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Holiday in the Gardens 2026: Your Guide to Christmas at Moody Gardens in Galveston

October 2, 2026

Plan your Moody Gardens Christmas: ICE LAND, 2 million+ lights, a new light show, holiday dining and hotel packages in Galveston, Nov. 21 to Jan. 2.

Holiday in the Gardens, presented by Hunton, returns to Moody Gardens on Galveston Island from Nov. 21 to Jan. 2. If you're looking for Galveston Christmas events that fill a whole day and night, you'll find them here: the largest ice sculpture attraction in the U.S., more than 2 million lights, penguins, an ice skating rink, holiday 3D and 4D films and dining inside the brand-new Gingerbread House.

Parking is free, and the Moody Gardens Hotel stays decorated for the whole season, steps from everything. Use this guide to plan your holiday getaway.

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Sleigh the Deal: Save 10% Through Oct. 31

Offer dates: Oct. 1 to 31, 2026 only.
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Book in October and save 10% on:
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  • Holiday hotel packages with attraction tickets and experiences
  • New Year's Palooza and New Year's Eve hotel party packages
  • Holiday dining
  • Tickets to A Very Electric Christmas, the brand-new live show

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You don't need a code or coupon. The discount is built in, so the price you see at checkout is your discounted price.


• Book a holiday hotel package

• Get A Very Electric Christmas tickets

• Reserve holiday dining

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What's New for the 2026 Season

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ICE LAND: Caribbean Christmas
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This year, the North Pole takes a tropical vacation.

More than 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice become island scenes, including an underwater world filled with tropical fish, rays, sea turtles and sharks. The attraction stays at 9 degrees, so bundle up, ride the Giant Ice Slide, then warm up with a festive drink at Shiver's Ice Bar.

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A Very Electric Christmas

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Lightwire Theater brings a brand-new show to Moody Gardens from Dec. 19 to Jan. 2.

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You follow Max, a little bird who gets blown off course and lands at the North Pole, while glowing toy soldiers, caroling worms and performing poinsettias light up the stage to holiday hits. The one-hour, all-ages show is told entirely in light.

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  • Showtimes: Matinee at 4 PM and evening show at 7:30 PM. There is no show on Dec. 21.
  • Tickets: Adults (13+) $39 to $59 and children (3 to 12) $25 to $45. Prices vary by seating section.
  • Included: Every ticket includes Holiday Lights admission.
  • Make it dinner and a show: Add a prepaid pre-show or post-show meal at Café in the Park or Shearn's.

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A Very Electric Christmas is supported by hotel/motel tax dollars.

Choose your seats for A Very Electric Christmas

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Things to Do in Galveston at Christmas

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Say hello to the penguins, then work your way through the season's favorites.

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Holiday Lights Trail

Walk a mile of more than 2 million lights and scenes set to holiday music along Galveston Bay.

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Ice Skating, the Arctic Slide and Train Rides

Lace up for a spin on the ice skating rink, slide down the Arctic Slide and hop aboard a train ride.

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Holiday 3D and 4D Films

Catch holiday films in 3D and 4D, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D, Scrooge 4D: A Christmas Carol and more.

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Spa-liday Time at the Moody Gardens Hotel Spa

Take a break from the holiday rush with Spaliday Time at the Moody Gardens Hotel Spa.

Plan your Spaliday Time

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One Ticket for Your Holiday Evening

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The Holiday Evening Pass starts at $50 and is valid from 4 PM. One pass gets you into:
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  • The Holiday Lights Trail
  • ICE LAND: Caribbean Christmas
  • The Aquarium Pyramid and Discovery Pyramid
  • The MG3D and 4D theaters, including Scrooge 4D: A Christmas Carol and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D
  • The Arctic Slide and ice skating, with skate rental included

Buy your Holiday Evening Pass

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Holiday Dining at Moody Gardens

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After your meal, you can explore Holiday in The Gardens without ever leaving the grounds.

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  • Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26: Choose a grand brunch with a chilled Gulf seafood bar in the Convention Center, a four-course feast at Shearn's, or a meal at Café in the Park or The Garden Restaurant.
  • Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 12, 13 and 19 to 23: Enjoy omelets, pancakes, a hot chocolate station and a souvenir photo with Santa.
  • NEW! Merry Little Mischief Morning Feast, Dec. 26 and 27: Dig into green velvet waffles and a loaded cocoa bar while costumed characters visit your table.
  • Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Gather for festive buffets, a Christmas Day brunch or a four-course dinner at Shearn's.
  • Ready-to-heat holiday meals: Take home a Thanksgiving meal ($80) or Christmas meal ($75). Each serves 4.

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See all holiday dining options

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Shop the 5th Annual Nutcracker Market

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Feast on Thursday, shop on Friday and Saturday, and see the lights every night.

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The 5th Annual Nutcracker Market by Southern Style Event comes to the Moody Gardens Hotel Ballroom, Seven Hope Blvd., Galveston.

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  • Friday, Nov. 27: 2 PM to 7 PM
  • Saturday, Nov. 28: 9 AM to 4 PM
  • Admission: $5 for the public and free for Moody Gardens Hotel guests

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Get Nutcracker Market tickets

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Stay the Night: Holiday Hotel Packages

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Holiday hotel packages start at $220 and put you steps from every holiday attraction.

  • Holiday Value Package (best value): A one-night stay for 2 or 4 in a refreshed room, Value Day passes to every regular and holiday attraction, and covered self-parking.
  • Lights & Ice Package: An overnight stay plus ICE LAND, the mile-long Holiday Lights Trail and ice skating with skates included, along with covered self-parking.
  • New Year's Palooza Package: See the details in the next section.

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• Compare holiday hotel packages

• Explore the Moody Gardens Hotel

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Ring in 2027 at Moody Gardens

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New Year's Palooza: Family Celebration (Dec. 30 to Jan. 1)

Your package includes a one-night stay, a Family Fun Zone with bounce houses, arcade games, air hockey and foosball, an Adult Lounge, One-Day Passes to the Pyramids and theaters, Holiday Lights, and tickets to A Very Electric Christmas.

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New Year's Eve Celebration with Radio Live (21+)

Count down with live music, hors d'oeuvres, two complimentary drink tickets, a cash bar and a beach ball drop.

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New Year's Eve Dinner at Shearn's Prime Seafood & Steaks

Celebrate with bay views and fireworks.

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Book your New Year's Palooza package

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More Ways to Save This Season

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  • Value Days: Get discounted admission Sunday through Thursday, Nov. 29 to Dec. 17.
  • Food Drive Thursdays: Bring a nonperishable food donation and get 2-for-1 admission every Thursday in December.
  • Groups save 10%: Groups of 20+ and company parties in the ballroom save 10%. Call 409-744-4673 or email attractionsales@moodygardens.org.

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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer © & ® or ™ The Rudolph Co., L.P. All elements under license to Character Arts, LLC. All rights reserved. Scrooge 4D: A Christmas Carol © TIMELESS SCROOGE LIMITED 2022.

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