The holidays are upon us, which means that things are about to get a lot more festive in the Brazos Valley! Between festive light shows and holiday performances, there is plenty to experience this winter season. So, jingle those bells, deck those halls, and be merry!
Brenham
Holiday House Craft and Bake Sale — Washington County Fairgrounds
Nov. 5 | 3 to 8 p.m.
Nov. 6 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
happeningnext.com/event/holiday-house-craft-and-bake-sale-eid3a0883t1jn
Holiday House Craft and Bake Sale features food, handcrafted decor, and art crafted by local and regional artisans, to benefit the Washington County True Blue Animal Rescue. “Wine Down” Friday night with a glass of vino, then come back the next morning and adopt a pet. Donations of pet food, bedding, towels, and more are welcomed.
Gary Morris Christmas — The Barnhill Center
Dec. 3 | 7 p.m.
thebarnhillcenter.com
Listen to the musical stylings of Texas-bred, country music and Broadway star Gary Morris. This seasonal performance is a fundraiser for wounded and PTSD-affected veterans. Tickets are $50 for standard seats and $65 for premium seats.
Christmas Stroll and Lighted Parade — Downtown Brenham
Dec. 4 | 6 p.m.
jingle.cityofbrenham.org
The city of Brenham’s Christmas Stroll and Lighted Parade is back and sure to put guests in the holiday spirit. This event occurs as part of an entire weekend of holiday events, including Breakfast with Santa, the Jingle Bell Market at Ant Street Inn, live music and dance performances, and a community Christmas Tree lighting.
Bryan College Station
Dia de Los Muertos Celebration — Casa Rodriguez
Nov. 2 | 3 to 10 p.m.
Casa Rodriguez is hosting their first-ever Dia de Los Muertos Celebration in Downtown Bryan at the intersection of 24th Street and Bryan Avenue. This free, family-friendly event will feature live music, kids activities, vendors, and more to celebrate Hispanic heritage.
Kick Off to Christmas in College Station — Aggieland Outfitters
Nov. 12–13 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
facebook.com/events/917231008908156
Join Aggieland Outfitters in celebrating the opening weekend of Santa’s Wonderland and kick off the holiday season in College Station. Over 20 vendors will be located inside Aggieland Outfitters selling Christmas-themed items, and the new Christmas in College Station ornament will be available for purchase. The event will include live music from two local artists, Aggie-themed merchandise, holiday deals and specials, refreshments, and more. This event is free to attend.
Winter Wine Premiere — Messina Hof Winery
Nov. 13 | 7 to 10 p.m.
messinahof.com
Experience wines from Messina Hof’s premium wine collection at the biggest Texas wine release event of 2021. The menu features a delectable five-course meal made exclusively for Wine Premiere and paired with Messina Hof’s newly released vintages. For more information, and to RSVP, visit their website above.
Santa’s Wonderland
Nov. 13 to Dec. 30
santas-wonderland.com
Experience the biggest Christmas attraction in the state of Texas, according to the website. Celebrate with food, fun, shops, and live music in addition to hayrides, horse-drawn carriages, and the popular Trail of Lights. For more information on ticket and attraction prices, visit the website.
Lights On! — Downtown Bryan
Nov. 19 | 5 to 9 p.m.
downtownbryan.com
Kick off this holiday season as Santa Claus flips the switch to thousands of lights that will illuminate the trees and buildings of downtown Bryan. There will be music, activities, and refreshments for the event.
Main Street Holiday Market — Brazos County Expo Complex
Nov. 20 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nov. 21 | noon to 5 p.m.
facebook.com/382935546281258
The 4th annual Main Street Holiday Market includes vendors selling ourmet foods and handmade holiday gifts. Santa Claus will be at the market on Saturday morning to bring good cheer. Admission is $6 or $5 with a non-perishable food donation to The Bridge Ministries in Bryan. Kids 12 and under are free. There will be free parking and hourly door prizes.
Holiday Magic — Sue Haswell Park
Dec. 2 | 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Hosted by the City of Bryan Parks and Recreation Department, this event features sledding down a snow hill, photos with Santa, hot chocolate, train rides, games, and more. It’s free to attend and free shuttles will be available from Blinn College.
Christmas in the Park — Stephen C. Beachy Central Park
Dec. 3–4 | 6 to 10 p.m.
cstx.gov/cms/one.aspx
The City of College Station will put on its annual event in person this year with hayrides, cookies and milk, live entertainment, live nativity scene, snow slides, arts and crafts, and photos with Santa. In addition, guests can adopt a Holiday Parks Pal. Admission is free with free wristbands required for the hayride, snow slides, arts and crafts, and photos with Santa.
Premiere Market for the Holidays — Brazos County Expo Center
Dec. 3–4 | TBA
premieremarket.org
The Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra presents its annual Premiere Market, featuring unique specialty items, home accessories, clothing, gourmet foods, jewelry, and more from a variety of merchants. Tickets are $5 for a two-day pass.
The Polar Express Movie Watching Party — Lake Walk
Dec. 4 | 7:30 p.m.
