Holiday Magic Across the Lone Star State

The holidays in Texas look different in every region — and that variety is part of what makes this season so memorable. From small-town parades to coastal celebrations, light displays, markets, and community traditions, there’s no shortage of ways to experience the holidays across the state.

In this episode of What I Like About Texas, we’re spotlighting a few of these seasonal experiences and talking with destinations who bring their holiday traditions to life. And because there are far more events happening than we could ever cover in one episode, we’ve gathered a full list of holiday events submitted by our members below.

This episode is sponsored by Visit Laredo. Tune in on Podbean or wherever you listen to podcasts!

And if you’re looking to explore a little more this season, our Texas Travel Deals program offers discounted admission to a variety of attractions statewide. Explore all deals here.

Holiday Happenings in Texas:

Abilene

The Winter Lightfest | Nov. 29, Dec. 5 - 7, 12 - 14, 19 - 23, 26 – 27

ArtWalk Christmas Market | Dec. 6

Abilene Zoo Christmas Celebration | December

Info: https://www.abilenevisitors.com/blog/experience-the-magic-of-the-holidays-in-abilene-a-festive-event-guide/

Arlington

Six Flags Over Texas Holidays in the Park | Nov. 23 – Jan. 4

Info: https://www.sixflags.com/overtexas/events/holiday-in-the-park

Bandera

Pancakes with Santa | Every Saturday from Nov. 29-Dec. 20

See Christmas Lights by Carriage in Bandera | Dec. 6, 13, 20, and 27

Annual Christmas Jubilee | Dec. 13

Info: https://www.banderacowboycapital.com/events/december

Bertram

Bertram Country Christmas | Dec. 6

Info: https://www.bertramchamber.com/festivals

Bryan

Downtown Bryan Holiday Stroll and Lighted Parade | December 11

Info: https://www.destinationbryan.com/events/downtown-bryan-holiday-stroll-lighted-parade/

Cedar Hill

Christmas on the Farm at Cedar Hill State Park | Dec. 13

Info: https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/cedar-hill/christmas-on-the-farm

Cleburne

Whistle Stop Christmas | Nov. 24 – Jan. 4

Info: https://www.visitcleburne.com/wschristmas

College Station

Santa’s Wonderland | Nov. 14-30

Tickets: https://www.santas-wonderland.com/

Early

Holly Jolly Tree Trail | Dec. 1 – Jan. 1

Info: https://www.earlytx.net/420/Holly-Jolly-Tree-Trail

Lighting of the Christmas Tree | Dec. 2

Info: https://www.earlytx.net/419/Lighting-of-the-Christmas-Tree

El Paso

Winterfest | Nov. 22 – Jan. 4

Info: https://www.epwinterfest.com/

Ennis

Lights of Ennis Parade, Block Party and Christmas Bluebonnet Market | December 4

Info: https://www.visitennistexas.com/lightsofennis

Lucky CC Car Show | December 6

Info: https://www.visitennistexas.com/events

Galveston

Holiday in the Gardens Festival/Moody Gardens on Galveston Island | Nov. 22 – Jan. 3

Info: https://www.moodygardens.com/holiday-season

The San Luis Resort (Galveston)

Holiday Sip & Shop– Saturdays beginning Nov. 28, 3 – 5 pm

Embrace the festive spirit of the holidays! Every Saturday, guests are invited to sip on a festive cocktail and shop while strolling Style & Trend, AQUA, and Spa San. The Holiday Sip and Shop includes complimentary gift wrapping and a special gift with purchase.

Holiday Evenings in The Promenade –Fridays Nov. 14 – Dec. 20, 5 – 7 pm

Sip, savor, and soak in the holiday ambiance with seasonal cocktails and delectable appetizers in the enchanting Promenade. To RSVP, please visit the Eventbrite.

Shake, Stir & Sip: Mixology Classes– Dec. 13, 7 pm

Experience an immersive mixology class at The San Luis Resort! Our expert mixologists will guide guests through the techniques and secrets behind creating delicious and visually stunning drinks. To book, please visit the Eventbrite.

Christmas Brunch –Dec.25, 11 am – 2 pm

Celebrate the joy of Christmas with family and friends with The San Luis Resort! On Christmas Day, the Grand Ballroom will be transformed into a winter wonderland including a lavish feast, champagne and live entertainment. To purchase tickets, please visit the Eventbrite.

Holiday Afternoon Tea – Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 30- Dec. 21, 3 – 5 pm

It’s teatime! Start a holiday tradition with a Victorian-inspired afternoon tea featuring delicious pastries, savory canapés and decadent desserts paired with hot tea or champagne. Make it extra special for the little ones with Teddy Bear Tea featuring a Christmas Collection Jellycat. To purchase tickets, please visit Eventbrite.

