The holiday season is a time that is filled with creating memories that will last a lifetime for those of all ages in your family, whether you are reliving some of your favorite childhood memories or looking to create some new ones with your family, the Brazos Valley is the perfect place! Check out some of our favorite local options that can be done around our area or even in the comfort of your own home.
Fairy Lights on Christmas Nights
Oohs and aahs can be heard from cars across the Brazos Valley as families pack up their cars to visit neighborhoods across the area to see the extensive holiday light displays put by local homeowners. Started in 2015 by College Station realtor Wendy Flynn and her associate team, the ‘Best Lights of the Brazos’ list showcases an online listing of the can’t miss light or holiday displays in the community. Updated frequently throughout the holiday season, Wendy and her team scout out homes to add to the list before publishing a final PDF on their Facebook page closer to the holiday season.
The list, which normally includes hundreds of homes, designated by neighborhoods, is a combination of homes found by her team and those submitted by the community through an online link. The list even indicates homes that include lights that are synced up to music for viewing.
Baking Spirits Bright
Create your own family tradition at home by gathering some holiday baking supplies at Cocoa’s Pantry in Downtown Bryan. The store, which was opened in March of 2018, was created to bring quality cookware and kitchen supplies to the Bryan/College Station area — perhaps it's also a great place to buy your favorite baker a gift!
From cookies to festive holiday cakes, the store offers a variety of options to make your kitchen and those in it, filled with joy. Get ready for Santa Claus with cookies baked from scratch using fun cookie cutter shapes to keep him in the holly jolly spirit (prices range from $7 to $15) or spice up your dessert table with a homemade bundt cake (pans prices range from $35 to $45). Whether you’re a novice baker or a professional, there is something for you!
Cocoa’s Pantry
211 N. Main St., Suite A, Bryan
(979) 595-4582
North Pole Express
Make your list and check it twice — before heading to one of Destination Bryan’s Santa mailboxes offering exclusive shipping straight to the North Pole! Community kiddos are invited to write their wishlists to send to Saint Nick — templates will be provided at the Downtown Bryan Lights On event on Friday, Nov. 17 and at the Downtown Bryan Holiday Stroll & Lighted Parade on Thursday, Dec. 7.
Guests can also write their own letters at home and drop off at a local mailbox located at one of three locations located in Bryan — Carnegie History Center (111 S. Main St.), Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History (3232 Briarcrest Drive) and The Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley (4114 Lake Atlas Drive) from Nov. 1 to the morning of Dec. 14. Writers, who drop off their letters, can expect to receive a response from the big man himself, Santa Claus, so be sure to include a return address when you turn your letter in!
A Presidential Christmas
Modeled after the presidential tree lighting ceremony that takes place on the White House grounds, the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum has brought this yearly tradition to the Brazos Valley! Community guests are invited to attend the 2023 tree lighting ceremony on Monday, Dec. 4 outside of the facility for a special presentation including musical entertainment and a special guest tree lighter. All guests will also be invited to join the reception following the ceremony, which will include holiday-themed food, drinks and music. The museum will be open for families to explore. Reservations are encouraged; RSVP by email to reservations.bush@nara. gov.
Throughout the holiday season, guests are encouraged to take photos in front of the large tree in front of the museum, which will remain up throughout the month.
Merry Texas Christmas Y'all
Join in on the Texas-sized Christmas fun at the nation’s largest Christmas park located right here on Highway 6 in College Station! With over 130 acres to explore, the park offers a variety of light displays including true Texas photo-ops and two trails of lights: one accessible by hayride or for an additional cost a horse-drawn carriage and a walkable trail that leads to a live nativity scene. The park also has a multitude of rides and activities including train rides, a colossal maze and even a petting zoo. Plus, you don’t want to miss out on all the delicious food and drink options across the park featuring holiday and carnival favorites.
Grab your coats and head over to Frostbite’s Mountain for a snow tubing adventure or take your little ones to the snow playground to make snow angels, snowmen or even have a snowball fight. Open from Nov. 10 to Dec. 30, families can begin their holiday season early or stretch those Christmas memories just a few days after the 25th!
