Compiled By Maggie Pruitt
Anderson www.wheretexasbecametexas.org
Christmas on the Brazos featuring Barrington’s Candlelight Christmas Dec. 10 Throughout the day, there will be activities for all ages throughout the park. Starting at 5:30pm, there will be Candlelight Christmas guided tours. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Brenham
Christmas Stroll and Lighted Parade www.downtownbrenham.com Dec. 2-3 This family fun event kicks off with the lighting of the courthouse square Christmas trees on Friday and is followed by the Downtown Parade of Lights on Saturday. Activities include snow tubing, shopping, Santa Claus visits, and more.
Caldwell
Christmas on the Square (979) 567-0000 Dec. 2-3 Downtown Caldwell will have an old fashioned Christmas on the Square with a parade, a lighting ceremony, visit from Santa, a cookoff, and other activities. For more information, contact the Burleson County Chamber of Commerce.
Cookoff Get your businesses, organizations, or cooking teams together and enter the 4th Annual Red & Green Championship Cook-off in Downtown Caldwell. This cook-off benefits the Caldwell Main Street Program and is sponsored by Evers and Sons, Inc.
Bryan/College Station
Fun Run at Santa’s Wonderland www.santas-wonderland.com Nov. 19-20 Festive 1 Mile or 5K Fun Run/Walk through Santa’s Wonderland, home to more than 2 million LED Christmas lights and the largest Christmas attraction in the State of Texas. Race participants and their families will be the first to kickoff the holiday season at Santa’s Wonderland.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical www.mscopas.org Nov. 20 The beloved TV classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Don’t miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us.
Turkey Trot www.bcsturkeytrot.com Nov. 24 Burn off some calories to justify that extra piece of pumpkin pie at your Thanksgiving meal! Bring the family out for a Thanksgiving morning run and build a new Thanksgiving tradition. Each participant will receive a t-shirt, and Café Eccell will provide tasty treats following the 5K race and 1 Mile Fun Run.
Holiday Sip N Shop www.bryantx.gov Nov. 26 Downtown Bryan is hosting its third annual Holiday Sip & Shop wine swirl event on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 4-8pm. The event will feature wine tastings in many Downtown locations. Sip and Shop offers people the opportunity to leisurely stroll and experience all Downtown Bryan has to offer while enjoying a variety of wine and samples of nonalcoholic holiday beverages.
George Bush Presidential Library Center Community Christmas Tree Lighting www.Bush41.org Dec. 1 Modeled after the tree lighting ceremony that takes place annually on the White House grounds, the ceremony begins at 5:30pm and will include musical entertainment and celebrity guest tree lighters. The ceremony will take place outside, and a reception will follow inside. The community is encouraged to visit throughout the month to take family photos in front of the tree.
Holiday Magic www.bryantx.gov Dec. 1 Holiday Magic will take place at Sue Haswell Memorial Park. Activities include: Arctic Hill Snow for sledding, pictures with Santa at the fireplace pavilion, live entertainment, and free hot chocolate and cookies donated by Wal-Mart Super Center.
Christmas with Rockapella www.mscopas.org Dec. 2-4 Hitch a sleigh ride over to Miramont Country Club for some figgy pudding and merriment! Rockapella will fill your holiday hearts with joy by singing all your festive favorites! Santa’s coming early this year – so skip the stockings and get ready for some ho ho ho holiday cheer with Christmas with Rockapella!
Holidays in the Rotunda www.Bush41.org Dec. 3 This free event takes place in front of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum’s magnificently decorated, 19-foot Christmas tree in the rotunda. There will be snacks and activities for kids, as well as a Santa photo opportunity. The event in the rotunda is free, however regular prices apply for admission to the museum. Save $1 off regular museum admission price with a food donation (limit one per person).
Jingle Bell Fun Run www.cstx.gov Dec. 4 Beginning at 1:15pm, this 2-mile run starts at the corner of University Drive and South College Avenue and ends at the corner of Texas Avenue and Villa Maria. Race shirts are provided for those who register before Nov. 15. The Bryan/College Station Christmas Parade will be held after the race.
