Best Places to Celebrate Christmas in Texas (2024)

Are you looking for the most magical places to celebrate Christmas in Texas?  The Lone Star State is full of great things to do year-round, so why would Christmas be any different? They say that everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes Texas holiday celebrations!

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something we have recommended. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

If you are looking for the best things to do for Christmas in Texas, you’ve come to the right place. Once the weather starts to cool down, you can expect the holiday spirit to make its debut across the state. You probably won’t get that childhood fantasy of a white Christmas (it is Texas, after all), but don’t worry.

A Texas Christmas means glittering lights, smiling faces, and good old-fashioned Texas charm! Texas resorts really put on a show during the holidays that shouldn’t be missed, and small towns drip with Christmas cheer.

So, slip on your favorite holiday boots, and head out on an adventure with my ultimate guide to Christmas in Texas. There’s nothing like the Christmas season in the great state of Texas, with events from the Gulf cities to Austin to Grapevine and beyond that will remind you what the holidays are all about!

Magical Places To Celebrate a Texas Christmas

Holiday Events in DFW

Dallas

It would be impossible to cover all of the Dallas Christmas events, so I’ll just share some of the highlights. Let’s start with the Dallas Holiday Parade, one of the largest parades and light shows in the United States. It’s held on the first Saturday of December and includes bands, dancers, floats, and even Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Dallas Zoo Lights features a holiday light show with animal light sculptures, nightly musical performances, ornament-making, and photo opportunities galore! The zoo even offers a sensory-friendly event where the Dallas Zoo Lights are more comfortable for those with sensory sensitivities. I love an event that caters to everyone.

Get your kids in the Christmas spirit with model trains at the Trains at North Park. You’ll find an impressive holiday model train display decked out for the holidays, set up for everyone to enjoy. Kids can even decorate their gingerbread cookies while you explore.

And one of the best things to do for Christmas in Texas is definitely the Holiday at the Arboretum, where the gardens are decorated with over a million lights! This year’s theme is the “Once Upon a Wild Light”, with different sections presenting marine animals, jungle cats, and even dinosaurs glowing from within.

If you’re looking for places to stay in Dallas for Christmas, consider the Hilton Anatole. This year, Christmas at the Anatole is back and better than ever! Families can explore a Bavarian Village, visit the Christmas tree maze, go sledding on a real snow-covered hill, and more. They also offer special holiday packages and themed suites that will keep you in the holiday spirit

Grapevine

You can’t talk about Christmas in Texas without mentioning Grapevine, one of the very best Christmas towns in Texas! This Dallas suburb has been dubbed “The Christmas Capital of Texas,” and we think that title is well earned!

Everyone will find something holiday-related to love in the almost 1500 holiday events the town hosts. Some favorite Grapevine Christmas events include the Grapevine Vintage Railroad which transforms into the North Pole Express for the holidays and the Peace Plaza Ice Rink.

There’s also the Merry & Bright Drone Shows, a choreographed light show, held the first two Saturday nights in December. You can also attend the Carol of Lights (a light boat parade on Grapevine Lake), a Christmas village, and other nightly performances.

Grand Prairie

Located in the heart of the Metroplex is Grand Prairie, which celebrates the season with Prairie Lights, over 4 million lights decorating two miles of roadway! Families can drive through the first part of the lights, stop in the middle and enjoy the Holiday Village.

Then, get back in your car to continue through the animated light tunnel at the end. The Holiday Village has food, pictures with Santa, a lighted forest, and tons of carnival rides. Kids will go crazy for the Grand Prairie lights!

Fort Worth Holiday Events

The ultimate way to celebrate Christmas in Texas is at the Stockyards in Fort Worth. The festivities kick off on November 24 with the Parade of Lights.

On November 29th, Cowboy Santa makes his arrival. Welcome him in his stagecoach following the 11:30 AM cattle drive, then head to the Stockyards Rodeo Rink for some ice-skating fun.

