’Tis the season for holiday parties galore. Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s — December is chockfull of celebrations! From office cocktail parties to family shindigs, the holiday season requires a rotating closet of festive looks. Take a hint from dazzling holiday lights and tinsel-draped trees — the season is made for sparkle. To bring my holiday looks alive, I’ve partnered with Deutsch Fine Jewelry to style scintillating jewelry into seasonal outfits.

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Each year after Thanksgiving, I become the holiday season’s biggest cheerleader. From playing Christmas music around the house to dressing up in festive attire, there isn’t a moment of the holiday I take for granted. My all-time favorite thing about the season is the glimmering holiday lights. I am so excited to share that I’ve teamed up with Space Center Houston to give you a first-hand look at the center’s holiday light experience, Galaxy Lights.  

I stopped by Space Center Houston’s Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant Energy, last week for a date night out. With more than 750,000 lights spanning more than one million square feet, Galaxy Lights features impressive indoor and outdoor light displays that are bound to get you in the holiday spirit. We stayed for several hours, excitedly taking advantage of all of the photo ops (because you know I can’t miss a photo op). Here are a few of the important things to know about Galaxy Lights: 

Prepare to Be Amazed from the Jump

As we pulled through the colorfully-lit gate to enter Space Center Houston, I was already feeling excited. As soon as we walking into the Main Plaza, my love for this holiday experience was cemented. Your sense of sight and sound will be pleasantly surprised by a high-tech kinetic light show that’s tremendous in scale and execution. Suspended lights near the ceiling dance in the air and light up in a choreographed routine set to boisterous Christmas music. It’s the most technologically advanced light display in Texas, and it’s right in Houston! I’ve never seen anything quite like it, and I could honestly have watched it move the whole night. 

Rocket Park is Selfie Heaven 

Rocket Park is an Instagrammer’s DREAM. Once you enter through the Main Plaza, you’ll take the tram, riding through an LED light tunnel and passing by a huge Saturn V rocket light display before landing in Rocket Park. As soon as we got off the tram, I was taking in the sights and making a mental inventory of every light display I wanted a photo with. Supported by Texas Children’s Hospital, the Rocket Park experience features light installations of the international space station, a shimmering rocket take-off, astronauts, and planets. 

Pro tip: Give yourself time to explore the park and take photos both with and without flash. We took a few types of photos here: pictures with the installations, silly boomerangs, and close-up portraits illuminated by the light of the installations. The staff at Rocket Park is also so welcoming and happy to help you with your family photos! 

It’s Perfect for Kids and Adults Alike

Whether you’re a Houston native or a transplant like me, a visit to Space Center Houston is a must. It serves as a time capsule to the most important moments in space exploration, while also giving a glimpse at the future of technology in space. There’s already a level of wonder and awe when you visit the center; adding holiday lights only adds to the extraordinary spectacle. 

The event is perfect for families while being both educational and fun. I especially love the Commander Quest, a short film that plays on the Saturn V using projection mapping. If you don’t have kids, don’t think you’re excluded from the fun. I took my boyfriend, Brian, for a date night out and we had such a great time. The holiday spirit is for everyone and there are no age limits on cheer! 

Yes, You Can Still Learn a LOT From Holiday Lights

Visitors to Galaxy Lights will learn about the technology behind advanced LED and RGB light displays at interactive learning stations where guests can change the colors of lights to decorate an artificial tree. (I think Brian had the MOST fun in this area! He stopped by every learning station, wide-eyed like a kid on Christmas.)

You can also catch the original film “Holidays in Space” that includes real footage of astronauts celebrating the holidays as well as interviews with retired astronauts about spending the season in the stars. 

Food and Drinks are Available

Guests can enjoy hot cocoa and other holiday food and beverages available for purchase at the Zero-G Diner. There’s even an on-site s’mores pit at Independence Plaza! 

Important Dates to Note: 

Galaxy Lights is open through Jan. 5 from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. (Closed Nov. 28, Dec. 12, Dec. 24 & 25). There are a few special events to keep in mind:

December 5 – Galaxy Lights 21 & Up Night

December 7 – Galaxy Lights Overnight

December 9 – Galaxy Lights featuring reduced stimulation

Visit Space Center Houston’s website to plan your visit. 

The First Year of Many to Come

This is Galaxy Lights’ first year in production, and I’m already hooked. Brian and I had so much fun, and we’re already planning to take our families when they visit Houston. I’m excited to make Space Center Houston a go-to spot for holiday seasons to come.

This post was sponsored by Space Center Houston. All opinions are my own. Thank you to the sponsors and readers who make Cup of Charisma possible!