Time to don your best Christmas sweater and cue the hot cocoa for the holiday season. It’s also the perfect time to visit a Texas Christmas town. The best Christmas towns in Texas feature town squares dripping in tinsel and tiny lights. Others include holiday displays with ice sculptures and real snow. Some boast lights that can be seen from space, with over a million lights. Here are the best holiday destinations in Texas.
10 Best Christmas Towns in Texas in 2025
Grapevine
Fredericksburg
Galveston
San Antonio
College Station
Austin
Dallas
Palestine
Johnson City
Georgetown
Grapevine
Located in North Texas, close to the DFW airport, this is the official Christmas Capital of Texas. It is a favorite since it is covered end-to-end with Holiday finery. This is one of the best Christmas towns in Texas.
The historic downtown area provides a walkable streetscape with shopping, hotels, dining and tasting rooms. For shopping options, don’t miss the Christmas Store for ornaments. There’s even a drone show.
Carol of Lights
Downtown Grapevine is covered in lights that you have to see to believe, especially at night. This year, the holiday lighting opens on Monday, November 24, 2025
Ice Rink
Along Main Street, kids of all ages can enjoy a ring around the outdoor ice rink on Grapevine’s Main Street. With a 4,500-square-foot ice rink, ice skaters have plenty of room to glide across the ice. The 64-foot tree is located nearby.
Located at 815 S. Main St. in Peace Plaza. Open from Saturday, November 22, 2025, to Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Assorted hours and advance tickets are recommended. General admission is $20 per person for a one-hour slot, and skate rental is included.
Parade of Lights
With 100 lighted floats and marching bands, this night parade moves down Main Street and attracts big crowds across North Texas. The 2025 Parade of Lights is on Thursday, December 4, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
North Pole Express
The North Pole Express departs from the historic depot several times a day with Santa and Mrs. Claus on each car, along with freshly baked cookies for all the passengers, naughty or nice. The annual event is a popular excursion for North Texas families. There are plenty of photo opportunities and even an area that snows.
Located at 701 S. Main St. Reserve Polar Express tickets in advance.
Nash Farms
Learn about how Christmas was celebrated over 100 years ago at Nash Farm. The original homestead tells the story of life in North Texas before cars and electricity. See the chickens and the sheep, and if you are lucky, one of the ladies will have a cookie to share that was baked in the wood-burning oven.
The Prairie Christmas is Friday, December 5, 2025. Guests help decorate the house for Christmas, then everyone enjoys cookies and cider afterward.
Located at 626 Ball St. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission varies.
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Fredericksburg
With its German heritage, visitors will find a traditional take on Christmas at this favorite Hill Country destination. First, head to Fredericksburg’s Main Street for a small-town shopping destination. It’s packed with unique boutiques and lots of decorations.
ProTip: This is one of the best Christmas towns in Texas. And it is no secret. Fredericksburg during the holidays is a big draw. However, do like I do, and visit the week before Thanksgiving. You will find all the decorations and a place to park. For 2024, most of the events start on Saturday, November 23.
Christmas Nights of Lights
As the sun sets, head to the Marketplatz for its nightly lighting. The trees come alive with thousands of lights from Thanksgiving week until New Year’s. Even the locals come out to see the lights and enjoy the outdoors.
Located at 126 W. Main St. Opens Tuesday, November 25, 2025, and runs to Sunday, January 4, 2026. Free to enjoy.
German Christmas Pyramid
Hand-crafted in Germany, the traditional Christmas pyramid features candles and spinning figurines. It’s 30 feet tall and a must-see while in Fredericksburg.
Located at 126 W. Main St. Opens Tuesday, November 25, 2025, and runs to Sunday, January 4, 2026. Free to enjoy
Eisbahn The Ice Rink
Strap on some ice skates to ring around the outdoor ice rink, Eisbahn in Marketplatz. With outdoor tables for snacks and cocoa nearby, it’s fun for even the non-skaters.
Located at 126 W. Main St. Ice skate for $15 for a come-and-go experience, $10 for rental skates. Tuesday, November 25, 2025, and runs to Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Light the Night Christmas Parade and Santa Day Parade
You can get in the spirit with a Holiday Parade. On the first weekend in December, Fredericksburg hosts a pair of parades: The Light the Night Christmas Parade and the Santa Day Parade, both are complete with marching bands and Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Light the Night Christmas Parade is Friday, December 5, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. It is free to attend however, there is reserved seating available. The Santa Day Parade is Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 10 a.m. It is free to attend.
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Galveston
Galveston is the place to go for a weekend packed with holiday cheer, seafood, and sand. This is one of the best Christmas towns in Texas.
Ice Land Christmas Around the World
Inside the 28,000-square-foot insulated tent, Chinese ice carvers spent a month carving 2 million pounds of colored ice into magical scenes from around the world. For 2025, visitors will walk through Christmas scenes from around the world in jackets provided by Moody Gardens (feel free to bring your own) since the facility is kept at 9 degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition to Ice Land Christmas Around the World, visitors can take the Festival of Lights, a mile-long holiday-themed trail with 2 million individual lights and sound-enhanced animated displays. Families can also ice skate at a covered outdoor ice rink. Or slide down the Arctic Slide, an ice slide and take a ride on its train.
Located at 1 Hope Blvd. Ice Land Christmas Around the World is open daily from Saturday, November 22 through Saturday, January 3, 2026. Admission is required for a specific time and date. Admission to the aquarium, the rainforest and the 4D theater is additional. Lodging is located.
Dickens on the Strand
Visitors will be transported to Victorian England with the food, drinks and sounds of the season. From the strolling carolers to the smell of roasting chestnuts, revelers can join in the fun with their version of a Dickens-era costume at the annual Dickens on the Strand.