There are also opportunities for photos with Cowboy Santa, a 40-foot Christmas tree, a hot Cocoa Corral, and a spectacular holiday lights display. Mrs. Claus will also make an appearance sharing tales in Santa’s Holiday Village all weekend long and throughout the holiday season.

Other fun holiday events include Christmas in the Stockyards celebration on December 7 with a Christmas parade, Cowboy Santa picture opportunities, and live music.

Frisco

There’s a ton to do in the north Dallas suburb of Frisco on your Christmas vacation. This includes the annual Christmas in the Square, the largest choreographed lights and music show in North Texas! Families can watch the light show, skate in the square, and enjoy snow falling every 15 minutes. It’s magical!

Frisco also has Christmas Spectacular at The Star (the Dallas Cowboys world headquarters). The Star has a 67-foot Christmas tree, performances by the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders and drum line, and even special appearances by Dallas Cowboys football players. Fans won’t want to miss this!

Granbury

Granbury is small, lakeside community is the perfect place to celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas. The town is filled with many historic homes that are festively decorated and open for candlelight tours during the holidays.

The Night of Lights Christmas Parade and Santa’s arrival kick off the celebrations. Now that’s what I call a magical Christmas in Texas!

Christmas in East Texas

Marshall

Those in East Texas know to head to Marshall to experience a true old-fashioned Christmas. The city’s annual Wonderland of Lights Festival illuminates the town with millions of lights. Plus, there’s an ice-skating rink, horse-drawn carriage rides, a Christmas market, and more!

College Station

Most Texans will tell you that you need to head to College Station for the most magical Christmas in Texas. College Station is home to one of Texas’ greatest Christmas treasures: Santa’s Wonderland.

If you’re searching for the best Christmas lights in Texas, you’ll want to check out Santa’s Workshop. It boasts over 1 million holiday lights with festive music and delicious Texas food.

You can even take Santa’s hayride or hop on a VIP carriage for the best view of the lights before grabbing some food or taking a ride on the toboggan chute.

Bryan

There are two major events in Bryan, Texas that you don’t want to miss: Lights On! and the Holiday Stroll & Lighted Parade.

The fun starts on November 22, when Destination Bryan kicks off the holiday season in Bryan with the annual Lights On! Help countdown to turn on thousands of lights along Main Street and Bryan Ave to illuminate picturesque Historic Downtown Bryan.

This free, family-friendly event will include holiday photo backdrop stations, live music at the Palace Theater, and Santa Claus. It truly looks like a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie.

And on December 12, don’t miss the Holiday Stroll & Lighted Parade, the ONLY lighted Christmas Parade in Bryan-College Station! Floats, vehicles, fire engines, and more, all complete with lights, of course, will lead the celebration.

It’s been rumored that SANTA CLAUS will also be making an appearance at the end of the parade! Come shop at the local businesses before the parade and check those gifts off your list.

Bastrop

Every holiday season, Bastrop hosts its Lost Pines Christmas. This month-long Christmas celebration in historic downtown Bastrop features family-friendly events including holiday shopping, craft classes, entertainment, and more.

Some of the highlights include the 2023 Lighted Christmas Parade, Bastrop River of Lights, Wassail Fest, and Holiday Homes tour. You can find all the details here.

Holiday Events in Austin 

If you’re looking for the ultimate Texas Christmas, you’ll have a hard time staying away from Austin once you discover the amazing holiday activities in this great central Texas city.

Some of our favorite Austin Christmas activities and festive places include the Austin Trail of Lights, now celebrating its 60th year! It’s a mile-long holiday light drive-thru display that also features food and craft vendors, live holiday music, visits with Santa, and more. This community-wide event celebrates the spirit of Austin and the people who make it special.

Circuit of The Americas (COTA) will celebrate with the Peppermint Parkway, a holiday drive-thru experience. COTA is home to America’s only Formula 1 racetrack and this year they’ll put on the grandest light display in Texas.

