Please note that prices, dates, telephone numbers and hours are subject to change. Please call ahead before making plans. 

Entire month of December, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Kilgore: Christmas in the Oil Patch. Experience "Christmas in the Oil Patch" at the Oil Museum, the World's Richest Acre Park and star-topped oil derricks, cut a Christmas Tree, Christmas stories in our festive library, tour lighted neighborhoods, and visit the historic Post Office and Heritage Square with a 35' Christmas Tree, shopping, and festive entertainment. Time: 6pm-8pm. Cost: free. Location: Downtown Kilgore. Region: Texas Piney Woods. Average attendance: under 50,000. For more information, call 903-984-5022. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, November through January.

December 1, 2005 - FESTIVAL - New Braunfels: Wassailfest. Annual event featuring wassail from local merchants and organizations, entertainment and prizes. Time: 6pm - 9pm. Cost: Location: Main Plaza Downtown. Region: Texas Hill Country. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 830-608-2100. Please mention this listing when inquiring.

December 2, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Sonora: Old Fashioned Christmas Bazaar- "The More the Merrier". Buy everything from a loaf of homemade bread to bookshelves. Merchants, crafters, churchs, civic organization, individuals and families provide a wonderful one stop shopping experience including a gift wrap booth. Concession stand will be open. Don't fight the crowds in the big city malls, come to Sonora. "The More the Merrier" - the name says it all. Time: 9am-7pm. Location: Sutton County Civic Center. Region: Texas Hill Country. Average attendance: under 50,000. For more information, call 325-387-2880. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, first Friday in December.

December 2-3, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Brenham: Christmas at the Mansion. Heritage Belles bring the 1869 Giddings Stone Mansion to life. Candlelight, entertainment, making gingerbread houses; create a magical experience for everyone. Cost: $2 per person good for both days. Location: 2203 Century Circle (South Market and Stone Street), Brenham. Region: Texas Prairies and Lakes. For more information, call 979-836-1690 or visit www.brenham-mansion.com. Please mention this listing when inquiring.

December 2-3, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Brenham: Downtown Christmas Stroll. Enjoy spiced tea or hot cider, entertainment and holiday shopping as you stroll along historic downtown streets. Cost: n/a. Location: Historic Downtown. Region: Texas Prairies and Lakes. For more information, call 979-836-3339 or 1-888-BRENHAM. Please mention this listing when inquiring.

December 2-3, 2005 - FESTIVAL - Clifton: Norwegian Country Christmas A Tour of Homes, Art, & History. The festival will kick off Friday night with a lighted Christmas parade in historic downtown Clifton. Saturday, the tour begins at 9am and concludes at 5pm. Sites on the tour include historic Norwegian homes, churches, and local art. Special stops include "Gallery of Trees" and Heritage Village. Norwegian folk dancers perform at 5pm and Santa glides into town on his Viking Ship. Cost: Tour Tickets: $8 Adults. Location: Clifton Area. Region: Texas Prairies and Lakes. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 1-800-344-3720. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually.

December 2-4, 2005 - FESTIVAL - Columbus: Christmas on the Colorado. Shop Columbus' Mistletoe Marketplace and visit lovingly decorated historic homes during the season's annual Candlelight Homes Tour. Group tours available by reservation for historic homes not on the candlelight homes tour agenda. Call for group tour reservations. 979-732-8385. Time: Vary. Cost: Vary. Location: Columbus is located in Central Texas, between Houston and San Antonio, at Hwy 71 & IH-10. Region: Texas Prairies and Lakes. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 979-732-8385. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, 1st weekend in December.

December 2-4, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - South Padre Island: Here Comes Santa Parade Weekend. Come for a weekend of celebration and join Santa for all the fun. Ride horses with Santa, build sand castles with Santa, dolphin watch with Santa, join the 'Jingle Bell Fun Run', and attend the annual Island of Lights Parade. Island restaurants will have drawings for kid's bicycles and special rates will be offered by Island Motels. Region: Texas Gulf Coast. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 800-767-2373. Please mention this listing when inquiring.

