• Home
  • popular
  • Events
  • Submit New Event
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • News
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Home + Design
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Innovation
  • Sports
  • Charity Guide
  • children
  • education
  • health
  • veterans
  • SOCIAL SERVICES
  • ARTS + CULTURE
  • animals
  • lgbtq
  • New Charity
  • Series
  • Delivery Limited
  • DTX Giveaway 2012
  • DTX Ski Magic
  • dtx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Your Home in the Sky
  • DTX Best of 2013
  • DTX Trailblazers
  • Tastemakers Dallas 2017
  • Healthy Perspectives
  • Neighborhood Eats 2015
  • The Art of Making Whiskey
  • DTX International Film Festival
  • DTX Tatum Brown
  • Tastemaker Awards 2016 Dallas
  • DTX McCurley 2014
  • DTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • DTX Beyond presents Party Perfect
  • DTX Texas Health Resources
  • DART 2018
  • Alexan Central
  • State Fair 2018
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Zatar
  • CityLine
  • Vision Veritas
  • Okay to Say
  • Hearts on the Trinity
  • DFW Auto Show 2015
  • Northpark 50
  • Anteks Curated
  • Red Bull Cliff Diving
  • Maggie Louise Confections Dallas
  • Gaia
  • Red Bull Global Rally Cross
  • NorthPark Holiday 2015
  • Ethan's View Dallas
  • DTX City Centre 2013
  • Galleria Dallas
  • Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty Luxury Homes in Dallas Texas
  • DTX Island Time
  • Simpson Property Group SkyHouse
  • DIFFA
  • Lotus Shop
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Dallas
  • Clothes Circuit
  • DTX Tastemakers 2014
  • Elite Dental
  • Elan City Lights
  • Dallas Charity Guide
  • DTX Music Scene 2013
  • One Arts Party at the Plaza
  • J.R. Ewing
  • AMLI Design District Vibrant Living
  • Crest at Oak Park
  • Braun Enterprises Dallas
  • NorthPark 2016
  • Victory Park
  • DTX Common Desk
  • DTX Osborne Advisors
  • DTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • DFW Showcase Tour of Homes
  • DTX Neighborhood Eats
  • DTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • DTX Auto Awards
  • Cottonwood Art Festival 2017
  • Nasher Store
  • Guardian of The Glenlivet
  • Zyn22
  • Dallas Rx
  • Yellow Rose Gala
  • Opendoor
  • DTX Sun and Ski
  • Crow Collection
  • DTX Tastes of the Season
  • Skye of Turtle Creek Dallas
  • Cottonwood Art Festival
  • DTX Charity Challenge
  • DTX Culture Motive
  • DTX Good Eats 2012
  • DTX_15Winks
  • St. Bernard Sports
  • Jose
  • DTX SMU 2014
  • DTX Up to Speed
  • st bernard
  • Ardan West Village
  • DTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Taste the Difference
  • Parktoberfest 2016
  • Bob's Steak and Chop House
  • DTX Smart Luxury
  • DTX Earth Day
  • DTX_Gaylord_Promoted_Series
  • IIDA Lavish
  • Huffhines Art Trails 2017
  • Red Bull Flying Bach Dallas
  • Y+A Real Estate
  • Beauty Basics
  • DTX Pet of the Week
  • Long Cove
  • Charity Challenge 2014
  • Legacy West
