15 minutes or so north of Waco on I-35. Take exit 349 and follow the lights.
You will find a warm welcome at the park or in town as you visit restaurants and shops or seek out your favorite kolaches. Either way, the friendly folks of West have you covered.
Website: https://www.lightsofwest.com/
Phone: 254-293-0084
Email: team@lightsofwest.com
Address: 2818 Wiggins Road, West