December 3, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Brenham: Hometown Holidays Parade. Downtown's beautiful lights become the magical backdrop for a spectacular lighted parade. Santa, entertainment, food and downtown shops open. Cost: n/a. Location: Historic Downtown. Region: Texas Prairies and Lakes. For more information, call 979-836-3339 or 1-888-BRENHAM. Please mention this listing when inquiring.

December 3, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Dallas: 2005 Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children's Parade. The Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children's Parade raises funds for Children's Medical Center Dallas. Each year, more than 325,000 attendees in downtown Dallas enjoy parade elements including professionally designed floats, giant inflatable balloons, bands, drill teams and costumed characters. The parade is broadcast to more than 75 million households in more than 280 television markets. The 2003 Parade won the Gold Grand Pinnacle Award, the highest honor of the International Festivals and Events Association. Time: 10am. Cost: Reserved bleacher seats - $15; General Admission - free to the public. Location: Downtown Dallas. Region: Texas Prairies and Lakes. Average attendance: 200,000-500,000. For more information, call 214-456-8360. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, 1st Saturday in December.

December 3, 2005 - FAIR - Columbus: Holiday Extravaganza & Retail Craft Fair. Kick off the holiday season at the Columbus Pilot Club's annual retail and crafts fair. Featuring handbags, candles, gift items, clothing and oh so much more. Time: Call. Cost: Call. Location: Veterans Center, Columbus, Texas... Central Texas between Houston & San Antonio, at Hwy 71 & IH-10. Region: Texas Prairies and Lakes. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 979-732-8385. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually.

December 3, 2005 - CONCERT - Columbus: A Country & Western Christmas. Another festive holiday season, another hootin', hollerin', yodelin' good time. This award winning venue serves up a heap of down home fun with loads of up-town talent. Time: 7pm. Cost: $7. Location: Columbus Opry, Oaks Theater, 715 Walnut Street. Region: Texas Prairies and Lakes. For more information, call 979-732-9210, E-mail columbusopry@columbusopry.com, or visit www.columbusopry.com. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, 1st weekend in December.

December 3, 2005 - FESTIVAL - Fayetteville: Country Christmas in Fayetteville. This quaint little town is all dressed up for the holiday. Country Christmas in Fayetteville feature a historic home tour, carriage rides, entertainment, Christmas decorating contest town wide, wagon rides. A wonderful way to start your holiday season. Cost: none. Location: Courthouse Square. Region: Texas Prairies and Lakes. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 979-378-4281. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, first Saturday of December.

December 3, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Flatonia: Christmas in Flatonia. Christmas Market with handcrafted and homemade items, a cookie walk & candy lottery. There will be wagon rides, visiting with Santa, seasonal music and the candlelight homes tour. Time: 3pm-10pm. Cost: free, except for Candlelight Homes Tour. Location: North & South Main Street. Region: Texas Prairies and Lakes. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 361-865-3920. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, first weekend in December.

December 3, 2005 - FAIR - Harlingen: Jackson Street Market Days. An old fashioned open-air street fair with antiques, crafts, sidewalk sales, produce cart, and food vendors. Part of Jackson Street is blocked off for this event. Sponsored by the Harlingen Downtown Merchants Association. Time: 9am-4pm. Cost: Free. Location: Jackson Street in downtown Harlingen. Region: Texas Gulf Coast. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call (956) 423-4933. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held monthly, 1st Saturday.

December 3, 10, 17, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Palestine: Victorian Christmas Celebration. Experience Christmas Victorian style. Ride a turn of the century steam engine train and enjoy strolling carolers, a visit with Santa, wassail, hot cider, ginger bread and cookies as you venture through the countryside. Tour Victorian homes decorated in the style and fashion of the era. Feel the excitement in the air as you view the lighted Christmas parade. Time: varies throughout the day each weekend. Cost: various ticket prices depending on the event. Location: Texas State Railroad, various neighborhoods and downtown. Region: Texas Prairies and Lakes. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 1-800-659-3484. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, first 3 Saturdays in December.