  • Wildflower
  • Stillwater Capital
  • Tulum
  • DTX Texas Traveler
  • Dallas DART
  • Soldiers' Angels
  • Alexan Riveredge
  • Ebby Halliday Realtors
  • Zephyr Gin
  • Sixty Five Hundred Scene
  • Christy Berry
  • Entertainment Destination
  • Dallas Art Fair 2015
  • St. Bernard Sports Duck Head
  • Jameson DTX
  • Alara Uptown Dallas
  • Cottonwood Art Festival fall 2017
  • DTX Tastemakers 2015
  • Cottonwood Arts Festival
  • The Taylor
  • Decks in the Park
  • Alexan Henderson
  • Gallery at Turtle Creek
  • Omni Hotel DTX
  • Red on the Runway
  • Whole Foods Dallas 2018
  • Artizone Essential Eats
  • Galleria Dallas Runway Revue
  • State Fair 2016 Promoted
  • Trigger's Toys Ultimate Cocktail Experience
  • Dean's Texas Cuisine
  • Real Weddings Dallas
  • Real Housewives of Dallas
  • Jan Barboglio
  • Wildflower Arts and Music Festival
  • Hearts for Hounds
  • Okay to Say Dallas
  • Indochino Dallas
  • Old Forester Dallas
  • Dallas Apartment Locators
  • Dallas Summer Musicals
  • PSW Real Estate Dallas
  • Paintzen
  • DTX Dave Perry-Miller
  • DTX Reliant
  • Get in the Spirit
  • Bachendorf's
  • Holiday Wonder
  • Village on the Parkway
  • City Lifestyle
  • opportunity knox villa-o restaurant
  • Nasher Summer Sale
  • Simpson Property Group
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2017 Dallas
  • Carlisle & Vine
  • DTX New Beginnings
  • Get in the Game
  • Red Bull Air Race
  • Dallas DanceFest
  • 2015 Dallas Stylemaker
  • Youth With Faces
  • Energy Ogre
  • DTX Renewable You
  • Galleria Dallas Decadence
  • Bella MD
  • Tractorbeam
  • Young Texans Against Cancer
  • Fresh Start Dallas
  • Dallas Farmers Market
  • Soldier's Angels Dallas
  • Shipt
  • Elite Dental
  • Texas Restaurant Association 2017
  • State Fair 2017
  • Scottish Rite
  • Brooklyn Brewery
  • DTX_Stylemakers
  • Alexan Crossings
  • Ascent Victory Park
  • Top Texans Under 30 Dallas
  • Discover Downtown Dallas
  • San Luis Resort Dallas
  • Greystar The Collection
  • FIG Finale
  • Greystar M Line Tower
  • Lincoln Motor Company
  • The Shelby
  • Jonathan Goldwater Events
  • Windrose Tower
  • Gift Guide 2016
  • State Fair of Texas 2016
  • Choctaw Dallas
  • TodayTix Dallas promoted
  • Whole Foods
  • Unbranded 2014
  • Frisco Square
  • Unbranded 2016
  • Circuit of the Americas 2018
  • The Katy
  • Snap Kitchen
  • Partners Card
  • Omni Hotels Dallas
  • Landmark on Lovers
  • Harwood Herd
  • Galveston.com Dallas
  • Holiday Happenings Dallas 2018
  • TenantBase
  • Cottonwood Art Festival 2018
  • Hawkins-Welwood Homes
  • The Inner Circle Dallas
  • Eating in Season Dallas
  • ATTPAC Behind the Curtain
  • TodayTix Dallas
  • The Alexan
  • Toyota Music Factory
  • Nosh Box Eatery
  • Wildflower 2018
  • Society Style Dallas 2018
  • Texas Scottish Rite Hospital 2018
  • 5 Mockingbird
  • 4110 Fairmount
  • Visit Taos
  • Allegro Addison
  • Dallas Tastemakers 2018
  • The Village apartments
  • City of Burleson Dallas

