Now that the annual Thanksgiving feast has come and gone and it’s officially December, we can shift our focus to the all-important holiday of Christmas that is fast approaching. Even though much of our state never really gets the memo that winter is upon us, we definitely know how to celebrate. When you aren’t busy decorating the tree or stringing up lights outside this season, be sure to check out the unforgettable holiday festivities found in some of the best Christmas towns in Texas.
- Galveston
Facebook/Dickens on the Strand This coastal town is home to several holiday events you won’t want to miss. Pop over to the Galveston Railroad Museum for a memorable holiday-themed outing, or check out Moody Gardens for a festive family-friendly day.
For a list of events, check out Galveston’s website. Galveston, TX, USA
- Jefferson
Facebook/Jeffersoncandlelight Pretty much everywhere you look in Jefferson is all decked out for the holidays. Hop aboard the Christmas Express Train, pop in and out of decorated antique shops and boutiques, and as always, keep an eye out for Santa. You never know when he’ll show up!
For a list of events, check out Jefferson’s website. Jefferson, TX 75657, USA
- Cleburne
Facebook/Whistle Stop Christmas There’s no shortage of festivities in this town, that’s for sure! From parades to 11 acres of over 3 million Christmas lights to pictures with Santa and pony rides for the little ones, Whistle Stop Christmas is definitely worth a visit.
For more information, visit the Whistle Stop Christmas website. Cleburne, TX, USA
- Marshall
Facebook/Wonderland of Lights The Wonderland of Lights Extravaganza in Marshall, Texas rivals any other light display in the country with over 10 million lights, including illumination of the entire town courthouse. A variety of events take place here through December 31, including a lighted parade, 5K Jingle Bell run, Santa’s Workshop & Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen and carriage/train rides for the kids, and an outdoor ice skating rink.
The Marshall website has all the details to help plan your visit. Marshall, TX, USA
- Richmond
George Ranch Historical Park Every year, the George Ranch Historical Park in Richmond hosts a Campfire Christmas celebration. Here you can take a wagon ride through a farm boasting old-fashioned holiday decorations and hear carols and stories from the family who lives there. Afterward, sit around the campfire and share the season’s blessings.
For more information, visit the George Ranch website. Richmond, TX, USA
- Wimberley
Youtube/Scotnet55 Wimberley is home to the Holiday Trail of Lights, a spectacle that captures the spirit of the holiday season perfectly through December 31st. Walk through 8 acres of light displays with the warmth of the Yule Log that burns nightly. You can even roast marshmallows and hot dogs over a campfire! Nothing beats s’mores on a cold, winter night.
Wimberley’s website has all the information you need. Wimberley, TX, USA
- College Station
Facebook/Santa’s Wonderland- A Texas Christmas Experience Aggieland knows how Christmas is done. At Santa’s Wonderland, you can experience a hayride tour through millions of lights, live music, an old western village with unique holiday gifts, visits with Santa, Christmas movies on a giant outdoor screen, snow machines and more.
For more information, visit their website. College Station, TX, USA
- Grapevine
Flickr/Branditressler Grapevine has been appropriately dubbed the Christmas capital of Texas. Gaylord Texan Resort holds a variety of events including an indoor winter wonderland in the form of an ice sculpture maze featuring popular holiday characters and huge ice slides. The city also has a synchronized light show running through January 3rd where you can sing along with a gigantic Christmas tree! And as if that isn’t enough, Great Wolf Lodge is transformed into “Snowland” with an indoor heated waterpark and other holiday activities.
For details on all the events, visit Grapevine’s website. Grapevine, TX, USA
- Grand Prairie
Facebook/Prairie Lights Grand Prairie’s light display is a must-see holiday attraction, and it can be experienced from the comfort of your car! Visitors drive down a 2-mile path lined with dazzling displays. Halfway through you’ll find a holiday village with seasonal food, a gift shop, an indoor laser show, and an animated walk-through forest. The second half of the drive ends with the largest light tunnel in Texas!
You’ll want to plan your visit to For more information, click Prairie Lights this holiday season. Grand Prairie, TX, USA
- San Antonio
Flickr/Jmtimages Rounding out the list of best Christmas towns in Texas is none other than San Antonio. Everyone can agree that with twinkling lights high up in the trees lining the riverwalk and Santa accompanying gondola riders, this city captures the essence of Christmas perfectly.
