I believe one of the things that makes Christmas so magical is the lights. Driving around and seeing those gorgeous twinkling lights is simply mesmerizing! I don’t care how old I get it will always be exciting to see Christmas lights.
West Texas is notoriously known for not having anything to do. I mean what travel influencer explores West Texas for anything other than to see Big Bend National Park. So of course, moving here I decided I had to find the beauty of West Texas. Each season I pack up my kids and we find the best that West Texas has to offer that season. Fall we look for pumpkin patches, summer is splashing pads, spring is gardens, and so winter is Christmas lights!
While West Texas may not have as grand of lights as the bigger cities of Texas, it shouldn’t be dismissed so quickly. We have actually loved our journey of finding the coolest Christmas lights in West Texas. So I hope you can find the beauty that West Texas has to offer this Christmas with this list of the best places to see Christmas lights in West Texas.
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Andrews Christmas Park
I like drive thru Christmas lights, but there is something way more magical about walking through Christmas lights! Andrews, Texas is located between Lubbock and Midland. It is the classic small oil town you would expect to find in the area. I would also categorize their Christmas light display as small as well, BUT though small in size it is a grand experience.
It has become a tradition in our family to visit these lights every year, simply because we love them. You can drive up and park in front of the light display, tune in on your radio, and watch a spectacular light show from your car. There is a big movie screen with music videos that the lights surrounding dance to.
Like I said, I like the walking experience and you will get so much more walking through than sitting in your car. You can walk through light show, visit Santa or the Grinch, sip on a cup of free hot chocolate, dance under the giant lite Christmas tree, and walk behind it through a lighted forest of lights. It is a small set up, but is never crowded, and always so fun!
Location: 305 NW Ave C, Andrews, TX 79714
Hours: Until New Years, Sun-Thurs dark-10pm, Fri-Sat dark-11pm
Price: FREE
Abilene United Way Winter LightFest
Did I mention how much I enjoy walking through Christmas lights? Only like 10 times throughout this article! United Way Winter LightFest in Abilene, Texas is a wonderful place to take a stroll through Christmas lights!
We are talking photo ops, Santa Claus, hot cocoa, a scavenger hunt, and more; all offered on a ¾ mile walking trail.
Location: 2250 E.N. 10th Street, Abilene, TX 79601
Hours: Nov 30th, Dec 6-8, Dec 13-15, Dec 20-23, Dec 27-28, 5:30pm-10pm
Price: At Gate-$18 adult, $15 ages 3-17, 2 and under FREE, Online- $15 adult, $12 ages 3-17, 2 and under FREE
Midland’s Merry Lights
Midland has made it to the map! Midland has never had a light display until this year and they went all out! My kids were pretty grumpy about going to Christmas lights until we pulled up and they saw these lights. People probably could hear their squeals of excitement outside of our van! They were there for an hour and were complaining about not having enough time here.
The lights are set up at Centennial Park with is downtown Midland, and surrounded by the tall building. On one of the tall buildings, you can watch a light show with dancing lights, dancing puppies, and dancing Santas. That alone was super fun to watch.
However, the real magic of this small park are the lights everywhere. These lights aren’t just cheapy lights, they are beautiful lights. There isn’t a tree not decorated with lights. Sparkling, giant snowflakes hang from the branches and standing tall overlooking the park is a giant Christmas tree. There are photo ops everywhere and plenty of places to sit and relax.
The park also has a fun hill that my kids could spend all day running up and down, as well as a playground. It is a park every age will enjoy!
Location: Centennial Park, 200 W Wall St, Midland, TX 79701
Hours: late Nov-New Years, 5:45pm-10:30pm
Price: FREE
Odessa’s Starbright Village
Starbright Village has been a popular place to see Christmas lights in West Texas for years. While this is one park most people will drive thru, I highly suggest walking for the best experience. Walking gives you the opportunity to take your time admiring the giant poinsettia lights, walk through a tunnel in a giant snowman, dance with the singing Christmas trees, and enjoy the movement of each of the light fixtures.
I did mention that this park is pretty busy right? We enjoy these lights due to how unique each structure is, but prepare for either a long driving wait time or crowds on the walking trail. It is worth the crowds, but I don’t want you to expect this to be a quick in and out experience.
