Storybook snowfalls are still rare in Texas, but the state is full of holiday magic thanks to, among other things, the region's strong Hispano-Catholic traditions. You can head to one of the big Texas cities for a Christmas surrounded by people and light -- or you can head into the wide-open rural countryside for a more intimate holiday occasion.
The San Antonio River Walk is a riverside public park whose shores are lined with shops and open-air eateries. During the Christmas season, River Walk is lined with lights and luminarias. On the day after Thanksgiving, the river hosts a floating parade of decorated barges; you need a ticket to watch it live, so plan ahead accordingly. Early December in San Antonio also plays host to a mariachi music festival and a tamale festival. Other Christmastime highlights include carolers on barges and plenty of shopping opportunities.
Viewing the neighborhood Christmas lights is as time-honored a tradition in Houston as it is elsewhere in the country, but this southern Texas city has a few extra-special additions to the tradition. The Houston Zoo sponsors an annual Zoo Lights event where you can encounter the animals after dark, while the grounds are illuminated with over a million Christmas lights. Hot chocolate, holiday music and some life-sized animated animal sculptures enhance the experience. In nearby Galveston, the annual Festival of Lights takes place at Moody Gardens, a local amusement park. Visitors have a chance to meet Santa, skate on ice outdoors and watch the animated light displays nightly.
Austin is the capital of Texas, and thus makes a point of bringing the Christmas cheer to town every year. In Zilker Park, a 150-foot tree displays a custom lights display. The tree is the centerpiece of the Trail of Lights, which hosts nightly live performance events. Zilker Park also hosts an annual 5K run each December. Nearby Barton Creek Resort hosts Austin's largest outdoor skating rink; visitors can take in the lights display, drink hot chocolate and eat s'mores. Part of the proceeds benefits the Make a Wish Foundation. The centerpiece of Austin's Christmastime celebrations is the Armadillo Bazaar, featuring live music, handmade arts and crafts items for sale and local artist exhibitions.
Grapevine, Texas -- located halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth -- bills itself as "The Christmas Capital of Texas." To that end, the town puts on a huge array of live holiday performances. The Victorian buildings lining Main Street don their best Christmas finery for visitors and residents alike, providing a quaint and endearing holiday shopping experience complete with carriage and tractor rides plus the inevitable visit from Santa himself. Elsewhere in town you'll find a vintage train ride, an ice slide and water park and plenty of fine dining opportunities.
