2021 Texas Christmas Parades, Events & Drive-Thru Light Parks
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| 2022 Texas Mardi Gras parades and events |
| 2021 East Texas calendar of events |
| 2021 East Texas festivals & fairs |
The Christmas season in Texas is a magical time of the year, full of family gatherings, trips to see loved ones, decorations and of course parades!
Included on this page is a listing of major Christmas parades, events and festivals held most years in East Texas and other parts of the state, along with cities, locations, and website links.
It also includes popular drive-thru Christmas parks and light displays.
IMPORTANT NOTE Listed below are Christmas events held most years across East Texas and around the state. Concern over the spread of the Coronavirus has resulted in the postponement, rescheduling or cancellation of some Christmas 2021 events. Events are always subject to change. We recommended you contact the responsible event sponsor to confirm dates, times, parade schedules, routes and other details. |
| Athens | Christmas Park Land of Lights 1500 NW Loop 7, at Patterson Road Christmas Park Land of Lights is family owned and operated. The park is more than 1 mile long and has over 4 million lights, including more than 50 different musical scenes and 50 motion controlled lighted scenes in addition to 7 tunnels and 14 arches, and 1500 wood cutouts. Details on the Web or on Facebook Phone 903.675.7469 |
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| College Station | Santa's Wonderland 18898 Highway 6 Carriage rides, hayride Frostbite's Mountain, Snow Playground, visits with Santa, kids train, nightly Texas snow and more. Details on the Web or on Facebook Phone 979.690.2712 |
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| Grand Prairie | Prairie Lights Grand Prairie, Texas Enjoy this 2-mile drive through 4 million lights at Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie, featuring a 10 minute Holiday Magic light show choreographed to music. |
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| Liberty City | Christmas In The Park at Liberty City Hugh Camp Memorial Park, off Hwy 135 Drive-thru Christmas park in Liberty City. Santa is there Friday & Saturday 6-8 pm.Everything is free of charge |
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| San Angelo | Concho Christmas Celebration Concho Christmas Celebration was founded in 1994 to enhance the enjoyment of the Christmas Season by providing an annual light display. The event also contributes to the economic vitality of the Concho Valley area by providing and promoting a destination event which brings people into the City of San Angelo. The first Concho Christmas was established as a walking tour in the El Paseo de Santa Angela area featuring several lighted scenes and 21 sponsor Christmas cards. Today, the Tour of Lights has grown into a 2.5 mile drive along the banks of the Concho River and features over 3 million lights. Concho Christmas has evolved its programming from a small static light display, to consist of a Live Nativity scene; the Community Tree Lighting Ceremony; the Lights of Christmas Parade; Bike Through the Lights, a bicycle ride with Santa; Run Rudolph Run, a walk/run event; the annual Tuba Christmas concert; Kayak Through the Lights, a night-time float along the beautiful Concho River; theKCSA FM 97.1 FM radio broadcast and the extraordinary light tour. |
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| Tyler | Santa Land I-20 West |
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| Tyler | Up in Lights 12880 County Road 192 / Old Noonday Road Up in Lights is the only drive-through Christmas lights park located within the Tyler city limits. With over a million lights, Up In Lights is one of the best places to Celebrate the Holidays in Tyler. Bring your family for a wonderful light show and watch the lights dance to your favorite Christmas Carols. |
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| Tyler State Park | A Pineywoods Christmas Lighted Drive-thru The Park is located two miles north of Interstate 20 on FM 14, north of Tyler, on Park Road 16. Take a break from the holiday rush. Drive through the Cedar Point, Lakeview and Big Pine Camping Loops and enjoy a Pineywoods Christmas in lights. Make sure to visit the Park Store for refreshments and shop for unique gifts. Campers staying with us for this event are encouraged to decorate their sites. |
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| Abilene | Annual City Sidewalks and Christmas Parade |
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| Amarillo | Electric Light Parade |
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| Arlington | Arlington Holiday Lights Parade |
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| Athens | Christmas Parade
and Tree Lighting Spend the holidays in Athens for the annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting on the square. The annual lighting of the tree and Christmas parade takes place in downtown Athens and is sponsored by the City of Athens. |
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| Austin | Trail of Lights It includes 14 magical nights at Zilker Park, where you can wander through the 2 million lights strung across the 300+ acres of the park. The Austin Trail of Lights is a community event that invites 400,000 people every year to come celebrate the holidays in the heart of Austin, Texas during the month of December. The event showcases everything that we love about Austin—from music and food to creativity and family fun |
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| Bandera | Christmas Night Parade |
