Location: Discovery Green

Houston offers so many exciting things to do during the holidays! One of the funnest things to do is explore Discovery Green. They have beautiful lighted art installations, an ice rink, horse-drawn carriages and many other happenings for the whole family. I couldn’t wait to see the Firmament light canopy and also the Enchanted Promenade of lit peonies. Incredible!

Debuting this winter is Firmament, a vibrant canopy of LED lights by acclaimed Burning Man artist Christopher Schardt. An initiative of Discovery Green’s thoughtful and engaging interactive programming, this winter’s installations capture the imagination of Houstonians, tourists and park-goers. This is Schardt’s Texas debut. You can sit there and watch this amazing canopy of lights change color to the music of the Nutcracker and other holiday classical music. It is mesmerizing.

The installations mark the third year of artwork selected by the Conservancy’s Public Art Committee, chaired by Judy Nyquist and comprised of community experts dedicated to bringing original and inspiring art to Discovery Green.

Discovery Green also captivates downtown visitors this winter with Enchanted Promenade, ten colorful, giant peony bouquets by TILT, a French light and art design studio. Enchanted Promenade is set along the majestic Brown Promenade. Enchanted Promenade comes to life through color-changing LED lighting. At night, the stamens grow brighter with a blazing red light that emanates through its petals and scatters warm light throughout. Below the soaring stems of the plant, diffused lighting subtly enhances an inviting seating area for visitors to lounge and enjoy the view.

TILT is a French artistic studio whose work focuses on the exploration of light and its interplay with art, architecture and space.  Enchanted Promenade marks their first presentation in the United States.

“This surprising winter light installation along The Brown Foundation Promenade of Discovery Green invites the passers-by to immerse themselves in a stunningly beautiful and memorable spectacle and creates a dreamlike and surreal world blended by poetry and the joy of living,” said Francois Fouilhe, artistic director of TILT.

Ahhhhh… I love the holidays and I love Houston.

Photos/Assistance by Angie Fanelli