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Moody Gardens’ Festival of Lights features a mile-long trail with hundreds of twinkling lights and decorations. Organizers boast that the festival is the largest event of its kind in the Gulf Coast area, and we believe them. This year there are more than 50 new sparkling displays. Expect the traditional Christmas Story and Toyland, plus the Magic Castle and Fantasy Forest. At the festival’s opening on Saturday, November 17, there will also be live music, an outdoor ice skating rink, television personalities and, wait for it, Santa Claus parachuting out of an airplane to flick the on switch, starting everything off.

After you see the lights, take in one of the holiday films being shown in the IMAX and Ridefilm theaters. Or try Polar Express in 4D (4D means the theater is filled with falling snowflakes and the smell of hot chocolate on cue). Dusk to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, through December 9; daily, December 10 through January 5. One Hope Boulevard in Galveston. For tickets and information, call 800-582-4673 or visit www.moody-gardens.com. $5.95 for the festival; additional fees for each other attraction.
Nov. 17-Jan. 5, 6-10 p.m., 2007