The holiday season is in full swing in Texas. Whether you’re looking for something festive to do, are in search of an epic stargazing event or are on the hunt for a music festival as winter swiftly approaches, you’re in luck!
Per usual, there is a lot going on across the Lone Star State in December. No matter what type of good fun you’re looking to get into, there’s undoubtedly an event, pop-up, market or festival that will tickle your fancy.
Unlike the summer and fall, winter in Texas is generally pleasant from a weather perspective, offering bearable daytime temperatures and chilly nights. When you don’t have to worry about whether you’ll sweat through the clothes you’re wearing or sweat off the makeup you’ve applied, it opens the door for all things fun under the Texas sky.
Here are 16 events and festivals across Texas to fill your calendar with in December 2023.
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Museum of East Texas Festival of Trees
What: Come see the Museum of East Texas like you’ve never witnessed it before! Each year, the museum transforms into a brightly colored forest featuring trees covered in eye-catching holiday decorations for the Festival of Trees. Each tree that is on display is sponsored by a business, family, individual or group of friends. If you’re looking for a chill way to get into the holiday spirit, the Festival of Trees is perfect for you! Bring the whole family and wander through the festival.
When: Daily from now through Jan. 5, 2024.
Where: 503 N. Second St., Lufkin.
Admission: This event is free and open to the public.
El Paso WinterFest
What: WinterFest in El Paso is a great way to spread holiday cheer while enjoying the sights and sounds of holiday markets, drive-thru light displays, holiday movies like “Elf,” and “Miracle on 34th Street,” fiestas, Santa sightings and more! WinterFest kicked off on Nov. 18, and plenty of activities take place daily. There’s even a skating rink where you can test out your skating abilities! Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, attendees can take pictures with Santa from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at San Jacinto Plaza, 114 W. Mills Ave. During the festival, San Jacinto Plaza is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland, as it’s covered with more than 500,000 mini-lights and a 55-foot-tall holiday tree. There’s truly something for the whole family to enjoy!
When: Miscellaneous events take place daily through Jan. 1, 2024. Free movies in the park occur on Sunday, Dec. 3, Saturday, Dec. 9, Saturday, Dec. 16, Thursday, Dec. 21, and Sunday, Dec. 24. Check out the movie schedule here. The ice skating rink is open 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; noon-11 p.m. Sunday. On Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve), the rink is open noon-5 p.m. On Dec. 25 (Christmas Day), the rink is open noon-10 p.m. The Magic of Lights drive-thru light display is open through Dec. 31 from 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; and 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Starting Dec. 8, the drive-thru light display will be open 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. nightly.
Where: El Paso Convention Center Plaza, other areas of downtown El Paso and Camp Cohen Water Park.
Admission: While attending WinterFest is free, certain activities require attendees to purchase tickets. General admission tickets for ice skating at the ice rink start at $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 and younger.
The Magic of Lights drive-thru light display at Camp Cohen Water Park, 9700 Gateway N. Blvd., in Northeast El Paso, requires tickets. Up until Dec. 7, tickets purchased online for the drive-through lights are $20 per car. From Dec. 8-31, online tickets are $23. Pricing at the gate until Dec. 7 is $25 per car Monday through Thursday and $30 Friday through Sunday. Starting Dec. 8, pricing at the gate will increase to $30 Monday-Thursday and $35 Friday-Sunday.
Wylie Arts Festival
What: There’s no better way to support small businesses in Wylie, Texas, during the holidays than by checking out the Wylie Arts Festival. Attendees can shop at nearly 200 unique indoor and outdoor vendor booths while enjoying festive fair food that is available for purchase. After you’ve done all the shopping your heart can handle, take a stroll throughout Wylie’s historic downtown to browse additional shops, restaurants and more.
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec 2.
Where: 200 N. Ballard Ave., Wylie.
Admission: Attending this event is free. Food and drinks are available for purchase.
Denton Holiday Lighting Festival
What: Come enjoy music and dance performances and take a ride on a horse-drawn carriage at the Denton Holiday Lighting Festival! The event also features children’s crafts, visits with Santa and more. There also will be live entertainment provided by local musicians and the Denton Community Band.
When: 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.
Where: Denton Square, 110 W. Hickory St., Denton.
Admission: All access wristbands that include unlimited access to Snow Hill, the Trackless Train and an official photo with Santa are $10. VIP access wristbands that allow people to skip lines and include a commemorative ornament and event T-shirt are $35.
Sixth Annual Anderson Holiday Fest 2023
What: If you’re looking for a festival that’s centered around stellar live music performances and the magic of the holiday season, look no further than the Anderson Holiday Fest! There will be food trucks, vendors and a kids zone, plus Santa will be on-site! This year’s event will feature music performances by Wade Hayes, Rick Trevino, Julie Roberts, Jason Cassidy, Payton Howie and Payton Riley.
