Find Holiday Magic in These Texas Towns

As the “most wonderful time of the year” approaches, Texas towns transform into winter wonderlands, blending charm and community with endless holiday magic. Visitors will find light displays that stretch across the horizon, bustling Christmas markets with a European flair, and extraordinarily memorable wintertime events.

Texas Towns to Visit This Christmas

Boerne
Make your Hallmark Christmas dreams come to life in this picturesque Hill Country town. Throughout four themed weekends, kicking off Thanksgiving weekend, visitors will find strolling carolers, thousands of twinkling lights, a Cookie Crawl, and an ice skating rink.

Grapevine
Just north of Dallas-Fort Worth, you’ll find “The Christmas Capital of Texas.” The moniker is a far cry from being all hat, no cattle. Grapevine puts on about 1,400 holiday-themed events throughout 40 days, making this Texas town an interactive holiday experience. Come for the Parade of Lights, North Texas’ biggest Christmas parade — but stay for showings of classic Christmas films at the historic Palace Theatre, drone shows, and photo ops with larger-than-life holiday decorations.

Travel Tip: Plan ahead! Tickets for some Christmas events go on sale in September, so make sure your desired event isn’t sold out.

Jefferson
This East Texas town comes alive during the holiday months with its celebrated Candlelight Tour of Homes (Dec. 5–7, 12–14). It also has one of Texas’ historic downtowns. Tour guides dressed in period costumes greet guests and lead them through each lavishly decorated landmark home, donned with live greenery and soft lighting. The tour spotlights different styles of 20th century homes, ranging from Queen Anne Victorian to Southern Creole and American Craftsman. Cap off the evening with a stroll through Jefferson’s Enchanted Forest in Lions Park, featuring more than 100 decorated Christmas trees.

Johnson City
The “twinkliest town in Texas” sits about an hour west of Austin. For more than three decades, Johnson City has blanketed parts of its charming downtown with more than 2 million lights. The most striking display is the more than 100,000 lights strategically draped over the Blanco County Courthouse. The display is so pronounced that it’s reportedly been seen from the International Space Station. The lights stay on through midnight during the holidays, so enjoy a cool evening stroll before returning to one of the town’s bed-and-breakfasts.

Travel Tip: Head downtown before 5 p.m. to get a good parking spot.

Lubbock
Cowboy culture reigns in this West Texas town, especially during the holidays. Head to the National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech University for Candlelight at the Ranch (Dec. 13–14). Enjoy live music, sip hot cocoa, and nibble on kettle corn while experiencing life on the range. The university’s Carol of Lights (Dec. 15), a long-standing tradition since 1959, is also worth a visit. Texas Tech choirs perform holiday selections, and nearly 30,000 red, white, and orange lights illuminate the 13 buildings surrounding Memorial Circle. Round out your trip west by exploring some of the town’s best boutiques and stopping for a seasonal delight at local favorite Sugar Browns Coffee Co.

San Antonio
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more vibrant Texas town than San Antonio during the holidays. The beloved River Walk twinkles with more than 100,000 lights draped over its trees. The Annual Ford Holiday River Parade (Nov. 29) is a must-see spectacle as a series of floats illuminate the River Walk. While in town, head to Natural Bridge Caverns for Winter in the Caverns, where you can enjoy Christmas carols in the mystical caverns, a walkable trail of lights, and ice skating.

Have Yourself a Merry Little European Christmas — Texas Style

Europe is known for its enchanting Christmas markets. Get a taste in these Texas cities.

Fredericksburg
Celebrate Weihnachtszeit (Christmastime) with a visit to this Hill Country gem, where Old World German traditions coalesce with Texan hospitality. Shimmering lights and a main street bustling with approximately 150 locally owned shops and galleries are alluring draws. But the must-see attraction is the lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree and 26-foot- tall Weihnachtspyramide, a carousel-like Christmas pyramid and traditional German decoration.

Galveston
Every December, Strand Street transforms into Charles Dickens’ Victorian London, complete with strolling carolers, jugglers, and bagpipers. Costumed vendors sell 19th century- inspired crafts, clothing, and jewelry. Keep the holiday nostalgia alive with a stroll down the East End Historical District to see decked-out Victorian homes.

Texas-Sized Christmas Markets

Take holiday shopping to the next level at one of these colossal Christmas markets.

Texas Christkindl Market, Arlington
Nov. 22–24, Nov. 29–Dec. 23
This expansive market, held at Globe Life of the only places shoppers will find exclusive Park, is the closest Texans will get to a European Christmas market without heading overseas. Arlington’s 70-year relationship with Bad Königshofen, its German sister city, sparked the first market more than a decade ago. This market is one of the only places shoppers will find exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt merchandise.

Tomball German Fest Christmas Market, Tomball
Dec. 13–15
With four stages packed with live music and more than 150 street vendors, this is far from your average holiday market. Need a break from shopping? Compete in a chicken dance or yodeling contest. The best deals are the event’s free admission, parking, and shuttle.

Holiday Eats

While road tripping between these Texas towns, make time to stop along the way for these delicacies — the perfect complements to any Christmas tablescape.

South Texas: Grab a dozen (or three) of the chicken, pork, beef, or bean and cheese tamales from Delia’s. They ship too.

Central Texas: Franklin Barbecue’s tender, juicy brisket is a must. While you’re there, pick up some spice rubs and barbecue sauce — the perfect Texas gifts.

East Texas: Collin Street Bakery serves a fruitcake you’ll actually want. It’s so good they ship to 196 countries.

North Texas: Garland’s Piefalootin has a can’t-miss Texas pecan pie.

All Over: If you’re gonna stop at Buc-ees anyway, you might as well take home some homemade fudge for friends and family.

Magical Holiday Events

Immerse yourself in the whimsy of the holidays through these fascinating experiences.

Main Street Bethlehem, Burnet
Dec. 6–8, 13–15
Every December, First Baptist Church Burnet transforms the streets of Burnet into the narrow streets of ancient Bethlehem. You’ll see merchants, Roman soldiers, animals — and even the famed manger.

Santa’s Wonderland, College Station
Nov. 15–Dec. 30
Bask in millions of lights, take a horse-and-carriage ride, and go ice skating at the world’s largest Christmas park. The 150-acre park features real snow, perfect for tubing and snowball fights.

Snowday Dallas
Nov. 22–Jan. 5
This engaging, immersive photo experience at Galleria Dallas features enchanted rooms, topsy-turvy holiday scenes, and light tunnels — perfect for one-of-a-kind holiday photo ops.

Ice!, Grapevine
Nov. 15–Jan. 5
Set at a frigid 9 F, this might be the coldest holiday experience in Texas. Guests receive blue parkas at the door as they navigate awe-inspiring scenes. Where else can you traverse a frozen slide?

The Polar Express Train Ride, Palestine
Nov. 15–Dec. 28
The beloved Christmas classic comes to life as pajama-clad passengers depart for the North Pole while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies. Santa and his elves greet riders with a gift: a silver sleigh bell.

Time and again, Texas towns prove that the warmth of the holidays isn’t about the temperature outside. It’s about appreciating and celebrating with our community, family, and neighbors.

With several Texas towns on the roster for a holiday road trip, load up on these 9 Texas Christmas tunes for the drive.