They don’t say “it’s the most wonderful time of the year” without reason. That spirit will be evident across the area as the Texas Hill Country Trail of lights returns to help make the season bright.

The Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave has kicked off its holiday shopping season with a tree lighting, grand arrival by Santa and live performances at its amphitheater, but that’s just the beginning of their celebrations.
Santa will return to visit with children and take time to pose for photos in front of the Christmas tree by the Bee Cave Public Library from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 5-6, Dec. 12-13, Dec. 19-20 and Dec. 24 before he has to warm up the sleigh and reindeer for the big ride.
“Bring your wishlist. Bring your camera,” assistant property manager Tiffany Hardt said. “It’s very family friendly.”
Other entertainment will include Trinity Episcopal School performing at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5, the Wildflower Chorus at 6 p.m. Dec. 8, Barton Creek Elementary School at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and Simply Christmas by Free Chapel choirs at 7 p.m. Dec. 12.
Santa will also be in Lakeway at Breakfast with Santa Claus at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 12 at the Lakeway Activity Center. The 10:30 a.m. breakfast is sold out.
Families may enjoy breakfast together and get their photos taken with the head gift-giver. Admission is $9 for adults and $6 for children. Each child will get one photo, but families may bring their cameras to take additional pictures.
Rudolph and the world’s tallest elf will greet everyone, and families may also enjoy coloring and Christmas songs. The city also will accept letters to Santa to deliver to the North Pole.
“It’s a fun time that sells out quickly,” said Dallas Gorman, program coordinator. “It’s just a old-fashioned, family event.”
The lights at night are bigger and brighter during the holiday season as the famous Hill Country Christmas Lighting Trail lights the skies.
Make plans now for family fun and fantastic viewing in Boerne, Burnet, Dripping Springs, Fredericksburg, Goldthwaite, Johnson City, Llano, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Round Mountain and Wimberley. All are within easy driving distance of central Texas and promise holiday enticement for every member of the family.
Individuals and families are invited to enjoy each community’s festive lighting displays from the comfort and safety of their vehicles, or by parking and strolling. Most activities are free or have minimal cost. Visitors are always welcome to shop, dine, and sightsee, as many stores and businesses keep special longer hours during the holidays.
Complete details of events in each town, free brochure and area map are available by contacting the Regional Christmas Lighting Trail Headquarters in Fredericksburg at 1-866-TEX-FEST (1-866-839-3378) or by checking out www.tex-fest.com.
This year, plan your holiday season in historic Boerne. The tastefully restored Hauptstrasse (Main Street) offers a feast of antiques, gift shops, art galleries, restaurants, and coffee shops in turn of the century architecture all set in a sea of shimmering white lights. For Dickens on Main, in downtown Boerne, costumed shopkeepers and horse drawn carriages bring the sights and sounds of an Old World Christmas alive.
Be sure not to miss the Weihnachts Fest Parade. Boerne’s annual nighttime Christmas Parade winds through the Historic downtown district. Pre-parade events include performances by choirs, dulcimer players, bands and more. Also many shops are open late, and Santa and Mrs. Claus make a special appearance at the conclusion of the parade to hear the wishes of the children at the Main Plaza Gazebo.
Ring in the holidays with Oma’s Christmas Fair at the Kendall County Fairgrounds. Enjoy German food and shopping for all handmade crafts. Santa also makes an appearance at this annual event so bring the kids! At Boerne Market Days, shop for that special gift at this monthly event (except for January) in Boerne’s Main Plaza. Arts, crafts, antiques, collectibles, and unusual items are some of the great finds. Food booths and music are also part of the fun.
Cowboy Christmas at Enchanted Springs Ranch is an active western town and movie set with shows, hayrides, caroling, a petting zoo, and a Cowboy Santa.
As the evenings grow darker, the Burnet Historic Square is filled with music and Christmas lights. The lawn is graced with live decorated trees, deer and other animals at play, a train and millions of tiny white lights enhancing this Hill Country scene. Santa will arrive to delight the youngsters and many great happenings will take place. Stop by Hamilton Creek Park, decorated with lights, luminarias and greenery for the holidays. The park is located one block west of Highway 281 on Highway 29. Retail merchants will be open until late Saturdays and Sundays through the holidays, starting Thanksgiving weekend, for the Hill Country Flyer steam train Christmas run.
Burnet’s popular Main Street Bethlehem will be open the first two weekends in December. Walk the streets of the ancient town of Bethlehem, located on Washington Street, one block south of Highway 29 at Vanderveer Street. Step through the city gates and begin a journey back in time. Witness what life may have been like in the village at the time of Christ’s birth. Authentically costumed townspeople bargain at the city market, draw water from the well, bake bread and pay taxes to the tax collector. When walking through the village watch out for the camels, donkeys and other animals. Near the exit, see Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus in a cave.
