Carmela's Magical Santa Land on U.S. 259 North is open through the new year. (Les Hassell/News-Journal File Photo)

East Texas comes alive with holiday cheer every Christmas as communities host festive parades and light displays. From small-town traditions to grand spectacles, here’s a guide to the best Christmas events and parades lighting up East Texas this season.

This story has been updated with cancelations and rescheduled dates.

CHRISTMAS PARADES

Thursday, Dec. 5

Jacksonville, “Candy Lane Christmas,” 6 p.m., 307 E Commerce Street in Jacksonville (Chamber of Commerce). Information: www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleChamber.

Longview, “Downtown Longview AMBUCS Vintage Christmas Parade,” 6:30 p.m., 219 E. Methvin Street in Longview (Longview Heritage Plaza). Information: tinyurl.com/rosecity-christmas.

Tyler, “Rose City Christmas Parade,” 6:30 p.m., 110 N. College Avenue in Tyler (Downtown). Information: visitlongviewtexas.com/268/Christmas-Parade.

Friday, Dec. 6

Sulphur Springs, “Lighted Christmas Parade,” 7 p.m., Downtown Sulphur Springs. Information: www.facebook.com/SSLionsClub.

Winona, 6:30 p.m., Dallas Street. Information: tinyurl.com/winonatx-chamber.

Saturday, Dec. 7

Arp, “Annual Christmas Festival and Parade,” 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Arp City Park. Information: www.arpcommunityevents.org.

CANCELED: Athens, “Sounds of Christmas,” 6:30 p.m., Downtown Athens. Information: www.arpcommunityevents.org.

CANCELED: Bullard, “Christmas Parade,” 5:45 p.m., 114 S Phillips Street in Bullard (Bullard City Hall). Information: www.facebook.com/bullardtexaschamber.

RESCHEDULED: Canton, “Cowboy Christmas,” 6:30 p.m. MONDAY, 290 E. Tyler Street in Canton (Canton Main Street). Information: www.cantonmainstreet.org.

Gilmer, “Yuletide in Gilmer,” 6 p.m., The Square in Gilmer. Information: tinyurl.com/yulefest-gilmer.

Henderson, “Henderson’s Downtown Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting,” 6 p.m., The Square in Henderson. Information: www.facebook.com/explorehendersontx.

Lindale, “Christmas on Display,” 5 — 7 p.m., 156 Blackberry Boulevard in Lindale (Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square). Information: www.facebook.com/LindaleRotaryClub.

RESCHEDULED: Marshall, “Wonderland of Lights Christmas Parade,” 6 p.m. Dec. 15, 4087 Fern Lake Cutoff in Marshall (Downtown Marshall). Information: www.facebook.com/MarshallChamberOfCommerce.

Mineola, “Candyland Christmas,” 5:30 p.m., 130 E. Broad Street in Mineola (Downtown). Information: mineolachamber.org.

Mount Pleasant, “Merry Musical Christmas,” 6 p.m., Downtown Mount Pleasant. Information: www.facebook.com/mountpleasanttx.

Palestine, “Christmas Parade of Lights,” 7 p.m., Main Street in Palestine. Information: www.visitpalestine.com/christmas.

Whitehouse, “Christmas on Main,” 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 309 E Main Street in Whitehouse (City Park). Information: whitehousetx.com/christmas-on-main1.

Thursday, Dec. 12

Winnsboro, “Christmas Toys Christmas Parade,” 6 p.m., Downtown Winnsboro. Information: www.winnsboro.com.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Gladewater, “Christmas Parade,” 4:30 p.m., Historic Downtown Gladewater. Information: www.cityofgladewater.com/events.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Azalea District Trail of Lights, now until Dec. 31, 1510 S College Avenue in Tyler (Bergfeld Park). Take a self-guided walking or driving tour through the historic Azalea District. You’ve seen the beautiful colors of the Azalea District during the spring; now see the historic homes come to life with color, once again, as they are “dressed” up for the holiday season in all their splendor. Information: www.visittyler.com/p/events/rose-city-christmas1.

Christmas in the Park, now until Dec. 31; 110 E Dobbs Street in Tyler (Children’s Park). Take a walk through the beauty of The Children’s park as it is lit up with beauty. Information: www.visittyler.com/p/events/rose-city-christmas1.

Christmas Lights Tours, Thursday-Saturday now until Dec. 23, 5:30 — 9 p.m., 1510 S College Avenue in Tyler (Bergfeld Park). Get into the holiday spirit with a festive 20 to 30 minute bike ride through the beautifully lit streets of the historic Azalea District. Information: www.facebook.com/ridetyler.tx.

Santa Land, Sunday-Thursday 6 — 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 6 — 10:30 p.m., 11518 Interstate 20 West in Tyler. This drive-thru park is on over 24 acres with millions of lights and countless original handmade animated light displays to enjoy from the warmth of your vehicle. For admission and additional information: santalandtylertx.com.

Up In Lights / TylerLights, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 6 p.m. until Dec. 8; 6 p.m. nightly until Dec. 23, 12881 County Road 192 in Tyler. Tyler’s only drive-thru light park is a 1-mile long light park that covers 12 acres. For admission and additional information: www.tylerlights.com.

Carmela’s Magical Santa Land, Sunday-Thursday 5:30 – 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5:30 — 11 p.m., Jan. 1-5 5:30 – 9 p.m., 6085 Hwy 259 N in Longview. The display features nearly 4 million lights, dancing trees, Nativity scenes and more. For admission and additional information: carmelassantaland.com.

Piney Park’s Winter Festival & Trail of Lights, Monday-Thursday, 5 — 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 — 10 p.m., 600 Martin Lake Road in Marshall. This trail of lights includes a 10,000-square-foot light maze, enclosed play area for children, holiday market, food truck park, pictures with Santa, gingerbread house display, music and a 45-foot-tall Christmas tree. For admission and additional information: pineypark.com/winter/winter-festival-trail-of-lights.

Wonderland of Lights, Thursday, 6 — 9 p.m.; Friday, 6 — 10 p.m.; Saturday, 4 — 10 p.m.; Sunday, 4 — 9 p.m.; Santa Hours: Thursday-Friday, 6 — 8 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 4 — 8 p.m., Downtown Marshall. Make your holiday magical with a trip to the annual celebration of Marshall’s famed Wonderland of Lights. Grab dinner with family and shop for treasures in local shops downtown. Information: www.marshalltexas.net/483/Wonderland-of-Lights.

Christmas Lights Athens, 6 — 10 p.m., nightly until Jan. 3; Loop 7 and Patterson Road in Athens. The park is more than a mile long and has over 4 million lights, including more than 60 scenes and 50 motion-controlled lighted scenes. It also has six tunnels, 14 arches and 2,000 wood cutouts. For admission and additional information: christmasparkathens.net.

Walk of Lights, Friday-Sunday, 6 — 9 p.m., 2161 FM 315 in Palestine. Guests can immerse themselves in the festive magic of the Christmas Light Walkthrough, where holiday cheer fills the air. The event offers something for everyone, from memorable photo opportunities with Santa and the Grinch to delightful seasonal treats. Information: tinyurl.com/walkoflights-palestine.