Guest Author - Marilyn Crain

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, East Texas is aglow with holiday lights. Some cities just shine a little brighter. These three should definitely make it on to your must see holiday destinations list.

Marshall’s Wonderland of Lights

Join the ranks of thousands other visitors who take the driving tour through historic downtown Marshall, Texas, and some spectacular outlying neighborhoods. This “fantastical” event began in 1987 with a single editorial in the hometown newspaper. Marshall and East Texans were in the midst of some hard times and the wish was for some holiday cheer in the form of a gigantic tree and lights around the downtown square. It’s a wonderful holiday story, with no end in sight, as the Wonderland of Lights continues to grow every year.

From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, you can enjoy the driving tour of lights, but you can also skate, take in the parade, and tour some of Marshall’s beautiful historic homes. But, don’t end your visit without a walk around downtown, with a long stop at the Old Courthouse, the “crown jewel” of the Wonderland of Lights. You’re sure to be awe-struck by the light sculptures and the courthouse itself, covered in lights.

Jefferson’s Holiday Trail of Lights

From the day after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, you can enjoy the Trail of Lights in Jefferson, Texas. Every year, events include the Candlelight Tour of Homes, plays and concerts, the Rail of Light Christmas Train and Rail of Lights New Years Train and a New Year’s Eve Party.

Not to be missed are the horse-drawn carriage rides or trolley rides around historic downtown. The historic Jefferson Railway's five-mile trip through the Big Cypress Bayou is a unique experience any time. But, the Rail of Lights Christmas Train makes that journey through the Bayou ater it's appropriately dressed for the holidays. Another wonderful trip through the Bayou is by riverboat. You’ll also want to take time to walk through the Enchanted Forest which is really Lions Park decked out in all its lighted finery.

Kilgore’s Star-Topped Oil Derricks

Although not as spectacular as the Marshall and Jefferson lighting tours, Kilgore, Texas, offers the totally “oil patch” view of the holidays. With its World’s Richest Acre of oil derricks right in the middle of the city, what better way to decorate for the holiday season than to top more than 75 oil derricks with huge lighted stars? So if you have time, stop by and visit the East Texas Oil Museum, have an early dinner and then tour the star-studded derricks in this City of the Stars.

East Texas loves its lights and these three are the top lighting attractions, but no matter what city or tiny town you drive through during the holidays, you will see lights and more lights. Enjoy your tour of East Texas holiday celebrations.