“Catch the spirit” of Christmas Past at Fort Croghan. Step back in time to the fort’s first Christmas after soldiers built it to protect settlers in October 1849. Guest’s arrival is anticipated. Cedar wreaths are hung on each gate. Families in costume are making simple ornaments and decorations and six old cabin fireplaces are burning, bringing back the Spirit of Christmases past. Enjoy free refreshments and take the candlelight tour.
Come to Dripping Springs, located 15 miles west of Austin at the intersection of Highway 290 and Ranch Road 12, and enjoy the holiday light decorations, shops, restaurants and friendly atmosphere. Events include the 5th Annual Christmas on Mercer Street in historical downtown Dripping Springs, Sunset Canyon Pottery Customer Appreciation Day, Wesley Gallery’s annual jewelry, trunk, accessories and wearable art show, and the Christmas Home Tour, presented by the Friends of the Dripping Springs Community Library.
The holiday season is a fabulous time to visit Fredericksburg, located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, with events and decorations flavored by our German and frontier heritage. Once again, historic Main Street will be ablaze with thousands of white lights each evening and Marktplatz is transformed into a lighted winter wonderland.
Located just over an hour from either San Antonio or Austin, Fredericksburg is a shopper’s paradise with more than 150 specialty shops lining downtown streets. You’ll find something for everyone on your list – apparel, antiques and collectibles, fine art, handcrafts by local artisans, Christmas ornaments, regional books, delicious Hill Country foods and wines and much more!
And with more than 75 restaurants, five museums, outdoor recreation, golf, historic sites and more than 1,000 convenient hotel/motel rooms and 300 cozy bed and breakfast/guesthouses, Fredericksburg makes a perfect family getaway.
Some of the featured events are the Peddler Show, Eisbahn in Fredericksburg (outdoor ice skating rink), Rockbox Theater’s Holiday shows from The Golden Era of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Christmas Parade – Main Street, Holiday Wine Trail – Hill Country Region, Kinderfest – Pioneer Museum Complex, the grand opening of expanded National Museum of the Pacific War on Dec. 7, Christmas at The Theater, Christmas Journey Drive Through at Bethany Lutheran Church, Christmas Home Tour, Fredericksburg Trade Days, 40th Annual LBJ Tree Lighting at the LBJ State Park & Historic Site, Christmas Eve Services – Historic Churches, Zweite Weihnachten – Pioneer Museum Complex, and New Year’s Eve dances.
Visit the trail’s Fantasy Town in Grand Central Texas. For a delightful family outing, Goldthwaite is a fantasy holiday experience. Enjoy the splendid displays of lighting throughout the charming city. Visit the friendly, specialty shops with small-town convenience and atmosphere of Mill County. Here are just a few of the special treats of this coming holiday season: Quilt Show, Mills County Civic Center; Mills County Historical Museum Chili Supper, Family Life Center; Hunter’s Appreciation Wild Game Supper, Mills Country Civic Center; Arts & Crafts Festival, Mills County Civic Center; Arrival of Santa Claus, sponsored by Chamber of Commerce & Ag.; Lions Club Pancake Supper; Christmas Parade of Lights; and Goldthwaite Garden Shopping Tour. Celebrate the holidays in a real down-home setting and come to Goldthwaite for a special holiday treat.
Lights Spectacular celebrates 20 years. Johnson City, one of the largest Light Displays in the State, will have millions of Lights. Local homes, businesses and churches add their displays to the stunning 100,000 lights on the Blanco County Courthouse. The Courthouse, the centerpiece, will be open from 6-9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays with a tree and sales of ornaments and crafts from the Garden Club. Johnson City’s Christmas gift to everyone will be aglow each through Jan. 1, 2010. Admission to all events is free. Nightly attractions will include the courthouse with 100,000 lights, Christmas in the Park, Pedernales Electric Co-op Headquarters with 1 million lights and carriage rides.
Special events include “Let There Be Lights” with Chuckwagon Food Court and Santa’s arrival; Clickety Cloggers performance, Lighted Hooves and Wheels Parade and Santa visits.
For a trip back in time, take in a performance of “A Timeless Christmas in Johnson City” at The 1860 Christmas at the Cabin – Johnson Settlement. Performances will be every half hour from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church. Visitors also can take in Christmas at the LBJ Boyhood Home with lamplight tours.
Visit historic downtown Llano and let the charm of the city and the sparkling lights bring the magic of Christmas this holiday season. The Christmas Lighting Committee and the City of Llano will once again host “Starry Starry Nights” on the banks of the Llano River. Come and take a stroll through the lighted Christmas Park, enjoy the many animated displays, thousands of lights, and enjoy the beauty of its 55-foot Christmas tree and new 30-foot Snowman. Starry, Starry Nights will be open daily, weather permitting, through Dec. 31. The weekends will be a special treat as Santa and Mrs. Santa will be on hand. Children may give Santa their wishlists, and families can take in live entertainment. Enjoy the Lighted Christmas Parade as many decorated floats make their way around the Courthouse Square. Enjoy the spirit of the season by joining in The Evening Christmas Stroll, sponsored by Llano Memorial Hospital. Take the stroll and enjoy the downtown churches of Llano. The Llano Christmas Lighting Committee will again bring Snow Day to Central Texas. Kids of all ages can come enjoy the snow and tube down the snow hill.
