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Christmas with kids in Longview
In Longview, Christmas begins downtown at Heritage Plaza, where a 23.5-foot tree lights up and Santa poses for pictures. Parades, drive-thru lights and a model train round out the East Texas season.
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Downtown Longview Christmas Tree Lighting
When: Sat, Nov 21, 4 to 7 pm
Where: Heritage Plaza, Longview
Cost: Free, with small fees for some activities
The story of Christmas in Longview
How Longview celebrates
Longview starts its Christmas season downtown at Heritage Plaza, where the Longview Main Street program lights a 23.5-foot tree. Families come for pictures with Santa, carriage rides, a petting zoo and a faux snow hill. The AMBUCS Christmas Parade follows in early December, with marching bands, drill teams and more than one hundred floats. Out at the Longview Arboretum and Nature Center, a light display called Bright! A Season of Lights glows on Friday and Saturday nights. Local organizers change the tree lighting theme from year to year, including a Magical Movie Christmas theme in 2023. Exact start years for these traditions were not found.
Christmas last year in Longview
In 2025 the downtown tree lighting took place on Saturday, November 22, from 4 to 7 p.m., with photos with Santa Flavious. The AMBUCS Christmas Parade rolled on Thursday, December 4, at 6:30 p.m. with a Reindeer Games theme. A day later the Belcher Center hosted a Home for the Holidays concert with the Longview Symphony Orchestra and the Greater Longview Children's Choir. Carmela's Magical Santa Land, a drive-thru light show, ran nightly from November 7 to January 3. Bright! at the Arboretum ran from November 28 to January 3, and the Gregg County Historical Museum held a free Living History Christmas on December 6.
Fun facts about Christmas in Longview
Longview's parade changed its route in 2024 because crews were building a new parking facility on Methvin Street, so floats rolled down Tyler Street instead. The downtown tree stands about 23.5 feet tall, taller than a two-story house. Storefronts compete in a downtown decorating contest, and neighbors can vote for a favorite. At the Gregg County Historical Museum, a 40-foot model train made from Loblolly pine is part of the Living History Christmas. Even the bicycle crowd joins in, with a Christmas ride on the Longview trails that collects toys for Toys for Tots.
Trains and Christmas in Longview
Longview has a small but real train moment at Christmas. At the Gregg County Historical Museum, the Living History Christmas on December 6, 2025, included a 40-foot model train made of Loblolly pine. The event was free and ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., so families with train fans could see a miniature railroad next to the museum's local history exhibits. We did not find a railroad museum or depot Christmas event listed for Longview itself, so this model train is the best-documented rail fact for the town.
Traditions today
- Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting: A 23.5-foot tree is lit at Heritage Plaza with Santa photos, carriage rides, a petting zoo and a faux snow hill.
- AMBUCS Christmas Parade: More than one hundred floats, marching bands and drill teams roll through downtown in early December.
- Bright! A Season of Lights: The Longview Arboretum and Nature Center glows on Friday and Saturday nights from late November into early January.
- Carmela's Magical Santa Land: A drive-thru show with miles of lights and tunnels, plus a walking trail and food trucks.
- Living History Christmas: The Gregg County Historical Museum offers a free day of Christmas history and a 40-foot model train.
- Downtown storefront decorating contest: Businesses compete with festive displays, and visitors can vote for their favorite.
A fact for kids
In Longview, a model train 40 feet long made of Loblolly pine shows up at a Christmas museum day.
Questions about Christmas in Longview
How does Longview start the Christmas season?
Longview starts the season with the Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting at Heritage Plaza, hosted by the Longview Main Street program. A 23.5-foot tree is lit around 5:30 p.m., and families enjoy music, carriage rides, a petting zoo, food trucks and pictures with Santa. In 2025 it took place on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
How big is the Longview Christmas tree?
The downtown tree at Heritage Plaza is about 23.5 feet tall, which is taller than most two-story houses. It was the same height at the 2023 lighting, when the theme was a Magical Movie Christmas. Kids can watch it light up, then walk over to Santa for a free picture on the plaza.
When was the Longview tree lighting last year?
The 2025 tree lighting was on Saturday, November 22, from 4 to 7 p.m., in Heritage Plaza. Families could take photos with Santa Flavious, ride in a carriage and visit a petting zoo. Organizers change the tree lighting theme from year to year. See our Longview Christmas events guide on this page for current details.
What is the AMBUCS Christmas Parade in Longview?
It is Longview's downtown Christmas parade, presented by AMBUCS, and it brings more than one hundred floats, marching bands and drill teams. In 2025 it rolled on Thursday, December 4, at 6:30 p.m. with a Reindeer Games theme. Our Longview Christmas events guide on this page lists the current year's date and route.
Has the Longview Christmas parade route changed?
Yes. In 2024 the parade followed a different route, going down Tyler Street, because construction of a new parking facility along Methvin Street blocked the old path. The parade that year started at 6:30 p.m. on December 5. Routes can change again, so check the latest information before you pick a viewing spot with young kids.