For more information, visit the River Walk’s website and plan a magical Christmas experience. San Antonio, TX, USA
Christmas is yet another example of everything being bigger in Texas. What do you think are the best Christmas towns in Texas? Share in the comments below.
Facebook/Dickens on the Strand
This coastal town is home to several holiday events you won’t want to miss. Pop over to the Galveston Railroad Museum for a memorable holiday-themed outing, or check out Moody Gardens for a festive family-friendly day.
For a list of events, check out Galveston’s website.
Galveston, TX, USA
Facebook/Jeffersoncandlelight
Pretty much everywhere you look in Jefferson is all decked out for the holidays. Hop aboard the Christmas Express Train, pop in and out of decorated antique shops and boutiques, and as always, keep an eye out for Santa. You never know when he’ll show up!
For a list of events, check out Jefferson’s website.
Jefferson, TX 75657, USA
Facebook/Whistle Stop Christmas
There’s no shortage of festivities in this town, that’s for sure! From parades to 11 acres of over 3 million Christmas lights to pictures with Santa and pony rides for the little ones, Whistle Stop Christmas is definitely worth a visit.
For more information, visit the Whistle Stop Christmas website.
Cleburne, TX, USA
Facebook/Wonderland of Lights
The Wonderland of Lights Extravaganza in Marshall, Texas rivals any other light display in the country with over 10 million lights, including illumination of the entire town courthouse. A variety of events take place here through December 31, including a lighted parade, 5K Jingle Bell run, Santa’s Workshop & Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen and carriage/train rides for the kids, and an outdoor ice skating rink.
The Marshall website has all the details to help plan your visit.
Marshall, TX, USA
George Ranch Historical Park
Every year, the George Ranch Historical Park in Richmond hosts a Campfire Christmas celebration. Here you can take a wagon ride through a farm boasting old-fashioned holiday decorations and hear carols and stories from the family who lives there. Afterward, sit around the campfire and share the season’s blessings.
For more information, visit the George Ranch website.
Richmond, TX, USA
Youtube/Scotnet55
Wimberley is home to the Holiday Trail of Lights, a spectacle that captures the spirit of the holiday season perfectly through December 31st. Walk through 8 acres of light displays with the warmth of the Yule Log that burns nightly. You can even roast marshmallows and hot dogs over a campfire! Nothing beats s’mores on a cold, winter night.
Wimberley’s website has all the information you need.
Wimberley, TX, USA
Facebook/Santa’s Wonderland- A Texas Christmas Experience
Aggieland knows how Christmas is done. At Santa’s Wonderland, you can experience a hayride tour through millions of lights, live music, an old western village with unique holiday gifts, visits with Santa, Christmas movies on a giant outdoor screen, snow machines and more.
For more information, visit their website.
College Station, TX, USA
Flickr/Branditressler
Grapevine has been appropriately dubbed the Christmas capital of Texas. Gaylord Texan Resort holds a variety of events including an indoor winter wonderland in the form of an ice sculpture maze featuring popular holiday characters and huge ice slides. The city also has a synchronized light show running through January 3rd where you can sing along with a gigantic Christmas tree! And as if that isn’t enough, Great Wolf Lodge is transformed into “Snowland” with an indoor heated waterpark and other holiday activities.
For details on all the events, visit Grapevine’s website.
Grapevine, TX, USA
Facebook/Prairie Lights
Grand Prairie’s light display is a must-see holiday attraction, and it can be experienced from the comfort of your car! Visitors drive down a 2-mile path lined with dazzling displays. Halfway through you’ll find a holiday village with seasonal food, a gift shop, an indoor laser show, and an animated walk-through forest. The second half of the drive ends with the largest light tunnel in Texas!
You’ll want to plan your visit to For more information, click Prairie Lights this holiday season.
Grand Prairie, TX, USA
Flickr/Jmtimages
Rounding out the list of best Christmas towns in Texas is none other than San Antonio. Everyone can agree that with twinkling lights high up in the trees lining the riverwalk and Santa accompanying gondola riders, this city captures the essence of Christmas perfectly.
For more information, visit the River Walk’s website and plan a magical Christmas experience.
