If you’re in Central Texas and want a great Christmas-lights outing this holiday season, there are quite a few standout destinations within a few hours of Fort Worth. Here are some of the best — from big city spectacles to cozy small-town charm:

🎄 Top Christmas-Light Spots in Central Texas

What’s good in Waco?

Waco Wonderland — This is Waco’s big downtown holiday festival (Heritage Square → Austin Ave downtown). It features a light display, Christmas tree-lighting, a holiday parade, snow-tube hills, a Ferris wheel, visits with Santa, music & entertainment, holiday shopping/market vendors, and more. Waco Wonderland+2Waco News Now+2
Christmas Lights in the Village — Run by Mayborn Museum Complex: this event recreates an 1890s-style village decked in lights, with tree lighting, caroling, a Christmas-train ride, petting zoo, Santa’s workshop, and other family-friendly holiday touches. waco.web.baylor.edu+2Destination Waco+2
Waco Trolley Christmas Lights Tour — If you don’t feel like mapping out neighborhoods, this trolley tour is a comfy and fun way to “see them all”: decorated homes, residential displays, and business-area lightings — perfect for families or groups. The Waco Trolley+2Waco Insider+2
Local neighborhoods & light-driving routes — Several Waco-area streets and neighborhoods tend to really deck out: for example, “Wooded Crest Drive (Woodway/Waco-area)”. Reddit+2Reddit+2 Some houses become real “light shows” — people even drive by just to enjoy the decorations. Reddit+2Reddit+2

✅ Good for: A cozy, walkable or drive-through holiday experience; lots of family-friendly options; easy to combine with a day in Waco (shopping, dinner, etc.)

⚠️ Note: Some events (like Christmas Lights in the Village) may require tickets and have set dates/times.

What you can find in Killeen!?

Holiday Under the Stars — This is Killeen’s annual holiday event downtown: includes a Christmas-tree lighting, a parade, vendors, a “Holiday Market,” arts & crafts, live entertainment, and more. killeentexas.gov+1
BLORA’s Nature in Lights is one of the best holiday-light attractions in Central Texas, often compared to Santa’s Ranch (New Braunfels) or Marble Falls Walkway of Lights — but it’s drive-through only and very family-friendly.
Residential/house-light displays — There are at least some known homes in Killeen that go “all-out.” For example, one homeowner created a light show synchronized to radio music (tune in to a local station, drive by slowly, and lights dance to songs) — free, and fun for drivers. https://www.kwtx.com

✅ Good for: Low-cost or free night out; small-town vibe; good for a quick local drive, especially if you don’t want a long trip.

⚠️ Keep in mind: The scale in Killeen is smaller and more “home-lights + local downtown event” oriented than big-city spectacles — but that can be part of the charm.

Austin, TX area

Austin Trail of Lights — Held in Zilker Park, this is one of the region’s signature holiday events: a walk-through trail with themed light displays, tunnels, holiday décor, live music, and more. TheChristmas.com+2MySA+2
37th Street Lights — A quirky, pedestrian-only neighborhood tradition along 37th Street where local houses deck out their yards and exteriors every holiday. Wikipedia+1
Other local displays / light-show events — Things like walk-through or drive-through displays (some in nearby suburbs or Round Rock/Austin area) — good if you want holiday vibes without leaving the metro area. Rove+2Tribeza+2

✅ Good for: If you want a festive night out with light displays, holiday events, and easy access if you’re not up for a long drive.

New Braunfels, TX / Hill Country

✅ Good for: A fun road-trip destination from Fort Worth — especially if you want a mix of small-town charm + drive-through light entertainment.

Marble Falls, TX & the Hill Country “Light-Trail” Towns

Walkway of Lights — Marble Falls: Around 2 million lights and dozens of illuminated sculptures along the lake, with lovely downtown/shops nearby. CultureMap San Antonio+1
Smaller towns in the Hill Country — Towns like Llano, TX, Johnson City, TX, Wimberley, TX, or even Bastrop, TX often hold charming holiday-light events: quaint downtown light displays, community-driven “trail of lights”, sometimes even Yule logs or live-music nights. CultureMap Austin+2Trish Morrison+2

✅ Good for: A cozy, scenic holiday-light road-trip — a nice balance of small-town atmosphere and festive lights if you’re willing to travel a bit.

San Antonio, TX & Surrounding Lights

San Antonio Zoo Lights — A festive nighttime transformation of the zoo, with themed lighting and holiday-season fun. Tribeza+1
Illuminate San Antonio Botanical Garden — An enchanting walking light show through gardens with beautiful handcrafted lanterns and artful lighting. Tribeza
River-walk & downtown lighting — The city’s historic river-walk areas get decked out for the holidays, making for a standout urban light-show + stroll experience. CultureMap Austin+1

✅ Good for: A fuller city holiday experience — good if you want lights plus dining, nightlife, cultural outings, or a longer trip.

Dana McKenzie