See who made our list of the most charming Christmas towns in Texas.
There are many places to visit during Christmas in Texas, and a Christmas getaway might be just what your family needs. According to our favorite magazine, the internet, myself, and a few other sources, these Texas towns made the list of the 12 most charming Christmas towns in Texas. Celebrations will happen all over the Lone Star State in a big way, and we want you to know about them!
Grab the entire family and check out these Christmas towns. Texas shines during the holidays, from small Texas towns to big city lights. Many will spend the holidays there, and you can, too. Here’s hoping we see a white Christmas in Texas—not ice, but lots of snow!
12 Most Charming Christmas Towns In Texas
Why are these Texas Christmas towns on the list of the most charming Christmas towns in Texas? Well, let’s dig in and find out.
Put these towns on your “Where to go for Christmas in Texas” list.
These Christmassy towns in Texas are in no particular order.
1. Marshall, Texas (East Texas)
Holiday festivities start in November
Small town Marshall, which has been spreading holiday cheer since 1987, will shine all through town during the holiday season with its outdoor skating rink and lit-up downtown. If I’m correct, Marshall was one of the first towns to have an outdoor ice skating rink.
Wonderland of Lights will draw millions of spectators to town. I’ve always wanted to go during the holiday but have yet to make it, but I did go a couple of years ago in the summer and rode horses out there.
Christmastime will be magical with a trip to the annual celebration of Marshall’s famed Wonderland of Lights.
2. Grapevine, Texas – The Christmas Capital of Texas (North Texas)
From festive holiday lights to fake snow falling on Main Street and the new ice skating rink, you’ll want to visit the Christmas Capital of Texas more than once! Festivities will start at the end of November.
- The Annual Carol of Lights and its holiday kick-off will be on 11/25/24 from 4-8:30 pm.
- Annual Merry & Bright Drone Shows Dec 2 & 9 at 7 pm on Historic Main Street. Get there early for a good spot!
- December 5th Annual Parade of Lights – 7 pm.
• Gaylord Texan – ICE! – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 2024
Use Coupon Code TRAVELING for 50% off on ICE! Tickets. Please book your visit for the valid days at Christmas at Gaylord Texan.
• Historic Palace Theatre
See fabulous classic Christmas movies all season long!
Looking for a fabulous place to stay while in Grapevine? Consider the Hotel Vin Boutique Hotel in Grapevine.
Head on over to other Christmas holiday events in North Texas happening around Grapevine. Some events are family-friendly, while some are dog-friendly.
3. College Station, Texas (Central Texas)
Christmas in College Station, TX, is a magical time for the whole family. Its Christmas season is top-notch.
Santa’s Wonderland is fantastic, and the holiday lights can be seen from the highway. It’s a large event, and there are many attractions. If you plan to ice skate and do all the offered things, expect to stay at least six hours. It’s like a winter wonderland out there. Put a cup of hot cocoa in one hand and a drumstick in the other, and have fun!
I suggest waiting in line (and there will be a line) to ride the hayride through the light displays because so many will have you oohing and awwing the entire ride. I took so many pictures and didn’t even use them. Don’t make the mistake of trying to get lots of photos. Just enjoy the ride and watch! It is the best light show I’ve ever seen.
Santa’s Wonderland is a beautiful Christmas Village in Texas worth driving to see!
4. Johnson City, Texas (Texas Hill Country)
Pedernales Electric Cooperative Headquarters presents its world-famous holiday lights display, Johnson City’s Lights Spectacular. I’ve been to Johnson City, TX, several times, but not during the holiday.
Date: End November through the first of January 2025, from 6 p.m. to midnight.
5. Fredericksburg, Texas (Texas Hill Country)
It’s like a Hallmark movie in Fredericksburg this time of year, with every store lit up like Christmas.
Fredericksburg will be packed with wine tastings at every winery around every corner, and many stores and boutiques on Main Street will be selling their best wares. Did you know that Fredericksburg was voted “Most Picturesque Town in America,” along with fourteen other small towns in Texas?