For a holiday event that’s fun for the whole family, join Lake Walk to watch The Polar Express for free at the Pavilion. Hot chocolate will be provided by POV Coffee House
Adult Art Class: Block Printing Gift Wrap with Kelsey Boe — The Arts Council of Brazos Valley
Dec. 4 | 1 to 3:30 p.m.
facebook.com/events/218673723625838
Join Kelsey Boe for a holiday-themed block printing workshop. Learn how to carve printing plates and create festive paper for a handmade touch on your gifts this season. Open for all skill levels but targeted for beginners. The class is $45, and supplies are included.
Christmas Arts and Craft Show — Brazos Center
Dec. 4–5 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
10times.com/christmas-arts-crafts-show
This event features quality artists and craftspeople. There will be booths offering unique and one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts including a selection of handmade jewelry, wearable art, ceramics, homemade jellies, salsa, sweets, and more. All unique Christmas and holiday gifts for the ones you love.
Jingle Bell Fun Run — University Drive and South College Avenue
Dec. 5 | 2:15 p.m.
facebook.com/events/383472126701179
This two-mile race isn't timed and is a fun way to kick off the annual B/CS Christmas Parade. A shuttle will be waiting at the end of the route, and dogs are more than welcome! The early entry fee is $15 and includes a shirt and jingle bells if participants register before Nov. 14. Entry fee is $20 from Nov. 15–28; jingle bells are included, but shirts aren’t guaranteed.
Downtown Bryan Lighted Parade & Holiday Stroll — Downtown Bryan
Dec. 9 | TBA
destinationbryan.com/events/downtown-bryan-lighted-parade-holiday-stroll
Kick off the season with the only lighted Christmas Parade in Bryan College Station!
Christmas Truce — Museum of the American GI
Dec. 11 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dec. 12 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
m-partners.facebook.com/events/148151504138723
Experience the time World War I paused for Christmas, bringing mortal enemies together as friends. World War I Living Historians will bring history alive as they reenact the 1914 Christmas Truce. Spectators will observe a reaction to this truce at the museum’s World War I trench system and can interact with the Living Historians during a tour of the trench. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for kids. Free for childrens under five.
Holiday Pops Concert 2021 — Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra
Dec. 12 | 5 to 7 p.m.
bvso.org/event/the-holiday-pops-concert
What better way to get into the festive spirit than a performance of holiday favorites? Director Marcelo Bussiki invites the entire family to listen and be merry this holiday season.
Cooking Party with the Chef: A Chef’s Christmas — Messina Hof Winery
Dec. 19 | 1 to 3 p.m.
messinahof.com
Each month Messina Hof hosts a cooking party which includes a special demonstration focusing on a specific cuisine or technique. Beginner lessons are available and for those already quite the chef, there will be information on spices, cuts of meat, tools, and more. Each guest will receive a recipe booklet to take home and will have the chance to win culinary door prizes. Tickets are $69.95 with 20% gratuity and $4.04 fee included.
Night Bazar at The Local: Holiday Edition — Lake Walk
Dec. 17 | 6 to 10 p.m.
www.facebook.com/events/1001940370593301
The Night Bazar at Lake Walk will be hosting a holiday-themed night of shopping, a perfect opportunity to get your holiday shopping done and visit your favorite vendors from past seasons.
Caldwell
Christmas on the Square — Downtown Caldwell
Dec. 11 | TBA
caldwelltx.gov/events/christmas-on-the-square/
Join Main Street Caldwell on the second Saturday in December for an old-fashioned Christmas on the Square.
Hearne
Barksgiving — The Ranch Harley-Davidson
Nov. 9 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
facebook.com/UrgentHearnePets
The charity organization Urgent Animals of Hearne Robertson County Texas hosts its third annual holiday fundraiser. The event features adoptable animals, food trucks, a pie contest, and a silent auction.
Navasota
Historic Navasota Christmas Sip & Shop — Downtown Navasota
Dec. 4 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Join Historic Navasota for a day of holiday shopping and festive dining. Participating vendors will include Bless Up Boutique, Navasota Nutrition, Muddy Water Bookstore, and more.
Round Top
Lighted Christmas Parade
Dec. 4 | TBA
exploreroundtop.com/events
Visit downtown Round Top this Christmas for a parade featuring lighted floats, food, drinks, live music, and shopping. This event is achance for residents and visitors to come together and enjoy one another's company while experiencing small-town Christmas charm.
The Nutcracker Ballet — Round Top Festival Institute
Dec. 11 | 4 p.m.
festivalhill.org
Round Top Festival Institute presents Tchaikovsky's holiday classic ballet, “The Nutcracker.” This year's production celebrates the 13th annual performance danced by Ovation Ballet Company, a youth ballet company in residency at Dancers Workshop in Austin. Tickets are $40 for adults; $20 for students. Special prices are available for groups of 20 or more and can be purchased by calling (979) 249-3129.
Washington on the Brazos
Candlelight Christmas — Barrington Living History Farm
Dec. 10–11 | 4:30 to 8 p.m.
wheretexasbecametexas.org/events/candlelight-christmas-2/
Walk the candlelit paths at Barrington Plantation and experience a Texas Christmas right before the Civil War. Discover the origins of holiday traditions as interpreters bring to life the festivities of the season with musket fire, music, dancing, and more. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students; $25 for a family including two adults and up to five students.
