There are many ways to celebrate Christmas in Texas, from quaint tiny villages decked out for the season to magnificent holiday activities in the big metropolis!
Many of these family-friendly local Christmas holidays are also reasonably priced for 2023, when everything’s prices are rising! Here are some of our top Christmas-related activities, vacation spots, excursions, and other holiday fun in Texas.
Except for some areas of the panhandle as well as western Texas, snow is a rare occurrence in Texas. Texans spend the winter in the sunny parts of the coast and the Rio Grande Valley.
The climate in Central Texas and the Texas Hill Country is also ideal for lounging by a fireplace and roasting marshmallows. But what’s the nicest thing about going to Texas around December?
Christmas markets, Christmas light displays, gift-buying opportunities, vintage Christmas films, and a plethora of other activities and celebrations are all Texas-sized, of course! Christmastime in Texas is quite amazing.
You should add Texas’s Christmas villages to your list of must-visit destinations for the season. The holiday celebrations are all wonderfully distinctive and wonderful. However, it is not limited to smaller communities!
The major cities of the amazing Lone Star State are a great place to find holiday cheer. Holiday celebrations are abundant in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, and San Antonio. For lovers of the city, they make the ideal Christmas getaways in Texas.
Even the coastal towns and communities in Texas celebrate the holidays with beach-themed events like illuminated boat parades, Christmas excursions on the Gulf of Mexico, and sandcastle displays!
They’re perfect for combining rays of sunshine, beach, and holiday happiness for a special Christmas getaway in Texas!
The Top 9 Texas Destinations For Christmas 2023
Texas’s towns and cities have a range of holiday activities and events. Christmas is extremely magical in many communities, from the typical German Christmas to the cowboy Santa Claus!
In these quaint Texan villages, you may find amazing light shows, winter wonderlands, christmas trains, gift shopping, traditional meals, and more. The greatest places to go for Christmas in Texas are listed here.
The most well-liked vacation spot in the Lone Star State is Grapevine, also referred to as the “Christmas Capital of Texas.” Grapevine certainly measures up to its festive reputation with 1,400 events spread over 40 days.
At the renowned Gaylord Texan resort, make snowy family memories. Enjoy ice skating, snow tubing, and the stunning holiday decorations at the hotel. Observe how the city of Grapevine changes when it is covered in a million glittering holiday lights and massive decorations.
With the help of a Grapevine Christmas Passport, you may go back in time while exploring antique stores and making homemade crafts. Visit the Historical Palace Theatre for movies and live entertainment over the holidays. Shopping along Historic Main Street is a must-do.
And don’t forget to visit one of the numerous vineyards in the city for a wine tasting. Don’t miss the North Pole Express on the Grapevine Vintage Railway if you’re traveling with kids.
Without a fantastic journey to the North Pole, Christmas in Texas wouldn’t be complete! Grapevine is a truly magical place to spend Christmas in Texas, whether traveling there alone or with friends and family.
It’s not surprising that Dallas goes all out for the holidays given that locals and tourists go to neighboring Grapevine for a truly unique Christmas in Texas. The Dallas Arboretum presents its Twelve Days of Yuletide as a prominent holiday destination.
As you stroll around the grounds, take in the twelve gazebos that are elaborately decorated with the lyrics of the traditional Christmas carol. Visit Santa, taste some regional cuisine, and take in live performances at the Arboretum’s Christmas market, which is inspired by Germany.
Visit the renowned Galleria Mall to view the tallest inside Christmas tree in the world. The landmark tree, lit up with 1/2 a million lights, is located in the middle of a temporary skating rink. Daily holiday performances appear, especially on weekends.
The Dallas Zoo Decorations are sure to delight families. You don’t even have to get out of the car to enjoy a cozy Christmas experience in 2020 as you drive through the renowned Dallas Zoo!
The suburbs close by, such Frisco, McKinney, or Grand Prairie, also frequently host their own parades, drive-through light displays, and neighborhood festivals.
The lovely Texas community of Fort Worth is a fantastic holiday getaway for families. The city is well-known for its association with cowboys, the trading in cattle, and renowned museums such as the Kimbell Museum.
Visit during the holidays when you may enjoy seasonal face painting, outdoor ice skating, Christmas carol singing, and other festivities. The amazing Fort Worth Stockyards offer one of the best places to celebrate in Texas.
The Stockyards, which typically hold rodeos, are changed into a holiday fun zone each year. From late November until Christmas Eve, the festival takes place every Friday through Sunday.
