There’s No Place Like My Hometown of Beaumont, Texas for the Holidays

Traditions are my favorite part of the holiday season in Texas. Whether it’s driving around in search of the best neighborhood Christmas lights, attending a local festival, or wearing matching family pajamas on Christmas Eve, these cherished festivities make the most wonderful time of year even more magical. Of course, holiday traditions depend heavily on where you’re from — as a native Southeast Texan, my childhood didn’t consist of building too many snowmen! Nevertheless, Christmas in Beaumont, Texas will always have a special place in my heart because it’s my hometown. Many of the holiday events I grew up with are still going on today, keeping the childlike wonder of the Christmas season alive in adulthood. 

Christmas in Beaumont, Texas feels a bit like a small-town Christmas even though our city has a population of over 100,000. From charming holiday markets to the storefronts of small businesses decked out in lights, I always feel warm and cozy inside when I’m driving around town this time of year. 

Townsfolk eagerly anticipate the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. It was held at Riverfront Park when I was a kid, but now it’s on the lawn of the Event Centre. It’s the largest Christmas tree in the city, and the free ceremony is a family-friendly event complete with live music, food trucks, festive movie screenings, and a mesmerizing drone show. This year, the event takes place on Monday, December 16 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. — but if you can’t make it, no worries! The tree remains lit throughout the holiday season, so you can still drive by and marvel at its splendor. 

One of my new favorite ways to experience Christmas in Beaumont, Texas is Candlelight and Carols at the McFaddin-Ward Historic House Museum. This gorgeous mansion was once home to one of the area’s most prominent families, and the home is now a museum that visitors can tour year-round. At Christmastime, the home is beautifully decorated for the season, and you get to see how the family celebrated Christmas over 100 years ago. Guests can also enjoy festive treats like wassail, eggnog, and Christmas cookies before the tour. The talented carolers on the front porch bring the whole experience together! It was my first year attending the free event, and I can confidently say I’ve found a new tradition. Plus, even if you miss this special event, the house is decorated all season long and makes a great photo-op.

Of course, there are many other holiday activities across town to enjoy. Simply cruising around to see which houses have the best decorations is a favorite in my family. We even like to rate the neighborhood displays on a scale of 1-10 to make it even more fun.

Christmas in Beaumont, Texas will never get old, even when I do. What’s Christmas like in your hometown? I’d love to hear about some of your cherished traditions in the comments. If you're in search of last-minute holiday gifts for anyone on your list, how about some state pride gear from Wear Your Roots? From clothing to backpacks to even beer glasses, there's something for everyone — no matter what state they hail from.