The historic Strand District offers lots of room for artisan demonstrations along with holiday craft booths. Don’t miss the parade. And be sure to sample a Scotch Egg.
Located in the Historic Strand District at 2100 The Strand. Dickens on the Strand will be on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 5 to 9 p.m. with free admission. Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 6 and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 7. Admission is $20 for adults, $13 for kids (7 – 12) and kids 6 and younger are free.
Polar Express
A family tradition for many, the Polar Express departs from the Galveston Railroad Museum with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Passengers will enjoy cookies and carols on a one-hour ride as they hear the classic tale in the pj’s.
In addition to the annual Polar Express train, guests can see the locomotives and freight cars at the Galveston Railroad Museum, like a Pullman (sleeping) car, dining car and a Post Office car.
Departing from 2602 Santa Fe Plaza. The Polar Express runs from Friday, November 14, until Tuesday, December 23, 2025. November departures are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. December departures are Thursday through Sunday, along with the entire week before Christmas. Reservations are required, and each date offers several departure times with several classes of service.
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San Antonio
The holidays might be the best time to visit the San Antonio Riverwalk when it’s dressed in lights. The Annual Ford Holiday River Parade features 28 lighted parade barges. At the same time, the lights of the River Walk are turned on. Dangling from the 100-year-old Cypress trees, multi-colored lights twinkle as river boats float underneath and stay lit from sunset to sunrise daily.
The Ford Holiday River Parade will be on Friday, November 28, 2025, at 6 p.m. It features reserved seating and first-come, first-served seats. Tickets start at $15.
Popular San Antonio attractions offer holiday celebrations too. This is one of the best Christmas towns in Texas.
SeaWorld San Antonio Christmas Celebration
Six Flags Fiesta Texas Holiday in the Park
Zoo Lights! At the San Antonio
For a taste of the Holidays in San Antonio, sample a tamale. It’s a corn husk with masa stuffed with meat, like pork, chicken or beef, then steamed. The traditional treat is served during the holidays. For the more Tex-Mex favorites, head to Mi Terra Cafe and Bakery. Located along Produce Row in San Antonio’s Market Square, it’s been a staple since 1941.
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College Station
This is the home to Texas A&M University and a Texas-sized Christmas extravaganza. With 3 million lights and REAL snow, Santa’s Wonderland is a popular holiday tradition. This also makes College Station one of the best Christmas towns in Texas to visit.
Visitors load up on an open-air hayride to see all the displays and then can see some animals at its petting zoo. Another must is racing down the 12 snow tube lanes. There’s even a snow playground with plenty of snow for a snowball fit.
Located at 18898 Hwy 6, College Station. Open from Friday, November 15, 2025, through January 4, 2026.
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Austin
Several of Austin’s favorite holiday attractions are outdoors. Starting with Zilker Park, the Trail of Lights features 2 million lights covering the trees and over 40 displays featuring beloved characters from childhood. Afterward, guests head to Zilker Tree and twirl a tower decorated with lights.
This is a walking attraction, and visitors will find food trucks and live music. It runs from Wednesday, December 10 to Tuesday, December 23, 2025, and advance tickets and parking are recommended.
For a light show with a cup of hot chocolate, then Mozart’s Coffee Roasters is it. Along the shores of Lake Austin, this Old Austin coffee spot drips in festive lights and music. Best of all, you can reserve a seat in advance. The light show runs from mid-November through early January. Located at 3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin.
Luminations at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center combine native plants and holiday lights. It runs on select evenings from Friday, December 5, 2025, to Saturday, January 3, 2026. Luminations starts and 5:45 and ends at 9 p.m. Reservations recommended and reserved parking is available.
Dallas
Dallas offers a magical holiday escape of the garden variety at its Dallas Arboretum. This 66-acre property features a 12-day Christmas theme with a 50-foot tree playing music. Visitors will pass 600 nutcrackers in the garden displays and find a Christmas Market.
The Holiday at the Arboretum is open daily from Wednesday, November 12, 2025, to Sunday, January 4, 2026. Timed-entry admission required for this popular Dallas holiday event.
Palestine
Texas State Railroad is a historic railroad based in East Texas. Departing from Palestine, passengers climb aboard for an official Polar Express excursion while the soundtrack for the movie sets the mood.
Passengers follow along as actors read the classic children’s book The Polar Express. Some families dress in pajamas while they listen and nibble on cookies. Santa and Mrs. Claus visit the cars during the 60-minute ride, and Elves lead passengers in classic carols as well.
Departing from 789 Park Road 70, Palestine, Texas. Trains run from November 14 to December 28, 2025, on Tuesday to Sunday with several departures. Several classes to choose from, and reservations are a must.
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Johnson City
This Texas Hill Country town was home to former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. For the holiday season, Johnson City lights its historic area. With 2 million lights, this display is so big it can be seen from space.
This free event is a Texas Hill Country favorite. Visitors will find the lights on from Saturday, November 29, 2025, to Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Georgetown
Draped in green garland and bright with ruby-red bows, Georgetown’s historic Williamson County Courthouse turns on the holiday charm that looks like a Hallmark movie came to town. Up and down Austin Avenue and Main Street, the trees take on a seasonal glow, with close to 750,000 lights twinkling each night during the holidays.
The Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas flips the switch on Friday, November 28, at 5:30 p.m. for its annual Lightening of the Square. Another popular event, the 44th Annual Downtown Stroll, is Friday, December 5 to Sunday, December 7, 2025.
1 Comment
The photography in these articles is simply stunning, especially lights in San Antonio and Johnson City. Great articles accompanied by beautiful photography make reading about these Texas destinations time well spent. Kudos to Catherine!