These 10 Festive Town Squares In Texas Are All Decked Out For The Holidays
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Here in Texas, big cities and small towns alike go all out come Christmastime. Check out these 10 town squares that are decked out from end to end:
The self-proclaimed "Christmas Capital of Texas," Grapevine boasts an impressive 1,400 holiday events in the span of just 40 days. Mosey down Main Street, where every building is decked with lights galore, take a ride on the North Pole Express train, and mail letters to Santa, among so many other festive activities. There's no shortage of Christmas magic in this charming town.
With the self-proclaimed "Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas," it's safe to say this Hill Country city leaves no hall un-decked at Christmastime. More than 20 different events take place throughout the holiday season, most centered around Main Street in all its dazzling glory.
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Each holiday season, the Historic Jefferson Foundation holds a candlelit tour featuring some of the town's oldest homes that have been decorated beautifully for Christmas. The First Baptist Church will be holding performances of festive music during the hours of the tour. You can also take a stroll through the Enchanted Forest, an attraction with more than 100 trees adorned with lights and ornaments. Main Street (the general store, in particular) is always decked out!
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Festivities kick off on Wednesday, November 27 at 6 p.m. sharp. With one flip of a switch, the historic Harrison County Courthouse will be illuminated by millions of white lights and commence the most wonderful time of year. Horse-drawn carriages and trains take passengers on a tour of downtown, passing numerous charming shops and restaurants. Each and every business is decked out for the season, so prepare to be absolutely enchanted!
This year marks the 30th annual Lights Spectacular, an event that transforms rural Johnson City into a winter wonderland. Millions of lights illuminate the courthouse alone, creating a brilliant glow that can be seen far beyond city limits. Festivities kick off on November 29 at 6:30 p.m with a lighting ceremony and fireworks. You'll have until January 6 to see the spectacle, and admission is free of charge.
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Over 100,000 lights illuminate the iconic San Antonio River Walk for the holidays, usually starting in early November. A simple stroll beneath the splendorous display is enough to leave you in a state of absolute amazement, but the celebration doesn't end there. Take a gondola ride with Santa as your captain, watch boat parades, and revel in the lively spirit of the Alamo City during the most wonderful time of year.
Despite being a beach town, Galveston knows exactly how to celebrate Christmas. The iconic Festival of Lights features dazzling displays comprised of over a million lights (plus an outdoor ice rink), in addition to a Cirque du Soleil holiday show and Ice Land, a Caribbean-themed ice sculpture exhibit. 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 down Main Street and make you feel like you've stepped into a Dickens novel.
Nestled deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, Palestine is where holiday traditions are born. Between its annual Polar Express train, carriage rides, Grinch's Lair, and tons more magical events, this small town is the perfect place to celebrate the season.
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With its German roots, Fredericksburg is an especially unique place to visit around the holidays. Its German Christmas Pyramid, 55 straight nights of lights, charming shops, and ice skating are just a few of the many reasons to add this Hill Country town to your yuletide bucket list.
A Christmas parade, millions of lights, live entertainment, and visits from St. Nick himself, Cleburne's annual Whistle Stop Christmas is fun for the whole family. It all begins on November 25 at Hulen Park and runs through the end of December. There's also a candlelit tour of homes that you'd be remiss not to attend!
How many of these places have you checked off your list? Did we miss any must-visit destinations? Let us know your thoughts!
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Galveston, TX, USA
Palestine, TX, USA
Marshall, TX, USA
Cleburne, TX, USA
Grapevine, TX, USA
Georgetown, TX, USA
Jefferson, TX 75657, USA
Fredericksburg, TX, USA
San Antonio, TX, USA
Johnson City, TX 78636, USA