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| Beaumont | Christmas in Beaumont |
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| Big Sandy | Live Nativity Event Gates open 12:30-3pm. 1:00pm reenactment performance with live camels and donkeys. Admission is $5 per person, kids under 2 years are free. Details or phone Robin Dodge at 702.480.4848 |
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| Brenham | Christmas Stroll and Lighted Parade |
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| Bryan | Downtown Lighted Christmas Parade Kick off the holiday season with the ONLY lighted Christmas Parade in Bryan-College Station! The parade will begin at 24th and Bryan Street heading south, turn on 28th, and head back up Main Street. Downtown streets will close at 5:30 p.m. and re-open at the conclusion of the parade. Floats, vehicles, fire engines and more, all complete with lights, of course, will join us for this night of fun! It’s been rumored that SANTA CLAUS will also be making an appearance at the end of the parade! |
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| Buda | Budafest - Night Parade and Fireworks Budafest began as a small festival in Downtown Buda to showcase local artists/craft vendors and quickly grew to what it is today. The event grew to host 75+ vendors and hundreds of visitors. Now adopted by the City of Buda, we have made it our mission to carry on the spirit of Budafest and recognize all the hard work that brought it to where it is today. Snap a picture with Santa and say "hi" to him as he rides down Main St. on the parade fire truck, or walk your dressed up dog in the Reindog Parade--all for free! |
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| Bullard | Bullard Annual Christmas Parade |
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| Burleson | Christmas Parade of Lights, Tree Lighting & Fireworks Follow the Burleson Rotary Club's Parade of Lights to the corner of Johnson and Ellison Street, where you will be awe-struck by the City's Winter Wonderland, including the community's 25-foot-tall holiday tree, decorated with 10,000 lights. Santa will be on hand to help light the tree and have his picture taken with the kids. Don't go home yet, there is still more to come. Be treated to the city's fireworks extravaganza to end the evening and kick off the holiday season. |
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| Burnet | Christmas on the Square We are especially excited to announce that, in addition to a parade, Arts & Crafts vendors, holiday entertainment & a visit from Santa, we will again have ‘Snow on the Square’ that includes a snow slide and 2 snow play areas, compliments of Burnet County and the City of Burnet! |
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| Canton | Canton Lighted Christmas Parade Visit with Santa following the parade in the Chamber of Commerce office at 119 N. Buffalo Street |
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| Center | Santa's Christmas Parade The parade will feature a special Grand Marshal, lighted holiday floats, marching bands, and of course, Santa Claus himself! |
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| Clear Lake | Christmas Boat Parade |
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| Cleburne | Whistle Stop Christmas Come experience Christmas in Cleburne like you've never experienced it before! Lights in and around downtown, and all over the city! Activities in and near Hulen Park. Business participation like never before! And of course the familiar Lighted Christmas Parade. Adding to the fun will be food vendors, children train rides around the park on this night and other selected days. After the parade, the celebration continues at Hulen Park with food & gift vendors and a special visit by Santa & Mrs. Claus. In addition to the parade, don’t miss all the other fun activities during this popular Cleburne holiday celebration. |
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| Conroe | Conroe Christmas Celebration |
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| Corsicana | Home Town Christmas Celebration & Holiday Tree Lighting It is one of the most magical times of the year in Corsicana, as we light a three-story tree with more than 10,000 lights and 750 ornaments. Live entertainment, with the countdown beginning at 6 p.m., official lighting and spectacular fireworks display afterward. Train rides for kids of all ages and portrait photos with Santa. Complimentary milk and cookies. The annual tree lighting in Downtown Corsicana continues to grow every year and still maintain its small town charm. Bring the whole family out for this treasured celebration. |
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| Crockett | Christmas in Crockett on the Square Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce’s largest and most exciting event is the Annual Christmas in Crockett Arts and Crafts Festival which is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving. |
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| Dallas | Holiday at the Dallas Arboretum Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden Celebrate the start of the holidays with the official tree lighting ceremony and one of the first trees to be lit in the city. Warm drinks are available for purchase, the gazebos are lit for the first time this season, Santa Claus is here, and Holiday Cheer carolers stroll through the garden to fill the evening with music. Gather in the center of the property at 7pm as we flip the giant switch and light the tree to begin Holiday at the Arboretum. Many other special Christmas and holiday events are scheduled during November and December. |
