Where to Spend Christmas in Texas

There’s something truly magical about visiting small towns during Christmas in Texas. Bursting with holiday spirit, festive events, twinkling lights, and a welcoming charm makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a Christmas movie. While spending my first Christmas in Texas, I quickly realized that there are holiday events all over the state. Between the charming small towns and big cities, there are so many different events happening to get anyone in the Christmas spirit.

Christmas Events in Small Texas Towns

Small Christmas towns throughout Texas brings out the best of the holiday season, including German Christmas markets, Victorian candlelight tours and sometimes events with a Texas cowboy flair. If you’re looking to celebrate the season in a way that feels intimate, nostalgic, and joy-filled, here are some small towns in Texas that truly know how to spread holiday cheer.

Grapevine

• Gaylord Texan (Nov. 15- Jan. 1) When it comes to spending time in small Christmas towns, Grapevine has so much to offer. The beautiful Gaylord hotel has entertainment like: ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Cirque: Spirit of Christmas. Guest can also enjoy ice tubing, ice skating, a gingerbread decorating corner, photos with Santa, a Christmas carousel and more. Make the holiday season memorable with a Gaylord Texan Christmas.
• Grapevine Christmas Market (Nov. 30, Dec. 1 & Dec. 7- Dec. 23) Free event on Historic Main Street to find unique handcrafted gifts while shopping local.
• Carol of Lights (Nov 25) Free event in Historic downtown with the traditional street lighting, food trucks, artisan market, live music and more.
• Ice Rink at Peace Plaza (Nov. 22- Jan. 7) An outside skating rink near a 60-foot Christmas tree.
• Merry and Bright Christmas Drone Show (Dec. 9) A 10-minute show with 400 drones that creates Christmas themed designs over Historic Main Street.
• Parade of Lights (Dec. 5) The 45th Annual Parade with the largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas.
• Christmas Wine Train (Dec. 11- Dec. 12) One of the most popular Christmas events in the area. Be sure to book ahead of time because the train becomes full quickly. Sip on delicious wine, enjoy sweet and savory snacks, dessert and a souvenir wine glass as you travel aboard inside a vintage railroad coach. Adult only event.

Fredericksburg

• Historic Home Tour (Nov. 23) Self-guide yourself to 7 historic homes charmingly decorated for Christmas. Includes hors d’ouvres, champagne and entertainment.
• Fredericksburg Christmas Market (Dec. 7) Located at Grapetown Vineyard & Farm. Includes vendors, Christmas tree competition and lighting, live music, German food along with Santa and his reindeer.
• Outdoor Ice Skating (Nov. 23- Jan. 5) Outdoor ice skating at Marktplatz.
• Fredericksburg’s Christmas Nights of Lights (Nov. 26- Jan. 6) When celebrating Christmas in Texas, you’ll find a mix of German Christmas traditions. Visitors will enjoy carols and a countdown to the lighting of Marktplatz. Be sure to see the downtown Christmas tree and large German Christmas Pyramid in town that was made in Germany.
• Night of the Light Parade (Dec. 6) An evening parade down main street that has had more than 26,000 people attend in past years. This event is perfect for those looking to celebrate Christmas in Fredericksburg, Texas.
• Kinderfest (Dec. 7) This free event located at the Pioneer Museum is perfect for kids looking to celebrate Christmas in Fredericksburg, Texas. German Christmas tradition for kids 10 and younger can hang stockings on a fireplace. Kids can enjoy music, story time, crafts and refreshments and Santa.
• Second Christmas (Zweite Weihnachten) (Dec. 26) A free event with food, drinks and music. Traditional baked Stollen and warm Gluhwein with carols in German and English.

Georgetown

• Georgetown Palace Theatre (Nov. 22- Dec. 29) This year, the historical theatre on the Georgetown Square will be showing the famous “White Christmas” play on the Springer Stage. For a smaller and intimate stage, the Playhouse Theatre is showing “Dickens’ Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts.”
• Lighting of the Tree (Nov 29) This free event with carolers and Santa makes Georgetown one of the best Christmas towns in Texas to visit. Enjoy a countdown of lighting the tree along with the Georgetown Square with all the neighbors in the community. Food and drink vendors are available around the square.
• Christmas Stroll (Dec 6- Dec 8) Located on the Georgetown Square, this free event has 150 artisan vendors with crafts, clothing, jewelry and more. You’ll enjoy live music and performers throughout the event. Saturday morning will have a parade, and Sunday hosts a classic car show. There’s typically a little Bethlehem village with characters dressed up and making different crafts.

Johnson City

• Lights Spectacular (Nov. 29- Jan. 5) A free holiday lights display with 2 million lights that NASA has actually seen from space. The town is known for being “The Twinkliest Town in Texas.” Enjoy local food, beer, wine and festivities. While visiting Christmas towns in Texas, be sure to stop by Johnson City.

