Holidays in the Hill Country
This holiday season, celebrate in the charming, picturesque towns of Central Texas and the Texas Hill Country with these rural and small town holiday events. Be sure to factor in time for a memorable day trip into the Hill Country during your visit to Austin, and experience these spectacular seasonal festivals and markets.
Throughout November & December
Holidays in Gruene
New Braunfels, TX
Stroll through Gruene Historic District this holiday season. Reserve your spot for photos with Cowboy Kringle, Gruene's own brand of Santa, join the Jingle Bell Run on December 14 and live music every day at Texas' Oldest Dance Hall, Gruene Hall.
gruenetexas.com/holidays
11/23/24 - 1/5/25
Gruene Ice Rink
New Braunfels, TX
For the first year ever the Gruene Historic District is opening an ice rink to get you into the cozy holiday spirit. The rink is open daily and offers skate rentals for $18. Be sure to buy your tickets online ahead of time as walkup availability will be limited.
gruenetexas.com/rink
11/25/24 -12/20/24
Christmas Wine Affair
50+ Hill Country Wineries
Here's a holiday tradition worth toasting with a trip to wine country. Texas Hill Country wineries will be decked out with lights and holiday cheer, so pick up your Tasting Passport to start your wine-tasting adventure at the Christmas Wine Affair. Each passport entitles the holder to a complimentary tasting at over 50 participating wineries (up to four per day), as well as special discounts on bottle purchases.
texashillcountrywineries.org
11/26/24 - 1/6/25
Fredericksburg’s Christmas Nights of Lights
Fredericksburg, TX
Fredericksburg showcases the best of German Christmas traditions with warm Texas hospitality during the holiday season. Each evening around 6 p.m., start with an audio program that includes traditional holiday music as well as the history of the iconic 26-foot German Christmas Pyramid and Community Christmas Tree. The audio program will conclude with a countdown to the lighting of all the holiday lights.
visitfredericksburgtx.com
11/29/24 - 1/5/25
Lights Spectacular
Johnson City, TX
Enjoy a twinkle town full of lights and fun, Hill Country style! Here you can stroll downtown Johnson City fully lit with spectacular Christmas lights. The season-long celebration is family & pet-friendly with no admission.
lightsspectacular.com
11/30/24 - 12/26/24
Wimberley Trail of Lights
Wimberley, TX
This walking trail winds through eight acres of lighted displays. Santa Claus flies in most nights from the North Pole and the event features several special nights throughout the run of the trail. Admission is free and includes complimentary marshmallows and hot chocolate.
visitwimberleytx.org
Throughout December
Cowboy Capital Christmas
Bandera, TX
Come on down to the Cowboy Capital of the World to celebrate the holiday season. Celebrate the season with a full schedule of events like an evening shopper stroll and the annual Cowboy Christmas Parade. Don't miss the biggest event of the season, Cowboy Christmas on December 14.
banderacowboycapital.com
12/6/24-12/8/24 & 12/13/24-12/15/24
Salado Christmas Stroll
Salado, TX
The picturesque Village of Salado's 64th annual Christmas Stroll draws Texas travelers from near and far. For two weekends, visitors can enjoy late night shopping, live music and a live nativity, Christmas photo ops and more.
salado.com
12/7/24
Christmas Bazaar
Lukenbach, TX
Enjoy family photos with Santa, Christmas tree lighting, shopping, arts & crafts, and all-day Christmas music at this free, family-friendly holiday celebration.
luckenbachtexas.com
12/7/24
Christmas on Mercer Street
Dripping Springs, TX
The sights and sounds of the Hill Country come alive in Dripping Springs at the Annual Christmas on Mercer Street. This year, enjoy holiday shopping, live music, children's activities and the tree lighting at dusk.
cityofdrippingsprings.com
12/7/24
Christmas Parade
Round Top, TX
The historical town of Round Top is having a lighted Christmas Parade through downtown. This celebration is a whole day packed with fun holiday festivities including live music, vintage cars and lighted floats, holiday shopping, food and drinks, and the occasional farm animal.
exploreroundtop.com
12/14/24
Sights & Sounds of Christmas
San Marcos, TX
Sights & Sounds in San Marcos is the Winter Wonderland we all dream of. There’s something for everyone at this festive celebration from bumper cars to ice skating, a huge food court and gift shop.
sights-n-sounds.org