It's everyone's favorite time of year again and nothing feels more like the holiday season than visiting a beautiful Christmas lights display with a hot chocolate in hand. If your list of Christmas activities includes a trip to a festive Christmas town, look no further than the Lone Star State.
While Texas may not get as wintry weather-wise as states further to the north, there are still plenty of community events, light displays, and parades doused in shimmering lights and holiday cheer that'll transport you to the North Pole regardless.
So, if you're in Texas and are looking to get into the Christmas spirit, then we've got you covered. We've gathered up a list of 15 of the most magical Christmas towns in the state to make your season special.
These towns go all out. There are train rides, Santa's wonderlands, trails of lights and obviously visits with Santa Claus himself through all of these holiday events. Regardless of who you spend your holidays with, there's something on this list guaranteed to pique their interest, whether they're friends or family, young or old.
With so many wonderful places to visit in the state of Texas, it's hard not to immediately get in the Christmas spirit. Without further ado, here they are. The most jolly, festive, and delightful Christmas attractions in the Lone Star State.
San Antonio
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The famous San Antonio Riverwalk gets festive every year with this stunning Christmas lights display. Stop by one of your favorite restaurants on the water to take in the view during the holiday season.
Galveston
galveston.com
The well-known Festival of Lights in Galveston is a must-see each holiday. The annual event has a mile-long trail featuring more than one million lights and lighted scenes through the Moody Gardens.
Hidalgo
hidfol.com
Another beautiful light festival, the Hidalgo Festival of Lights will draw visitors from across Texas to see the 5 million lights featured on the three-mile route.
Fredericksburg
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Fredericksburg turns itself into quite the Christmas town each year. Paying homage to its German heritage, they put up a 26-foot-tall German Christmas pyramid in the middle of town. They feature a holiday home tour, lighted parade and an outdoor skating rink to fill out their Hill Country Christmas Village.
Grapevine
visitgrapevine/instgarm
Dubbed the Christmas capital of Texas, if you make one stop on this list, Grapevine should be it. Featuring 1,400 Christmas events in 40 days, with millions of Christmas lights throughout the property, this is one magical Christmas experience your family won't forget.
Johnson City
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Johnson City may be a small town, but they really get excited for Christmas each year. They have their annual lighting of the courthouse as well as a Lighted Hooves and Wheels Parade, and Lights Spectacular display. Add some extra magic by taking in the lights in a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Amarillo
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Amarillo's Nights of Lights at Enchanted Acres horse farm takes you through over 300,000 Christmas light displays over the course of 1/2 mile during Christmas time.
Lubbock
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Lubbock shows off its own North Pole with its annual Santa Land. Over 40,000 annual visitors come to see their holiday village featuring a large Christmas tree, bonfires, and a reindeer sleigh ride bringing in Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Odessa
odessa-tx.gov
Odessa's Starbright Village is the largest Christmas lights display in the Permian Basin. Featuring over 300,000 lights, visitors can either walk or drive through the display. Odessa also offers a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and their own Santa Land to visit Santa making them a very festive Christmas town.
El Paso
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One of the most popular Christmas activities in El Paso each year is the Christmas Lights Festival. The eight-minute laser and light show shows off over 450,000 Christmas lights accompanied by music. Between the free hot cocoa and cookies and the photo ops with Santa, this makes for one magical evening.
Fort Stockton
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The annual Christmas Festival in Fort Stockton features a community tree lighting, local vendors and a bake-off.
Nacogdoches
Instagram/visitnac
The Nine Flags Christmas Festival is the largest Christmas parade in East Texas. It winds through the historic streets of downtown Nacogdoches, which showcase over 3 million holiday lights.
Palestine
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Ride the Polar Express in Palestine this Christmas. Follow it up with ice skating, a visit to Santa's Workshop and Frost Fest, their own heritage-filled event complete with a historic homes tour and wassail walk.
Marshall
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Downtown Marshall is their own Winter Wonderland each holiday with their Wonderland of Lights Festival. With their Christmas Parade of Lights, historic home tour and outdoor Christmas market, Marshall is the place to be over the holiday season.