December 3-4, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Aransas Pass: 5th Annual Holiday Craft Show. Almost 50,000 square feet of INDOOR activities including arts & craft vendors and live entertainment & music. Photos with Santa and food & drinks. Look for dollar-off coupons in The Progress Newspaper. Brought to you by the Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce. Time: Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Cost: $3. Location: 1920 W. Wheeler. Region: Texas Gulf Coast. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 1-800-633-3028. Please mention this listing when inquiring. First weekend in December.

December 3-4, 2005 - FESTIVAL - Galveston - 32nd Annual Dickens on The Strand. Presented by the Galveston Historical Foundation, Dickens on The Strand will take you and your family on an enchanted journey through history as a bustling 19th Century cityscape comes to life. Centered in a 10-block area of Galveston's The Strand National Historic Landmark District, the event will include three parades and free, nonstop entertainment on the festival's six stages, plus strolling carolers and roving street musicians, bagpipers and entertainers. Additionally, over 150 costumed vendors will be peddling their wares from street stalls and rolling carts laden with tasty culinary delights and Victorian-inspired crafts, clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations and gift items. Time: December 4, 10am-9pm, December 5, 10am-6pm. Cost: $10 in advance and $12 at the gate for adults, $4 in advance and $6 at the gate for children aged 7-12. Children six years & younger, and participants dressed in full Victorian costume will be admitted FREE! Location: The Strand. Region: Texas Gulf Coast. Tickets can be purchased online at www.dickensonthestrand.com or by calling the Galveston Historical Foundation at 409-765-7834. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually.

December 3-4, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Gruene: Christmas Market Days. Nearly 100 vendors feature uniquely crafted Christmas gift items, collectibles, jewelry and packaged Texas foods, perfect for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Take photos with Cowboy Kringle on both days and enjoy the town lighting at 6pm on Saturday when Cowboy Kringle rides in to town on horseback. Time: 10pm-6pm, 10pm-5pm. Cost: Free. Location: Gruene Historic District. Region: Texas Hill Country. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 830-832-1721. Please mention this listing when inquiring.

December 6-24, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Abilene: 15th Annual Christmas Lane. Drive through a winter wonderland complete with lights and animated figures. Stop and tour Quanna's Winter Wonderland, an indoor display of animated figures. Time: 6pm-10pm. Cost: Free. Location: Abilene State School 2501 Maple. Region: Texas Panhandle Plains. For more information, call 325-692-4053. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually.

December 8, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Abilene: Artwalk. Bring the entire family to historic downtown where restaurants, shops, museums, galleries and entertainment await you. Special performance of "Las Posadas" an annual Mexican tradition that commemorates the struggles of Joseph and Mary in their attempt to find lodging for the imminent birth of their child. Time: 5pm-8:30pm. Cost: Free. Location: Downtown Abilene. Region: Texas Panhandle Plains. For more information, call 325-677-8389, Center for Contemporary Arts. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually.

December 9-11, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Abilene: 23rd Annual Living Christmas Tree. Celebrate the hope and promise of the holiday season with song, drama and orchestra music. Time: 5pm and 7:30pm. Cost: Free. Location: Wylie Baptist Church 6097 Buffalo Gap Road. Region: Texas Panhandle Plains. For more information, call 325-692-3206, Church office. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually.

December 10, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Chappell Hill: Christmas Homes Tour. Visit beautiful homes, churches and historic sites. Enjoy entertainment, refreshments and the local townspeople in period costumes. Cost: nominal fee. Location: Downtown. Region: Texas Prairies and Lakes. For more information, call 979-836-6033. Please mention this listing when inquiring.

December 10, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Georgetown: Market Days. Arts & crafts, antiques & collectibles, and festive foods on the lawn of the historic Williamson County Courthouse. Time: 10am-5pm. Cost: Free. Location: Downtown Square. Region: Texas Hill Country. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 512-868-8675. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held the 2nd Saturday of each month, March - December.

December 10, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Goliad: Goliad Market Days. Over 170 booths of arts, crafts, food, antiques, collectibles, metalwork, woodwork, jewelry, pottery, soaps, potpourri, clothes, plants and much more to be found in 3 adjacent locations. Time: 9am-4pm. Cost: free. Location: Goliad Downtown Courthouse Square. Region: Texas Gulf Coast. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 800-848-8674. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Recurring: Held the 2nd Saturday each month, March - December.