Christmas in the Park www.cstx.gov Dec. 2 - 4 Christmas in the Park returns to Stephen C. Beachy Central Park on Dec. 2 from 6-10pm, Dec. 3 from 12-10pm and Dec. 4 from 6-10pm. Free daily activities include old-fashioned hayrides to view light displays throughout the park, free cookies and hot cocoa, and photos with Santa. On Saturday, Dec. 3, visitors can enjoy dance performances, inflatables, a petting zoo, two real snow slides, and a Holiday Vendor Village with a variety of arts, crafts, jewelry, candles and more. Guests may bring their own refreshments, but coolers must be 48 quarts or smaller. Alcohol, glass containers and pets are not allowed. Food vendors will also be available.
Downtown Lighted Parade www.bryantx.gov Dec. 9 Kick off the holiday season on Friday, Dec. 9, at 6:30pm with the only lighted Christmas Parade in Bryan/College Station. The parade will begin at 24th and Bryan Street heading south, turn on 28th, and head back up Main Street. Downtown streets will close at 5:30pm and re-open at the conclusion of the parade. There will be floats, vehicles, fire engines and more, all complete with lights, of course. It’s been rumored that Santa Claus will also be making an appearance at the end of the parade!
Breakfast with Santa www.cstx.gov Dec. 10 This free event at the Lincoln Center will include hot breakfast, face painting, arts/crafts coloring activities, entertainment, and more. Ages 15 and under will receive a gift from Santa.
B/CS Kids Marathon www.bcsmarathon.com Dec. 10 The 1.2 mile race will be open to any child 12 and under, and the first wave begins at 12:30pm. Each participant will be greeted at the finish line with a custom medal.
B/CS Marathon www.bcsmarathon.com Dec. 11 The half- and full- marathons will take place Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7am. There will be a post race party with a food and beer spread at Wolf Pen Creek Park.
BVSO Holiday Pops Concert www.bvso.org Dec. 11 This program, starting at 5pm at Christ United Methodist Church in College Station, showcases an elegant arrangement of pieces from purely instrumental music and delightful choral arrangements, to bell choir works and more. The music selections are varied from spiritual to religious to popular Christmas carols, including multi-culturally inspired music.
Holiday Open House www.cstx.gov Dec. 14 All senior adults are invited to Southwood Community Center on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 10am-noon. for delicious holiday treats. Browse the information tables highlighting programs offered to seniors. The event will feature entertainment, door prizes, and special guests Mr. and Mrs. Claus, who will be available for pictures.
Wreaths Across America www.cstx.gov Dec. 17 Wreaths Across America will be honoring local, fallen veterans by hosting a wreath-laying ceremony in the Aggie Field of Honor, College Station, Bryan City, and Oakwood Cemeteries on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 11am. The wreaths are made from balsam fir and stand for one of seven services: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and POW/MIA. The wreaths are sponsored by public donations and are $15 each. The deadline to purchase a wreath for the 2016 holiday ceremony is Nov. 29.
Round Top
Christmas on the Square www.roundtop.org Dec. 3 The parade starts at 11am. There will be entertainment, homemade stew and refreshments, and llamas. Participate in the Toy Drive by donating new, unwrapped gifts to benefit kids with cancer through Adam’s Angels Charity. Drop off points: Round Top Area Chamber of Commerce Office and The Stone Cellar.
PraiSingers Holiday Choral Concert www.roundtop.org Dec. 3 PraiSingers performs holiday favorites, followed by the annual Open House at Festival Hill! Refreshments will be served after the concert.
Nutcracker Ballet www.roundtop.org Dec. 10 For the 9th year at Festival Hill, Ovation Ballet Company presents the legendary Nutcracker Ballet. One show only. Don’t miss this annual sellout event. Purchase tickets now. Adult tickets are $40 and student tickets are $20. General seating. Tickets will be held at the Will Call table on the west side of the concert hall. Doors open at 3 p.m. No tickets will be available for sale at the door.
Christmas at Winedale www.roundtop.org Dec. 10 This mid-19th century folk life reenactment includes stagecoach rides, hayrides, mini-horse carriages, spinners, weavers, wood carvers, quilters, blacksmith, encampment, outdoor cooking, butter churning, music, square dancing, storytellers, crafts for children, and more. The historic houses of Winedale Historical Complex will be decorated as they would have been in their time. German Santa will be there as well.
