Christmas Lights in Houston

Nite of Lites

For nearly 40 years, the tradition of decorating homes in Prestonwood Forest for competition has been practiced. This year, dozens of houses are expected to participate, bringing hundreds of visitors through the neighborhood each evening.

Homes will be judged in various categories, which include best house, best mailbox, best door, best all around and best block. Lights are to be illuminated each night at 6 p.m. beginning Dec. 8 until Dec. 30. In order to save on electricity, lights are to be shut off by 10 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday–Sunday.

Awards will be decided on the first day of the event with dinner and dessert for the judges hosted by last year’s best block winner. This year’s winners will be notified Dec. 9, and various prizes will be awarded along with the placement of a yard sign.

13702 Prestonwood Forest Drive

Cypress • 281-897-8597

www.prestonwoodforestonline.com

Christmas Katy

Now in its sixth year of synchronized lighting, Christmas Katy comes into the 2012 season with a new look after losing a central pine tree in the 2011 drought.

Featuring a 30-foot tunnel of lights, a 32-foot tall tree and more than 1,464 channels of Light O Rama connections in total, this light show is possibly the largest in the Katy area. The Marty Fan and the “Cosmic Arches” have gotten new LED lights made with clear acrylic tubing. Shows continue through to New Years Day and take place Sun–Thu from 6–10 p.m. and Fri–Sat from 6–11 p.m. Organizers request that drivers turn headlights off and use parking lights when exploring the area. Radios should be tuned to FM 89.9 to hear a loop of 14 different Christmas songs synced with the lights.

24603 Stoughton Court

Katy • www.christmaskaty.com

The Woodlands Winter Wonderland

In conjunction with the holiday ice rink that is now open, located at the intersection of Lake Robbins Drive and Six Pines Drive, the Donoho Jewellers Winter Wonderland features a lighted holiday scene. Visitors can wander through the fantasyland of lighted toy soldiers, elves, doves, musical angels and snowmen from dusk until 11 p.m. The Winter Wonderland is free.

Northeast corner of Lake Robbins and Six Pines Drive

The Woodlands • www.holidayinthewoodlands.com

Christmas in Cypress

As of Dec. 1, the home of Cypress resident Louis Mayer will be decorated with roughly 60,000 Christmas lights controlled by hundreds of computer-controlled channels as a way to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

This will be Mayer’s fifth year hosting the event. Past decorations have included scenes from the traditional, such as Charles Schultz’ beloved Peanuts characters, to the contemporary, such as flickering lights set to the popular Jingle Bells with a techno remix. This year, other features will include vanilla-scented fog, laser and spot lights, and cookies and milk for donors and visitors.

Light shows are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., 7:40 p.m. and 8:20 p.m. every evening. Donations can be mailed or dropped off in a lockbox located at Mayer’s home.

15911 Lavender Run

Cypress • www.christmasincypress.com

Northwest Dodge

The owner of Northwest Dodge commissioned Richard Holdman to decorate the car dealership with more than 80,000 Christmas lights that dance and flicker to Christmas music. Visitors should turn their car radio to 89.9 when they get close to the dealership to hear the music. The light show will be on display daily from 6 p.m.–7 a.m. from Nov. 28–Dec. 31.

19616 Hwy. 290

Houston • 832-912-2500

Oak Ridge North

The City of Oak Ridge North has long been one of the best communities in South Montgomery County to see Christmas lights. This year, the city is taking advantage of their residents’ decorating prowess by holding a competition to determine the best-decorated house. Some of the best spots are streets located north of Robinson Road.

Oak Ridge North • www.oakridgenorth.com