College Station

• Santa’s Wonderland (Nov. 15- Dec. 30) Experience the World’s Largest Christmas Park in College Station. There are millions of lights, real snow and ice, and tons to entertain. Meet Santa, go snow tubing, train rides, live entertainment and much more. Don’t miss the pony rides and petting zoo and also the horse and carriage ride.
• Christmas at the Tree Farm (Nov. 14- Dec. 31) Enjoy a drive thru light trail and then grab a snack or hot chocolate. Guests can also take a hayride to see Christmas Town and the Light Trail. Don’t miss out on seeing Santa, riding the zip line, making s’mores, play yard games and make Christmas crafts.
• Christmas in the Park (Nov. 28- Jan. 1) With more than 1 million lights, guests can enjoy the display the night of Thanksgiving Day. On Dec. 6 & 7 there will be a free weekend event with a parade, hayrides, cookies, local singing and dancing and visits from Santa.
• Jingle Bell Market (Nov. 17) The perfect time to shop local before Christmas with over 30 vendors.
• Howdy Holly Days (Dec. 14) A free event with snow, live music, over 50 vendors and kid activities.
• Gingerbread Build-Off (Dec. 10) Watch as architects and engineers build their very best and impressive gingerbread houses for everyone to see.

Marshall

• Wonderland of Lights (Nov. 29- Dec. 26, Thurs- Sun) Enjoy Santa’s Village with crafts, face painting, wagon rides and carriage rides. Don’t miss out on the carousel and ice skating.
• Winter Festival and Trail of Lights at Piney Park (Nov. 15 &16, Nov. 22- Dec. 31) While seeing thousands of Christmas lights, enjoy food trucks, light maze, barrel train rides, piney peak slides and shooting cannons.

Grand Prairie

• Prairie Lights (Nov. 28- Dec. 31) Tour the holiday light park with a light tunnel, walk-thru forest and light displays. There are also carnival rides, Santa and shopping all for guests to enjoy.
• Tianyu Lights Festival (Nov 8- Jan. 19) Walk through a magical forest that displays luminous art installations through a whimsical wonderland. This is a great event to attend, even if you’re not really into Christmas. Guests can also enjoy food and drinks at the Food Court with live music and dancing performances.

Galveston

• Holiday in the Gardens at Moody Gardens (Nov. 23- Jan 1) Enjoy a specular time celebrating the holiday season on the coast at Moody Gardens. You’ll find a festival of lights, an ice-skating rink, holiday 3D films, artic slide and train rides. There’s also hotel packages and holiday parties if you’d like to make it an overnight trip.
• Polar Express Train Ride at Railroad Museum (Nov. 8- Dec. 23) Choose a Standard, Deluxe or Premium-class seating to enjoy a full immersive experience to the Polar Express with Santa himself. Allow 2 hours for the full experience. Book your tickets as soon as possible.
• Dickens on the Strand (Dec. 6- Dec. 8) The Galveston Historical Foundation is presenting their 51st annual program with live entertainment based on 19th century Victorian London. Guests will enjoy a parade, 4 stages with entertainment and characters dressed up in Victorian clothes. Enjoy holiday drinks and food with crafts, clothing, jewelry and more.
• Christmas Lighting at Grand Galvez (Nov. 24) This traditional celebration of lighting the 35-foot Christmas tree takes place in front of the Grand Galvez hotel. You can also expect a visit from Santa, performances by the Galveston Ballet and Galveston Symphony Brass Ensemble.

Wimberly

• Trail of Lights (Nov 30- Dec. 26) Free event where donations are accepted. Become dazzled by thousands of twinkling lights as you make your way down the 8 acres of walking trails.
• Barnabas Toy Drive Parade with Downtown Tree Lighting (Nov. 29 & Nov. 30) Kickoff the holiday season with a lighting of the Christmas tree along with vendors and Santa.
• Holiday Bazaar and Cup of Cheer Crawl (Dec. 14) Get your last-minute holiday shopping done while supporting local businesses at the Community Center. Downtown Wimberly will celebrate their traditional “Cup of Cheer Competition” where you can taste the best local warm holiday drinks.

Boerne

• Old West Christmas Light Fest (Nov. 29- Dec. 1, Dec. 6-8, Dec. 13-23) Old West Christmas Light Fest is a Texas holiday celebration with festive holiday music and photos with Santa. With family-friendly activities, live music, millions of twinkling lights, s’mores, a petting zoo, and more with a holiday Texas theme.

Enjoy Christmas in Texas’ Big Cities

Austin

Click the link for a list of Christmas tree lighting celebrations in and around Austin.

