It’s not likely that you will experience a white Christmas in Texas, but there are plenty of destinations throughout the state to get you in the holiday spirit.
You are sure to find one of the best Christmas towns in Texas near you where you can celebrate Christmas in style.
Of course, you can visit any of these towns year-round, but there is something magical about visiting when they are lit up with millions of twinkling lights.
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The Best Texas Christmas Getaways
Austin
Christmas in the state capital is always a wonderful time. Head to Zilker Park for an evening stroll under 2 million lights with 70 lighted tunnels and displays.
Or spend your day shopping at the German-Texan Christmas Market near the capitol building and then your evening at Santa’s Ranch for a country magical holiday night.
With all the holiday events, this makes it one of the most romantic getaways in Texas.
Amarillo
Looking for a town to burn off the calories from all the desserts?
Amarillo hosts several winter-themed races, or if exercise isn’t your thing then head to Christmas in the Gardens which is a holiday celebration at the Amarillo Botanical Gardens.
For a low-key evening, load the family up in the car and drive through the beautifully decorated Bishop Hills neighborhood.
Canyon Lake
Spending a day at North Pole Village is a must-do. This annual Christmas event is a fundraiser for the Community Resource and Recreation Center and Food Pantry of Canyon Lake.
Guests can enjoy getting photos with Santa, writing letters to Santa at the post office, decorate Christmas cookies, face painting, a petting barn, and of course hayrides.
Cleburne
Each year, Cleburne is turned into a winter wonderland when Hulen park transforms with over 3 million twinkling lights.
The park features lighted tunnels, visit with Santa Clause, and train rides.
Along with the festivities at the park, the town also has numerous holiday events throughout the season such as Christmas musicals, breakfast with Santa, Candlewalk tours, wagon rides, and more.
College Station
Looking for a small-town feel with a Texas flair, then this is the place to go.
Head to Santa’s Wonderland for the largest outdoor Christmas celebration in the south.
They have everything from carriage tours, hayrides, live music, and even a mechanical bull!
Dallas
Christmas in Dallas is a full season packed with tree lighting ceremonies, Christmas performances, ice skating, and millions of twinkling lights.
The event features everything from the cowboy Christmas corral, petting zoo, live nativity scene, walkable trail of lights, ice skating, hayrides, carriage rides, and of course a giant Texas flag made of lights.
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Fort Worth
Living in Fort Worth, I’m partial to the wonderful events in this city!
They have everything from a cowboy Christmas in the stockyards, skate at the outdoor skating rink at Panther Island, view the over 2 million lights that decorate the Texas Motor Speedway to everything in between.
Fredericksburg
Visiting Fredericksburg is always a good idea, especially over the holidays.
The downtown is turned into a winter wonderland with a 26-foot tall German Christmas pyramid, a decorated Christmas tree on the Marktplatz, and outdoor ice skating.
Savor all that Texas Wine Country has to offer this holiday season sipping and sampling award-winning wines at 45 unique Hill Country Wineries. The Christmas Wine Affair does sell out, so be sure to purchase tickets in advance.
Galveston
This winter wonder island offers more than 50 days of holiday events. From the famous Dickens on the Stand to the holiday lighting ceremony at Hotel Galvez.
Moody Gardens on Galveston Island goes the extra mile during the holidays. They offer eight-holiday attractions for the whole family all at one venue.
Their annual Festival of Lights is a one-mile trail that features over 100 Christmas light displays and an outdoor skating rink.
Georgetown
Home to the Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas becomes even more beautiful when lit up and decorated for Christmas.
Guests can enjoy wine tastings at one of the 11 best wineries in Georgetown.
Walk through the shops on Main Street, explore the Inner Space Cavern, or watch the parade at the annual Christmas Stroll.
Grapevine
It’s no wonder this is deemed the Christmas Capital of Texas.
This Texas Christmas town will take you to the North Pole on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad North Pole Express, watch holiday movies at the Historic Palace Theatre, indoor snow tubing, ice skating, and everything in between.
Granbury
This town is adorable and so much fun to visit year-round but really comes to life during the Christmas season. There are events happening almost everyday during the holiday season that the entire family can enjoy.
Everything from writing letters to Santa Clause, viewing over 1,000 Nativity scenes, carriage rides, strolling through the beautifully decorated Shanley Park, Night of Lights Christmas Parade and so much more.