Location: McKinney Park, 625 W Pool Rd, Odessa, TX 79763
Hours: Nov 30-Jan 1, 6pm-11pm
Price: FREE
San Angelo Concho Christmas: Tour of Lights
I LOVE San Angelo! It is a beautiful, fun, and artistic take on West Texas life. So not only do they have a driving Christmas lights set up, the lights are alongside the Concho River. This Tour Of Lights is visible by car or by walking along the riverside.
You can enjoy the animated lights version of the 12 days of Christmas, a gingerbread village, and more. It is a fun light display that kids absolutely love and one you will not want to miss out on.
Location: Vehicles enter at Bryant Blvd. and 1st Street (street just north of the Main Post Office), 598 W. 1st Street
Hours: Until Dec 31st, Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12am
Price: FREE ($8 donations suggested)
Big Spring’s Festival of Lights
Another great place for drive thru Christmas lights in West Texas, is Big Spring. I know, who knew Big Spring had anything, but they do have a nice Christmas lights display. The Christmas lights in Big Spring, Texas, transform the park into a winter wonderland of holiday cheer. With vibrant displays adorning historic landmarks, tree-lined streets twinkling with sparkling lights, and creative decorations.
The city comes alive with the spirit of the season. It’s a magical experience that brings the community together and leaves visitors surprisingly enchanted.
Location: Commanche Trail Park, 100 Whipkey Dr, Big Spring, TX 79720
Hours: First Sunday of December-Christmas Day, 6pm-10pm
Price: FREE
Carlsbad’s Christmas on the Pecos
Carlsbad, New Mexico is located right over the border of Texas. This is such a fun town and even is home to a national park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park. While that is an amazing thing to do, if you are ever in Carlsbad at Christmas time, they have the most unique Christmas lights experience you will find in the West Texas area.
The Pecos River runs right through the town of Carlsbad, and surrounding this lake are really nice lake houses. Every year these lake houses put up incredible light displays surrounding the river. So naturally to look at Christmas lights on a river you need to be on a boat. There is about an hour long boat ride offered every evening to see these lights, and it is so much fun!
I will warn you that it gets booked up pretty fast, so book as soon as you can!
Location: 711 Muscatel Ave, Carlsbad, NM 88220
Hours: All of December except Christmas, tours are at 6:30pm, 8:30pm, 9:30pm
Price: $20 adult, $15 ages 3-12, $10 locals, $10 military
Lubbock
Santa Land
Santa Land in Lubbock, Texas, is a holiday destination that brings the magic of Christmas to life. Walk through this enchanting experience featuring dazzling light displays, festive music, and family-friendly attractions that captivate visitors of all ages.
Stroll through pathways illuminated with millions of sparkling lights, meet Santa and his cheerful elves, and enjoy activities like holiday crafts, a Christmas market, and tasty seasonal treats. Santa’s Wonderland creates an unforgettable holiday memory in the heart of West Texas.
Location: MacKenzie Park, 600 Cesar E. Chavez Dr, Lubbock, TX 79401
Hours: December 9-22, 6pm-10pm
Price: FREE
Lubbock Light Park
This new Christmas light display is all the fuss in Lubbock right now. This is the only drive-only Christmas lights in Lubbock, Texas. This is a temporary set up for the holiday season located in the mall parking lot. Sync your radio to lights and displays that you drive around. This an easy, but still fun way to have the magic of Christmas lights without even leaving your car.
Location: 6002 Slide Rd, Lubbock, TX 79414
Hours: Nov 8-Dec 28, Sun-Thurs 6:30pm-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 6:30pm – 11:30pm
Price: $30 a vehicle
El Paso WinterFest
El Paso becomes a winter wonderland each Christmas at their WinterFest. I mean practically the entire downtown is a giant Christmas display. There is a section dedicated just to lights at Cleveland Square Park but all surrounding this area are lite Christmas trees, photo ops, and photos with Santa Claus.
Not to mention an ice-skating rink for an extra cost. For a complete map of where to see lights in El Paso, please click here.
Location: click here for the map
Hours: Nov 24th-Jan 5th, 5pm-11pm
Price: FREE
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