Take a Saturday evening stroll past Christmas light-covered homes in the Woodland Heights at the 37th annual Lights in the Heights on Saturday, December 14, 2024, from 6pm to 9pm.
One of Houston’s most beloved (and in some years, its most secretive) holiday traditions, Lights in the Heights returns to the Woodland Heights for 2024.
Lined with charming homes and big new houses, the Woodlands Heights is one of Houston’s oldest and most historic in neighborhoods.
Most neighborhood homes, already decorated festively for the season, will pull out all the stops.
The Woodland Heights has long been known as a must visit destination neighborhood for viewing holiday lights, with homeowners competing every year for top recognition in the week leading up to the big, family-friendly Saturday night event.
During Lights in the Heights, which happens on the second Saturday each December, two streets in the Woodland Heights are closed to traffic for three hours.
Residents, guests and visitors are able to stroll the neighborhood streets, checking out some of Houston’s most classic and creative holiday light displays, enjoy live music performed on residents front porches and yards, and soaking up the holiday spirit.
All guests are welcome to explore the streets and public sidewalks, but are asked to stay out of the yards. Many residents hold private parties during the event and they are not open to the public.
Light in the Heights 2024 Route
For 2024, Lights in the Heights will take over Byrne, Euclid and 7 1/2th streets between Studewood and Beauchamp streets.
In keeping with the event’s conception, these roads will be open for pedestrian traffic only, as will the stretches of the neighborhood’s north/south streets that connect the two streets.
As always, Lights in the Heights promises to offer a unique, warm and friendly taste of holiday cheer in the Heights. However, visitors should keep in mind that they are guests in the neighborhood.
Although the streets are open to the public, the homes and yards are not. Many of the homeowners in the Woodland Heights have private parties of their own during Lights in the Heights, so please observe “Private Party” signs posted in yards and do not enter any yards unless you’ve been invited.
History of Lights in Heights
The Lights in the Heights celebration began in 1988 as a neighborly Christmas gathering with lights, music, and cookies. It grew dramatically over the years and by 2012 it became too large for the Woodland Heights neighborhood.
Given large crowds and disorderly behavior a few years ago, the neighborhood association has continued to try scaling down event, preferring it to be a neighborhood-only occasion. However, with the closure of public streets, it remains an event that anyone can attend strolling down the streets and sidewalks and enjoying the free entertainment.
If you can’t make it out to Lights in the Heights, homes in the Woodland Heights remain decorated throughout December and can be viewed any night of the month by car or by foot on the sidewalks.
Police will be on hand to enforce laws on public intoxication and underage drinking at this event.
Lights in the Heights 2024 in the Woodland Heights
- Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
- Time: 6pm to 9pm
- Location: Woodland Heights, Houston, TX 77009
- Parking: Parking is very difficult to come by in the Woodland Heights during this event. Visitors from outside the neighborhood are encouraged to ride bicycles, use public transportation or Uber. Barricades will be erected on surrounding streets starting at 5pm. Barricades will be removed at 9pm.
- Admission: Free. Learn more.