Sparkle and Shine

Channel holiday enchantment during the return of Houston’s City Lights

CultureMap Create
Nov 21, 2024 | 12:00 pm
Houston City Lights

Magic abounds throughout City Lights.

Photo courtesy of City Lights

The season of holiday enchantment is here, especially in Downtown Houston. Once again, the city is morphing into the most magical destination with 12 uniquely themed villages that bring endless whimsy, dazzling Christmas trees, the joy of ice skating, the delight of countless lights illuminating the scene, and so much more.

It’s all part of City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic, presented by Shell Energy, with mostly free(!) experiences for visitors and residents alike to savor through December 31, 2024 (with some activations continuing into the New Year).

To kick it all off, don’t miss the party on The Plaza at Avenida Houston on Friday, November 22, from 5:30-8:30 pm, featuring a live band, strolling entertainment, holiday crafts, a hot chocolate bar, and more.

Discovery Green ice rink Lace up and skate under the stars at Discovery Green.Photo courtesy of City Lights

What's new in 2024 at City Lights

Peppermint Plaza (Avenida Plaza): Avenida Plaza transforms into Peppermint Plaza with 16 gorgeously festooned Christmas trees displayed in the Grand Holiday Window at the George R. Brown Convention Center. See the trees any day of the week, but swing by on Saturday nights for free musical performances on the Main Stage.

Tinsel Town (Market Square Park): Pup parents, this one’s for you. Fido can get in the festive spirit too with free holiday events in the square, including hot chocolate and "puppychinos" every Friday and Saturday along with pet photos with Santa. Even if you don’t have a furry friend, come on out for the Silent Night discos, Movies Under the Stars, and so much more.

Snow Glow on the Bayou (Allen’s Landing): This spectacular fusion of tech and nature features eye-catching projections of art and light that illuminate a 100-foot water screen over Buffalo Bayou. But the scene-stealing magic doesn’t stop there. Go with the glow during an up-close, holiday-themed boat tour along the Bayou. Boat tours begin on November 22 and continue through December 29.

City Lights Holiday Bus: This year, you can climb aboard a festive, holiday-decorated, double-decker trolley and explore all that downtown has to offer. For a nominal fee, hop on and off at stops including Trebly Park, Lynn Wyatt Square, Avenida Houston/Discovery Green, Market Square Park, and POST HTX. The bus runs Fridays and Saturdays from November 22-December 13, 7-10 pm. A special holiday route commences on December 20-21 and December 27-28, featuring an extra stop at Allen’s Landing for Snow Glow on the Bayou.

Check out these 2024 Holiday Villages

Winter Wonderlawn (POST HTX): It may be Texas, but POST Houston has created the ultimate winter wonderland — even without the snow. Skylawn, the property’s five-acre rooftop garden, is decked out in beautifully illuminated lights and décor. With hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, it’s truly a sight to behold, especially with Houston’s impressive skyline in the background. At the center of it all is a 25-foot Christmas tree surrounded by multiple holiday-themed activations. A nominal fee applies for access to the POST’s rooftop during the holiday season.

Texas Winer Lights Marriot Marquis Reminder to find some relaxation during the holidays.Photo courtesy of Marriott Marquis

Texas Winter Lights (Marriott Marquis): The Marriott Marquis has decked its rooftop with more than 100,000 lights this year — complete with a nightly snowfall. Float along the 80-degree, Texas-shaped lazy river while getting in on illuminated yard games (life-size Checkers, anyone?), festive cocktails, delicious bites, and virtual rides on Santa’s sleigh. Or come by for one of the themed nights like Monday Night Football, Silent Disco, Game Night, and more. Family movie nights are on Tuesdays and date-night movies are Thursdays. Admission is complimentary for hotel guests, with a nominal admission fee for others.

ICE @ Discovery Green (Discovery Green): Skate your way into plenty of holiday cheer with this annual tradition that continues at Discovery Green. The open-air ice-skating rink gets even more festive with quirky and cool, themed skate nights, and even Sundays with Santa. While there, don’t miss the new ATLAS art installation by the internationally recognized artist Jen Lewin. Also new: Bumper Cars on Ice, which launches right after the holidays from January 6-19, 2025.

Deck the Trees (Alley Theatre): With 19 unique and dazzlingly decorated Christmas trees on display, it’s easy to get in the holiday spirit at Alley Theatre. The only bah-humbugs allowed are in the theater’s performances of Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol.

Land of Sweets (Hilton Americas): Get set for the ultimate sugar rush in the lobby of the Hilton Americas. Along with the legendary life-size chocolate display, this year themed “The Night Before Christmas,” experience 80,000 sparkling lights and 14-foot Champagne trees surrounded by more than 10,000 mini lights. You can also schedule Breakfast with Santa on Saturdays and Sundays in December.

Jingle Town (Lynn Wyatt Square): This green space in the heart of Houston’s downtown Theater District becomes a destination for holiday fun with all the photo opps. Choose from life-size photo frames to interactive musical Christmas trees to a Santa’s reindeer installation, all produced by LeMonde Studios. Plus, don’t miss live music every Saturday.

