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One Hope Boulevard

Galveston, TX 77554

Phone: 409-744-4673

Holidays

Nine Holiday Attractions. One Venue.

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November 18, 2023 - January 6, 2024 

ICE LAND · Festival of Lights · Holiday 3D Films · Hotel Packages · Rudolph 4D ·  Arctic Slide · Train Rides ·  Holiday Show (Matinee, Evening & Dinner Shows) ·New Year's Palooza · Holiday Dinners · Nightly Fireside S'Mores.

HOTEL PACKAGES  ·  HOLIDAY PARTIES · GROUP RATES · GREAT FOOD & MORE!

Season Hours

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Holiday Lights by Pyramid

Season Hours 2023 - 2024

Yearly Attractions
Open: 10AM - 7PM Daily

Festival of Lights & Holiday Attractions
Open: 10AM - 10PM Daily (Please refer to the attraction sheet for hours)

Thanksgiving & Christmas Day Open: 12PM - 9PM

Holiday Video Preview

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Holiday Video Preview 

Things To Do

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Rudolph

As the largest holiday destination in the Southwest, Moody Gardens offers more holiday attractions, activities, festive fun, dining and hotel packages than you can imagine.

Holiday Hotel Packages

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Enjoy the holiday season with breathtaking views of our holiday lights with an overnight stay at the spectacular Moody Gardens Hotel. A variety of packages are available.

Ice Land is back with a Rainforest Theme!

Experience the vibrancy of rainforests with the monkeys, birds, butterflies, and orchids, as Christmas-decked leaf-cutter ants lead you through a magical world, intricately carved from ice. The talented team of master ice carvers hand-sculpted creations will guide guests on an extraordinary journey through the world's rainforests, complete with a giant ice slide that transports guests from the canopy to the forest floor, past ancient ruins, and along river edges. There is even an opportunity to enjoy Shivers Ice Bar featuring festive holiday spirits inside this ultra-cool bar made completely out of ice.

Festival of Lights

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Pyramids with Holiday Lights

This year, the holiday season will shine brighter than ever with an event that has become a tradition for families and groups alike. 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!

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 4D

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Rudolph

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.”

Arctic Slide

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Arctic Slide

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

Holiday 3D Films

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Holiday 3D Films

Enjoy holiday films on the largest screen in Texas!

Train Rides

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Train Rides

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

Evening Cruise: Colonel Paddlewheel

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Colonel Boat at Night

On our Regular Peak Nights (Regular Peak Nights are below), 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.

 

Holiday Show

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Cirque

Enjoy a spectacular, exhilarating and joyous celebration of the Christmas season live on stage at the Moody Gardens Convention Center. 

December 22 - 30 | Moody Gardens Hotel 

Embark on a journey like no other at Moody Gardens' “A Christmas Wish Holiday Spectacular." This spellbinding dinner show combines the artistry of Broadway-style song and dance with mesmerizing acrobatics and more. The heart of the show lies in a captivating story of rediscovering the holiday spirit. Join our lead character, Natalie, on her transformative adventure as she dives into her cherished childhood memories inside an enchanting snow globe. With spirited characters, stunning visuals, and electrifying performances, this show is a heartwarming spectacle that will reignite your holiday joy! 

New Year's Palooza Moody Gardens Hotel December 31 - January 2

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New Year's Palooza

New Years Palooza

December 30 - January 1

An action-packed two night adventure awaits you at Moody Gardens New Year Palooza. Our end of the year bash brings in the New Year with exciting activities for the whole family to enjoy. This package includes tickets to NY Palooza where plenty of family fun will be had. You will also receive day passes to explore Moody Gardens Attractions and tickets to A Christmas Wish Holiday Spectacular! Be prepared to be astonished by an electrifying and enchanting show that brims with energy, warmth, and joy. Prepare to be captivated by live musical theatre performances, dazzling dance routines, breathtaking stunts, mesmerizing acrobatics, hilarious comedic acts, and the enchantment of Christmas. 

New Year's Eve Cruise December 31

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Cruise out of 2023 aboard the Colonel PaddlewheeI Boat with spectacular water views of the Festival of Lights. Enjoy music, dancing and a delightful menu! 

Food Drive Thursdays at the Festival of Lights

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Cans for Food Drive

Food Drive Thursdays | Every Thursday, November 30 - December 28

Celebrate the season while helping those in need. Every Thursday from November 30 - December 28 bring a non-perishable food item and receive Buy One Get One admission to the Festival of Lights with proceeds going to the Galveston County and Houston Food Banks. Embrace the cause and remember that all parties must bring a non-perishable to get the deal.

Holiday in the Gardens Dining

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Plate of Food

Nightly Holiday Buffets

Leave the cooking and cleaning to Moody Gardens this holiday season and enjoy a delicious meal with your loved ones. 

Daily Holiday Buffets

Garden Restaurant | Daily November 18 - January 6
Available during hours of operation 

Cafe in the Park | Daily November 18 - January 6
Available during hours of operation
*Menus Alternating daily throughout the holiday season. 

Visiting with a Group? Or Book Your Holiday Party!

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Group Pricing for groups 20 or more

Contact Group Sales at 409-683-4558 or email AttractionSales@moodygardens.org​ for more information.

Parking & Directions

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Free Parking is available at Moody Gardens and lots adjacent to our property. Complimentary shuttle service is provided to the main entrance, with easy access to the Ticket Windows, Festival of Lights, Ice Land, Visitor Center and other attractions. The Galveston Trolley also provides transportation from various locations around Galveston Island.

November 18, 2023 - January 6, 2024

(Ages 3 and Under Free at All Attractions)
BEST DEAL HOLIDAY PASS

ICE LAND
(Starting at $29 for adults and $24 for kids/seniors) 

Festival of Lights
(Starting at $25 for adults and $21 for kids/seniors)    

Holiday Pass
(Starting at $65 for adults and $45 for kids/seniors)
(Holiday Pass starts at 4pm - includes Ice Land,  Festival of Lights, Arctic Slide, Train, Ice Rink, Aquarium Pyramid, 3D and 4D Theaters)

Value Day Pass
(Starting at $95 for adults and $75 for kids/seniors)
(Includes: Ice Land, Festival of Lights,  Arctic Slide, Train, Aquarium and Rainforest Pyramids, Discovery Museum, Colonel Paddlewheeler, 3D and 4D Theaters, 20,000 Leagues Interactive Adventure)

Holiday Calendar

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November 18, 2023 - January 6, 2024

Definitions:

Light Elf Movement: Light crowds with virtually no line delays

Merrily Moderate Traffic: Good crowds with potential line delays

Heavy Reindeer Traffic: Large crowds with expected line delays