There are a tonne of events, including live music, photos with Santa, storytelling with Mrs. Claus, caroling, face painting, and even cowboy poetry, all of which are free to attend.
Numerous holiday craft markets pop up all throughout the city in the weeks before Christmas. The Clearfork Holiday Market, for instance, features over 30 local craftsmen in addition to kid-friendly activities.
The Gingerbread Decorating Extravaganza, held to raise money for the Cook Children’s Medical Center, is another fantastic occasion. Places fill up quickly, so be sure to book your position as soon as possible.
Go to the Panther Island Ice Arena for some traditional holiday outdoor entertainment. From mid-November to mid-January, it is accessible seven days a week, making it the ideal pastime for groups of friends, lovers, and families.
One of the nicest things to do when visiting Texas is to visit the Riverwalk in San Antonio, but the holiday season is especially unique since more than 100,000 lights are strung throughout this famous area of the city, creating an absolutely magnificent sight.
Don’t forget to take a journey over to the nearby Historic Market Square and 18th-century majestic San Fernando Cathedral to see their stunning interiors as well!
Both the University of Incarnate Word’s Light the Way Festival and the interesting San Antonio Transport Museum’s Santa’s Railroad are essential stops, especially if you’re traveling with children.
Christmas in the Caverns, held at the nearby Natural Bridge Caverns, is a wonderful holiday celebration that offers everything from ice skating to cavern caroling chances.
In San Antonio, Christmas means that the temperature has finally dropped off enough to feel comfortable, in contrast to much of the USA where a Christmas visit signifies that the climate is so chilly that being outdoors can be difficult.
Since there is only one UNESCO World Heritage Area in Texas, the lengthy Mission Trail, which links each of the five Spanish missions, is the ideal place to trek or cycle over the holiday season. Additionally, their Christmas decorations are frequently stunning!
Celebrate the festive period in historic Brenham for a small-town getaway. From Austin and Houston, it is only a short drive, making it the ideal day getaway.
The main attractions in Brenham are the tasty Blue Bell Ice Cream facility, the historic downtown with its trendy stores, bars, and antique boutiques, and of course Washington-on-the-Brazos, where Texas was founded.
The beautifully rebuilt city is decked out in Christmas decorations throughout the holidays. The first weekend in December is when the Christmas Stroll is held.
Along with the actual tree lighting, there is a sizable parade through the old town. Santa photo opportunities, boutique Christmas gift shopping, and carolers singing all throughout town are all available.
The renowned Christmas at the Mansion, a significant holiday occasion, is held annually at the magnificent Giddings Stone Mansion in early November. The most historic residences in Brenham will be given tours and adorned for the holidays.
Enjoy tea service from the Heritage Belles while they are costumed in period attire in a luxurious mansion. Get a head start on your holiday shopping at the mansion’s market, which is selling lovely gifts.
Christmas throughout Brenham will be a special occasion, whether you choose to bring the whole family on a festive Christmas Stroll or schedule a girl’s day at the mansion. Before you leave town, make sure to consume as much Blue Bell ice cream as possible.
The Nights of Lights Holiday Parade, a long-standing holiday custom in which lit floats and strolling groups weave their way through Granbury’s Downtown Historic District, kicked off the holiday celebrations in Granbury the day after Thanksgiving.
Santa’s arrival heralds the start of the holiday season and, of course, the city’s holiday lighting, as locals and tourists applaud down the street. In December, there are a variety of events that continue the festive fun.
You can take part in the Granbury Candlelight Tours of Homes to take advantage of the holiday decorations, snacks, and carriage rides. A few homeowners charge admission to visit their historic homes.
Then there is “Away In A Manger,” a collection of more than a thousand Nativity settings from around the globe. The Granbury Living Christmas Cards is an outdoor, interactive family event, comes in last but not least.
Imagine the Christmas Story, Christmas in Granbury, as well as other holiday-themed events coming to life on stages throughout the plaza. It’s definitely a night to cherish when you watch the concert while holding treats and hot cocoa in your hands!
It does, however, take place every even year as a biennial event. It goes without saying that the town square is sparkling with Christmas lights and decorations, with the courthouse’s corner Christmas Tree standing tall.
The square’s restaurants and shops are even more enjoyable. Granbury is after all regarded as one of the top day excursions from Fort Worth and Dallas and was named the Best Historical Small Town throughout America by USA Today.
