Holiday in the Gardens will brighten the season with  holiday sights, sounds and smells that will fill the air until January 2 as Festival of Lights celebrates its twentieth year.  Guests can enjoy the one-mile trail filled with even more lights than before, over 100 sound enhanced animated light displays themed to their favorite holiday music, hot cocoa, fireside smores, pictures with Santa and much more. Guests can choose from a selection of holiday films in the MG 3D Theater and Rudolph 4D in the 4D Special FX Theater for families to enjoy special effects like snow flurries and the delightful smell of gingerbread.

Here’s a look at their eight holiday attractions and a couple of bonus ideas:

Festival of Lights

Enjoy a festive stroll along this mile-long trail featuring more than two million lights and lighted scenes themed to holiday music that take you around the Moody Gardens property with spectacular views of Galveston Bay. Stops along the way bring you to see Star the Dancing Tree of Light, concession areas, hot chocolate, fireside S’mores and other festive foods, Mistletoe, along with plenty of photo and selfie opportunities!

Star: The Dancing Tree of Light

As you enjoy the Festival of Lights trail, it will be hard to hard for you to miss Star: The Dancing Tree of Light. Measuring in at 4 stories tall, this magificent digital dancing tree of light shines brighter than any Christmas tree in Texas! Stop by and take a photo or selfie with this beauty and enjoy the music accompanied with each of its displays.

Train Rides

Enjoy the holiday lights and music as the train takes you along a section of the Festival of Lights trail.

Arctic Slide

Enjoy the fun with a festive glide down the Arctic Slide.

Holiday 3D Films

Enjoy holiday films on the largest screen in Texas.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 4D

Enjoy the beloved animated television classic as the magic of 4D engages all of your senses. Classic songs and dialogue are brought to life by loveable, iconic characters – the Abominable Snow Monster, Hermey the elf, Santa Claus and, of course, Rudolph “the most famous reindeer of all.”

Evening Cruise: Colonel Paddlewheeler

On selecct nights only, you can enjoy an evening cruise aboard the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat. See the holiday lights sparkling off Galveston Bay for a whole new perspective of the Festival of Lights.

Cirque Joyeux Holiday Show

Matinee, Evening & Dinner Shows, December 17 – 30
Enjoy a spectacular, exhilarating and joyous celebration of the Christmas season live on stage at the Moody Gardens Convention Center. A team of acrobats, aerialists, cats and more perform for an enchanting evening of circus, music and comedy.

And as promised, here are two bonus ideas:

2-for-1 Festival of Lights Tickets

This December: Food Drive Thursdays
Bring a non-perishable item to the ticket counter inside the Visitor Center to receive 2-for-1 admission to Festival of Lights every Thursday in December.

New Year’s Palooza at Moody Gardens Hotel

December 31 – January 2
An action-packed two night adventure awaits you at Moody Gardens New Year Palooza. The end of the year bash brings in the New Year with exciting activities for the whole family to enjoy.

For more information, including ticket and hotel package options, please visit www.moodygardens.org/holiday_season.