It is no secret that everything is bigger in Texas. I mean, Texas is a big state with big food portions, big personality, and big Southern hospitality. Well, that slogan rings true when it comes to celebrating the holidays in Texas also.
While you probably won’t find snow in the Lone Star State during the holiday season, I can guarantee you will find loads of festive towns to celebrate the holidays in Texas! These Texas towns go all out to ring in the holidays. We are talking about thousands of twinkling lights, tons of festive events, and loads of Southern charm!
As a native Texan, I have been celebrating the holidays in Texas my entire life. Every year, we explore the small towns and big cities looking for the best holiday events, and now I am sharing that information with you!
So grab your bags and start planning a trip to these festive Texas towns to celebrate the holidays!
1. Grapevine
Known as “The Christmas Capital of Texas,” Grapevine definitely delivers on holiday activities. Boasting over 40 days of holiday events, there is something for everyone when it comes to celebrating the holidays in this Texas town!
Grapevine gets everyone in the holiday spirit by decorating the town to the nines during the holiday season. Not only is the city draped in millions of sparkling lights, but there are also huge decorations, interactive exhibits, animated characters, numerous Christmas trees, and much more. Walking down Grapevine’s historic Main Street during the holiday season makes you feel as though you have been transported to a holiday wonderland.
Families won’t want to miss the annual North Pole Express that takes place on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, and adults will definitely want to book a ride on the Christmas wine trains!
Another of the star attractions in Grapevine during the holiday season is ICE! at The Gaylord Texan Hotel. ICE! showcases over two million pounds of ice that have been expertly sculptured into incredible works of art. (This is one of my absolute favorite holiday events in Grapevine, Texas!)
In addition to all of this, you can also catch Christmas-themed movies and live productions, see the lighted Christmas Parade, and have plenty of opportunities to get your photos with Santa. One visit and I think you will agree that Grapevine really is “The Christmas Capital of Texas!”
View the complete list of festivities and get more information here.
Pro Tip: There are loads of activities happening during the holiday season in Grapevine. This means that the weekends are very crowded. Plan to visit during the week if possible if you want to avoid the crowds.
2. Wimberley
The artsy community of Wimberley is fabulous to visit any time of year, but it is especially wonderful during the holiday season thanks to the Wimberley Trail of Lights.
The annual Wimberley Trail of Lights takes place at the Emily Ann Theater & Gardens and kicks off with the annual tree lighting ceremony. Visitors are invited to walk through 6 acres of lights celebrating the holiday season. The best part: The Trail of Lights is completely free to enjoy!
As you walk through the Trail of Lights, you will notice that each display is sponsored by a local business or family, making each a unique and fun tribute to the holiday season. I especially love the diversity of the displays. Visitors can enjoy tributes to Ramadan, Christmas, Hanukkah, and more.
It is important to note that the Wimberley Trail of Lights is on natural terrain and is not wheelchair accessible. However, they do offer golf carts for those who need assistance navigating the trail.
Pro Tip: There is a fire pit (called the Yule Log) that burns if weather permits. This is the perfect place to make s’mores and enjoy a little snack during your visit.
3. Austin
Austin should definitely be on your list of towns to celebrate the holidays in Texas. Of course, there are always loads of things to do in Austin, but there is just something magical about being in the city during the holidays.
Austin offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy dazzling light displays, fabulous shopping markets, live holiday performances, and festive menus during the holiday season. There are so many holiday events in Austin that you could easily stay busy for weeks.
If holiday lights are what you desire, then Austin definitely has you covered. Take a drive through the Circuit of the Americas to experience Peppermint Parkway, an awesome drive-thru holiday light experience, or head to Zilker Park to experience the Austin Trail of Lights.
Austin also offers up several live holiday performances to choose from this time of year. The Austin Ballet presents The Nutcracker every year, and the Austin Symphony Orchestra showcases their holiday classic, Handel’s Messiah.
One of the main things that I love about Austin during the holiday season is the special menus and holiday-themed bars that can be found throughout the city. Of course, most of the hotels in the area are all decked out in their holiday best as well, only adding to the festivities.
For a complete listing of holiday events in Austin, please check out the Visit Austin website.
4. San Antonio
San Antonio is one of those Texas towns that is festive any time of year. From the colorful Riverwalk to the fun theme parks, San Antonio is always brimming with excitement. While that is true, I am here to tell you that San Antonio shines even brighter during the holiday season!
Holiday festivities in this Texas town range include caroling, a lighted Christmas parade, and, of course, loads of glimmering lights. The festivities kick off at the end of November with the annual Riverwalk Holiday River Parade and River Lighting Ceremony. This fun event features illuminated floats carrying everything from The Grinch to Santa Claus. In addition to the parade, the Riverwalk glitters with more than 100,000 lights this time of year.
