Photo Credit: Santa’s Wonderland College Station
Bright lights will be shining at these holiday events in Central Texas.
Central Texas lights up with holiday events. When I think of Central Texas, I first think of College Station (one of my favorite Christmas towns) and that area. But I also realize that the hill country is also in this area. Even though some Central Texas cities and towns are in two different regions, today we are discussing holiday events in Central Texas, including the Texas Hill Country.
Related: Small Texas Towns With Great Food
2021 Santa’s Wonderland – College Station
Holiday Events In Central Texas
While we celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, let’s spread the word about all these festive places to spend the holidays in Central Texas. The Christmas spirit is all around us, and let’s keep Christmas in Merry!
These events are listed in no particular order. I will be added more as I find more.
Related: Ideas For Thanksgiving Week In Texas
1. Santa’s Wonderland – College Station
November 11 – December 30, 2022
With over 4 million lights and thousands of light displays, it’s easy to get all caught up in the holiday spirit. Santa’s Wonderland is genuinely A Texas Christmas Experience in College Station.
Last year was our first time experiencing Christmas in College Station. To see the fun things my son and I did in College Station, not just Santa’s Wonderland, see my article from last year that I wrote for my other website, “My Traveling Roads” – Christmas In College Station. The article is updated for the 2022 holiday season.
Santa’s Wonderland Activities:
- Santa Claus at Santa’s Town
- Santa’s Village
- Trail of Lights featuring over 4 million twinkling lights
- Texas snow (fake, of course)
- Live entertainment
- Shop for holiday gifts
- Indulge in festive food
- Petting zoo
- Outdoor Ice skating
- Horse-drawn carriage rides
- the best funnel cake and hot chocolate around!
2. Holidays In The Park – City Of Manor
December 3, 2022
A big day in the City of Manor (close to Austin) with the jolly ole man in red and Mrs. Claus. See Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus at Timmermann Park and bring your lawn chair for the holiday movie at 7 pm. Also in town is an ice skating rink, train, food vendors, and more. It starts at 10 am—city of Manor on Facebook.
3. Zilker Holiday Tree In Austin
November 27-28, 2022 & December 2, 2022
Zilker Park will light up the park with its 155 feet holiday tree. Several events are happening in the park after Thanksgiving and until the 2nd. Visit Zilker Holiday Tree.
4. The Johnson City Lights Spectacular
November 25 – January 8, 2023
Johnson City will light up its small town with a million lights galore. The Johnson City Lights Spectacular will surely be the place to enjoy the holiday cheer. Look forward to horse-drawn trolley rides & carriage rides.
This is a free event; you’ll want to get there early.
See how two girls explored JC this past summer – Girlfriend Getaway In Johnson City, TX.
5. Santa’s Ranch Drive-Thru Christmas Lights
November 11 – January 1, 2023
New Braunfels will have the most incredible light shows in Texas …they say. Just look for the 50′ Christmas Tree.
6-10 pm nightly (11p on Fri/Sat)
Santa’s Ranch drive-thru lights display is over a mile long and includes 1.5 million lights or more. Just another reason I want to retire in the hill country. There is so much to do for the holidays!
Tickets: Carload $35; VIP $70
6. Georgetown’s 41st Annual Christmas Stroll
December 2-3, 2022
Georgetown isn’t named The Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas for no reason; it truly is gorgeous. But when the holidays roll around, the town square lights up with bright lights, big bows, and lots of red. If you’re lucky to live in, close by, or in town for Thanksgiving, its Annual Lighting of the Town Square will be November 25, 2022, at 5:30.
When we were there during Christmas times a couple of years ago, every square inch was covered in red – red was everywhere, even the trees were all lit up – it was beautiful. I would go back there again during the holidays.
From Austin, Georgetown would make a wonderful evening trip to see the lights. See more of Georgetown’s Special Events.
