Frequently Asked Questions

What time are streets closed?
The police start bringing out the barricades at around 5:30pm to close off Woodland and Bayland  Streets.  The barricades come down at 10:00pm,  A picture of the Route can be found here. You cannot park on the closed streets.

 Now that streets are closed, where should we park?
Residents are encouraged to park their cars off of the street closure (Woodland and Bayland) if at all possible. Encourage your friends and neighbors to park on cross streets or streets parallel to the festival route and to come early! Getting in and out is tougher the closer in you want to get to the route and traffic is VERY heavy during the event. The following churches and parks will have parking (please note they are not liable for damages or stolen item): -

• St. Mark's United Methodist Church , 600 Pecore (between Beauchamp and Michaux)
• Vineyard Church , 1035 East 11th (Pecore) St. (two lots). They are opening one of their buildings specifically that evening to offer refreshments and meet their neighbors/fellow Houstonians They have two parking lots, one at the corner of Studewood and Norhill (the refreshments are located in a building next to this parking lot  - the building is called the 'Storehouse') and another parking lot at Studewood and Micheaux.
• Zion Lutheran Church, 3606 Beauchamp at Pecore (lots behind and in front of church). Youth will watch over cars and sell apple cider, hot chocolate and bottled water.
• Woodland Park, 212 Parkview off Houston Avenue between White Oak Drive and Bayland St. Gates close at 11 p.m.
• Stude Park, 1031 Stude St., bounded by Studewood, Usener, White Oak Drive and Taylor Street. Gates close at 11 p.m.
• Xpedx, 2201 Taylor St. (south of I-10) - Please exercise caution walking north on Taylor Street into Woodland Heights, particularly at the I-10 exits
• Suzanne Anderson Properties - 741 East 11th St. (just north of 11th St./Pecore and west of Studemont)
• Amegy Bank - 2105 Taylor Street
• C&D Hardware (AFTER 6 p.m.) - 314 E. 11th Street
• Buchanan's Native Plants - 611 E. 11th Street

If my house is on the route, can I leave during the event?
Yes. We encourage people to wait until after the event if possible, but if you need to leave you may do so at any time. Please remember to take your driver's license, as police officers will be checking addresses when allowing access to cars returning to the route area.  However guests to parties will NOT be allowed access to closed streets,

Will there be any vehicular traffic allowed?
Currently the only vehicles allowed onto the route are the vehicles for the parade (however they cannot "drive" around after the parade) and the L&L Cruizers pedicabs.  We are not allowing any other Pedicab companies on the route. Golf carts are NOT allowed.

I have some people who might not be able to walk around the whole route - what do you recommend?
L&L Cruizers is a pedicab company that will be "working" the event - you can call Lisa 832-202-8151 for more information.

What if it rains?
We have not scheduled a rain date for Lights in the Heights ®. The event will not be cancelled unless it is raining heavily at 6 p.m. In past years, residents along the festival route were gracious enough to allow luminaria to be stored on their porches until the early afternoon rain passed.

Will there be bathroom facilities on the route?
Yes, there are port-o-lets located on the Norhill Esplanade and along the route

What if we have an emergency and need to get onto a blocked street?
In case of emergency, proof of residency (your driver's license) will allow access onto Woodland and Bayland from 6-10 p.m.

I'm having a party. Where should my guests park?
Encourage your guests to come early (prior to 5 or 6 p.m.) or to park on the streets parallel to the festival route.

How can I keep uninvited guests from coming into my private party?
A sign saying "Private Party" should do the trick and this year we are selling them!!! Go to our Merchandise page.

Any others?
Contact  the Committee Co-Chairs, Sharon Greiff or Terri Guerra  or call the WHCA information line at 713.683.5188.