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Christmas with kids in Odessa
In Odessa, Christmas is something you can drive through. Every December, McKinney Park fills with hundreds of thousands of lights in Starbright Village, which the city's parks director calls the biggest Christmas display between El Paso and Dallas.
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The story of Christmas in Odessa
How Odessa celebrates
Starbright Village is the heart of Christmas in Odessa. The City of Odessa Parks and Recreation Department starts building the lighted Christmas scenes at McKinney Park on October 1, and families walk or drive through them from early December until New Year's Day. A tree lighting ceremony opens the season, and the Parade of Lights rolls through the city on a Saturday night soon after. The parade reached its 30th year in 2025. Sources describe Starbright Village as a longtime West Texas holiday staple but do not give the year it began.
Christmas last year in Odessa
In 2025 the city lit its tree at McKinney Park on Thursday, December 4, with a drone show for the first time and an ice-skating rink open for that one night. Starbright Village opened the next day and ran through January 1, from 6 to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 6 to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Santa Land was open Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 8 p.m. for photos and Christmas lists. On Saturday, December 6, the 30th Parade of Lights started at 7 p.m. at Odessa College, with more than 100 light-up floats expected.
Fun facts about Christmas in Odessa
Starbright Village draws more than 100,000 people every year, and it has several hundred thousand lights. Visitors can park and stroll through the glowing park, or stay in the car and drive beneath the lighted arches and scenes. Parade floats usually number around 80 to 100, and the Odessa High School marching band wraps lights around its uniforms to join in. Parade officials suggest arriving one to two hours early to find a good spot.
Traditions today
- Starbright Village: A walk-through and drive-through display of lighted Christmas scenes at McKinney Park, open nightly from early December to New Year's Day.
- City of Odessa Tree Lighting: The city lights its Christmas tree at McKinney Park to open the season, with Santa and, in 2025, a drone show.
- Parade of Lights: More than 100 light-up floats, plus school bands, color guards and dance teams, roll from Odessa College toward downtown.
- Santa Land: Kids can visit Santa at Starbright Village on Friday and Saturday evenings and share their Christmas lists.
- Drive-through lights: Families can stay in the car and drive beneath glowing arches and shimmering scenes in McKinney Park.
A fact for kids
In Odessa, school bands put lights on their uniforms for the Parade of Lights. The Odessa High School band does it every year, so the musicians sparkle as they march.
Questions about Christmas in Odessa
What is Starbright Village in Odessa?
Starbright Village is the City of Odessa's annual display of lighted Christmas scenes at McKinney Park. Families can walk through it or drive through it, and it stays open nightly into early January. The city's parks director has called it the biggest Christmas display between El Paso and Dallas, and it has several hundred thousand lights.
When does Starbright Village open and close?
In 2025 Starbright Village opened on December 5 and ran through January 1. Hours were 6 to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 6 to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Schedules can change, so see our Odessa Christmas events guide on this page for this season's confirmed dates and times.
How many people visit Starbright Village?
More than 100,000 people drive or walk through Starbright Village each year, according to the city's Parks and Recreation director. He called it the biggest Christmas display between El Paso and Dallas. The park holds several hundred thousand lights, and crews begin setting up the scenes every year on October 1.
When did Starbright Village begin?
The sources we reviewed call Starbright Village a longtime West Texas holiday staple but do not give the year it started. What they do say is that the city's Parks and Recreation Department sets up the displays beginning on October 1 each year and that more than 100,000 people visit annually.
What happens at the Odessa tree lighting?
The City of Odessa lights its Christmas tree at McKinney Park to open Starbright Village season. In 2025 the evening ran on Thursday, December 4, with Santa on hand, a one-night ice-skating rink and, for the first time, a drone show right after the lighting. Crowds are large, and street parking is limited.
Is there an ice-skating rink at the Odessa tree lighting?
In 2025 an ice-skating rink was open at McKinney Park only on the night of the tree lighting, Thursday, December 4. The parks director described the tree lighting and skating as family-friendly. Check our Odessa Christmas events guide on this page to see whether the rink returns this season.
Where can kids meet Santa in Odessa?
