7 Christmas Towns In Texas That Will Fill Your Heart With Holiday Cheer
By Katie Lawrence|Published November 02, 2023
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
In my opinion, the quickest and most guaranteed way to get into the holiday spirit is by visiting the best Christmas towns in Texas. From the official Christmas Capital of Texas which boasts nearly 1,500 events in under two months to a tiny town with a light display so spectacular, it can be seen from space, these seven cities and towns go all-out for the holidays. If you’ve been searching for places to go for Christmas in Texas, consider this your ultimate bucket list.
Grapevine is the official Christmas Capital of Texas, and it shows. The town boasts nearly 1,500 different activities throughout the holiday season, from Christmas wine trains to festive markets and more. Plus, the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center gets all decked out with beautiful lights and decor - and the hotel itself offers all sorts of family-friendly festivities, including a below-zero room filled with massive ice sculptures!
If you've never visited Georgetown at Christmastime, consider this your sign to plan a trip. This Austin suburb has the self-proclaimed "Most Beautiful Town Square In Texas," and it gets even more stunning when the holiday season rolls around. From the quaint shops and restaurants to the trees lining the street, virtually everything is covered in dazzling lights. Plus, the town hosts lots of themed events such as breakfast with Santa, a Christmas stroll, a reindeer run, and more.
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3. College Station
Santa's Wonderland, 18898 Hwy 6, College Station, TX 77845, USA
College Station is home to Santa's Wonderland, a Texas-sized holiday theme park. It's the largest Christmas attraction in the entire Lone Star State, complete with millions of twinkling lights, real snow, holiday shopping, themed food and drinks, and so much more. You can even experience the lights via a hayride or a horse-drawn carriage!
Every year on the day after Thanksgiving, the world-famous San Antonio River Walk decks its halls for the holidays. Beautiful, multicolored lights dangle from the trees lining the river, and it's such an elegant sight to behold. Visitors to the Alamo City can also enjoy fun, festive activities such as the SeaWorld San Antonio Christmas Celebration, Lightscape At The San Antonio Botanical Garden, and Zoo Lights at the San Antonio Zoo.
With a population of under 2,000, Johnson City is a pretty small town - especially for the Texas Hill Country. Despite its size, however, the town truly goes all-out for Christmas. The annual Lights Spectacular is a free event that illuminates the town square each year with over two million lights, local food, beer, and wine, and more holiday cheer than you can shake a stick at. The display is so massive, it can be seen from space!
Fredericksburg is one of the most iconic and beloved small towns in Texas, and it gets infinitely more magical around the holidays. The town's annual "55 Nights of Fredericksburg Lights" celebration typically kicks off in mid-November, featuring activities such as an outdoor ice rink, holiday shopping, wine tastings, and more. Fredericksburg's German heritage is on full display with the 26-foot German Christmas Pyramid, and the Singing Christmas Tree - with choir members on each row - is also a lovely sight to behold.
7. Grand Prairie
Prairie Lights, 5610 Lake Ridge Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX 75052, USA
If you've never been to Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie, make this the year. This famous holiday light park boasts a dazzling drive-thru light show, a walk-thru magical forest, carnival rides, photos with Santa, and a holiday village with sweet treats and other delicious eats.
How many of these Christmas towns in Texas have you visited? What are your favorite things to do for Christmas in Texas? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
If you’re looking for more Christmas events in Texas, we have a whole bunch of great ones for you to discover. And if Christmas festivals in Texas are your cup of tea, I highly recommend checking out Dickens on Main in Boerne.
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