Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Tyler + East Texas

Just north of Tyler on Interstate 20, Santa Land is one of East Texas' premiere drive-through Christmas lights parks. It features more than 2.5 million lights across 24 acres.

Santa Land is open from 6 to 10:30 p.m. nightly until Jan. 4, 2014. Cost is $25 per car and $35 for vans with 15 passengers or less. Santa Land also offers tractor trailer rides through Dec. 26 for $12 per person. Groups of 25 or more are $8 per person.

Don't forget to check out the gift and snack shops at Santa Land, open from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly.

Click here to visit Santa Land's website.

Up in Lights is the only drive-through Christmas lights park located within the Tyler city limits. Up in Lights features more than a million lights, and is celebrating its eighth Christmas to dazzle East Texans.

Up in Lights opens at 6 p.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 18, when it is open every night through Christmas. The cost to drive through the mile-long park is $15 per car, including church-style 15-passenger vans.

A tip: Take one canned good for PATH and receive $3 off per car.

Click here to see Up in Lights' website and to get directions.

Christmas Park Land of Lights, family owned and operated, is a wonderland of lights, music, and holiday cheer. Stretching 1 1/2 miles, the park boasts more than 4 million lights, more twinkly tunnels than one can count on a hand, lighted arches, and thousands of holiday characters longing to make your season the best it can be.

Land of Lights is open through Jan. 2 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. nightly. The cost is $20 per family vehicle and $40 for commercial vehicles and pickup loads.

You can also take the kids to see and take pictures with Santa now through Dec. 23.

Click here to visit Land of Lights' Facebook page for more information.

Marshall's Wonderland of Lights Festival has been around more than a quarter-century.

Exciting activities abound with an outdoor ice rink, Wonderland Village, North Pole Play Land, a live variety show each night performed in Telegraph Park, North Pole Play Land Express train rides, Wonderland Mountain. Polar Challenge, bus tours, carriage rides and much, much more. There is no cost to enjoy the synchronized light and sound show on the courthouse, the evening music show begins at 7:10 p.m. each night on the Street of Dreams.

You can also enjoy some activities for a fee, including outdoor ice skating!

Click here for more information on The Wonderland of Lights Festival.

Live the magic of The Polar Express -- just like the movie, wearing pajamas and all -- and see some great Christmas lights from a real-life train.

Dancing chefs deliver hot chocolate and a cookie to each guest to savor while music from The Polar Express movie plays en route to the North Pole. Passengers in Lone Star Class and dome cars drink from special, official The Polar Express mugs (limited edition and not available elsewhere) which become theirs to keep. Make sure to have your tickets handy, because your conductor will be by shortly to punch each child’s ticket.

Before arriving at the North Pole, the iconic book, The Polar Express, is read by the voice of actor Liam Neeson, as your Chef turns the pages to share the beautiful illustrations in the original book. If the children prefer to read along from their seat, books are available at the time of your ticket purchase and will be waiting for you at the station!

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.