Here Are The 10 Most Enchanting, Magical Christmas Towns In Texas
Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and soon after that December will be here already. Whether we like it or not, the holidays are coming and going at a rapid pace, and we only have a few more weeks left to enjoy all the festivities. This time of year is no exception to the phrase “everything’s bigger in Texas.” Even our smallest towns celebrate in the biggest way possible, decking the streets, trees, and buildings with lights and hosting festivals with dazzling decorations. These 10 towns in Texas are guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit.
With over 1400 holiday events taking place within a 40 day time period, I'd say Grapevine takes Christmas pretty seriously - in fact, it's the self-proclaimed Christmas Capitol of Texas. Between the North Pole Express Train, ICE!, Gaylord Texan Resort's ice sculpture exhibit featuring gingerbread houses, a 54-foot tall Christmas tree and more, and the chance to stay in a Snowland Suite at Great Wolf Lodge complete with your very own decorated tree, and plenty of parades, the entire town comes alive during this time of year.
I think most Texans agree that San Antonio is by far the best Christmas town as far as lights are concerned. Taking a nighttime stroll down the River Walk with thousands of multicolored, twinkling orbs dangling from the surrounding trees and reflecting on the water is truly a spectacular sight. You can even take a gondola ride with a driver dressed up like Santa Claus! This city definitely knows how to celebrate Christmas in a Texas-sized way.
Although islands are usually associated with palm trees and surfing, Galveston does winter just as well - even if the temperature doesn't quite align with the activities. Moody Gardens hosts several holiday attractions including the famous Festival of Lights featuring dazzling displays comprised of over a million lights and an outdoor ice rink, a Cirque du Soleil holiday show, and Ice Land, a Carribbean-themed ice sculpture exhibit. All events run through January 8th, and tickets can be bought here. The island also hosts Dickens on the Strand, a festival that will take you back to 19th-century England as people clad in Victorian clothing parade around the streets and make you feel like you've stepped into a Dickens novel.
Jefferson has an Old World feel about it that makes Christmastime so much cozier. Every year, it holds the Candlelight Tour of Homes in which participants are guided through some of the town's oldest, most historic homes that have been elegantly decorated for Christmas. There's also a Christmas Train that runs through December 24th, a parade on November 26th, an Enchanted Forest with over 100 illuminated trees, and more.
Johnson City quite literally comes alive during the holidays with a courthouse adorned with over 100,000 lights. You can watch it illuminate the night for the first time this year on November 25th at 6:30 PM. There's a parade the next night, and every following weekend until the end of December is full of festivities. You can read more about it here.
I can't believe I left out the Rio Grande Valley when I did this article last year. Hidalgo sure doesn't play around when it comes to Christmas! Its Festival of Lights runs throughout the month of December and starts at sunset every night. There are several special dates including the city's lighting ceremony on December 1st and a parade on December 2nd.
The main holiday attraction in Grand Prairie can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own vehicle. Prairie Lights is a 2 mile drive-through light display with a magical Christmas village halfway through complete with a gift shop, Santa, seasonal food, and more. The trail ends with the longest light tunnel in Texas (pictured above).
Marble Falls is already a beautiful, quaint town in the Texas Hill Country, but it transforms into something absolutely magical this time of year. The annual Walkway of Lights, open nightly from 6-10PM until January 1st, is a breathtaking display of over 2 million lights, 400 sculptures, sparkly garland, Santa, and more. Plus, admission is totally FREE! If that's not reason enough to experience it, I don't know what is.
Cleburne is full of cheer during the holiday season. Whistle Stop Christmas, a festival with over 3 million lights spanning 11 acres, parades, and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, runs through December 31st. You can't miss it!
Wimberley's Trail of Lights features 8 acres of spectacular displays, a Yule Log that burns brightly every night, and a campfire for marshmallow and hot dog roasting. The trail runs through the month of December, so definitely be sure to check it out if you're in the area. There's nothing like the charm of a Texas small town during Christmastime.
I can hear sleigh bells ringing and see sugar plums dancing in my head already.
Have you been to any of these towns during the holiday season? Which is your favorite?