Where can kids see Christmas lights in Longview?
Longview has two big light shows. Bright! A Season of Lights at the Longview Arboretum and Nature Center ran Fridays and Saturdays from November 28 to January 3 in 2025, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Carmela's Magical Santa Land is a drive-thru with miles of lights and tunnels, open nightly in 2025. Current dates are in our Longview Christmas events guide on this page.
What is Carmela's Magical Santa Land?
It is a drive-thru Christmas light display in Longview with miles of lights and tunnels, plus a walking trail, food trucks and a vendor shop. In the 2025 season it opened on Friday, November 7, at 5:30 p.m. and ran nightly through January 3. It is an easy option for toddlers who may fall asleep in the car.
What is Bright! A Season of Lights?
Bright! A Season of Lights is a holiday light display at the Longview Arboretum and Nature Center. In 2025 it opened on Friday, November 28, and ran Fridays and Saturdays through January 3, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Weekend visitors could also enjoy children's choirs and local artisans along the way.
Is there a Christmas concert for families in Longview?
Yes. In 2025 the Belcher Center at LeTourneau University held a Home for the Holidays concert on Friday, December 5, at 6 p.m. It featured Santa Flavious, the Longview Symphony Orchestra and the Greater Longview Children's Choir. The Belcher Center also hosted a Nutcracker performance on November 20. See our Longview Christmas events guide on this page for this year.
Is there a Nutcracker performance in Longview?
Yes. In 2025 the Nutcracker was performed on Thursday, November 20, at 7 p.m. at the Belcher Center at LeTourneau University, with tickets from $38 to $187. It is a lovely first ballet for older children who can sit still for a long show. Check our Longview Christmas events guide on this page for this year's schedule.
Who is Santa Flavious?
Santa Flavious is the name used for Santa at several Longview holiday events in 2025, including the downtown tree lighting and the Home for the Holidays concert. Kids can take pictures with him at Heritage Plaza, and the photos with Santa were free at the tree lighting. Little ones can simply say hello and ask for a picture.
What can kids do at Longview's Living History Christmas?
The Living History Christmas at the Gregg County Historical Museum was held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and it was free. Kids could see a 40-foot Loblolly model train and learn how people in East Texas celebrated Christmas in the past. It makes a calm, short outing for families.
Is there a train for kids at Christmas in Longview?
Yes, a model one. The Gregg County Historical Museum showed a 40-foot Loblolly model train at its free Living History Christmas on December 6, 2025. We did not find a railroad museum Christmas event in Longview itself, so this is the closest rail link we could verify. Our Longview Christmas events guide on this page lists current options.
What was the Longview tree lighting theme in 2023?
The 2023 downtown tree lighting at Heritage Plaza used a Magical Movie Christmas theme, and the tree stood about 23.5 feet tall that year. Local organizers change the theme from year to year, and we did not find the themes for other years, so check the Longview Main Street program for the current one.
How can I explain a tree lighting to a young child?
Tell your child that the whole town gathers to turn the big tree on together, like a countdown to the start of Christmas season. In Longview the tree is 23.5 feet tall and lights up around 5:30 p.m., after music and Santa photos. Let kids count down loudly and cheer when the lights come on.
What is the Longview downtown decorating contest?
It is a friendly contest where downtown Longview storefronts compete with festive window and door displays, and visitors can vote for their favorite. The contest was part of the 2025 season of events. It gives kids a fun walking game: pick the best window, then vote together with a parent.
Is there a Christmas ride on the Longview trails?
Yes. In 2025 the Light Up Longview Trails Christmas Ride took place on Tuesday, December 9, at 6 p.m. at Flugers Bicycle & Outdoors. It featured a best-dressed bike competition, free hot dogs and drinks, and a Toys for Tots drive. Families with older kids on bikes can decorate their wheels and join in.
What is the Holiday Tea Room and Market in Longview?
It is a seasonal event at the Longview Museum of Fine Arts, held December 9 to 12 in 2025. The market is free, with East Texas artisans, and the tea room serves a luncheon for $30 per person. It suits families with older children who like crafts and a quiet, dressy outing.
What is the Longview ArtWalk at Christmas?
The Holiday ArtWalk is a free, self-guided tour of art-selling businesses in downtown Longview. In 2025 it ran on Thursday, December 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. The ArtWalk was founded in the fall of 2007. Kids can enjoy the festive downtown lights while parents browse the local art.
Where can I find Christmas events in Longview this year?
Our Longview Christmas events guide on this page lists the confirmed events for the 2026 season, such as the downtown tree lighting and more. Each listing shows the date, time, price and ages. The city's calendar, the library and Visit Longview are also good places to check for new Christmas events as the season gets closer.
Sources
- Longview holiday events, 2025 season, The East Texas Weekend
- Longview glows bright this season, Texas Monthly (sponsored)
- Downtown Longview Christmas Tree Lighting, Visit Longview
- Holiday season begins in Longview with Christmas tree lighting, KETK
- City of Longview announces new route for Christmas parade, KLTV