• Trail of Lights (Dec. 10- Dec. 23) The Trail of Lights is the most well-known celebration of Christmas in Austin. If you’re looking for the ultimate place to see Christmas lights in Austin, Texas the trail of lights features 2 million lights, 90 lighted trees, lighted tunnels and 70 displays.
• Mozart’s Coffee Seeing the light show at Mozart’s Coffee is an Austin Christmas tradition. Prepared to be amazing with all the surround lights synchronized to music next to a beautiful view of Lake Austin. Guests will enjoy performances and hot chocolate with desserts. Tickets book up fast.
• Holiday Sing Along and Stroll (Dec. 7) Located near Congress Avenue between 8th and 11th Street, guests can enjoy the tree lighting, vendors, food trucks, Santa and carolers.
• Miracle on 5th Street (Nov. 15- Dec. 29) Book your tickets to enjoy Christmas with the best holiday cocktails in Austin. Several bars have transformed their space into the ultimate nostalgic setting to really bring the Christmas cheer.
• Peppermint Parkway (Nov. 29- Dec. 30) A drive thru experience on the F1 track to see some of the best Christmas lights in Austin, Texas. After the mile drive to see the lights, expect to see dancing characters and a plaza with food, rides and activities.
• Armadillo Christmas Bazaar (Dec. 14- Dec. 23) At the Palmer Events Center, visitors may purchase art, music and more. Austinites look forward to this event that has been supporting local businesses since 1976.
• Maywald Christmas Display (Nov. 28- Dec. 27) A Christmas light display in Austin with over 350,000 lights. Winners of the TV show, the “Christmas Light Fight” in 2019, the family puts on the Christmas display to raise money for “Make a Wish Foundation.”

San Antonio

• Christmas in the Caverns (Dec. 7-8, Dec. 14-15, Dec. 20-23) Natural Bridge Caverns puts on a marvelous display with a 30-foot Christmas tree and entertainment throughout the property. Enjoy 1/3 mile of walking trail surrounded by lights and a 5,000 sq foot outdoor maze with a reindeer theme. Don’t miss the live music, s’mores with skating and games for kids. One of the highlights about this event is Caroling in the Caverns Tour with professional singers. Make sure you stop by to say hi to Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
• Ford Holiday River Parade (Nov. 29) One of the biggest traditions in San Antonio, the Holiday River Parade guarantees to bring the Christmas spirit to everyone who attends. With 27 illuminated floats and 100,000 holiday lights is a spectacular a nostalgic event.
• Zoo lights (Nov 16- Dec. 31) Not only do you get to see exotic zoo animals, but an incredible display of lights for Christmas in San Antonio, Texas. Visitors will see dazzling displays that are whimsical with several different themes throughout the grounds.
• Riverwalk Christmas Lights (Nov. 30- Jan. 5) If you’re not able to go to the river parade, there’s still plenty of time to view the holiday lights. Visitors to San Antonio can take a leisurely walk next to the Riverwalk and enjoy the light display for free. The riverwalk has plenty of stores, restaurants and hotels to spend your day exploring before the night transforms it with over 100,000 lights.
• Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias (Dec 6-9, Dec. 13-15, Dec. 20-22) Enjoy the festive San Antonio River Walk, with holiday lights and the peaceful glow of 2,000 luminarias (Christmas lanterns). The lanterns are small bags with a candle inside that light your path as you experience the holiday magic of the riverwalk.

Dallas

• Holiday at the Arboretum (Nov. 13- Jan. 5) The garden at the arboretum is one of the best ways to celebrate the holidays and see Christmas lights in Dallas Texas. The grounds are completely transformed for the holidays with a Christmas Village and several displays for the 12 Days of Christmas. There are also Christmas exhibits in the historic DeGolyer House. While spending Christmas in Texas, be sure to visit the arboretum.
• Tomball German Festivals: Christmas Market (Dec. 13-15) This free event in Tomball, Texas is one that pays tribute to the strong German culture in Texas. Visitors can enjoy over 30 entertainers on 4 stages and 150 street vendors.
• Dallas Holiday Parade (Dec. 7) Thousands of Texans gather for this massive outdoor event. Celebrate Christmas in Dallas, Texas while watching local bands playing festive music and larger than life Christmas balloons.

Houston

• Magical Winter Lights (Nov. 28- Jan. 1) The most over the top, spectacular and can’t miss event in all of Texas is the Magical Winter Lights in Houston. If you’re looking for Christmas lights in Houston, Texas this event you’ll see lights and over 60 large lantern displays. There’s also a space maze, Dino Land and even a Ferris wheel.
• Discovery Green Ice Rink (Nov. 15- Feb. 2) Enjoy the holiday lights while you skate in the outdoor rink in downtown, Houston. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Christmas in Texas.
• Feztival of Trees: Christmas Market (Nov. 22- Dec. 1) A festive Christmas market with dozens of uniquly decorated and themed Christmas trees. Shop for gifts, enjoy holiday food and entertainment.
• Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston (Nov. 16- Jan. 5) Enjoy this space-themed holiday light show and Christmas lights in Houston, Texas.