Grand Prairie
Prairie Lights is the premier holiday light park in Texas located at Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie, Texas. You will be dazzled with 4 million lights set along 2 miles of path.
Hundreds of ALL-NEW displays in shapes of all kinds line and arch over the roads. Halfway through your adventure, you will have the opportunity to order treats and drinks in our new concessions drive-thru!
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Houston
There are so many Christmas Lights in Houston, TX, and the surrounding areas that will keep your family in the holiday spirit all month long!
Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston is an event that you can’t miss.
This technologically advanced light display is located at the Space Center Houston camp. Naturally, it has a space-themed light installation, outdoor wonders, and a look at interstellar history.
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Jefferson
This East Texas town is oozing with small-town charm, especially during the winter months.
Jefferson has a Christmas parade that comes down the main street that features the best floats and characters.
Following the parade is the annual tree lighting ceremony downtown.
Johnson City
This quaint hill country town shines bright all during the holiday season.
The highlighted event is the drive-through event located at the Pedernales Electric Cooperative headquarters that features over 1.3 million LED bulbs lighting up the whole campus.
Lubbock
You can’t visit this college town without a visit to Texas Tech Carol of Lights. This annual event features performances from the choirs and lighting ceremony.
Then head to Holland Gardens so the kids can meet Santa and tell him what is on their Christmas wish list!
If you are looking for the perfect hotel for your time in Lubbock, I suggest booking a room at the Overton Hotel & Conference Center.
Marble Falls
This adorable town located outside of Austin hosts the annual Walkway of Lights. Marble Falls is lit up with over 2 million twinkly lights and is perfect for the entire family.
It was the small-town vibes and laid-back events where you can relax and get in the holiday spirit.
Marshall
The town comes to life at the Wonderland of Lights Festival which features over 1 million Christmas lights.
Guests can enjoy the outdoor skating rink, horse-drawn carriage rides, and visiting Santa!
Nacogdoches
Celebrate Nine Weeks of Nine Flags in the Oldest Town in Texas hosted by Main Street and the CVB. Events all season long will warm your spirit and leave you filled with Christmas Cheer.
Some of the events include the Christmas market, Elf scavenger hunt, and Christmas Story Walk.
New Braunfels
Located outside of Austin, this town is oozing with Christmas charm.
They have events happening throughout the season, from family events to the perfect date night.
Visitors can enjoy Christmas at the Caverns, concerts at Gruene Hall, watch a Christmas Parade and so much more.
Odessa
You won’t be getting a white Christmas in this West Texas town, but there are plenty of events to get you in the holiday spirit.
Visitors can enjoy a self-guided walking tour of decorated homes and historic buildings, shopping at the Christmas Village Market, and watching the Parade of Lights.
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Palestine
The classic Christmas story comes to life when you take a ride on the Texas State Railroad’s Polar Express.
During the train ride, guests will enjoy delicious hot chocolate, cookies, and music from the movie.
Once you arrive at the North Pole, you’ll be greeted by Santa where he gives everyone the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell!
Other celebrations around Palestine include a walk through Bethlehem, carriage rides, musicals, pancakes with Mrs. Claus, a Parade of Lights, movies in the park, and so much more.
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San Antonio
San Antonio shows off its beauty with its Christmas decorations.
The River Walk turns into a Christmas wonderland when the bald cypress trees are draped with over 100,000 lights and it’s a reflection on the water.
The town has plenty of events happening throughout the holiday season that can’t be missed!
San Marcos
This city is home to the Sights and Sounds of Christmas, a festival displaying millions of lights along the San Marcos river, rides and games, live music, and a recreation of the Town of Bethlehem.
Children will enjoy the activities located in their Santa’s workshop where they can make their own Christmas gifts.
Another option is to drive a few minutes and find all the fun things to do in Gruene. It’s a charming town that is always fun to visit.
Tyler
Their roses aren’t the only thing Tyler is known for. They have several events throughout the holiday season that you can’t miss.
The stunning Azalea District is a holiday tradition where this gorgeous neighborhood is transformed into a winter wonderland with its lights and over-the-top decorations.
Wimberley
The Wimberley Holiday Trail of Lights is a must-see! It takes place at EmilyAnn Theatre and is a six-acre winter wonderland that you don’t want to miss.
The free event features light displays, carolers, fire pits, and live music.
This is one of the best Texas towns to visit year-round, but it is even more fun during the holidays.
