For a Hallmark feel, spend Christmas in Fredericksburg, Texas this year!
Christmas in Fredericksburg promises to be quite the experience, especially if it’s your first visit. The top things to do in Fredericksburg for the holidays will include merriment, Christmas wonder for the kids, and many family memories. Known for its mix of German heritage, renowned boutiques, art galleries, award-winning wineries, and, most of all, its Texas hospitality, Fredericksburg puts on extra love this time of year.
With a population of only 11,631, the whole town comes together for all the festivities, and locals love their town as much as travelers love to visit. It’s a close-knit town, and I like that.
The town of Fredericksburg draws many visitors for so many different reasons. It wasn’t voted the most picturesque small town in America for nothing. Downtown Main Street is a big draw for visitors because of the shopping scene. The street is lined with boutiques, wineries & breweries, and restaurants. You could seriously spend all day just on that main street in town. But don’t overlook the side streets, because you may miss something.
BUT …during the holidays, the town lights up, which is 100% a Hallmark feel. Experience an old-world Christmas in the Historic Texas Hill Country small town, and check out this list of how to spend a wonderful Christmas in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Photo Credit: Jason Risner
Things To Do In Fredericksburg For The Holidays
Wine and shopping are undoubtedly the main reasons people visit Fredericksburg – that and hiking Enchanted Rock. But during the holidays, from November to New Year’s, the town comes together with its holiday flair and combines wine and Old World German Christmas traditions for the whole family to enjoy.
I just returned from Fredericksburg in September (2023), but I’ll make it for Christmas one day. The German Christmas pyramid, complete with moving wooden figures, a spinning windmill, and the 30-foot Christmas tree, is a site to see. When I was there, we got to see where the tree would be set up, and our tour guide talked highly of it and all the festivities that happen during the holidays. Their website shows Fredericksburg’s Christmas season could be a holiday Hallmark movie. Now that’s worth visiting.
Full disclosure: I’ve been to Fredericksburg many times, but I’ve never been during the holidays. I got some research done while I was there in September, and most of these photos are from Fredericksburg. Nonetheless, it’s a fabulous place to spend the holidays, and I’m hopefully going in December of this year!
Here Are The Top Things To Do In Fredericksburg For The Holidays
Photo Credit: Trish Rawls
• Fredericksburg’s Christmas Nights Of Lights
November 21, 2023, – January 7, 2024
Holiday Music plays in town from 5-6:30.
Address: 100 block of W. Main.
Start the festivities at the Marktplatz with Fredericksburg Christmas Nights of Lights, which happens every night at 6 p.m. with a 10-minute audio presentation of traditional holiday music of the Community Christmas Tree and German Christmas Pyramid.
Photo Credit: Trish Rawls
• Light The Night Christmas Parade
First Friday in December, 6:30–8 p.m.
Fredericksburg’s Parade and Nonprofit Afterglow Market will stroll the city’s historic Main Street, between Washington and Bowie streets, on Friday, December 1 at 6:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and pick your spot!
It’s a free event, but you can buy bleacher tickets for $25.
Photo Credit: Trish Rawls
• Eisbahn Outdoor Ice Skating
November 18, 2023, through January 3, 2024
Address: Marktplatz Downtown Fredericksburg at 126 W. Main Street
Grab the family for a round of ice skating and Christmas music sponsored by Eisbahn Heritage School every day until after the New Year (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day). Locals and visitors make their way here for family traditions year after year. Every worker is a volunteer from the school, and the event raises funds to help out local charities.
Tickets: $15 (includes skate rental), Tuesday $10.
• Holiday Tours With Fredericksburg Tours
November – January 2024
There are three fun holiday tours to book on the red vintage-style Jolly Trolley.
- Jolly Trolley – from $20
- Holiday Evening Food & Wine Tour – from $259
- Holiday Food & Wine Walking Tour – from $129
Don’t worry, the trolley is heated, but you’ll want to dress in layers.
Photo Credit: Trish Rawls
• A Christmas Journey – Bethany Lutheran Church
Second Weekend In December
A Christmas Journey drive-thru is free, but donations are welcome. 100% of Donations go to the Fredericksburg Food Pantry. The website shows 2022 dates, so check back here to see if it’s been updated.
Photo Credit: Trish Rawls
• Fredericksburg Trade Days Thanksgiving Show
Thanksgiving Weekend
Fredericksburg Trade Days happens twice in November – one is its original weekend, and the other is its holiday market on Thanksgiving weekend. I’ve been here in the summer months, and every time, I leave with a car full of goodies.
On my previous visit, they told me the holiday market is filled with old and new holiday decor and gift-giving ideas. You’ll take the largest vehicle you have just in case you find a good deal, like a life-size Santa! Ha! Not really, but if you love antiques and handmade holiday gifts, I’d take your advice!
The Fredericksburg Trade Days are held every 3rd weekend of each month with over 350 vendors.
Tickets: $5 to park.
• The Peddler Show – Fredericksburg
Thanksgiving Weekend
The Peddler Show has been coming to The Gillespie County Fairgrounds in Fredericksburg for over 40 years on Thanksgiving weekend.
Talented designers, artisans, creators, and craftsmen from all over the country will fill up three buildings with holiday decor and gifts. I always go for a holiday candle for my coffee table and one new ornament for the tree.
Address: 530 Fair Dr., Fredericksburg
Tickets: $10 GA, $25 VIP, and free parking
Becker Vineyards – Photo Credit: Jason Risner
• Experience The Christmas Wine Affair
November 27 – December 22, 2023
The Texas Hill Country wineries come together to host the Texas Wine Trail Christmas Wine Affair. Dress in your holiday outfit (blue jeans are very appropriate in Fredericksburg) and get all festive for a holly jolly time siping and sampling award-winning wines at various wineries across several towns in the Hill Country.
You can get a wine passport online at Texas Hill Country Wineries and get ready to experience a fun time on a self-guided tour. There are some rules, so be sure to read them.
Fredericksburg typically has at least 12+ wineries participating.
• See Plaid Tidings At The Fredericksburg Theater
December 8-17, 2023
The Fredericksburg Theater Company proudly presents a classic holiday we all love and adore – Plaid Tidings The Musical. It’s the holiday edition of Forever Plaid.
Tickets go on sale on November 27.
Photo Credit: Trisha Rawls
• Luckenbach, TX New Year’s Eve Dance
December 31, 2023, from 8–11:45 pm.
Extend your trip into 2024 and ring in the New Year cowboy style at Luckenbach Texas Dancehall with headliner Kin Faux & Thomas Michael Riley.
Tickets: General admission is $45. VIP Table – $600 (6 seats). Please purchase your tickets early because they sell out every year.
Complete your itinerary with these best things to do in Fredericksburg for the holidays. There’s nothing quite like a Texas Christmas in the Texas Hill Country.
PIN IT!
Photo Credit: Jason Risner