Of course, the San Antonio theme parks are decorated in their holiday best this time of year as well. Six Flags Fiesta Texas helps to get visitors in the holiday spirit by hosting its annual Holiday in the Park celebration. The park is transformed after it is donned with millions of twinkling lights, special shows and musical performances, and visits from Santa!
5. Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Texas has quickly become a tourist hot spot thanks to its large number of wineries and its fabulous German heritage. Of course, visiting this Texas town during the holiday season is an extra special treat as Fredericksburg turns on the charm for the holidays!
Visitors can enjoy touring historic homes throughout the city before attending the Fredericksburg Holiday Market. When you are ready to relax for a little while, enjoy sipping wine while surrounded by holiday decor at one of the many wineries that call Gillespie County home.
One of the unique holiday features in Fredericksburg is the 26-foot-tall German Christmas Pyramid that stands proudly in the city’s Marktplatz. Every year, the lighting of the Christmas pyramid signifies the opening of the Christmas festivities.
In addition to the Christmas pyramid, Fredericksburg is also home to an outdoor ice skating rink. Yes, you read that correctly, there is a real, outdoor ice skating rink in the heart of the Texas Hill Country!
Of course, Fredericksburg’s Main Street will be decked out in its holiday finest this time of year also. The boutique shops welcome visitors to come in and shop for the perfect gift. You can find everything from women’s fashion to unique home decor while browsing the shops around Fredericksburg.
Pro Tip: If you want to see a fun and unique event while in Fredericksburg, then be sure to visit when Santa flies in on a plane at the Gillespie County Airport.
6. Jefferson
The small town of Jefferson is located in East Texas and is proud to say that they celebrate “Christmas on the Bayou.” With loads of small-town charm and several exciting events, I think that Jefferson is one of the perfect towns to celebrate the holidays in Texas.
The holiday season opens with an old-fashioned parade traveling through the streets of Jefferson. Once the parade reaches Lions Park, the “Enchanted Forest” tree lighting ceremony takes place, and over 100 trees are lit up signaling the start of the holiday season.
Be sure to mark your calendar for the annual Historic Jefferson Railway Christmas Express Train so that you can ride aboard the historic gas locomotive train. During the holiday season, the train ride takes you through the bayou and wetlands while telling you stories of the area and playing some delightful holiday tunes.
If you love to see historic homes decorated for the holidays, then you will definitely want to take part in Jefferson’s Candlelight Tour of Homes. This annual tour, which is guided by ladies in hoop skirts and gentlemen in top hats, allows visitors to peek inside many of the historic homes in Jefferson.
Pro Tip: The annual Candlelight Tour of Homes often sells out. Be sure to purchase your tickets well in advance if you would like to take part in this unique holiday attraction.
7. Marshall
If you are a lover of holiday lights, then add the small town of Marshall, Texas, to your list of places to celebrate the holidays. Millions of white lights illuminate the town in Marshall’s very own Wonderland of Lights Festival.
Stroll through the area during their annual Wassail Walk or visit during the Christmas Car Show, the choice is yours. No matter when you choose to visit, you are guaranteed to see a plethora of twinkling white lights in this city.
In addition to all of the beautiful lights in Marshall, their holiday festival also includes a vintage carousel, an outdoor ice skating rink, a train, and more. There are even horse-drawn carriages that take visitors around the town to see the beautiful lights that are on display.
For a small town, Marshall really does it up big during the holiday season!
8. Galveston
You cannot have a list of towns to celebrate the holidays in Texas and not include the seaside community of Galveston, Texas. The entire island comes to life with sparkling lights and fun, festive events for the holiday season.
The most famous holiday event on Galveston Island is the Victorian Christmas celebration, Dickens on the Strand. This annual event takes place in the historic Strand neighborhood in Galveston and has been a family favorite for over 40 years now. The entire Strand is transformed into a 19th-century replica of Victorian London. During the festivities, there are four stages with non-stop entertainment, vendors selling items from carts, Victorian-inspired crafts, gifts, costumes, and holiday decorations galore. It truly is a festival like no other.
Dickens on the Strand is not the only holiday festivity offered on Galveston Island though. One of the island’s top resorts, Moody Gardens, transforms its grounds during the holiday season to welcome visitors to enjoy Holiday at the Gardens. Attractions at Moody Gardens include the Festival of Lights, Ice Land, Holiday 3D Movies, and more.
When you combine these great events with all of the fabulous things to do in Galveston, you have the makings for a great town to celebrate the holidays in Texas!
Pro Tip: Galveston is extremely busy during the holiday season. Be sure to book your vacation rental well in advance to ensure that you get the perfect property!
