Family Friendly Attractions & Events

Nestled amidst breathtaking natural surroundings, Moody Gardens offers a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement for guests of all ages for work or play. From tropical rainforests to the oceans of the world, a wide range of attractions, educational activities, kid's events, dining options, and exciting entertainment await. This island resort uniquely accommodates large conferences, weddings and social events as well as being the romantic escape and family destination where special memories are created.

Holiday in the Gardens Christmas lights up the shores near the Colonel Paddlewheel boat. Each Pyramid is illuminated by a trail of lights than run along the edge of each Pyramid edge.
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Save 20% on Holiday Attraction Tickets

Tickets and Hotel Packages on Sale July 1

An ice sculputure with the words 'Moody Gardens ICE LAND Pole-to-Pole' carved in ice on an ice blue wall. Two ice carved polar bears are looking at the words. There is a clock that indicates the temperature hanging above the words carved on the wall.

ICE LAND:
Christmas Around the World

November 22 - January 3

Brrr-illiant artistry (and 20% savings) awaits! A skilled team of master ice carvers has transformed 2 MILLION pounds of ice to take you on a holiday journey around the world! Travel from Russia and Egypt to China and beyond to discover how the globe celebrates the season. Glide from the top of the Eiffel Tower on the slide Giant Ice Slide, then warm up with a festive sip inside the coolest spot around - Shiver's Ice Bar!

Holiday Lights

November 22 - January 3 | 6:00p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Prepare to be dazzled (and save 20%)! Step into a winter wonderland where over TWO MILLION sparkling lights dance and glisten across Galveston Bay with scenes themed to your favorite holiday music! Lace up your skates and glide through our outdoor rink, warm your hands around a mug of rich, creamy hot chocolate, indulge in mouthwatering holiday treats, feast at festive holiday buffets and more.

Holiday in the Gardens Trail of lights showing a procession of attendees walking past characters from the Nutcracker made up of Christmas lights.
Stage actors kick up their legs as they perform onstage for the Holiday Fantasy Christmas show.
Island Star Performances and Mirage Entertainment Presents:

Holiday Fantasy:
North Pole's Got Talent

December 19 - 23
Moody Gardens Hotel | Matinee & Dinner Performances

BOOK NOW AND SAVE 20% ON TICKETS
SAVE 20%: Hotel Packages Also Available Starting at $271


Walter and Holly are back! The search is on for the season’s brightest star in this holiday showdown of epic proportions. This new and high-energy show features jaw-dropping acrobats, soaring aerialists, mesmerizing fire dancers, and more for the most dazzling Christmas celebration ever!

Includes: Show ticket, Holiday Buffet Dinner and Holiday Lights.

For more info and reservations:
HolidayShow@moodygardens.org or  409-683-4186

Ice Skating Rink

November 22 - January 3

Open Nightly:  Starting at 6pm when Holiday Lights opens. You must enter through Holiday Lights to access the Ice Skating Rink (Ice Skating is included with your Holiday Lights ticket in the evenings!)

Rent the Rink: Rent out the Ice Skating Rink for your own private function with two (2) hour minimums. Call 409-683-4558 or email AttractionSales@moodygardens.org

Two young boys on ice skates go past a stack of giant, decorative Christmas holiday ornaments typically found hanging from Christmas trees.
A small train winds its way along a sidewalk as it makes its way through the Festival of Lights. The tree trunks and branches are adorned with Christmas lights and the lawn is decorated with lights shaped in the design of animals.

Kiddie Train Rides

November 22 - January 3

Enjoy the festive lights and music as the train takes you along a section of Holiday Lights. Must be under 48" tall to ride.

Arctic Slide

November 22 - January 3

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.

Two young boys tobbogan down the Arctic Slid while smiling with delight.
Characters from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer including Rudolph in the center with a yeti to his left and Santa's elf to his right.

Holiday 3D & 4D Films

November 22 - January 3

Enjoy holiday films all season long in the MG 3D Theater and 4D Special FX Theater! Films include Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D and Scrooge 4D: A Christmas Carol.