San Antonio, TX, USA
If you’d like to see even more of Wimberley’s amazing Trail of Lights, check out this Youtube video from scotnet55:
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best Christmas towns in Texas December 16, 2020 Jackie Ann What are the best outdoor activities in winter in Texas? Looking for even more activities to do in Texas? Luckily, Texas is home to endless adventures just waiting for you, if you know where to look. For scenic hikes, you can’t go wrong with a hike to the Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg. The trail is just over 5 miles and features some of the most stunning views of the Texas Hill Country you’ve ever seen. For a more festive outing, be sure to check out the San Antonio River Walk, which features over 100,000 of twinkling lights that the entire family will enjoy, and the best part is that this spectacular light show is free. What are the best drive-thru light shows in Texas? When it comes to holiday light shows, Texas sure does dazzle. One of the best drive-thru light shows in Texas is the Land of Lights Christmas Park in Athens, Texas. This 1-mile long drive-thru features over 4 million lights, making it one of the top must-see drive-thru light shows in Texas this holiday season. Grand Prairie is home to Prairie Lights, a two-mile drive-thru holiday light show with over 4 minion lights and countless displays of all shapes and sizes. What are the best holiday events in Texas? There’s no better place to spend the holidays than in Texas. The nation’s 2nd largest state is chock-full of holiday events that would put anyone in the holiday spirit. If you’re looking to check out some holiday lights, check out Christmas Park Land of Lights in Athens or Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie. College Station is home to Santa’s Wonderland, a festive. Holiday event with carriage rides, hayrides, visits with Santa, and even a snow playground. Of course, nothing can top the dazzling display that you’ll see at the San Antonio Riverwalk, which gets all decked out for the season.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best Christmas towns in Texas
December 16, 2020
Jackie Ann
What are the best outdoor activities in winter in Texas? Looking for even more activities to do in Texas? Luckily, Texas is home to endless adventures just waiting for you, if you know where to look. For scenic hikes, you can’t go wrong with a hike to the Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg. The trail is just over 5 miles and features some of the most stunning views of the Texas Hill Country you’ve ever seen. For a more festive outing, be sure to check out the San Antonio River Walk, which features over 100,000 of twinkling lights that the entire family will enjoy, and the best part is that this spectacular light show is free. What are the best drive-thru light shows in Texas? When it comes to holiday light shows, Texas sure does dazzle. One of the best drive-thru light shows in Texas is the Land of Lights Christmas Park in Athens, Texas. This 1-mile long drive-thru features over 4 million lights, making it one of the top must-see drive-thru light shows in Texas this holiday season. Grand Prairie is home to Prairie Lights, a two-mile drive-thru holiday light show with over 4 minion lights and countless displays of all shapes and sizes. What are the best holiday events in Texas? There’s no better place to spend the holidays than in Texas. The nation’s 2nd largest state is chock-full of holiday events that would put anyone in the holiday spirit. If you’re looking to check out some holiday lights, check out Christmas Park Land of Lights in Athens or Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie. College Station is home to Santa’s Wonderland, a festive. Holiday event with carriage rides, hayrides, visits with Santa, and even a snow playground. Of course, nothing can top the dazzling display that you’ll see at the San Antonio Riverwalk, which gets all decked out for the season.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Looking for even more activities to do in Texas? Luckily, Texas is home to endless adventures just waiting for you, if you know where to look. For scenic hikes, you can’t go wrong with a hike to the Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg. The trail is just over 5 miles and features some of the most stunning views of the Texas Hill Country you’ve ever seen. For a more festive outing, be sure to check out the San Antonio River Walk, which features over 100,000 of twinkling lights that the entire family will enjoy, and the best part is that this spectacular light show is free.
What are the best drive-thru light shows in Texas?
When it comes to holiday light shows, Texas sure does dazzle. One of the best drive-thru light shows in Texas is the Land of Lights Christmas Park in Athens, Texas. This 1-mile long drive-thru features over 4 million lights, making it one of the top must-see drive-thru light shows in Texas this holiday season. Grand Prairie is home to Prairie Lights, a two-mile drive-thru holiday light show with over 4 minion lights and countless displays of all shapes and sizes.
What are the best holiday events in Texas?
There’s no better place to spend the holidays than in Texas. The nation’s 2nd largest state is chock-full of holiday events that would put anyone in the holiday spirit. If you’re looking to check out some holiday lights, check out Christmas Park Land of Lights in Athens or Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie. College Station is home to Santa’s Wonderland, a festive. Holiday event with carriage rides, hayrides, visits with Santa, and even a snow playground. Of course, nothing can top the dazzling display that you’ll see at the San Antonio Riverwalk, which gets all decked out for the season.
