Each holiday season at Space Center Houston, explore the most interactive and technologically advanced light display in Texas.

November 11, 2023–January 7, 2024

(Closed Nov. 24, Dec. 8, 24 & 25)

Embark on a festive adventure and continue the Space City tradition this holiday season during Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant. 

Discounted group tickets are available for groups of 20 or more. For more information, call 281-283-4755 or email reservations@spacecenter.org.

Embark on a festive adventure and continue the Space City tradition this holiday season during Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant. 

Ticket options: Public price starting at: $19.95; Member price starting at: $15.95; Ages 3 & younger get free admission; Combo ticket includes admission to Space Center Houston beginning at 12 p.m. to explore the center followed by admission to Galaxy Lights.

Discounted group tickets are available for groups of 20 or more. For more information, call 281-283-4755 or email reservations@spacecenter.org.

Note

People with light sensitivity should be prepared for dynamic and intensive lights. Review our Galaxy Lights Sensory Guide for more details.

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Please allocate 90 minutes to enjoy the experience. Galaxy Lights is open 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., but tickets are only available for purchase until 9 p.m. each day to help ensure guests have plenty of time to enjoy the experience.

Note

People with light sensitivity should be prepared for dynamic and intensive lights. Review our Galaxy Lights Sensory Guide for more details.

Kinetic Lights and Holiday Film in the Main Plaza

Experience two high-tech kinetic light shows where dozens of suspended lights move in precise choreographed sequences to music above the Main Plaza. Watch as the orbs move in unison to create colorful shapes and patterns.

Catch the original film “Holidays in Space” that includes real footage of astronauts celebrating the holidays as well as interviews with retired astronauts about what it was like celebrating in space. 

Experience two high-tech kinetic light shows where dozens of suspended lights move in precise choreographed sequences to music above the Main Plaza. Watch as the orbs move in unison to create colorful shapes and patterns.

Catch the original film “Holidays in Space” that includes real footage of astronauts celebrating the holidays as well as interviews with retired astronauts about what it was like celebrating in space. The film is shown in Destiny Theater every 30 minutes from 6:15 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. and lasts 15 minutes.

Enter the Deep Space Backyard

Take a journey through the solar system in our Deep Space Backyard. Walk underneath the stars and take your photo among large displays of astronauts exploring space.

Take a seat and watch our new crystal fireworks experience. See crystal fireworks come to life on a dazzling 40-foot-tall cascading light display composed of different colors of the galaxy. This is one of only two crystal fireworks displays in the world.

Live Show in Mission Briefing Center

Watch our interactive show “Celebrate Light” to explore the science behind light. Find out the role light plays in the colors we see around us and how our eyes see colors. 

Discover the electromagnetic spectrum of energy. Learn about the speed and sources of light as well how light affects space exploration. 

Independence Plaza Experience

On your way to the Independence Plaza Experience, take a stroll through a 200-foot LED light tunnel made of more than 250,000 lights synchronized to festive holiday music.

Explore our solar system through massive models of each planet along the path. Just before entering Independence Plaza, don’t miss the up-lit, laser-etched acrylic silhouette sculptures depicting different constellations.

Hop onto our interactive light pods made of 290 multicolor platforms under the wing of our historic shuttle carrier aircraft.

Go inside the historic shuttle carrier aircraft NASA 905 and the high-fidelity shuttle replica Independence and see the Saturn V rocket lights from the second landing of the tower on your way down.

Walk underneath a 30-foot Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

Watch snowflakes falling on our massive projection wall and the occasional flurry from our snow machine.

Grab hot cocoa and s’mores kits and enjoy the holiday atmosphere at the s’more pits.

Enjoy a sparkling model of Earth and a prism tree, and snap a stellar selfie in our Earth photo station and our new snow globe photo station.

Share your holiday adventure by snapping a stellar selfie in one of our selfie spots in Independence Plaza using hashtag #GalaxyLights on social media.

Space Station Tribute at the SpaceX Falcon 9

To celebrate the international collaboration aboard the International Space Station (ISS), explore our Lights Around the World display surrounding our twice-flown SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

See six aluminum 20-foot lit trees representing Space Station partners including the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia, and Italy surrounded by multicolor glowing stars along the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The trees are decorated culturally as a tribute to each partner nation.

Walk underneath a massive 40-foot-tall, 100-foot-long sparkling shooting star and snap a sparkling selfie.

At the tip of the Falcon 9, take a photo with a 15-foot wreath made of all the ISS partner flags.

Walk under a 35 ft. tall shooting star, sip on hot cocoa and be immersed in Houston’s newest holiday tradition, Space Center Houston’s Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant. Galaxy Lights is an outdoor and indoor experience with more than one million square feet of lights.

Galaxy Lights Map

We have tailored an experience for Galaxy Lights that allows guests to conveniently explore all installations and attractions. 

Several parts of this immersive experience are so massive they have to be outdoors. Discover giant planets, stars, holiday decor and more  alongside the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and shuttle carrier aircraft NASA 905 in Independence Plaza. Please monitor weather conditions and plan accordingly.

If a space coast cold front sneaks up on you, stop by one of our gift shops to pick up an extra layer, hat or scarf.

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