Sugar Plum Plaza (Fish Plaza, Wortham Theater): Also setting a magical scene is this beautiful plaza. This year’s whimsical setting includes life-size gift boxes scattered across the plaza along with a Santa’s Sleigh display — also produced by LeMonde Studios.

Twinkle Town (Trebly Park): Starting November 22, the park becomes home to Texas’ largest mistletoe ball. Just like in Tinsel Town at Market Square Park, you can bring the pup for free hot cocoa and puppychinos, plus pics with Santa Paws. Definitely put December 12 on your calendar for the Ugly Sweater Holiday Jam. Wear your ugliest holiday sweater, grab food and drinks from Tout Suite, and enjoy an evening of dueling pianos.

City Hall-iday Lights Houston The city is officially illuminated on December 7 at City Hall.Photo courtesy of City Lights

City Hall-iday Lights (City Hall): Another must-attend to jumpstart the holiday magic is the Reliant Lights Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular – 105 years at City Hall. On December 7 from 6-8 pm, Mayor John Whitmire and Reliant will officially illuminate the city landmark to the tune of live music, fireworks, photos with Santa, and the annual lighting of the holiday tree.

Make your own magic and chart your holiday course at City Lights here.

breakfast with santa christmas carol downtown houston holidays light displays mistletoe ball peppermint plaza promoted sugar plum plaza texas winter lights
news/travel
series
series/houston-city-lights-dallas

most read posts

Acclaimed Vaqueros BBQ restaurant backed by M Crowd closes in Allen

Dallas' Granada Theater will close after 80 years to become Bathhouse spa

New Bishop Arts bistro brings French elan to historic Oak Cliff home

Spa getaway

Canyon Ranch debuts luxe Hill Country resort with Texas’ largest spa

Stephanie Allmon Merry
Oct 30, 2026 | 12:59 pm
Canyon Ranch Austin
Courtesy of Canyon Ranch Austin
Canyon Ranch Austin is opening in October 2026.

Fort Worth-based wellness brand Canyon Ranch has debuted its long-awaited Hill Country resort: Canyon Ranch Austin opened October 29 with a 40,000-square-foot spa billed as the largest in Texas, a restaurant led by a three-Michelin-star chef, and an extensive lineup of fitness, medical, and wellness services.

First announced in 2022, the sprawling luxury resort sits on more than 600 acres overlooking Lake Travis in Spicewood, about an hour from downtown Austin.

The property has 141 guest rooms, 1.5 miles of lake frontage, and a network of trails winding through the surrounding terrain filled with native landscape and wildlife. Visitors might just spot a few deer or even a bald eagle.

Designed by Texas architecture firm Lake Flato, with interiors by Dallas-based Waldrop + Nichols Studio, the property melds indoor spaces with the outdoors.

“The opening of Canyon Ranch Austin represents years of thoughtful planning and nearly five decades of expertise dedicated to creating a destination that serves as home to deeply personal and highly impactful experiences for our guests,” says Mark Rivers, CEO of Canyon Ranch, in a release. "It’s a place that could only exist here and is shaped by the extraordinary landscape and spirit of the Texas Hill Country. Canyon Ranch Austin brings together our company’s unmatched expertise in health and human performance with the joy of discovery, connection, cuisine, and exceptional hospitality."

According to the release, guests can choose from more than 30 daily activities, individual consultations, and programs focused on physical health, mental wellness, spirituality, nutrition, and performance. Here's a closer look:

Supersized spa
The resort's 40,000-square-foot spa is its centerpiece, with 40 treatment rooms offering massages, facials, and body treatments alongside beauty services, recovery therapies, and newer wellness technologies.

The indoor-outdoor facility includes a salon and retail boutique, two pools, cold plunges, rain showers, indoor and outdoor whirlpools, aromatic steam rooms, and a traditional cedar sauna with continuous aromatherapy. Relaxation areas are designed to take advantage of natural daylight, while a custom soundtrack incorporates sounds from the Texas Hill Country.

