Wurstfest - Who'd a thought a sausage festival could be so much fun? Lots of German food, music, and good beer. Consider to spend the night or have a designated driver, if you want to drink.
25th Annual Christmas Stroll
'It's a Wonderful Life' in downtown Georgetown the first Saturday in December. The whole family is invited to watch a hometown parade, enjoy
live entertainment, sample tempting treats in the festive food court and browse more than 75 arts & crafts booths.
Contact: Hope van der Heijden
512-868-8675
Nov. 16-14 – AUSTIN:
Christmas At Caswell Austin Junior Forum hosts Christmas at Caswell each November. This annual major event . The Historic Caswell House (1404 West Avenue at 15th St.) is transformed into a Holiday Extravaganza. Area caterers and decorators donate their time, talents and products. The Austin Junior Forum host tours of the house, elegant tearoom lunches and gourmet dinners, proceeds funds all of the Forum's grants . Also, not to miss - a bakeshop and an incredible gift shop that is stocked with area boutique's products. These stores contribute 30% of their profits to Austin Junior Forum. 512-917-8776
Nov. 20-21, Dec.4-5 (Christmas Market Days)
Arts, Crafts, and "bric-a-brac" (as my brother-in-law calls it) from almost 100 vendors Packaged Texas foods make great gifts for sending to out-of-state relatives and friends.. Photos with Cowboy Kringle on Dec.4-5. 10am-5 pm Free.
830/832-1721
Nov. 24-Dec. 30 – MARSHALL:
Wonderland of Lights Said to be the biggest, more than 900 miles of over 10 million lights shine throughout the city. Activities include home tours, carriage rides, outdoor ice-skating (yep - ice- skating), lighted Christmas parade, cowboy Christmas celebration and more. Downtown Square. 903/935-7868
November 26-30, December 1-20
MARSHALL
Starr Family Home State Historical Site - Christmas Candlelight Dinner & Tour - Experience the ultimate Victorian dinner as their guest in the Blake Home. Costumed staff serves you a grand dinner in the quixotic aire of this beautiful home built in the 1890s. Included with dinner live music by accomplished singers. Following the fine repast, tour Maplecroft,.the magnificent Starr mansion. This home, built by James Franklin Starr, contains the original family furnishings from the early 1800s. Fee $28 per person (includes dinner); reservations required; (903) 935-3044.
November 27 – ANDERSON
Fanthorp Inn State Historical Site's "Twilight - Firelight" - 1850s Stagecoach Inn, adorned with lanterns, luminaries, and decorations, sparks to life with living history, music, poetry and period characters. Enjoy holiday goodies. Relive days of yore on a stagecoach or wagon ride from the historic Grimes County Courthouse to the inn. 4:30-7:30 p.m.; fees $6 adults, $4 children 12 and under (936) 873-2633.
Nov. 26 – SAN ANTONIO:
Holiday River Parade Y Lighting Ceremony. Sardine yourself with 150,000 new friends along the banks of the SA River. This has all the makings of a big event - illuminated floats, Christmas lights, celebrities and live music..all along the River Walk. The lights are particularly pretty with glistening reflections in the water. Despite corporate sponsorship by Ford, tickets will set you back $15.00-25.00 If you can't make the event - a seasonal visit is recommended. 210/227-4262
Hill Country Regional Lighting Trail Millions of lights plus a plethora of yule tide events make for miles and smiles and some lots o' car-carolling. Burnet and Dripping Springs joins last year's cast of eleven communities—Blanco, Boerne, Bulverde, Fredericksburg, Goldthwaite, Johnson City, Llano, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Round Mountain and Wimberely to light up in their holiday best and offer special festivities. 830/997-8515
Dec. 2-4, 10-11 – JEFFERSON:
Step back in time as costumed docents conduct a tour of historic homes decorated for Christmas. www.jefferson-texas.com 903/665-2672 or 888/467-3529
Dec. 3-5 – SAN ANGELO
This National Historic Landmark of 40 acres, and 24 buildings goes back in time for three special days featuring holiday festivities, period re-enactment, entertainment, shopping and kids' activities. The period festival begins Thursday evening with a dinner and concert affair.