When: 1:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2
Where: Main Street in Anderson.
Admission: Advanced general admission tickets are $15. Tickets purchased at the door are $25. VIP tickets purchased in advance are $80 and include front-of-stage access, a private bar and complimentary food. If still available, VIP tickets are $100 at the gate. Attendees ages 4-17 can purchase tickets for $10. Those ages 3 and younger can attend for free.
Dallas Self-Care Festival
What: The holiday season is the perfect reminder to take care of yourself so you can be there for your people, and that’s what the Dallas Self-Care Festival is all about! Attendees can indulge in an assortment of beauty and self-care activities and try products that aim to help them relax and recharge so they can be their best selves. With activities such as mini-beauty services to Christmas photos, there’s no better way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. There will be a variety of self-care products and services from local businesses such as skin-care products, essential oils, candles and more.
When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3.
Where: Lofty Spaces, 816 Montgomery St., Dallas.
Admission: Tickets purchased in advance are $5, plus a $2.18 fee. Tickets at the door are $10, plus a $2.51 fee.
@hairandglamdfw We’re back! 👀 The Self-Care Holiday Fest is on Sunday, December 3rd. If you missed the last one, you won’t want to miss our last event of the year! Link in bio for tix. 💜 #hairandglamdfw #dallasevents #thingstodoindallas #selfcare #dallasbeauty #dallastexas #dallas #dallasfestival #christmasfestival #christmas #holiday #candles #bodybutter #market #dfwevents
♬ original sound - Blue Nightmare
Tomball German Festival Christmas Market
What: The Tomball German Festival is a three-day event that features a Christmas market and allows attendees the chance to dance and shop with their loved ones. There are contests, four stages for live entertainment by over 30 performers, as well as an open-air market with more than 150 street vendors and unique shops. This allows attendees to purchase German heritage items while checking off all their holiday shopping needs in one fell swoop.
When: 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 8; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 9; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 10.
Where: Old Town Tomball, 201 S. Elm St, Tomball.
Admission: Parking and admission for this event is free.
Texas Hemp Summit
What: The Texas Hemp Summit is a two-day business-to-business event at Texas A&M University. The summit is hosted by the Texas Hemp Coalition and focuses on the business side of the hemp industry in Texas. The event will feature educational discussions about aspects of the hemp industry like farming and processing, as well as conversations about hemp fiber, cannabinoids, and other retail-related topics.
When: Dec. 8-9. Starts at 8 a.m. daily.
Where: The Shirley & Joe Swinbank ‘74 AgriLife Center at Texas A&M University, 556 John Kimbrough Blvd., College Station.
Admission: General admission tickets are $150 each. College students can snag tickets for free if they reserve a ticket with their student email and show their student ID from an accredited college or university at the event.
Star Fest
What: See what stargazing at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is all about at Star Fest. There will be multiple telescopes set up in the day-use area of the park for guests to view stars and deep-space objects, but that’s not all! Star Fest also will have activities such as demonstrations, stories under the stars and expert-led stargazing sessions. Because Enchanted Rock is an international dark sky park, there are few better places for stargazing in the Lone Star State, and being able to use telescopes for free at Star Fest is a bonus.
When: 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 9.
Where: Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, 16710 Ranch Road 965, Fredericksburg.
Admission: Day pass entry to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is free on the day of Star Fest, as it is one of Texas State Parks’ official 100-year celebration events. Entry to any state park is free the day it hosts such an event. You can ensure entry by reserving a free day pass to the park.
The Fairfield Holiday Market & Winter Festival
What: Come out and experience a Texas winter wonderland at the Fairfield Holiday Market and Winter Festival. There will be a snow park to help Texans fulfill their white Christmas dreams regardless of the weather, a holiday market with Texas award-winning vendors, live music performances of holiday classics, bingo with prizes and more.
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 17.
Where: 15103 Mason Road, Cypress.
Admission: This event is free and open to the public. Pets are welcome.
Lights All Night NYE Festival
What: Get ready to ring in the new year with two days of major sensory overload in the form of house and electronic dance music at the Lights All Night NYE Festival. Performances will be perfectly paired with captivating visuals and top-tier audio production as DJs like AC Slater, Skrillex, Bexxie, AAYBO, Barely Alive, Chris Lake and more get the crowd hype for 2024. This is an 18 and older event.
When: Dec. 30-31. Parking lots open at 5 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m. daily.
Where: Dallas Market Hall, 2200 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas.
Admission: Two-day general admission tickets start at $209, with a $14.80 fee. Single-day tickets are $124.95, with a $11.95 fee.
Babe wake up, @skrillex will be at #LightsAllNight2023!! pic.twitter.com/dGc31XvenN
— Lights All Night (@LightsAllNight) November 22, 2023
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