Texas shines brightest during the holidays. If you’re setting your sights on twinkling lights this time of year, here are a dozen Texas towns worth traveling to throughout the holidays.
SAN ANTONIO
This year, we kicked off the holidays with a festive stay at the Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio, arriving just in time to witness the iconic San Antonio Riverwalk receive its seasonal glow up. The recently renovated property is perfectly poised for winter strolls along the San Antonio Riverwalk, illuminated with 200,000 holiday lights from sundown to sunrise now through Jan. 11. From the river view balcony of our sprawling suite bedecked in holiday décor, we sipped bubbly while taking in the sights of twinkling lights and glowing river boats passing below.
Step into a real-life Christmas storybook with The Westin Riverwalk’s Deck the Halls package, which transforms an entire floor of the hotel into a cozy, glittering retreat filled with festive décor, twinkling lights, and a Christmas tree in every guestroom. Credit: Westin Riverwalk
The Westin Riverwalk’s Deck the Halls package includes overnight accommodations, a Christmas tree in every room, and a seasonal welcome amenity upon arrival. For a merry evening on the water complete with hot cocoa and holiday bites, reserve a spot on the Twinkle & Sparkle River Cruise departing from the Westin Riverwalk at 8 p.m. on Dec. 5, 6, 7, 13, 19, 20, 24 and 25. Stick around San Antonio to experience all of the merriment on offer, from holiday parades to free photos with Cowboy Santa at the Alamo. More at www.visitsanantonio.com/events/holiday-events/.
BASTROP
Blending cozy traditions and small-town charm, Bastrop is a merry place to visit during the holidays. Book a seasonal stay at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa, when children and families can step into Santa’s Workshop to decorate cookies, build ornaments and gingerbread houses, and send letters to the North Pole. On Dec. 13, historic downtown Bastrop sparkles with the annual Lost Pines Christmas Lighted Parade, beginning at 6 p.m., as more than 130 floats, marching groups, vintage cars, fire trucks, and even Santa’s helpers illuminate Main Street. More at lostpineschristmas.com.
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Grapevine, the official Christmas Capital of Texas, has been named the Best Christmas Town in the “Happy Holidays” category of the Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026. Credit Grapevine CVB
GRAPEVINE
Grapevine, the official Christmas Capital of Texas, has been named the best Christmas town in Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice awards for the second year in a row. But it’s no secret why –– Grapevine is home to more than 1,400 festive Christmas events taking place over 40 days. Head to the Christmas Capital of Texas to soak in the dazzling lights and larger-than-life decorations lining historic Main Street and make magical family memories with a seasonal stay at Gaylord Texan Resort or Great Wolf Lodge. More at www.grapevinetexasusa.com/christmas-capital-of-texas.
FREDERICKSBURG
Weihnachtszeit (a.k.a. the Christmas season) is often compared to a holiday Hallmark movie –– and if you’ve ever experienced it, you know why. Marvel at the German town’s 30-foot Christmas tree and authentic German Christmas Pyramid every evening, shop for gifts while enjoying Hill Country sips along a decked-out Main Street each day, or take a wintry spin around Eisban––the town’s only outdoor ice skating rink. Fredericksburg’s Christmas Nights of Lights, a 10-minute audio presentation of the town’s German heritage, holiday carols and a countdown to the lighting of Marktplatz, happens at 6 p.m. nightly through Jan. 6. More at www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/events/holiday.
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GALVESTON
Travel back in time as Galveston’s Strand Street is transformed to 19th-century Victorian London at the 52nd annual Dickens on the Strand taking place on Dec. 5-7. Climb aboard the Polar Express at the vintage Galveston Railroad Museum, which whisks passengers off to the North Pole on family-friendly, holiday-themed train ride through Dec. 23. Hang around town for Holiday in the Gardens at Moody Gardens, featuring a mile-long trail of illuminated holiday displays, ICE LAND, an ice skating rink, holiday films and more through Jan. 3. More at www.visitgalveston.com/blog/holidays.
Brush off your bowlers and prepare your petticoats as Galveston Historical Foundation presents the 52nd annual Dickens on The Strand! Credit Galveston Island CVB
CORPUS CHRISTI
Holiday magic meets coastal charm in Corpus Christi, where you’ll find sparkling boat parades, dazzling light displays, and a whole lot of merriness by the bay. Experience Holly-Days at the Gardens at the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center Dec. 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20. Catch a performance of The Nutcracker from the Corpus Christi Ballet on Dec. 13, 14, 20 and 21. Or stroll through the glittering Winter Wonderland at Artesian Park now through Jan. 6. More at https://www.visitcorpuschristi.com/merrydays/.
BOERNE
Book it to Boerne for uniquely-themed holiday weekends brimming with small-town cheer, such as Weihnachts Weekend (Dec. 5-6) when downtown will light up with nearly 100 floats spreading holiday cheer along Boerne’s Main Street beginning at 6 p.m. Or load the kiddos into the sleigh for Kinder Fest in Boerne (Dec. 12-14). At this child-friendly festive weekend, ugly Christmas sweaters, silly Christmas pajamas and Whoville hairdos are encouraged. More at www.holidaysinboerne.com.
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GRUENE
Head to historic Gruene, brimming with small town Christmas traditions this time of year. Take a winter spin around the Gruene Ice Rink and warm up with some hot cocoa now through Jan. 4. On Dec. 6th, the Gruene Pony Express Ride rolls through at 10 a.m. followed by the annual Gruene Town Lighting at 6 p.m. when Cowboy Kringle, Gruene’s own brand of Santa, rides into town on horseback and hands out candy canes to the kids. You can also pose for photos with Cowboy Kringle on December weekends (Dec. 6-7, 13-14, and 20-21). More at www.gruenetexas.com/holidays.
JOHNSON CITY
Take the hour-long road trip to the “Twinkliest Town in Texas” to experience Johnson City’s annual Lights Spectacular –– a display so bright that NASA has reported seeing it from the International Space Station. This free holiday lighting event boasts more than two million twinkling lights throughout the historic square off Main Street, Memorial Park and PEC headquarters from dusk until midnight through Jan. 4. Time your visit to greet Santa in Memorial Park on Dec. 6, 13, 19 and 20. More at https://www.lightsspectacular.com/.
GEORGETOWN
In Georgetown, the “Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas” is lit up with the spirit of the season now through Jan. 1. Check out the town’s 44th Annual Christmas Stroll, a free, family-friendly festival that runs from Friday, Dec. 5, through Sunday, Dec. 7, in and around the historic downtown square. Highlights include the Kickoff Celebration Friday evening featuring “Groovin’ with the Grinch” live entertainment and more than 200 vendor booths; the Christmas Stroll Parade on Saturday morning, and a slew of jolly happenings including Santa at the courthouse, Whoville hairdos and face painting at Santa’s Village, and Candyland Snow in the Park. More at visit.georgetown.org/.
MARBLE FALLS
Have a merry time in Marble Falls during the holidays. This year marks the 35th annual Walkway of Lights, featuring 2 million lights and more than 350 lighted sculptures in Lakeside Park from 6 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 3 ($2 entry fee). Santa will be there accepting Christmas wishes every Friday through Sunday until Christmas. More at www.visitmarblefalls.org/christmas-in-marble-falls.
BUDA
Make a beeline to Buda for the 45th annual Budafest –– Buda’s family-friendly holiday festival featuring three days of holiday cheer taking place Dec. 5-7. From free photos with Santa under the iconic Downtown Gazebo to the Budafest lighted night parade and fireworks show along Main Street, you can’t help but get wrapped up in the most Buda-ful season of the year. More at www.budafest.org.