Festival: Fri 3-9 pm; Sat 10 – 8 & Sun 10 - 5
$1.00-4.00, children under 6 free. 325-657-4441
Dec. 10-12; 17-19 – SAN ANTONIO:
Fiesta de las Luminarias
Over 2,500 glowing luminarias line the San Antonio Riverwalk commemorating the "lighting of the way" for the Holy Family. 210/227-4262
Dec. 4 – GOLIAD: Christmas Along the Corridor Christmas couriers - al la Pony Express - ride the centuries old Alamo-La Bahia Corridor from Goliad to San Antonio. Communities along the route participate with special holiday activities. (Always the first Saturday of December.) 210/828-6203
Live "A Christmas Carol" (sans ghosts) at . Texas' most complete Victorian-era holiday festival, with hundreds of costumed characters, three parades, entertainers of all sorts (street and stage), strolling carollers, roving street musicians... all reflecting the period. Childrens activities include a snow-filled, yes, snow, play yard. Many additional events, including book signing by the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, himself.
$10.00 advance
12.00 door
kids six and younger are free.
Arrive in full Victorian period costume and get in free. 409/765-7834
Dec. 4-5 – GRANBURY:
Tour beautifully restored historic homes and buildings while passing strolling Carolers and Musicians.
Horse Drawn Carriages available for tours
$12.00-15.00 Saturday, 2 -10, Sunday, noon - 6 817/573-5548 or 800/950-2212
Dec. 12-13 – LUBBOCK: Candlelight at the Ranch
Dec. 12-13 – WASHINGTON:
Candlelight Christmas
Share a traditional Christmas with the Jones family at their annual gathering of friends and neighbors. Enjoy music, food and dancing along with a cup of good cheer from 6 to 8 p.m. Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Barrington Living History Farm. 936/878-2213
Dec. 12-13, 19-20 – ROSENBERG:
Campfire Christmas
Evening Christmas event includes a traditional holiday feast, live entertainment roaring campfire, hayrides and a variety of historical programs. Reservations required. George Ranch Historical Park. www.georgeranch.org 281/545-9212
December 12 – GOLIAD
Virgin of Guadalupe Mass - The Virgin of Guadalupe Mass was celebrated historically at the mission during the 1700s and commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to the Nahua Indian, Juan Diego in 1531. She is recognized as the patron saint of the Americas and protector of the Mission Indians. Goliad State Park - Call for time (361) 645-3405.
December 6, 13 – Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historical Site - Candlelight Holidays - Varner-Hogg Plantation is dressed for the holidays with lights, ribbons, and candles to light the way for tours of the old plantation house. Complimentary seasonal refreshments served by docents in period dress remind us of times gone by as live music plays throughout the park. 5-8 p.m.; fees free TCP members, $4 non-members, $4 senior citizens, $2 children 12 and under (979) 345-4656.
December 6-7 – Sebastopol House State Historical Site - Kid's Christmas - Sebastopol House is partnering with the Seguin Conservation Society to provide children with a break from their parents during the holiday season. Folks who have purchased a ticket for the Conservation Society's Parade of Homes may bring their children, ages 6 to 12, to Sebastopol House for an afternoon of Victorian craft making, old fashioned taffy pulling, popcorn stringing, and refreshments. 2-5 p.m.; reservations required (830) 379-4833.
December - Goliad State Park - History in Lights - Experience history in lights. Come see the Mission Espiritu Santo and grounds decorated with Christmas lights in celebration of the holiday season. 5-10 p.m. daily (361) 645-3405.
December 5, 10-11, 17-18 - Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historical Site - Trail of Lights - The Season's Spirit sparkles! A quarter-mile trail illuminated with thousands of lights fantastic decorate the park and walking trail overlooking La Grange. Enjoy the a traditionally decorated 1850s-era German home of H.L. Kreische, adorned in yuletime brilliance -- Texas-German style. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus are on hand to listen to the wee ones. This event brought to you by the warm hospitality of the Friends of Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery. 6-8 p.m.; fees $3 adults; $1 students (979) 968-5658.
December 1-31 - Texas State Historical Site - Yuletide TEXAS - Christmas was a Special time for the sailors and officers who served aboard Battleship TEXAS, and now you can get a glimpse at that history. Visit throughout the month of December to see the Battleship TEXAS adorned with lights, ornaments and decorations in the spirit of the season, just the way the crewmembers who served aboard her did while serving their country. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; fees $5 adults, $4 senior citizens, $3 children 6-18, free to children 5 and under (281) 479-2431.
December 1-31 - Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical SIte - Christmas in the Republic - a multicultural Christmas experience in the Star of the Republic Museum's Showers-Brown Discovery Center. Discover the cultural holiday traditions contributed by the German, English, African-American, and Hispanic settlers of Texas. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (936) 878-2214.
