HIDALGO CITY - The Festival of Lights is a 27 year Rio Grande Valley tradition attended not only by local citizens, but guests from all over the United States and even foreign travelers! Hidalgo has been host to millions and millions to gather and witness this magical event. The city constructs and installs over 500 light displays composed by over 5 million lights. As of this year the Hidalgo Festival of Lights is proudly presented to the Rio Grande Valley community by Coca Cola. This year's theme is a Christmas Toyland in Hidlago.

Light tours start at Hidalgo City Hall and run the entire month of December, with the exception of :

December 1st - Parade Day

December 20th - Ramon Ayala Posada

December 25th - Christmas Day

December 31st - New Years Eve

The different pricing options for guests are :

Guided Trolley Tours: $5

Dinner Tour Package: These are $12 available from Dec. 2 though Dec. 19

Reservations are required. You can purchase at the State Farm Arena Box Office or over the phone at 956-843-5311

Hidalgo Festival of Lights Illuminated Parade -

The festival kicks off on December 1st with the Hidalgo Festival of Lights Illuminated Parade. The event starts at 6 PM and travels along Ramon Ayala Dr. and finishes at Hidalgo City Hall.

City Hall

The Hub of Festival of Lights is located at city hall (704 Ramon Ayala Dr, Hidalgo), where you will find a stage of nightly entertainment, a small house where you can take pictures with Santa, a carnival, artisan market, food, and guided tours. New this year is a house where you can sample gourmet chocolate from the Monza chocolate factory which is located less than a mile from the festival.

Snowy Days

The festival event includes 2 Snow Days at the Hidalgo Memorial Park Pavilion (200 Judy Dr., Hidalgo, TX 78557).

The December 16th snow day, sponsored by HEB, is free to the public. On this day, the first 2000 kids will be treated to some playtime in the snow, a snow slide, and will receive a toy from Santa!

The following Saturday, December 23rd, there will be an additional snow day which includes the snow playtime and the slide for only $10.

The Ramon Ayala Posada

The Christmas Posada, hosted by 5 time Grammy award winning artist Ramon Ayala, will be held on December 20th. This is one of the largest single day events in the RGV, drawing crowds up to 50,000 attendees. The posada includes a list of top artists who will perform free to the public. The lineup will be announced at a press conference on December 6th at 11 a.m. outside of The Hidalgo City Hall. In addition, the City of Hidalgo gives away a toy to 10,000 kids. The kids start lining up early in the morning for a chance to pick the best toy.

For more information contact Raziel Cano at 956-219-4059