If you’re around for New Year’s Eve, Luckenbach will have a party bash, including dancing and live music.
6. Christmas in Historic Columbus, Texas
Columbus is known for its Santa Claus Museum. Travelers come from miles away to visit the museum. It’s got every type of Santa you can think of. It’s open on Fridays & Saturdays in December from 1-5 pm.
There is also a Lighted Parade downtown on December 3rd at 6 pm. I can imagine what that will look like.
Ladies – Columbus is having a Ladies Night Out on December 5 from 4-9 pm downtown and all over town.
7. Christmas in Granbury, Texas
New this year is the Granbury Country Christmas Petting Farm. From the gorgeous holiday lights lit up all over town to this new event, Granbury will be the place for the holidays! The Christmas Petting Farm will open on Friday, Nov. 29, along with the Night of Lights Christmas Parade, and will continue every weekend through December 22 at Granbury Square Plaza!
8. Fort Worth, Texas (North Texas)
The holidays in Fort Worth, Texas, are a time for families to come together and celebrate the season. From November through January, there is no shortage of attractions, events, and activities to keep you busy.
Gifts of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway is an incredible drive-through experience. We’ve been attending this light spectacular since it opened years ago but missed it the past few years. It did get better and better each year, but with that came higher prices. So, grab your family, friends, and neighbors in one vehicle and share the cost.
Once you park and leave your car, there is hot chocolate, popcorn, snacks, games, and pictures with Santa. And if they still have the train ride for the younger kids, that’s fun, too.
Lightscape at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens
November 22 through January 5, 2025
The Fort Worth Botanic Gardens transforms with a tunnel of lights along a one-mile path that will dazzle you the whole way through. In its 2nd year, Lightscape returns for a fabulous show stopper with over 1 million holiday lights streaming all around the gardens – AND never-before-seen artistic installations throughout a 1.2-mile-long winding walking trail.
9. New Braunfels, Texas
This year, more holiday lights were added to Texas’ favorite Christmas traditions event!
Santa’s Ranch drive-thru lights display is over a mile long and includes 2.5 million lights, and the 50-foot Christmas Tree will be a sight to see.
While there, look at the German Christmas market and all the German heritage throughout New Braunfels.
November – December 31, 2024
Tickets: Single Pass $37. Season Pass $74 – plus tax & fees.
10. Georgetown, Texas (Central Texas)
Holding the title of The Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas, you know Georgetown will spruce things up for the holidays. My son and I were here a couple of years ago to visit all the top attractions in Georgetown, TX. It was when the city was all lit up for the holidays, and it was gorgeous. It seemed as though all the stores were opened late, too. I remember doing quite a bit of shopping.
11. Christmas in Cuero, Texas
Situated on the Guadalupe River in south-central Texas, the town of Cuero goes all out for Christmas with more than 300 lighted displays at the park, an ice skating rink downtown, and more.
- Christmas in The Park Driving Tour (Cuero City Park) Nov – New Year’s Day 6-10 pm
- Christmas in Downtown (2nd weekend in December) – ice skating rink, petting zoo, horse carriage rides, Christmas Market, Gingerbread bounce house, and more.
- Take a selfie in front of a lighted Rudolph standing beside a 30-foot Christmas tree.
12. Jefferson, Texas (East Texas)
Jefferson was one of the first towns we visited (back in the 90s) to experience a bed and breakfast inn. That’s what the town was known for many years ago. Also, breakfast served in the morning was (and still is) a big bonus at bed and breakfast establishments in town. I can’t remember visiting during the holidays, but Jefferson offers rides on the Christmas Express Train on the Historic Jefferson Railway . See Christmas in Jefferson – I’m sure it’s spectacular.
More places to go in Texas for Christmas festivities on our website:
Holiday Events In Central Texas
Christmas Celebrations In East Texas
Christmas Holiday Events In North Texas
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