COTA’s Observation Tower will serve as Peppermint Parkway’s centerpiece and the rest of the display will have millions of holiday lights, a 6-story light show tree, and more.

In addition to exploring Peppermint Parkway, guests can enjoy the rides and food trucks at COTA’s Peppermint Plaza. If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, you can race at COTA Karting, or take in a bird’s eye view of the holiday spectacular on the Zip Line!

Four Seasons Austin

Hotels in Austin are all about celebrating the holidays, so don’t miss the Ice Rodeo at the Four Seasons Austin.

Ice Rodeo is downtown Austin’s newest holiday tradition! You can enjoy an ice-skating rink overlooking Lady Bird Lake, larger-than-life decorations, and luxe “cabins” where friends and families can gather together over festive food and drink. Book your tickets early!

A little bit more about the experience:

• In the Lobby, there will be an impressive display of gingerbread hotels and resorts representing Four Seasons locations around the world, all crafted by the Hotel’s talented pastry chefs
• Ice Rodeo features 11 lodge-chic cabins surrounding the ice rink, serving festive food and drink add-ons for groups of up to 6 people
• The Ice Rodeo will showcase some elaborate holiday art installations, including a tunnel of illuminated stars, a Texas longhorn, and 10-foot electric guitar

The Driskill

The Driskill goes all out for the holidays, an especially magical time at the hotel. Festive cocktails and dishes are abundant, and it’s a can’t-miss destination for holiday decor.

Each space is thoughtfully decked out with festive lights and decorations, from the famous Driskill Bar to the grand staircase and the 16-foot Douglas Fir tree in the lobby.

Every year, guests, staff, and locals gather to watch the lighting of the tree while they enjoy live music and toast with champagne. This year, they’ll enjoy the brand new champagne bar when it opens for the first time during the tree lighting on December 6th!

The hotel’s Holiday Tea during the cooler months is a must-do! This long-standing tradition features three courses of classic French favorites from Chef Mark Dayanandan, along with bottomless tea, featuring special holiday flavors.

In the spirit of giving back, The Driskill has multiple partnerships with nonprofits all season long. They include a gingerbread village, which is decorated by the children by Dell Children’s Hospital and hotel staff.

You can also attend the annual ‘Cookies for Caring’ event, a traditional holiday cookie swap that benefits local Austin families in need, featuring restaurants and bakeries around town.

When you book a stay, take advantage of the limited-time “Holidays at The Driskill” package. You’ll feel like you’ve come home for the holidays with in-room holiday treats, a Driskill’s Classic ornament to take home, and two seasonal cocktails at The Bar.

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa

The Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa just outside Austin transforms into a winter wonderland with an enormous, decorated tree in their lobby and holiday decorations. Santa arrives at the resort Texas-style, on a Texas Longhorn bull!

Families visiting the Lost Pines Resort can enjoy a variety of kid-centric holiday activities, like Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus every Sunday and Storytime with Mrs. Claus. You can visit Santa’s Workshop to make crafts, or find last minute gifts at McDade’s Christmas Shop!

Omni Barton Creek Resort

The Omni Barton Creek Resort will transform into a Texas winter wonderland for their annual Holiday in The Hills programming. From a family-friendly breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus to couples spa packages at the Mokara Spa for date night, Omni Barton Creek is bringing the ultimate North Pole experience to Texas.

There’s a lighted holiday trail, 15′ Christmas trees inside and out decorated for the holidays, Reindeer Meet & Greets, and chances to get a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. During the Holiday in the Hills Snowdown, you can’t help but get excited for the season with twinkle lights, real snowflakes falling, and fire pits!

Marble Falls

If you’re in the Austin area for Christmas, you must make the drive to the Walkway of Lights in Marble Falls. This small town on the Colorado River gets lit up during the holiday season with over 2 million holiday lights.

The Walkway of Lights is the perfect place to enjoy a cup of cocoa with the family while enjoying the scenery. It’s a great way to unwind during the hectic holiday season.