December 10, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Johnson City: A Timeless Christmas in Johnson City. Enjoy three Christmases in one. First a lamplit 1920's small town Christmas at Lyndon Johnson's Boyhood Home. Then a frontier holiday at the Johnson Settlement. Gather round the campfire at the chuckwagon, stroll to the original 1856 dogtrot cabin for refreshments and seasonal carols. Third, the million lights of a modern Christmas throughout the town: "Lights Spectacular, Hill Country Style." Time: 6pm-9pm. Cost: free. Location: Johnson Settlement and LBJ Boyhood Home, Avenue G and Elm Street. Region: Texas Hill Country. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call (830) 868-7128, ext. 244. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually on a Saturday in December, but date varies.

December 10, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Seabrook & Kemah: 44th Annual Christmas Boat Parade on Clear Lake. More than 100 beautifully lighted and extravagantly decorated boats travel leisurely through the lake and up Clear Creek Channel to Galveston Bay. The parade can be viewed along the shoreline in Seabrook and Kemah. Time: 6:30. Cost: free. Location: Shoreline in Seabrook and Kemah. Region: Texas Gulf Coast. For more information, call 281-488-7676. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually, 2nd Saturday in December.

December 10 & 17, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Kerrville: Kerr County Market Days. Over 75 vendors featuring fresh produce, crafts including furniture makers, metal smiths and other art. Food vendors are also available offering BBQ sandwiches, turkey legs, German sausage, and other baked goodies. Hours are 9am-4pm. Location: Kerrville, Texas, Kerr County Courthouse Square. Region: Texas Hill Country. For more information, call 830-895-7962. Please mention this listing when inquiring. The Market takes place on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month, April-December, except August.

December 11, 2005 - CONCERT - New Braunfels: Christmas Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist. In the tradition of a New Orleans style gospel brunch, we are serving up awe-inspiring gospel music coupled with a mouth-watering buffet. This Christmas season's performance will include traditional cowboy and Christmas gospel tunes offered by featured entertainers. Tickets can be purchased online at www.gruenehall.com, by calling 830-629-5077, or in person at Gruene Hall. Location: 1281 Gruene Road. Region: Texas Hill Country. For more information, call 830-606-1601. Please mention this listing when inquiring.

December 14, 2005 - CONCERT - New Braunfels: Comal Country Music Show. A house band and three featured artists provide country music for the listening audience. Snack bar provides delicious sandwiches and desserts. Time: Doors open at 6pm. Cost: $4. Location: 380 S. Seguin. Region: Texas Hill Country. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call 830-629-4547. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Recurring: 2nd Wednesday of each month.

December 18, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Stonewall: Christmas Tree Lighting and Evening Ranch Tours. A Hill Country tradition for 34 years. Established by President and Mrs. Johnson, this community gathering is still attended by family members, who light the beautiful Christmas tree prior to special night tours of the LBJ Ranch bedecked in festive lighting and a visit to a German farmhouse, decorated for Christmas at the turn of the last century. Time: approximately 6pm. Cost: free. Location: LBJ State Park and Historic Site and the LBJ Ranch. Region: Texas Hill Country. Average attendance: under 250,000. For more information, call (830) 644-2252. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually on a Sunday in December, but date varies.

(Nov. 17) thru December 30, 2005 - OTHER EVENT - Abilene: 9th Annual Celebration Park. A narrated soundtrack guides you through the one-mile drive lined with more than 1,500 decorated trees throughout 40 acres with more than one million lights; Laser Light Show; Biblical journey in light from the splendor of Creation to the glory of Heaven;traditional Christmas scenes. Time: 6:30pm-10pm. Cost: $15 per car /over 6 passengers $1 each additional person. Location: 3 Miles East of Abilene near Clyde on I-20. Region: Texas Panhandle Plains. For more information, call 325-691-5098, Office. Please mention this listing when inquiring. Held annually.