Small towns, big towns, every Texas city has their own Christmas corner and I love it! It may not always snow in Texas, but that doesn’t take away from the magic each city brings to their town square or downtown. Here are my favorite Christmas Towns in Texas to visit…
Did you know the Christmas Capital of Texas is right here in DFW? That’s right, you can actually have a White Christmas in Grapevine, TX this Winter.
With Christmas tunes in the background and twinkling lights everywhere — it’s easy to spread joy and the Christmas spirit when you visit one of these festive places in our must-visit 10 Magical Christmas Towns in Texas!
10 Magical Places to Spend Christmas in Texas This Winter
Make the holidays even more special by visiting these Christmas towns in Texas this winter.
McKinney Square – Christmas Towns in Texas
Every year McKinney Square is transformed into a winter wonderland during the holidays. If you’re going to Home for the Holidays, a free event, you can expect to have the best time! Take your kid’s on a ride in Frosty’s Train or ice skating in the square, there’s a ton to do during this event. One of my favorite things to do is get a cup of hot cocoa at Filtered Coffee, shop for holiday gifts at Landry Kate and Christmas decor at Birds and Words.
Grapevine – Christmas Capital of Texas
I mean, we couldn’t leave out the Christmas Capital of Texas. Not only are there a ton of events around town during the holidays but the historic downtown is transformed into the North Pole. Seriously, I feel like I’m in Santa’s village every time I visit. You can get the cutest Christmas decor and inspiration here. There’s always something to look at or take a picture of. Read more about ALL of the wintry things to do in Grapevine here!
Southlake Square
Personally, I think Southlake Square is the perfect spot to shop for everyone on your Christmas list and get the groceries you need for Friendmas and all the Christmas festivities around this time of year. The annual tree lighting isn’t one you’ll want to miss and your kids will also love visiting Santa’s Village in the heart of the Square.
So, go on a carriage ride, have breakfast with Santa, listen to Mrs. Claus tell the most magical stories, and go snow hill tubing! Southlake knows how to bring the Christmas spirit into everyone’s lives, so you won’t want to miss out! Learn more about their events here.
Fredericksburg – Texas Hill Country Christmas
If you’re looking for a quaint-lifetime-movie style feel — Fredericksburg is where it’s at! It’s the perfect town to visit if you want a little bit of Germany and Texas all-in-one. It’s a month-long celebration.
Visit the magical light-filled Marktplatz that features a hand-carved, 26-foot tall, wooden Christmas pyramid. They host events all month long like the Tannenbaum Ball. You can also get your shopping on with over 150 stores. Each store decorated and filled with one-of-a-kind treasures. There’s even a skating rink!
Fredricksburg is a must-stop. The whole town will be decked out in holiday decor. Learn more about visiting during the holidays here.
Jefferson
What will you find in Jefferson? The warmth of an old-fashioned Christmas. You won’t want to miss the Christmas parade and tree lighting or the Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes. Visit the lavish historic homes under the soft glow of candlelights. Fresh fir trees, each decorated to the brim with tinsel, ribbon, and sparkling glass balls. Besides each home being decorated in Christmas decor, you’ll find women in hooped gowns and men in top hats and tails.
You’ll also want to board on the Christmas Express Train. So get ready to take a peek into the past when you visit Jefferson!
Grand Prairie
I experienced my first ever Christmas in Grand Prairie last year and oh my, I fell in love. Prairie Lights is a must-visit. It’s the perfect photo-op but when you’re halfway through Prairie Lights, you’ll stop in a small village where you’ll get to shop, eat and drink holiday refreshments meanwhile you walk through more lights. Then they pull out all the stops because as you exit, you’re engulfed in a light tunnel.
The kiddos will also love Snow Ho Ho and Holiday Market with Santa. At Snow Ho Ho, your kids will be busy working on crafts taking pictures with Santa. They also have holiday performances and don’t forget to ride the Polar Express! Get all your holiday gifts at Holiday Market with Santa. Learn more about what’s going in Grand Prairie during the holidays here.
See more places in DFW to see holiday light displays here.
Fort Worth – Have a Cowboy Christmas in Texas!
Did someone say a cowboy Christmas? Escape to Fort Worth with the family during the holidays! Grab a cup of hot cocoa and buy everything that’s on your gifts list around Sundance Square, stop by Texas Motor Speedway to see over 2 million LED lights, skate around Panther Island Ice, and watch a holiday performance at Bass Performance Hall.
Don’t forget to take a picture with Santa in Sundance Square Plaza. If you’re looking for Cowboy Santa, be sure to visit Stockyard Stations. Learn all about what Fort Worth has going on during the holidays here.
Austin
Keep Austin Christmasy! Visit Trail of Lights, stroll around downtown to see the beautiful Christmas tree, visit Mozart’s Coffee Roasters. We hear they have a holiday reputation that’s unbeatable. Every year, the coffee shop comes alive during the holidays with over 150,000 Christmas lights set up.
Did we mention there’s a Christmas tree farm? So ditch the artificial tree and haul a giant tree back home! They also have an annual sing-along in downtown that’s a rite of passage for all Texans! And of course, there’s nothing wackier than 37th street.
Not ready to drive to Austin for a Christmas tree? Check out these Christmas tree farms near Dallas Fort Worth.
Waco
Let’s start with Christmas at the Silos. It’s a two-weekend extravaganza packed with so much holiday joy. What can you expect? There’s a Christmas market featuring artisan vendors, Santa Claus, family activities, and of course, your favorite Christmas tunes.
Waco Wonderland is also a month-long celebration. Like the Mistletoe Market, Santa’s House on Heritage Square, The Wonderland Run, and family-fun you won’t soon forget! Go snow tubing, on a train or carriage ride, visit the petting zoo and ride the Ferris wheel with the whole family!
There’s so much to do in Waco, be sure to check out their calendar of events here.
San Antonio – Festive Christmas Town in Texas
The Christmas festivities begin the day after Thanksgiving on the Riverwalk. Who wouldn’t want to see the 100,000 twinkling lights turn on? Experience a different kind of Christmas in San Antonio like eating homemade tamales to celebrate the holidays, it’s a San Antonio tradition.
You’ll find a mixture of cultures here like the Kristinkindlmarkt — a German Christmas market. You’ll find yourself buying all the handcrafted gifts, pottery, woodworking, fine arts, German clothing and accessories, holiday sweets, and more.
What can you expect when you spend a weekend here? Caroling, shopping, tamale-making and so many fun places to take the kids! Like the Ford Holiday River Parade, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, Six Flags Fiesta Texas Holiday in the Park, and Zoo Lights!
Are you planning your trip yet? Because we sure are! Learn more about what’s happening in San Antonio here.
Visit these magical Christmas towns in Texas
Get ready to spend Christmas in these Texas towns and be filled with holiday cheer. Even if you may not to be able to visit every city, you’ll have a bucket list for the following years! So deck the halls with boughs of holly!
Which Texas town are you visiting? Let us know in the comments below! Be sure to follow us on social media at @metroplexsocial.