It’s time for yule, y’all
From twinkling lights to creamy hot cocoa, there’s fun to be had across the state
Festivals across the Lone Star State are worth a road trip this season.
As pumpkins roll out to make way for Christmas trees and bags of candy corn are swapped for boxes of candy canes, towns across Texas will start to twinkle with that familiar nighttime glow, and we’ll soon be wrapped up in the magic of the season once again. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, the Lone Star State delivers a sleigh full of Yuletide cheer to towns big and small. Here is a festive lineup of holiday happenings across Texas worth checking off your list.
BASTROP
season The historic with a slew small of town seasonal celebrates fun during the its annual Lost Pines Christmas through Dec. 25. Get into the spirit at events such as the Lighted Christmas Parade (Dec. 10) and Sip, Shop and Swirl (Dec. 16). Bundle up for Snow Day (Dec. 2) to play in the fluff while enjoying winterthemed activities spanning snow slides, snowball fights and a screening of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” from 1–7 p.m. in Fisherman’s Park. When the sun goes down, the beloved Bastrop River of Lights sparkles with over 100 festive displays along the Colorado River from 6-9 p.m. nightly (through Dec. 31). More at lostpineschristmas.com.
BEAUMONT
Check the names off your list at A Very Merry Main Street Market, the three-day, one-stop holiday shopping extravaganza featuring merchandise from more than 100 vendors put on by the Junior League of Beaumont (Nov. 30-Dec. 2). Watch the Beaumont Community Players’ performance of “Scrooge,” a beloved musical take on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” (Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16). More at beaumontcvb.com/eventcalendar.
BUDA
(Saturday-Dec. two-day Kick off holiday the holidays 3), bash a free, brimming at family-friendly Budafest with kids with activities, Santa and craft Mrs. vendors, Claus, Santa’s pictures artisan workshop, carnival, food and drink booths, “reindog” parade, snow slide and the Brilliant Lights Parade, which lights up downtown Buda at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Take a stroll while sipping cocoa and seeing Santa along the decorated displays at Buda’s Ninth annual Trail of Lights (Dec. 8-9; 14-17 from 6 to 10 p.m.), a free event held at Historic Stagecoach Park. More at ci.buda.tx.us/525/Trail-of-Lights.
CLEBURNE
Park A sweet during scene the 21st unfolds annual in Whistle Hulen Stop Christmas, themed Christmas in Candyland (through Dec. 31). The countywide celebration features 3.5 million lights sparkling over a 12-acre area as well as special events ranging from children’s train rides and horsedrawn carriage rides to live theater performances and orchestras. Don’t miss the Lighted Christmas Parade at 6:30 p.m. Friday featuring nearly 100 floats. More at whistlestopchristmas.org.
COLLEGE STATION
at Santa’s Experience Wonderland a Texas-size (through Christmas Jan. 7), where you can enjoy nightly merry entertainment such as hayrides or horsedrawn carriage rides through the Trail of Lights, race down the Toboggan Chute, have a white Christmas in Texas with the help of snow machines, ride on the West Pole Express trackless train, jump inside a Texas-size snow globe, sample tastings at the Wonderland Winery, enjoy live performances of singalong Christmas tunes and brave Santa’s mechanical bull. More at santas-wonderland.com.
DALLAS
The spirit of the season is in full bloom at Holiday at the Arboretum (through Jan. 7), which features everything from the 12 Days of Christmas exhibit to more than half a million twinkling lights throughout the garden. In addition to viewing the 12 extravagantly decorated 25-foot gazebos inspired by the beloved Christmas carol, expect several new nighttime events sure to get you in the holiday spirit, such as viewing the movie “Elf” outdoors while sipping hot cocoa, singing holiday songs during karaoke night and viewing the collection of more than 800 nutcrackers on display in the historic DeGolyer House. More at dallasarboretum.org.
FORT WORTH
lights Take display a spin at through the Texas the Motor drive-through Speedway’s Gift of Lights (through Dec. 30) or experience the western-themed holiday magic that unfolds at Christmas in the Stockyards (Dec. 2). Visit Bass Performance Hall for Christmas-themed shows including Handel’s “Messiah” (Thursday); “It’s a Wonderful Life” (Friday); “The Nutcracker” (Dec. 8-24); Sister’s Christmas Catechism: “The Gift of Magi” (Dec. 13-17); and Michael Martin Murphey’s “Cowboy Christmas” (Dec. 18). Take an icy spin around Fort Worth’s outdoor skating rink, Panther Island Ice, while soaking in downtown views (through Jan. 15). Find more holiday events at fortworth.com/holiday-checklist.
FREDERICKSBURG
There’s no brighter time of year to visit Fredericksburg than the holidays. Swirl around the Eisbahn outdoor ice skating rink with family and friends for $15, including skate rental (through Jan. 7). Take in twinkling sights at the Light the Night Christmas Parade & AfterGlow (Friday). Time your trip with the Texas Hill Country’s most popular Holiday Home Tour and Market, showcasing beautiful, historic homes decorated for Christmas and one-of-a-kind artisan merchandise (Saturday). Or holiday shop till you drop at Fredericksburg Trade Days (Dec. 15-17), which features over 400 vendors. More at VisitFredericksburgTX.com/holiday.
GALVESTON
Living up to its name as the “Winter Wonder Island,” this holiday season brings These can find are weeks more just of at a festivities few galveston.com/ highlights; to Galveston. you holidaymagic. At Ice Land at Moody Gardens, visitors can explore a 28,000-square-foot Rainforest Holiday-themed ice land (through Jan. 7). Professional ice carvers use 2 million pounds of ice to create the exhibit featuring rainforest-themed ice sculptures, slides and a Shivers Ice Bar, where adults can chill with a cocktail. More at moodygardens.com/iceland.
The Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens (through Jan. 7) features a mile-long trail of more than 100 soundenhanced animated light displays. While there, go ice skating at the outdoor ice rink or snow tube on the Arctic Ice Slide. More at moodygardens.com/ festivaloflights.
New this year, Downtown Lanterns and Lights will feature a display of Christmas trees and other artisan-made pieces as they illuminate Saengerfest Park (through Jan. 2). The free event will also feature an interactive photo frame and a giant snow globe that visitors can enter for family photos (Sunday and Dec. 9, 16 and 23). More at downtowngalveston.org.
The 44th annual Dickens on the Strand (Friday-Dec. 3) transforms historic Strand Street into the Victorian London of Charles Dickens, as characters walk the streets, strolling carolers and roving musicians fill the air with sounds from the era and costumed vendors peddle their Victorian-inspired wares. Admission is free Friday, and tickets are $15 for adults and $9 for youths Saturday and Sunday. More at dickensonthestrand. org.
Thousands of jolly joggers will jingle through the streets of downtown Galveston for the Santa Hustle Galveston 5K and Half Marathon (Dec. 17), which benefits the Galveston County Food Bank. More at santahustle.com/galveston.
Hotel Galvez & Spa hosts an indulgent Sunday brunch with Santa (Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24), where children can share their Christmas wishes with Mr. Claus. More at