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| Dallas - Plano | The Gift of Christmas featuring The Living Nativity Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano Campus The Gift of Christmas is a Prestonwood tradition and has become one of the highlights of the Christmas season, with thousands of guests attending every year. This visually stunning multimedia event is complete with special effects, a nearly 1,000-member cast and choir, live orchestra, flying angels and much more! The program will keep you fully engaged for a powerful 100 minutes, the perfect length for every family member to enjoy. It is complete with all your Christmas favorites, including the beautiful Living Nativity. |
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| Denton | Holiday Lighting Festival |
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| El Paso | El Paso Downtown Holiday Lights Don't miss out on the awesome holiday light display at San Jacinto Plaza with over 400,000 lights! Put your ice skates on, take a photo with the huge inflatable snow globe, or warm up in the Kringle Kafe at Winterfest. |
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| Fort Worth | Parade of Lights Starts at Weatherford and Houston Streets in Fort Worth Features music throughout the parade, including pre- and post- parade. Signature floats, giant illuminated balloons, local performing groups, community organizations and more. |
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| Fredericksburg | Light the Night Christmas Parade & Other Holiday Events |
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| Galveston | Holiday in the Gardens and Festival of Lights Enjoy 8 holiday attractions in one venue, including Ice Land, Festival of Lights, Rudolph 3D, ice skating, photos with Santa and more. |
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| Garland | Christmas on the Square |
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| Garrison | Winter Wonderland Extravaganza Enjoy winter without journeying to the north pole. Roselake Ranch invites you to its Winter Wonderland Extravaganza This year’s theme will be the Ice Queen and her entourage. Come out and mingle with them! She will have things for the whole family to enjoy! Climb the Ice Queen’s castle, ride a reindeer, cuddle with animals in the petting zoo, be memorized by all the lights, jump in the bounce house, take a jaunt on the hayride, see if you can climb the queen’s rock wall, have pictures taken with Santa and/or Ice Queen and her friends, try your luck with snowball races, create a snowman, dig for treasure, satisfy your sweet tooth at the food vendors, play in Candyland and much, much more! It will be fun for the whole family. |
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| Gladewater | Gladewater Annual Christmas Parade |
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| Granbury | Night of Lights Christmas Parade |
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| Grand Saline | Grand Saline, Texas |
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| Grapevine | Celebrate the magic of Christmas in Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas! Grapevine is the perfect place to create wonderful Christmas memories with your family and friends. You'll be amazed at the 1,400 Christmas events in 40 days, as you see Grapevine sparkle with millions of lights, enormous decorations, animated characters and much more! Escape to SNOWLAND at the Great Wolf Lodge or create Christmas memories with a Lone Star Christmas package at the Gaylord Texan Resort. Don't miss ICE! at Gaylord Texan, an extraordinary and magical display of elaborate, life-sized ice sculptures, ice slides and ice monuments with dramatic lighting effects - all created from nearly 2 million pounds of ice. Create a unique "Family Christmas Memory" aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad's North Pole Express®. Snug in their pajamas, children's holiday dreams come true as they climb aboard the magical train for an adventure-filled ride. |
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| Greenville | Greenville Annual Christmas Parade |
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| Henderson | The Henderson Christmas Parade Contact for event: Laura Wilkerson, Civic Center Coordinator, City of Henderson, phone 903.392.8232 |
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| Hidalgo | Hidalgo Festival of Lights Festival of Lights is one of the largest Christmas light display in Texas. Visitors can explore the nine-mile illuminated wonderland on a train or trolley tour — or enjoy the journey in the comfort of their own vehicle (*tune your radio to 91.1)! The festival also offers a dinner, concert, trolley tour package that includes a roast beef supper, complete with musical entertainment and a trolley or train ride through the lights. Hidalgo’s Festival of Lights starts at sunset every night throughout the month of December. For more information, phone 956.125.2444 |
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| Humble | Christmas Parade of Lights |
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| Huntsville | Christmas Fair and Winter in the Park |
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| Jacksonville | Jacksonville Annual Christmas Parade |
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| Jasper | Jasper Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Parade Enjoy bands and floats of all kinds at the annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade! Cocoa and treats sold on the square before the parade! See Santa riding atop the Fire Engine!! There is no fee to enter the parade! Come be a part of the downtown excitement! The theme this year will be CHRISTMAS IN TOYLAND!! |