December in Fredericksburg is indeed a fascinating and distinctive occasion, marked by German customs, Texas wines, and the spirit of the season everywhere.
Fredericksburg is a charming German town in the center between the Texas Hill and Wine Counties, and it has no lack of lovely locations and joyful things to do. Fredericksburg is crammed with historical buildings.
Start your self-guided Christmas tour at Marktplatz, the city’s central plaza, to see the huge 26-foot-tall German Christmas Pyramid. You can only find this traditional German pyramid in Germany’s top Christmas markets.
The 30-foot Christmas Tree, which is just next to it, glows in the evenings and makes for a fantastic backdrop for your holiday photos. Having a wine hankering?
Then you should visit one of the town’s many award-winning vineyards because some of them provide difficult-to-refuse festive wine tasting excursions.
Even if the wine tours may have already warmed you up, skating on the ice at Marktplatz would be a joyous Christmas activity that you just must not miss.
Attend the annual holiday event at the estate of Lyndon B. Johnson for the cherry on top, which features a tree lighting ceremony, a real nativity, and so much more! Simply put, Fredericksburg is unquestionably among the top spots in Texas to celebrate Christmas.
Few places do Christmas celebrations as well as the little Texas hamlet of Gruene, which is perfect for genuine family fun. It is situated outside of New Braunfels, located about an hour and a half away from Austin and 35 minutes away from San Antonio.
Every year, the city holds a well-attended town illumination ceremony. It’s where the Gruene water tower and main street are lit up in Christmas lights as the Texas variant of Santa, known as “Cowboy Kringle,” parades downtown on his horse.
In addition to the customary red Santa outfit, he also sports a cowboy hat, leather chaps, and boots. Cowboy Kringle is willing to take pictures with the children, but please notice that this year, images must be scheduled in advance.
Visit Old Gruene Market if you still have some shopping to do for the holidays. There are a tonne of wonderful local souvenirs, decorations for the holidays, and art there.
The delicious Great Texas Pecan Candy Corporation sells tasty flavored nuts that make the ideal stocking stuffer, and The Grapevine is a lovely spot to get a bottle of Texas wine. If you get hungry after shopping, go to The Gristmill for a filling dinner.
The oldest continuously functioning dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall, is the perfect place to end your evening by listening to live music. Do you require lodging? Everything mentioned above is close by and can be reached on foot from Gruene Mansion Inn’s convenient location.
Where is the best place in Texas to find the biggest Christmas store, a Christkindlmarket with German influences, and a hill to sled down? Arlington, Texas is one of the greatest places to enjoy Christmas in Texas since it offers all of this and more during the holidays.
The establishment of the European-inspired market was motivated by the nearly 70-year connection between Arlington and Bad Konigshofen.
The Texas Christkindl Market, which takes place every year, offers handcrafted items for sale, genuine German foods, greetings from St. Nick, live entertainment, and even a Christkindl Angel who officially opens the market.
Maybe after indulging in some German sweets, you’ll be ready for the festive thrills at Six Flags Texas’ Holiday in the Park.
You may look forward to festive performances, a Christmas tree that has been lavishly decorated, Santa Claus visits, holiday goodies, and a hill that is actually covered in snow. Additionally, you can continue to ride some of the exhilarating roller coasters which are open all year.
You might be eager to go inside Decorator’s Warehouse, the biggest retailer of holiday decorations in Texas, after spending so much time outside. You’ll have the impression of walking throughout a winter wonderland inside.
With the largest collection of Christmas trees within Texas and dozens of different Christmas decor options, including decorations, stockings, garlands, tinsel, ribbon, and just about everything else you’ll want to display for the holidays, this is your one-stop shop.
In Arlington, the holidays are the most lovely time of the year with dazzling light shows, festive dining, shopping aplenty, and a tonne of other activities to get you in the spirit.
Final Thoughts
This article has lovely suggestions of bustling cities and adorable small towns throughout Texas to help you get into the holiday spirit, whether you’re traveling on a winter road trip or a Christmas vacation there!
Remember to include these festive destinations in your USA travel list for a future trip, even if you can’t make it to all of them.
Hi, my name is Alex Kallen and I love to travel. Ever since I could afford the ticket, I hopped on a plane and never looked back. I’ve made a living writing travel guides and blogging my experience all over the world.
I want to encourage and inspire others to travel around the US like I am. There’s no need to go on vacation overseas when there is an amazing land of opportunity right on your doorstep. Enjoy my website, I hope to see you out here one day.
