November 18 – January 6
Free Parking!
2023 - 2024 Season Hours:
Hours are subject to change
Yearly Attractions
Open: 10AM - 7PM Daily
Christmas Day Open: 12PM - 5PM
Ice Land and Festival of Lights & Holiday Attractions
Open: 11AM - 9PM Daily (Please refer to the attraction sheet for hours)
Christmas Day Open: 12PM - 9PM
Things To Do
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.
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
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, and mistletoe, along with plenty of photo and selfie opportunities!
Theme Nights on the Festival of Lights Trail
Enjoy special theme nights on the Festival of Lights trail all season long including sensory night, dog night, pajama night, and more! Buy One Get One on Festival of Light tickets or the Holiday Pass on select nights!
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.
A Christmas Wish: Holiday Spectacular
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. With spirited characters, stunning visuals, and electrifying performances, this show is a heartwarming spectacle that will reignite your holiday joy!
Holiday 3D and 4D Films
Enjoy holiday films all season long in the MG 3D Theater and 4D Special FX Theater! Films include Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D, Jerusalem 3D, Train Time 3D and Light Before Christmas 3D.
Kiddie Train Rides
Enjoy the holiday lights and music as the train takes you along a section of the Festival of Lights trail. Must be under 48" tall to ride.
Arctic Slide
Enjoy the fun with a festive glide down the Arctic Slide.
4 slides down The Arctic Slide are included in the Holiday Pass!
Must be over 36" to ride.
Ice Skating Rink
Open Nightly: Starting at 6pm when the Festival of Lights trail opens. You must enter through the Festival of Lights trail to access the Ice Skating Rink (Ice Skating is included with your Festival of Lights ticket in the evenings!)
Afternoon Skate (12 - 4pm): Dates coming soon!
Rent the Rink: Rent out the Ice Skating Rink for your own private function for $150 for 1 hour. Call 409-683-4203 for details.
Holiday Dining
Thanksgiving Buffets
Enjoy a Holiday meal with your family, and leave the cooking and tidying up to us.
November 23 | Moody Gardens Hotel 10:30am-2:30pm
November 23 | Garden Restaurant 10:30am-8pm
November 23 | Cafe in the Park - Moody Gardens Hotel 5pm - 8:30pm
Breakfast with Santa
Moody Gardens Hotel Frances Moody Ballroom | Seating at 8:30am and 10am
December 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23
Enjoy breakfast with Santa this holiday season! Breakfast includes a meet and greet with Santa, souvenir photo and a delicious buffet featuring biscuits and gravy, waffles, omelet station, fresh fruit and more!
Christmas Eve Dining
Enjoy Christmas Eve dining at Moody Gardens!
December 24 | Garden Restaurant 12pm-8pm
Christmas Day Dining
Enjoy Christmas Day dining at Moody Gardens!
December 25 | Frances Anne Moody Ballroom - Moody Gardens Hotel 10:30am-2:30pm
December 25 | Garden Restaurant - Visitors Center 11am-8pm
December 25 | Cafe in the Park - Moody Gardens Hotel 5pm-8:30pm
New Years
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.
NYE Silver Celebration at the Moody Gardens Hotel
December 31 | Frances Anne Moody Ballroom 8pm - 1am
Come and be part of our festivities at the Moody Gardens Hotel, commemorating 25 years with an exciting NYE celebration featuring the Mambo Jazz Kings, a memorable Champagne Toast, and an innovative eco-friendly take on the traditional ball drop. This event is for 21+ only! Tickets and Hotel Packages are available now. Call 409-683-1299 to buy tickets and reserve your stay.
New Year’s Eve Colonel Paddlewheel Boat Cruise
December 31
Boarding at 9 p.m., Cruise 10 p.m. to midnight.
Cruise out of 2023 aboard the Colonel PaddlewheeI Boat with spectacular water views of the Festival of Lights! Guests 21+ will enjoy music, dancing and a delightful hot and cold hors d'oeuvres menu + a champagne toast!
Tickets coming soon!
Year-Round Attractions
Aquarium Pyramid
Visit tuxedo-clad penguins to seals, stingrays, sharks, tropical fish and more! From the Gulf of Mexico to the South Atlantic, the South Pacific, the North Pacific, and the Caribbean. Each ocean exhibit highlights different marine sanctuaries and different aspects of our relationship to the seas. Open during the daytime with individual tickets or the Value Pass.
Rainforest Pyramid
Enjoy a rare, up-close and interactive experience with endangered plants such as the Corpse Flower and animals ranging from Giant Amazon River Otters to Saki Monkeys and an array of birds! See it all in one of the truest replicas of a real rainforest. Open during the daytime with individual tickets or the Value Pass.
Colonel Paddlewheel Boat
Enjoy a 45 minute afternoon cruise along Offats Bayou with breathtaking views of Galveston Bay. Cruises available with individual tickets or the Value Pass.
Visiting with a Group? Or Book Your Holiday Party!
Group Pricing for groups 20 or more
Contact Group Sales at 409-683-4558 or email AttractionSales@moodygardens.org for more information.
Parking & Directions
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.