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| Jefferson | Jefferson Hometown Christmas Parade The Parade will begin downtown and travel through Jefferson, ending at the Lions Club Park for the Tree Lighting Ceremony that welcomes the Christmas Season. Tree Lighting Ceremony will be immediately after the parade circles the Lions Park. |
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| Johnson City | Lights Spectacular |
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| Kaufman | Kaufman Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony |
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| Kerrville | Holiday Lighted Paradel |
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| Kilgore | A Very Derrick Christmas The winter festival begins when the oil derricks on the "World's Richest Acre" are lit for the holidays. Activities and fun for the family will also be featured. Annual Christmas Parade The parade exhibits fantastic floats by businesses, non-profits and individuals. On an average, the parade has over 80 entries and features Santa & Mrs. Claus |
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| Leander | Old Town Christmas Festival |
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| Lewisville | Old Town Holiday Stroll |
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| Liberty City | Annual Liberty City Christmas Parade Intersection of FM 1252 and Old Hwy 135 and will head south to I-20. |
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| Lindale | Christmas in Lindale Picker's Pavilion |
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| Longview | Longview Courthouse Lighting & Christmas Parade Longview Ambucs Christmas Parade Annual Living History Christmas Exhibit Traditional Christmas decorations are combined with a 40-foot model train layout to entertain adults and children of all ages. |
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| Lufkin | Christmas in the Pines Working with various community organizations this weekend is sure to be fun for all. The weekend will begin with The City of Lufkin Christmas parade. Saturday morning starts off with The ADAC Reindeer Run and Donuts with Santa, and continues with a Strongest Santa Competition, food trucks, downtown shopping, live performances and the Lighting of Rudolph the Red Nose Pumping Unit. |
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| Marshall | Annual Wonderland of Lights Festival The City of Marshall, Marshall Convention and Visitors Bureau and Marshall Main Street Program invite you to explore "Candy Wonderland of Lights" this holiday season. The annual festival is scheduled for Wednesday November 24 through December 23, 2021. It will be closed on Thanksgiving Day (November 25). Details, maps, tickets and more at the City of Marshall's official website and Wonderland of Lights on Facebook |
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| McAllen | McAllen Holiday Parade The McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B, adds even more snow, ice, lights, and fun as part of the 40 Days of Christmas Celebration in McAllen! Welcome to the official South Pole of Texas in McAllen where families will be able to revel in the spirit of Christmas at the newly announced attraction FRIO!™, a winter wonderland of frozen fun and delight with real snow activities. |
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| Mesquite | Christmas in the Park Christmas in the Park is Mesquite Parks and Recreation’s largest annual event to kick off the holiday season. The event will be held at Westlake Park, 601 Gross Road. |
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| Mineola | Mineola Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade |
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| Mineral Wells | Merry Wells Christmas Lighted Parade |
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| Mount Pleasant | Mount Pleasant Christmas Celebration The Mt. Pleasant Christmas Celebration, formerly Dickens Christmas, is held annually in historic Downtown Mt. Pleasant, taking place the first Friday and Saturday in December. Come home for the Holidays and wander the streets of Downtown Mt.Pleasant as the scent of pine boughs, roasted almonds, and kettle-corn float through the air and the sound of carolers and holiday merrymakers accompany your stroll. |
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| Mount Vernon | Mount Vernon Lighted Christmas Parade & Festivities
Parade Route begins on Rutherford Streett and turns onto Kaufman and proceeds down to the square. There will be food vendors, bounce houses, train rides, visit with Santa, and meet all the characters from the parade. Come for the parade, stay after for the fun. Downtown Mt Vernon has much to offer, come experience Christmas with us. |
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| Nacogdoches | Festival of Lights Over 300,000 Christmas lights and 100 lighted set pieces illuminate downtown Natchitoches and Cane River Lake every evening at dusk through January 6, 2021. All Christmas events take place in Downtown Natchitoches and along the banks of Cane River Lake and the Historic District. All times and dates are approximate and subject to change. |
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| Odessa | Parade of Lights |
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| Onalaska | Christmas In Our Town and Reindeer Dash 3K/5K Run/Walk Reindeer Dash 8:00am Christmas In Our Town |