December 3-January 4/2004 - Fulton Mansion State Historical Site - Christmas Season at the Fulton Mansion - Come and enjoy the beauty of a Victorian Christmas as Fulton Mansion, featured on Home and Garden TV's Christmas Castles, is decorated for Christmas. Call for tour times and fees (361) 729-0386.
December 5-6 - Eisenhower Birthplace State Historical Site - An Old Fashioned Christmas at Ike's House - Step back in time and enjoy an old fashioned Christmas. The home will be decorated for the season and entertainers, artisans, arts and crafts, and food vendors will be on the park grounds. Period costumes are encouraged. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (903) 465-8908.
December 6 - Fort Leaton State Historical Site - Posada del Fortin - Celebrate special time of the year with a traditional borderlands Christmas. The Presidio High School Mariachis and Ballet Folklorico will provide entertainment. 6-9 p.m., Posada starts at 6 p.m. followed by a free dinner; donations accepted (432) 229-3613.
December 6, 13, 20 - Texas State Railroad STATE PARK - Victorian Christmas Train - Vintage steam trains will bring back memories of a quieter, simpler celebration. The trip will feature ladies in early 1900s Christmas dresses, as well as wassail and an assortment of fruitcakes and nut breads from world-famous Eilenberger's Bakery. Strolling carolers and much more will add to the charm. Palestine station; 2-3 p.m.; fees $25 adults, $10 children; reservations required, (800) 659-3484. (800) 442-8951 or (903) 683-2561 outside Texas.
December 7 - Magoffin Home State Historical Site - Holiday Victorian Tea - Begin the Christmas season by joining us for the annual holiday tea party. The home will be festively decorated with a Christmas tree in each room. There will be two seatings, 1-2:30 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.; fee $12 per person includes home tour, advance ticket purchase required; tickets not sold on day of event (915) 533-5147.
December 11 – CORSICANA
Historic Home Tour
Tour the homes of celebrated Historic Mills Place, some dating back over a century. Each attentively maintained and beautifully decorated, the tour includes work by distinguished architect David Williams. Extend the spirit of times gone by with trolley rides, bell ringers, choirs, and refreshments. 2 PM - 7 PM Event benefits the Corsicana Council of Camp Fire, 903-874-6931.
December 12-13 - Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Site- Barrington Living History Farm - Candlelight Christmas - Come to Barrington Living History Farm and share a traditional Christmas with the Jones Family at their annual gathering of friends and neighbors. Enjoy music, food, and dancing along with a cup of good cheer. 6-8 p.m.; fees $6 adults, $4 children 12 and under (936) 878-2213.
December 13 - Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center - Christmas on the Border - Celebrate Christmas with the flair of the border. Folklorico dancers and choirs from our neighboring schools will entertain you. Christmas treats and refreshments will be provided as well as a Special visit from Santa Claus. 6:30-9 p.m. (432) 424-3327.
December 13 - Cedar Hill State Park - Caroling Through Penn Farm - See Penn Farm by candlelight as we take a lantern-lit tour, then have a Christmas sing-a-long, hot chocolate, and cookies around a campfire. 6-7:30 p.m., (972) 291-5940. (972) 291-3900.
December 13 - Fulton Mansion State Historical Site - 19th Annual Candlelight Christmas Carol - Celebrate the Christmas Spirit and sing along with a medley of carols on the front steps. Light refreshments will be served afterwards. 6:30-8 p.m. (361) 729-0386.
December 13 - Stephen F. Austin State Park - Pancake Breakfast With Santa (8-10:30 a.m.; fee $3 per person), Christmas Tree Lighting and Caroling Hayride - Watch as we light the Christmas tree, then take a caroling hayride with us through the park, weather permitting. 6 p.m.; fee one canned good per person (979) 885-3613.
Dec. 14-SAN ANTONIO:
Las Posadas
Celebration at the River Walk Reenacts Joseph and Mary’s search for shelter. Beginning at La Mansion del Rio Hotel, the procession moves along the River Walk singing traditional songs until it reaches the Arneson River Theater where the Holy Family finds the humble stable and is welcomed with song and celebration. www.saconservation.org 210/224-6163
December 21 - Lyndon B. Johnson State Park's - 36th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting - Traditional Hill Country Christmas tree lighting, living nativity, Santa and caroling. SPecial evening tour of the LBJ Ranch. Open house lamp-lit tour of the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm. 6 p.m. (830) 644-2252.
12/29/2004
College bowl game featuring Big 12 and Big Ten schools. Admission varies. Alamodome
210/226-2695
Big Ten versus Pac-10 post-season college football game at UTEP’s beautiful Sun Bowl Stadium. 915/533-4416 or 800/915-BOWL