New Year’s Eve Dinner at The Steakhouse- Dec. 31

Cheers to 2026 with a decadent four-course dinner featuring live music all night long in The Steakhouse. Guests at the 10, 10:15 and 10:30PM will receive party favors and a champagne toast. For reservations, please call The Steakhouse at 409.740.8606 or online on Open Table.

New Year’s Eve Speakeasy at San Luis Resort – Wed., Dec. 31, 7pm- 2am

Step back in time and welcome 2026 in roaring 20’s style! Enjoy live music by Password Band, a five-course Steakhouse dinner with wine service, deluxe full bar, and a midnight champagne toast. Guests will also receive festive party favors and enjoy individually reserved tables. To purchase tickets, please visit the Eventbrite.

Hilton New Year’s Eve Celebration – Wed., Dec. 31

Ring in 2026 at the Hilton Galveston Island Resort! Guests are invited to enjoy live music by Level One Band, a festive dinner buffet, open bar, midnight champagne toast, balloon drop, and photo booth fun. To purchase tickets, please visit the Eventbrite.

Holiday Inn Resort Galveston New Year’s Eve Party – Wed., Dec. 31

Cheers to 2026 with an unforgettable night of music, dancing, and celebration at the Holiday Inn Resort Galveston! Tracy Perez will take guests on a musical journey through the decades, plus guests receive a welcome cocktail, hors d’oeuvres, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight. To purchase tickets, please visit the Eventbrite.

Holiday Spice & Vanilla Bliss Spa Feature

Melt away the chill of the season with a decadent escape this winter inspired by the rich, comforting flavors of bananas foster. The Deluxe Banana Foster treatment includes banana and turmeric extract wrap or sea salt exfoliation along with a relaxing 50-min massage. For those wanting something more decadent, the Ultimate Banana Foster package includes a banana and turmeric extract wrap, sea salt exfoliation, and a purely relaxing massage along with access to the Cove. To book treatments, please call 409.740.8603 or visit the website.

Garland

Texas Tamales: Wrapped in Tradition | Oct. 11 – Jan. 3

Info: https://www.visitgarlandtx.com/Tamale-Trail

Garland Square on Ice | Nov. 28- Jan. 3

Info: https://www.visitgarlandtx.com/garland-square-on-ice

Giddings

Sip & Shop Christmas Market | Nov. 23

Info: https://business.giddingstx.com/event-calendar/Details/sip-shop-christmas-market-1251874?sourceTypeId=Website

Grand Prairie

Prairie Lights | Nov. 27 – Dec.31

Info: https://prairielights.org/

Main Street Magic | Dec. 4-22

Info: www.visitgrandprairietx.com/holiday

Tianyu Lights Festival | Nov. 7 – Jan. 18

Info: https://tianyuculture.us/dallas

Greenville

Kadee Farm Christmas Tree Season | Nov. 21 – Dec. 14

Info: https://www.kadeefarm.com/

Park Street Historical Association presents 2025 Christmas Wagon Rides | Dec. 12, 13, 19, and 20

Info: https://parkstreetgreenville.org/

Gruene/New Braunfels

Holidays in Gruene - Sip-N-Shop | November 6

Holidays in Gruene - Photos with Cowboy Kringle | Nov. 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 28-30 and Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21

Holidays in Gruene- Come and Taste It- Wurst Edition | Nov. 13

Holidays in Gruene – Old Gruene Market Days and Photos with Cowboy Kringle | Nov. 15-16