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| Palestine | Christmas Parade of Lights
Lighted floats and bands march through the streets to get you in the spirit of the Season. Watch as the historic Anderson County Courthouse comes alive with lights at Palestine's most beloved event. Visit with Santa in all this splendor seated in front of the lighted tree. |
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| Paris | Christmas in Paris
Annual Christmas tree lighting |
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| Pearland | Hometown Christmas Parade |
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| Pittsburg | Home for the Holiday & Christmas Parade Food and craft vendors, photos with Santa and Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Christmas Lights hayride and Christmas Movie on the Courthouse Lawn. Carols in the Park is held at the First United Methodist Church Ministry Center, at 209 Mt. Pleasant Street near downtown Pittsburg. It is held on December 5-8, 13-14 from 6 pm to 8 pm, and also 2 pm to 4 pm on December 7-8. |
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| Rockport | Tropical Christmas Festival Join us on the first Saturday in December to enjoy the Rockport "Tropical" Christmas Festival while Santa is vacationing with us. Enjoy a full day of free, family-friendly activities in the Downtown Heritage District and the Rockport Harbor Area. There is something for all age groups, including birding seminars, kids' events, arts and crafts sale, live entertainment, pet costume contest, Christmas tree decorating contest, children's ornament workshop, giant kite display, pictures with "Tropical" Santa, illuminated land parade, and fireworks show. |
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| Round Top | Round Top Lighted Christmas Parade and Street Dance What better way to kick off the Christmas season than with an old-time parade around Town Square? Featuring a lighted float parade, food, drinks, live music and street dance, the Round Top Christmas Parade is the perfect chance for residents and visitors to come together to enjoy one another's company and some small-town Christmas charm. |
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| Rusk | Rusk Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade & Miracle on 5th Street |
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| San Antonio | Holiday Season in San Antonio |
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| Santa Fe | Christmas Parade & Christmas in the Park This event is a combined effort between the City of Santa Fe, the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and the City of Santa Fe Parks Board. The Christmas Parade will start promptly at 5:30pm and run from R.J. Wollom Elementary School along FM 1764 to Highway 6 to Warpath Drive. Santa Claus is ALWAYS our Grand Marshal and will be available after the parade in Mae S. Bruce Library for the Little's to sit with and share their Christmas wishes. Christmas Tree Lighting and Choir Singing |
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| Schertz | Holidazzle and Lighted Night Parade |
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| Seguin | Holiday Stroll |
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| Silsbee | Run, Run, Rudolph! 5K & 1K Silsbee Public Library |
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| Sugar Land | Christmas Tree Lighting |
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| Sulphur Springs | Main Street Christmas Market
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| Texarkana | Main Street Texarkana's Annual Christmas Parade "A Twice as Nice Christmas" |
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| Troup | Monday, November 15, 2021 Thursday, December 9, 2021, 6pm – Troup Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Parade |
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| Tyler | Rotary Clubs of Tyler Christmas Parade
Annual Christmas in the Park Azalea District Trail of Lights Through the month of December take a self-guided walking or driving tour through the historic Azalea District. |
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| Waco | Waco Wonderland |
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| Weatherford | Christmas on the Square |
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| Whitehouse | Whitehouse Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade & Christmas in the Park |
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| Wills Point | Christmas on the Bricks |
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| Winnsboro | Annual Christmas in the Park Holiday Bazaar Winnsboro Civic Center at the City Park on Wheeler Drive. For more information, call 903.342.3062 |
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IMPORTANT NOTE This page lists Christmas events held most years across East Texas and around the state. Concern over the spread of the COVID-19 virus has resulted in the postponement, rescheduling or cancellation of some Christmas 2021 events. Events are always subject to change. We recommended you contact the responsible event sponsor to confirm dates, times, parade schedules, routes and other details. |
 Merry Christmas from all of the staff at East-Texas.com |
The "12th Day" Gazebo ... Christmas at the Dallas Arboretum |
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Welcome to Marshall ... and to the Wonderland of Lights! |
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Have a Texas Christmas parade to add? The Christmas calendar focuses on events with widespread appeal and interest across Texas. |