Credit: THC
7. Christmas Wine Affair
November 28 – December 23
Make it a holly ho ho ho holiday in the Texas Hill Country for the Christmas Wine Affair self-guided tour. A wine trail passport ticket includes a complimentary wine tasting at all the participating wineries. Plan your trip, and don’t forget, you can only visit four (4) wineries a day. But you have almost a whole month to use it. Be sure to check here for the wineries participating and to buy your tickets … then start mapping out your trail.
Related: 12 Hill Country Dance Halls That Are Open
8. Christmas In Fredericksburg
November through New Year’s
We all love small-town Fredericksburg, but it is extra special during the holidays. It’s the time when the town comes together to decorate with its Old World German Christmas traditions for everyone to enjoy. If you’re a Christmas collector, wine lover, or interested in German Heritage, Fredericksburg is a great place to spend the holidays.
Don’t miss the 26-foot tall German Christmas Pyramid and the 30-foot Community Christmas tree.
Holiday happenings in Fredericksburg:
- Evening Christmas Light Show
- Eisbahn Outdoor Ice Skating
- Holiday Tours
- Year-round Christmas Store on Main Street
- Christmas Market at Bankersmith
And you may want to stay for the New Year’s Eve party in Luckenbach. I hear it’s the perfect place to ring in the New Year! Check out Christmas in Fredericksburg.
9. Starry Starry Nights Lighted Christmas Park – Llano
November 25 – December 31, 2022
Badu Park along the Llano River will light up at night.
10. Walkway Of Lights – Marble Falls
November 18 – January 1, 2023
Two million lights will light up over 130 sculptures in Lakeside Park. Kids can see Santa and his elves, and parents can make memories with their kids. This is a free event and is open on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Donations are appreciated.
11. Waco Holiday Events
November 3 – December 24
It looks like Waco is the place for holiday shopping and Christmas cheer.
- Christmas At The Silos
- Waco Wonderland
- Deck The Halls Holiday Market
- Wild Lights At Cameron Zoo
See it all at Waco Heart of Texas / Holidays
12. Old West Christmas Light Fest – Boerne
Celebrate eight years of Christmas Light Fest – a True Texas Holiday at Enchanted Springs Ranch.
Christmas Light Fest is a fully immersive walkthrough holiday festival in a 6-acre Old West town. How fun!!
Credit: Pixabay
13. Jingle Bell Run 5k
December 10, 2022
Photo Credit: Brownwood
14. Holiday Events In Brownwood
Photo Credit: Brownwood
• Christmas Festival
December 3rd, from 9 am to 3 pm
A parade in downtown on December 1st kicks off a weekend of holiday events. The annual Christmas Festival featuring kids’ activities, food and shopping vendors, and Santa Clause will follow on the 3rd.
Photo Credit: Brownwood
• Sipping Under the Stars
Dec 3rd, 5 pm
Send the kids to bed, and the adults can stroll through Brownwood’s historic downtown during the beloved Sipping Under the Stars Festival! Guests will sip samples from local wineries and craft breweries while shopping unique boutiques for Christmas gifts.
• Starry Christmas Nights
15. San Saba
• Sip N’ Stroll
December 10th, from 2-6 pm
The Annual Sip N’ Stroll Wine Tasting is back! Nine Hill Country wineries, including San Saba’s own Wedding Oak Winery, and a handful of craft breweries will be offering tastings and sales as you stroll through the beautifully decorated businesses in downtown San Saba. Receive 10 wine tastings with every ticket purchase. Tickets are $45.
Photo Credit: San Saba
• San Saba Lighted Christmas Parade
December 10th, 6:30 pm
Stick around after Sip N’ Stroll for one of the town’s longest-standing traditions featuring festively garnished floats that loop around the historic San Saba courthouse. A previous favorite is lawnmowers dressed as Christmas trees.
Photo Credit: OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
• Dancing Lights at Mill Pond Park
For more holiday celebrations in Texas:
Christmas Celebrations In East Texas
South Texas Christmas Celebrations
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