Holiday Events in Hill Country

The Hill Country is always a magical place, but if you want to experience a unique side of Christmas in Texas, this is a great place to start! Here are just a few of the best stops to add to your holiday itinerary.

Fredericksburg

The town of Fredericksburg blends its unique German heritage with Texas fun when they kick off the season with the lighting of the German Christmas Pyramid.

This town was settled by German immigrants, and it has everything from an ice-skating rink to historic home tours to Christmas markets. It looks like I’ve found my new favorite place to visit!

Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs

Nestled on a gorgeous ranch in Dripping Springs, Camp Lucy is the Texas Hill Country’s premier full-scale luxury resort. The 289-acre property becomes truly magical during the holidays.

Rooms, suites, and cottages include wreaths placed on the doors and s’mores kits! The kids can roast marshmallows around the fire pits while parents sip on Camp Lucy’s wine, which comes right from the vineyard on the property.

Step inside Tillie’s restaurant to find a Christmas tree, holiday décor, and seasonal cocktails. On December 4 there’s a Christmas Chili Cook-Off between Chef Andy Knudson and other local chefs. Families can enjoy live music, shopping, photos with Santa, and more.

Make it a point to visit Tillie’s restaurant, where you’ll find a Christmas tree, holiday décor, and seasonal cocktails.

And don’t miss the following holiday fun nearby! Head to Dripping Springs’ downtown area for Christmas on Mercer. The entire place is transformed into a hometown holiday festival featuring holiday shopping, arts and crafts booths, live entertainment, a petting zoo, a trackless train, pony rides, and children’s activities.

In nearby Johnson City, there’s a Texas Lights Spectacular. A light display with 2 million lights, was reportedly seen in space by NASA’s International Space Station!

Wimberley

Wimberley, Texas, comes alive during the holidays with its Wishes for Wimberley Hometown Holidays Lighted Christmas Parade!

The festivities begin with a tree-lighting ceremony at the EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, followed by a magical parade through downtown led by Santa Claus. The evening wraps up with a downtown tree lighting and a special toy drive supporting the Barnabas Connection.

Throughout December, Wimberley keeps up the festivities with its annual Trail of Lights, featuring twinkle lights, live entertainment, marshmallow roasting, and visits from Santa! Families can also shop for unique gifts at Wimberley Market Days or enjoy a breakfast with Santa later in the month.

For some time away from the kids, there’s the Holiday Bazaar, Cup of Cheer, and Santa Pub Crawl. Enjoy holiday shopping and seasonal drinks with a twist!

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa is a winter wonderland for families. This year they’re debuting ICE! with Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”

And there are plenty of holiday activities throughout the resort including ice tubing, The Grinch’s Wonderful Awful Idea Scavenger Hunt, and visits from Santa and his reindeer. You can enjoy Ornament and Cookie Decorating, gingerbread house making, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and more!

Families who book the Hill Country Wonderland Suite can enjoy an in-suite Christmas tree, stockings next to the fireplace, garland and wreath decorations along the patio, and holiday music.

And when you stay at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country, you’re welcomed to your gorgeous holiday retreat with freshly baked Christmas cookies, artisanal chocolate, and candy canes!

San Antonio at Christmas

A San Antonio Christmas is one of the best Texas has to offer with a variety of events everyone will love. The season begins with the Ford Holiday River Parade, which features the lighting of the River Walk, and illuminated floats decorated for the theme.

San Antonio is known for having some of the best Christmas lights in Texas, with lights hanging from the trees over the San Antonio River for the duration of the season. A boat tour is the best way to enjoy the magical San Antonio Christmas lights display!

The whole family will love visiting the San Antonio Zoo for animal lights, hot cocoa, and cookies with Santa. Other fun events include Holiday Night Markets at the Pearl, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas Holiday in the Park.

Christmas Events in Houston 

There are too many Houston holiday events to even mention in this one post, but if you are visiting the largest city in Texas during the holidays, don’t miss these holiday favorites.

