Carmela's Magical Santa Land

Welcome to a festive spotlight on one of our East Texas holiday treasures located at 6085 Hwy 259 N, Longview, Texas: Carmela’s Magical Santa Land. Below you’ll find details about the drive-through lights experience, the history of the attraction, and the vendor community that enhances the holiday magic.

Our own little slice of the North Pole right here in Longview

• The attraction is owned and operated by Carmela Davis (CPA) who opened the display to share the Christmas spirit in East Texas.

• Over the years the light display has grown in scale: one article noted almost 2 million lights for the 2022 season.

• The park is open “rain or shine” (weather permitting, especially no ice) and typically runs from early November through early January.

• Beyond entertainment, the attraction has a charitable component: excess donations benefit the local nonprofit Longview TOO AMBUCS which helps people with special needs gain mobility and independence.

Driving Through the Lights

• The show features a drive-through route of about one mile through over a million illuminated displays, and it grows every year!

• As you drive, you’ll pass themed scenes (for example: a “Whoville” zone, tunnels of lights, entertaining characters) that turn into visual highlights of the outing. You'll even be challenged to count Reindeer through the drive. Hint- there is a lot!

• Mid-way through the drive you’ll find a parking lot access point where you can shift from your vehicle to a walking trail/photo-op area for a closer look. This trail is mostly even and accessible for the family!

• Official hours are typically: Sunday–Thursday from 5:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m., and Friday–Saturday until 11:00 p.m. on busier nights.

• Admission is free (drive-through) but donations are accepted and encouraged to support the installation and operations.

• Visitors are encouraged to take their time, enjoy the displays from the comfort of their vehicle, and optionally park for a walking segment.

• Practical tip: Weekday evenings (Mon-Wed) tend to have less traffic than weekends, making for a relaxed experience. If you're planning to get in line after dark or especially on the weekend- Make sure to have a potty break before hand, and plenty of snacks and activities for the car. The line can stretch for miles on busy nights!

Vendors & On-Site Shopping

Here’s what you’ll find among the vendor offerings:

• A vendor barn where local artisans and small businesses sell handcrafted goods—items like homemade fudge, ornament sets, holiday T-shirts and décor.

• A food trailer on site (operated jointly with the attraction) offering snacks, warm beverages and holiday treats; proceeds benefit nonprofit causes.

• A gift shop area where visitors can pick up souvenirs, take holiday photos, and browse unique seasonal finds.

• Example vendor names include: Texan Fudge Co., Right At Home Ornaments, East Texas Embellishments (handcrafted décor) and the food trailer branded as Santa’s Snack Stop.

• Shopping advantages: by browsing the vendor areas you support local small-businesses and help fuel the charitable mission of the display.

• Tips for vendor visits: Bring both cash and card (some vendors may prefer cash); arrive early to enjoy relaxed browsing; snack while you’re there for a full evening outing.

A visit to Carmela's is a must-do on any East Texan's holiday list!