The Holiday Lights are Big and Bright Across Texas

There are holiday lights displays, and then there are TEXAS holiday lights displays.

Story and photos by Gerald McLeod, retired TCDRS Communications Manager

 

On the weekend following Thanksgiving, the magical Christmas light switch is flipped and the state glows from Amarillo to Brownsville.

It seems to be a matter of civic pride for the county courthouse to be decked in lighting displays. Llano, Lampasas, Hallettsville and Georgetown all outline their courthouse squares with colorful lights every year.

It’s a toss-up to which county seat has the more elaborate display. The Wonderland of Lights in Marshall has the added amenity of an ice skating rink, while Johnson’s City courthouse display claims to be so bright it can be seen from space.

Left: The MSU-Burns Fantasy of Lights in Wichita Falls is fun for all ages and even features a tram to see neighborhood decorations. Right: More than 400 holiday sculptures use over two million lights in the spectacular Walkway of Lights in Marble Falls. 

The MSU-Burns Fantasy of Lights in Wichita Falls began in the 1920s as one family’s holiday tradition. L.T. and Lillian Burns were newlyweds when they began decorating their yard for Christmas for nearly 50 years. From the original 21 animated cartoon and storybook characters, the menagerie has grown to 51 thanks to volunteers who keep the tradition alive. The walking trail on the campus of Midwestern State University opens nightly for free from November 25 through December 26.

The dazzling colors of the Walkway of Lights in Marble Falls dance off the surface of the water in Lakeside Park from November 22 through January 4. It’s a pleasant evening stroll walking the trail past dancing reindeer, colorful peacocks, and, of course, Santa Claus waving from his water skis. An ice skating rink and hot chocolate are waiting at the end of the walk.

More than three million lights twinkle on a 2.5 mile stretch of the Concho River in San Angelo. The driving tour has been a December holiday tradition since 1994.

The line of cars to see the Concho Christmas Celebration in San Angelo begins forming before the sun goes down. More than three million lights illuminate the 2.5-mile drive along the Concho River. On special nights, visitors can ride a bike down River Road or view the displays from a kayak. The light show opens every evening from December 6 through 31.

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