Put on those skates and hit Ice, Houston’s ice-skating rink in the shadow of the city’s downtown buildings. If your kids are into theater, don’t miss shows like The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol.

Sugar Land

Holidays in this Houston suburb are all about family. Head to Constellation Field for the Sugar Land Holiday Lights annual festival. There are over 3 million lights, holiday shopping, a holiday carnival, and more. There’s even a movie night series at Center Field Cinema, with holiday-themed movies every week.

Sugar Land Town Square transforms each year into a massive holiday destination, and it’s one of the best places to experience Christmas in Texas.

At the city’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting, families can enjoy live music, watch an ice sculpting competition, and witness the lighting of the city’s 40-foot-tall tree. Afterward, you’ll be treated to a fabulous fireworks show to kick off the holiday season!

The Woodlands

Each year, The Woodlands lights up with thousands of white lights, creating a winter wonderland on the water. The holiday season kicks off with the Lighting of the Doves, in which Santa makes his way down The Waterway by sleigh and reads “The Night Before Christmas” aloud before he illuminates the doves and fireworks begin.

Other fun events include the annual lighting of the tree, the holiday gift market in Town Green Park, The Woodlands ice rink, and Breakfast with Santa and the Grinch at The Woodlands Resort.

Port Arthur

Port Arthur celebrates A Very Marshy Christmas as Santa travels through the marsh to visit good little boys and girls on his airboat! Children can find him at Sea Rim State Park where the Clauses have booked a cabin for the winter. There’s hot cocoa and cookies to enjoy for all ages.

You can also check out the Port Arthur Holiday Parade, and parades in neighboring Nederland, Port Neches, and Groves.

Christmas Activities in Galveston

Galveston Island might be in the Gulf of Mexico, but it feels like old town London during the holidays, making it one of the best Christmas towns in Texas.

The city is home to a famous Victorian holiday festival, Dickens on the Strand, which takes you back in time to the holiday settings of the Christmas stories we grew up reading.

This year it celebrates its 51th anniversary! Carolers, guests dressed in Victorian attire, old-fashioned holiday food vendors, and more will greet you at this festival!

Galveston also has ICELAND at Moody Gardens. More than two million pounds of ice will be carved into a colorful world of ice sculptures for visitors of ICE LAND: Pole-to-Pole. You can also stroll through the Festival of Lights, a mile-long trail of illuminated holiday displays, music, festive food and more.

Other attractions include an Arctic Ice Slide, pictures with Santa, and a family-friendly New Year’s Palooza. You can go on the Polar Express train rides, attend Christmas tree lightings in downtown Galveston and the Grand Galvez hotel, and see live holiday shows at The Grand 1894 Opera House.

Corpus Christi

The holidays in Corpus Christi kick off in earnest with the H-E-B Christmas Tree Lighting at Water’s Edge Park. The majestic tree is adorned with 7,000 lights and 2,000 ornaments just steps away from the waters of Corpus Christi Bay.

Other seasonal highlights include two boat parades, the Illuminated Boat Parade and La Posada Lighted Boat Parade. Decked-out boats sail through the area’s waterways while locals and visitors gather around for the show.

Starting after Thanksgiving and running through December, the Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center will have HOLLY-DAYS at the GARDENS. On Fridays and Saturdays, families can admire the garden’s decorations while enjoying hot cocoa, hayrides, photos with Santa, and other kid-friendly activities.

Port Aransas

Port Aransas on the Texas Coast has always welcomed generations of Texans to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, and this year is no different. The city will host several holiday festivities including the charity Holiday Golf Cart Parade supporting the Port Aransas EMS toy drive.

After the parade, visitors can take in the spectacle of the dazzling Lighted Boat Parade. It’s the perfect destination for a tropical getaway in Texas!

If you’re feeling festive, check out my other holiday posts!

• Best Place to Spend Christmas in USA
• Best Places to Visit in December
• Best Places to Celebrate Christmas Around the World