Christmas Walkway of Lights will feature more than 1 million tiny, twinkling lights on 130 sculptures reflecting on the sparkling waters of Lake Marble Falls. Stroll leisurely on the shoreline and experience a place where dreams are made. The spirit of the entire community culminates during the Winter Holiday Season in Marble Falls at the Walkway of Lights. Located 45 miles west of Austin and 85 miles north of San Antonio on U.S. 281, the Walkway of Lights and community of Marble Falls plays host to visitors from near and far.
The self-guided winter wonderland walk will dazzle with the largest lighted pole-tree boasting more than 17,000 multi-colored lights and a lighted tunnel touting more than 12,000 clear bulbs. Both these special treasures together with the whimsical, patriotic, religious, traditional and not-so-traditional sculptures, along with beautiful Christmas music, create the Walkway of Lights. Admission is free to the public but donations are cheerfully and gratefully accepted.
Also enjoy the Christmas Light-Up Parade. Join the community as the parade proceeds down Main Street into Lakeside Park where the initial lighting of the Walkway of Lights will take place.
Arrive early to dine, shop and visit the Walkway of Lights in Lakeside Park located immediately west of the U.S. 281 River Bridge. Walkway display hours are nightly through Jan. 2, 2010, with illumination beginning at 6 p.m. and closing at 10 p.m.
Fesstage in New Braunfels includes the Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting featuring the arrival of Santa, parade, food, entertainment and Santa pictures. Guest also will enjoy courthouse area lighting in the downtown plaza.
Other New Braunfels events include:
*Weihnachtsmarkt – A German Christmas shopping market featuring unique gift items and antiques from distinctive merchants and artisans. New Braunfels Civic Center;
*Old Gruene Market Days – Shops, restaurants, entertainment, 100-plus vendors in Gruene Historic District;
*Schlitterbahn’s Hill Country Christmas Event – This magical holiday event through Jan. 4, 2010 at Schlitterbahn will feature ice skating among the millions of lights at the original Schlitterbahn with a German Christmas Village, Santa’s Workshop, Schatze’s Winter Wonderland complete with falling snow, Candy Cane Lane and Christmas Carol Riverwalk;
*Christmas Showcase of Arts and Crafts – Handmade arts and crafts by over 100+ craftsmen. Civic Center (Seguin St.);
*Wassailfest – A magical evening of downtown festivities, sampling different types of wassail, to enjoying diverse entertainment, food and strolling through historic downtown;
*Visit with St. Nicholas, the “German” Santa, at the Sophienburg Museum;
*Annual Christmas Tour of Homes – Historical and lovely homes dressed for the season will be on tour;
*Christmas Gospel Brunch with a Texas twist – New Orleans style gospel brunch, come witness Gruene Hall’s own Texas twist on this uplifting event of awe-inspiring music coupled with a buffet;
*Caroling on the Plaza – Arts Council sponsors community get-together to sing traditional Christmas songs in the downtown plaza.
The joys of Christmas and holiday traditions are celebrated in the town of Round Mountain by the display of twinkling, silhouette lights around its historic buildings and residences, as if camp fires were glowing across the rolling Hill Country, and by the warm friendly people, who honor this cherished occasion and who extend their invitation to share with visitors the spirit of the season.
For Christmas magic, visit Round Mountain on U.S. 281 first settled in 1854 and then on the stage route from Austin to Fredericksburg. Enjoy the sparkling lights at Southwest Center and Cattleman’s National, travel RR 962 East, see the lights on the old Methodist Church built in 1876 and recently restored and notice the Joseph Bird double log house built in 1854.
Watch for lights on the Shelley-Gutierrez house, and then it’s on to the Round Mountain Stagecoach Inn and Stable on the 1874 National Register of Historical Places. Go past the Galloway-Romero house and other lighted homes on the way, and turn left on the old Marble Falls Road for more beautiful lights. Return to U. S. 281, but be sure to stop by the illuminated North Cypress Creek Community Park then travel down RR 962 West and County Road 305 for a view of decorated homes in the area. Before leaving Round Mountain, visit the business center and dine at the renowned Round-Up Restaurant.
An old-fashioned Wimberley Creekside Christmas is designed to delight and inspire anyone’s holiday season. After strolling through Wimberley’s quaint shops and art galleries, have dinner at one of its restaurants and then end the evening at EmilyAnn Theatre and Gardens’ Trail of Lights, which is a magical place where the beauty of nature and Christmas meet. Meet friends at the Yule Log and enjoy roasting marshmallows and singing carols. Wimberley is close to several participating Hill Country towns. Beautiful country roads easily take travelers to enjoy the lights in Blanco, Dripping Springs, Canyon Lake and Gruene.