Texas is home to some of the most charming Christmas towns in the country.
Texas offers countless festive destinations to explore during the Christmas season. According to one of my favorite magazines, the internet, research, and a few other sources, these Texas towns made our 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!
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! Grab the whole family and explore these charming Christmas towns.
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 Texas towns are in no particular order.
1. Marshall, Texas
Holiday festivities start in November
Marshall, which has spread holiday cheer since 1987, will shine all season long 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.
Christmastime will be magical with a trip to Marshall’s annual Wonderland of Lights celebration.
2. Grapevine – The Christmas Capital of 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 take place in November.
- Annual Merry & Bright Drone Shows: Dec at 7 pm on Historic Main Street. Get there early for a good spot!
- December Annual Parade of Lights – 7 pm.
• Gaylord Texan – ice! – 2026 Harry Potter
Use Coupon Code TRAVELING for a discount on ICE! Tickets. Christmas at Gaylord Texan. NO Blackout Dates this year.
• 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.
Check out other Christmas holiday events in North Texas around Grapevine. Some events are family-friendly, while some are dog-friendly.
3. College Station
Christmas in College Station, TX, is a magical time for the whole family. The Christmas season is top-notch.
Santa’s Wonderland is fantastic, and you can see the holiday lights from the highway. It’s a major event with plenty of attractions. If you plan to ice skate and do all the activities, expect to stay at least 6 hours. It’s like a winter wonderland. Put a cup of hot cocoa in one hand and a drumstick in the other, and have fun!
I suggest waiting in line (there will be one) to ride the hayride through the light displays, since many will have you oohing and awing the entire way. I took so many pictures and didn’t even use them. Avoid the mistake of taking too many 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, and it’s worth the drive!
4. Johnson City
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 of November through January 1, from 6 p.m. to midnight.
5. Fredericksburg, Texas
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 wineries around every corner, and Main Street stores and boutiques 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 host a party bash with dancing and live music.
6. Christmas in Historic Columbus, Texas
Columbus is home to the Santa Claus Museum. Travelers come from miles away to visit. 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 hosting a Ladies Night Out in December from 4:00 to 9:00 pm, with events downtown and throughout the city.
7. Christmas in Granbury
The Granbury Country Christmas Petting Farm, from the gorgeous holiday lights lit up all over town to this latest event, Granbury will be the place for the holidays! The Christmas Petting Farm opens Friday with the Night of Lights Christmas Parade and will be available every weekend through mid-December at Granbury Square Plaza.
8. Fort Worth, Texas
The holidays in Fort Worth, Texas, bring families together to celebrate the season. From November through January, attractions, events, and activities keep you busy.
9. New Braunfels
This year, Texas’s favorite Christmas traditions event added more holiday lights!
Santa’s Ranch drive-thru lights display stretches over a mile and features 2.5 million lights, plus a 50-foot Christmas tree.
While there, visit the German Christmas market and explore German heritage throughout New Braunfels.
November – December 31
Tickets: Single Pass $37. Season Pass $74 – plus tax & fees.
10. Georgetown, Texas
Holding the title of the Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas, Georgetown will spruce things up for the holidays. My son and I visited Georgetown, TX, a couple of years ago to explore all the top attractions. It was during the city’s holiday season, when everything was lit up and gorgeous. It seemed as though all the stores were open late, too. I remember doing quite a bit of shopping.
11. Christmas in Cuero
Situated on the Guadalupe River in south-central Texas, Cuero goes all out for Christmas with more than 300 lighted displays at the park, a downtown ice skating rink, 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 (above).
12. Jefferson
Jefferson was one of the first towns we visited (back in the 90s), and we stayed at a bed-and-breakfast. That’s what the town was known for back then. Also, breakfast served in the morning was (and still is) a big bonus at bed-and-breakfast establishments in town. I don’t recall visiting during the holidays, but Jefferson offers rides on the Historic Jefferson Railway’s Christmas Express Train. See Christmas in Jefferson — I’m sure it’s spectacular.
More places to go in Texas for Christmas festivities are below:
Holiday Events In Central Texas
Christmas Celebrations In East Texas
Christmas Holiday Events In North Texas
PIN IT!
Leave a Reply