The spa's offerings include exclusive beauty retreats, among them "Get Snatched," featuring celebrity facialist Ivan Pol, creator of the Beauty Sandwich.

Spa Lounge at Canyon Ranch Austin This is one of the spa lounges that will be available for guests. Courtesy of Canyon Ranch Austin

Focus on women's wellness
Canyon Ranch Austin also introduces the Women's Wellness Collective, a program focused on women's health at different stages of life. The resort describes it as the first dedicated practice and program of its kind in a resort setting.

Services and educational programming address perimenopause, menopause, hormonal health, postpartum care, aging, and beauty. The Collective is led by a team of practitioners, including Medical Director Dr. Riteesha Reddy, a board-certified rheumatologist with menopause certification and training in integrative and lifestyle medicine.

Dining with a Michelin-recognized chef
Dining is another big part of the resort's all-inclusive experience, with four food and beverage options.

Estella is the signature restaurant, with a vaulted dining room overlooking water and meadow views. Its culinary program is led by Val Cantú, a Central Texas native whose San Francisco restaurant, Californios, holds three Michelin stars. Executive Chef Blake Ransom oversees the resort's daily menus.

Cantú grew up in nearby Brownwood, where his father owned a Mexican restaurant. He has said his Texas roots will influence Estella's menu, including its tortillas.

“When I’m making tortillas, I feel connected at a root level,” Cantú said when his appointment was announced. “It reminds me of making tortillas with my grandmother and my dad.”

The more casual Flying X Café serves as another dining option. Guests can also visit the Mini Bar at the Rendezvous lounge or Oak Valley, an outdoor grove for special dining events.

Estella Estella is the signature restaurant at Canyon Ranch Austin. Courtesy of Canyon Ranch Austin

Fitness and outdoor adventure
Beyond the spa, Canyon Ranch Austin has two major facilities devoted to fitness and health.

The Barn is a 27,000-square-foot fitness facility with a gym, studios, and an outdoor field for fitness and movement. The Wellspring is a 12,000-square-foot medical center housing physicians, clinicians, technology, and health services. Nearby, CR Vitality offers recovery services and equipment, including Ammortal technology.

The resort's wellness programs span preventive and functional medicine, brain health, sleep, stress regulation, metabolic health, nutrition, and emotional and spiritual well-being, they say.

Outside, guests can explore more than five miles of hiking and biking trails, try watersports on Lake Travis, or visit the lakeside beach and sauna. A spring-fed water feature known as Longfield Pond covers more than seven acres. The racquet center includes four pickleball courts, two tennis courts, and a padel court for those who've taken up the popular racquet sport.

Canyon Ranch Austin Guests can hike along the shores of Lake Travis.Photo courtesy of Canyon Ranch

Home on the Ranch
For those who want to make the Canyon Ranch lifestyle a little more "permanent," The Ranch Home Collection offers 134 single-family homes within the property.

Designed by Lake Flato and Canyon Ranch, the homes incorporate natural materials and features intended to bring wellness into daily life, the company says. Standard amenities include a sauna, cold plunge, and stargazing features. Homes range from about 3,200 to 4,800 square feet, with homesites spanning 0.8 to 3.7 acres and prices starting at $3.8 million.

A swanky stay
Overnight stays at Canyon Ranch Austin start at $1,325 per person, per night. The all-inclusive experience includes lodging, meals, and access to daily fitness and wellness activities, while additional spa treatments and services may cost extra.

The resort's Stay Your Way package includes a $200 nightly spa and fitness credit for stays of two nights or longer. Stays of three nights or longer also include an additional $300 health and wellness credit. Rates vary by season, package, and occupancy.

Canyon Ranch was founded in Tucson, Arizona, in 1979. After Goff Capital acquired the company in 2017, its headquarters moved to downtown Fort Worth. The brand's Fort Worth wellness club and spa opened at the Crescent in 2023.

Canyon Ranch Austin is at 600 Moonlight Bend, Spicewood.

spas canyon ranch austin luxury texas travel hill country
news/travel
series
series/houston-city-lights-dallas
CULTUREMAP EMAILS ARE AWESOME
Get Dallas intel delivered daily.
Loading...