Holiday Dining

Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day

Let us deck the halls while you deck yourself out! Kick back, relax, and let our culinary elves handle all the holiday cooking wizardry. Whether it's Thanksgiving feast time, Christmas Eve elegance, or Christmas Day celebration, treat your family to an unforgettable holiday brunch or dinner experience. You can also check out the Holiday in the Gardens Festival while you're here!

A cut of prime rib showing a soft pink cross-cut just made under a warming lamp.
Breakfast with Santa text with an image of Santa surrounded by several older and younger children inside the Moody Gardens hotel lobby.

Breakfast with Santa

December 13 - 14 & 20 - 23 | Seating at 8:30 am & 10:00 am | Frances Anne Moody Ballroom

Start your day with Santa joy! Join the jolly man himself for a delightful breakfast adventure! Feast on a scrumptious buffet packed with tasty selections, snap that perfect keep sake photo with Santa, and create memories that'll last all year long at the Frances Moody Ballroom. Dates coming soon!

New Year's Eve: 3 Ways to Celebrate!

Tickets Coming Soon!

New Year's Palooza: Family Celebration

December 31 | Moody Gardens Hotel

Family fun that's off the charts! Get ready for an action-packed adventure the whole crew will love! This spectacular package includes: One night of luxurious accommodations, family-friendly fun zone with air hockey, foosball, bouncy houses, arcade games galore, Adult Lounge sanctuary, 4 one-day passes to the Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids, Discovery Museum, MG3D and 4D Special FX Theaters, Holiday Lights, plus tickets to the Holiday Fantasy Dinner and Show! It's time to celebrate sparkle and dance your way right into 2025. Enjoy live music by the Mambo Jazz Kings with an array of hors d'oeuvres, two complimentary drink tickets, cash bar and a balloon drop for an unforgettable evening at the Frances Anne Moody Ballroom.

New Year's Eve Celebration with
Mambo Jazz Kings

December 31 | Moody Gardens Hotel

It's time to celebrate, sparkle and shimmy your way right into 2026! Get your groove on with live music by the Mambo Jazz Kings. Savor delicious hors d'oeuvres, with two complimentary drink tickets, hit up the cash bar, and experience an unforgettable balloon drop finale at the Francis Anne Moody Ballroom. Perfect for the 21+ crowd ready to celebrate in style!

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

December 31 | Moody Gardens Hotel

Romance meets culinary excellence! Indulge in an extraordinary evening at Shearn's with breathtaking of Galveston Bay and the evening's fireworks show. Chef Bobby Ross has crafted an unforgettable menu that'll tantalize your palette and create the perfect romantic date night to launch you into 2026!

A flyer featuring text and image of the New Year's Eve Celebration on December 31st featuring live music by The Mambo Jazz Kings at the Moody Gardens Hotel
Two girls, possibly sisters, hold hands and walk through a Festival of Lights tunnel while smiling and taking in the sights around them.

Holiday Parties and Group Discounts

Whether it's a corporate party, social group or your family, Moody Gardens has discounts available for groups of 20 or more. You can have a fun evening of holiday attractions and even the nightly buffet. We also have the facilities to plan large and small holiday events.

Contact our Group Sales Team at 409-683-4558 or email AttractionSales@moodygardens.org to plan your holiday party today.

Year-Round Attractions

A father balances his son on his shoulders while holding his hands. They are both inside the Aquarium Pyramid tunnel watching in wonderment at an assortment of rays, sharps, and other Caribbean sea life swim above them.

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.

Two Hyacinth Macaws rub beaks with each other, their blue features stand out against an out of focus background of forest greenery.

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.

The Discovery Pyramid sits off in the background while in the foreground, lush palms and bushes spring up to partially obscure it. Red flowers poke up from the bottom of the image creating a sense of a tropical paradise.

Discovery Pyramid

Visit the Discovery Pyramid museum to see the newest educational exhibit and experience 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: An Interactive Adventure at the Audience Recognition Theater.

The Colonel Paddlewheel Boat makes its way across Offatts Bayou as sun gentle casts a warm glow across its bow.

3D, 4D, and Audience Recognition Theaters

Watch thrilling films in our 3D and 4D theaters, and become part of the story in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: An Interactive Adventure inside the Audience Recognition Theater.

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.