At Starbright Village, Santa Land is where kids can take photos with Santa and share their Christmas lists. In 2025 it was open on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Santa also appears at the City of Odessa tree lighting. Our Odessa Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's visits.
What is the Odessa Parade of Lights?
The Parade of Lights is a night parade of light-up floats built by local businesses, families and non-profits. The 30th annual parade was held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 7 p.m. Marching bands, color guards and dance teams from local schools also take part, and the city calls it a total community event.
What is the Parade of Lights route in Odessa?
The 2025 parade started at Odessa College, traveled along Andrews Highway and ended at Grant Avenue and 3rd Street. Officials recommended arriving one to two hours early to get a viewing spot. Routes can change from year to year, so check this season's details before you head out with little ones.
How many floats are in the Odessa Parade of Lights?
Past years have usually had around 80 to 100 floats. In 2025, more than 100 businesses, families and non-profits were expected to bring light-up floats. Along with the floats, local schools send marching bands, color guards and dance teams, so there is plenty of music and sparkle for kids to watch.
How old is the Odessa Parade of Lights?
The 2025 Parade of Lights was the 30th annual parade, and the sources do not say what year it started. The city's Parks and Recreation director calls it a total community event, and local news describes it as an annual Odessa tradition that many families attend together.
Does the Odessa High School band march in the Parade of Lights?
Yes. The Odessa High School marching band has joined the parade for as long as current members can remember. Students put lights around their uniforms so the whole band glows as it marches. Other local schools also send bands, color guards and dance teams, which makes the parade a big music show too.
How can I explain Starbright Village to my toddler?
Tell your child that the city turns a whole park into a land of Christmas lights, with glowing arches and little lighted scenes. You can park and walk or stay snug in the car and drive through. Counting arches and spotting favorite scenes keeps little ones busy, and Santa Land adds a special treat.
Can you drive through Starbright Village?
Yes. Visitors can walk through McKinney Park or drive through it, passing beneath glowing arches and shimmering scenes. Driving is an easy choice for little ones who nap, for cold nights or when you have a stroller to manage. Bring a few snacks for kids who may get restless in the car.
Where can kids see a giant Christmas display in Odessa?
Starbright Village at McKinney Park is the place. It has several hundred thousand lights and lighted Christmas scenes, and it is called the biggest display between El Paso and Dallas. See our Odessa Christmas events guide on this page for this season's dates, hours and special nights like the tree lighting.
Is there a Christmas parade in Odessa?
Yes. Odessa's Parade of Lights is its big Christmas parade, held on a Saturday night in early December. The 2025 parade was the 30th annual one. For this year's date, route and start time, see our Odessa Christmas events guide on this page, which lists confirmed details.
Does it snow in Odessa at Christmas?
The sources we used do not mention snow in Odessa. They describe a city-made winter scene instead. In 2025 the tree lighting night offered a temporary ice-skating rink at McKinney Park, and the whole park glows with lights, so kids still get a bright, festive evening whatever the weather does.
What time should we arrive at Odessa Christmas events?
For the parade, officials recommended arriving one to two hours early to claim a spot. For the tree lighting, police noted that crowds are large, street parking is limited and nearby roads may become one-way for the evening. Plan to walk a little, and bring warm layers for the West Texas night air.
What is the Odessa tree lighting like for kids?
It is a family-friendly night at McKinney Park that opens the Starbright Village season. Kids can see Santa, watch the tree light up and, in 2025, enjoy a first-ever drone show and a one-night ice-skating rink. The crowd is big, so hold hands tightly and agree on a meeting spot.
Who runs Starbright Village in Odessa?
The City of Odessa Parks and Recreation Department runs Starbright Village. Director Jon Rogers said crews begin setting up the displays on October 1 each year. The department also hosts the tree lighting that opens the season, so it is the best place to look for official updates on dates, hours and special nights.
Sources
- Odessa Starbright Village, Odessa American
- Starbright Village prepares to light up the sky this holiday season, First Alert 7
- Odessa's 30th annual Parade of Lights set for Saturday night, First Alert 7
- Odessa police urge safety precautions for Starbright Village tree lighting ceremony, First Alert 7
- Odessa shines bright this season, The Local Palate