Ice Skating in Gruene | Nov. 15 – Jan. 4

Downtown Lighting & Santa's Arrival | Nov. 21

Weihnachtsmarkt | November 21-23

Wassailfest | Dec. 4

Annual Gruene Pony Express Ride | Dec. 6

Gruene Town Lighting | Dec. 6

Info: https://www.gruenetexas.com/annual-events/

Kemah

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting | Dec. 4, 6-8 pm

Jingle on the Boardwalk | Weekends in December

Merry Markets | Dec. 6, 13, and 20

Info: https://discoverkemah.com/

Kilgore

A Very Derrick Christmas | Dec. 13

Info: https://visitkilgore.com/christmasunderthestars/

League City

Holiday in the Park | Dec. 5-7

Info: https://visitleaguecity.com/winter-wonder/

Lufkin

Lighting of Rudolph the Pumping Jack | Dec. 5

Lufkin’s Lighted Christmas Parade | Dec. 6

Info: https://www.visitlufkin.com/

Marble Falls

Walkway of Lights | Nov. 21-Jan. 3

Winter Ice Rink | Nov. 21-Jan. 3

Merry & Pink | Nov. 21

Info: https://visitmarblefalls.org/christmas-season/

Nacogdoches

Wassail Fest in Downtown Nacogdoches | Nov. 29

Info: https://www.visitnacogdoches.org/events

Nine Flags Christmas Festival/Parade in Downtown Nacogdoches | Dec. 6

Info: https://www.visitnacogdoches.org/nine-flags-christmas-festival

New Braunfels

Natural Bridge Caverns - Christmas at the Caverns | December 6,7,13,14,19-23

Info: https://naturalbridgecaverns.com/christmas/

Santa’s Ranch | Nov. 10 – Jan 4

Info: https://santasranch.com/

Pearland
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Nov. 29
Hometown Christmas Lights | Dec. 1
Hometown Christmas Festival | Dec. 5
Hometown Christmas Parade | Dec. 6
Old Pearland Holiday Farmers Market | Dec. 6, 20
Big Love Santa Dash | Dec. 7
Christmas Toy Drive and Concert - Saloon Door West | Dec. 13
Tour De Lights | Dec. 13
Festival of Lights | Dec. 13-23
Info: https://visitpearland.com/events

Plano

Lights on the Farm | Nov. 28-Dec. 28

Lights at Legacy | Nov. 23

Dickens in Downtown Plano | Dec. 6

Info: https://www.visitplano.com/plano-holiday-event-guide-2025/

Rockport

Tropical Christmas | Dec. 5-6

Info: https://rockporttx.gov/844/Rockport-Tropical-Christmas-Festival

San Antonio

Holiday Sights and Festive Lights - Old Town Trolley Tours of San Antonio | Nov. 30 – Jan. 3

Info: https://www.trolleytours.com/san-antonio/christmas-holiday-tours

SeaWorld San Antonio Christmas Celebration | Nov. 13 – Jan. 4

Info: https://seaworld.com/san-antonio/events/christmas/

San Antonio Zoo Lights | Nov. 15 – Jan. 4

Info: https://sazoo.org/sitewrench-calendar/san-antonio-zoo/?swwpc_calendar_id=839&swwpc_event_id=4689448&swwpc_event_date=2025-11-15

Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ Holiday in the Park | Nov. 22 – Dec. 23

Info: https://www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas/events/holiday-in-the-park

San Marcos

Sights & Sounds of Christmas | Dec. 4-6, 11-13

Info: https://www.visitsanmarcos.com/events/annual-events-and-festivals/sights-sounds/

Sealy

Sealy’s 39th Annual Fantasy of Lights Celebration – “A Wishful Christmas” | Dec. 4-6

Info: https://discoversealy.com/

South Padre Island

Tree Lighting Ceremony | Dec. 4

SPI Christmas Street Parade | Dec. 5

Lighted Boat Parade | Dec. 6

Winter Wonderland at The Green | Dec. 6

Breakfast with Santa | Dec. 7

Info: https://visitsouthpadreisland.com/events/

Sugarland

Sugar Land Holiday Lights | Nov. 21 – Jan. 4

Info: https://www.sugarlandholidaylights.com/

Christmas Tree Lighting | Dec. 5

Info: https://www.sugarlandtx.gov/918/Christmas-Tree-Lighting

The Woodlands

Holiday on The Waterway | Nov. 22-Jan. 4

Info: https://www.visitthewoodlands.com/events/holiday/waterway-lights/

Texas Historical Commission Events

Cooking Class: Fig Pudding at Magoffin Home State Historic Site in El Paso | Dec. 6

2nd Annual Ornament Workshop at Bush Family Home State Historic Site in Midland | Dec. 6

Roots of Refreshment: Eggnog at Levi Jordan Plantation State Historic Site in Brazoria | Dec. 6

Step Back Saturdays: Holiday Cheer at the Starrs at the Starr Family Home State Historic Site in Marshall | Dec. 6

Victorian Christmas Open House at Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight Ranch State Historic Site in Clarendon

Victorian Christmas at Fulton Mansion State Historic Site in Rockport | Dec. 11

Trail of Lights at the Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites in La Grange | Dec. 12, 13, 17-23

Christmas at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site in San Felipe | Dec. 13

Candlelight Christmas at Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site in West Columbia | Dec. 13

Exploring Holiday Spices at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site in San Felipe | Dec. 20

Kids Cooking Class: Christmas Sugar Cookies at Magoffin Home State Historic Site in El Paso | Dec. 20

Info: https://thc.texas.gov/events