Twas the night before Thanksgiving and all through East Texas the people were celebrating and waiting for Christmas at Santa Land, Texas.

Santa Land Texas near Tyler is home to the original Texas Drive-Thru Christmas Park. Generations of families have made Santa Land their Christmas destination every year during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

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What makes Santa Land Texas so unique is that is one of only a few parks open on the actual holidays. This will mark the 27th year that this 24-acre park has been totally transformed into a winter wonderland of lights and displays.

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Santa Land features over three million lights, sparkling displays of every color imaginable themed areas with lots of festive holiday music that makes all the scenes come alive as you drive through this park with the beauty of the piney woods as its backdrop.

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The "Tunnel of Lights" is a fan favorite with over 25,000 twinkling lights that will mesmerize you along with spectacular hand-crafted, animated, and mechanical displays. And you have got to see the brand new 75-foot computer-animated Mega Tree.

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Christmas Lane brings joy to the holiday season with the Elfland Carousel, Merry Mermaid and Friends, Great Fountain of Yule, and more one-of-a-kind lighted displays.

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You are absolutely gonna love the special salute to our troops and the nativity scene that represents the reason for the season.

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Make sure to visit the gift and snack shop for some hot cocoa and kids can visit Santa while you do some holiday shopping.

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Watch out for Bigfoot and a Texas tornado while you are there!

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Santa Land Texas is located off Interstate 20 West exit 557 in Lindale, Texas, just north of Tyler, approximately 115 miles from Texarkana.

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Visit their website or Facebook page for more information. The best time to visit Santa Land, Texas is the beginning of the week because the weekend is normally packed.

Park Hours: Open Ran or Shine

November- 3 PM -10 PM Nightly includes Thanksgiving

December - Sunday-Thursday 3 PM -10 PM, Friday and Saturday 3 PM -10:30 PM includes Christmas Day

January - 4, 3 PM -10 PM

2022 Admission

$30 per vehicle for up to 10 people

$60 per commercial vehicle up to 11-20 people (over 20 people $5 per person

Santa Land Trailer Rides

Santa Land Trailer rides will also be available beginning on Thanksgiving night, $15 per person, 2 and under free.

Here's a video sneak preview of Santa Land, Texas.

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