Killeen, TX, is brimming with festive cheer and a variety of unique Christmas events this holiday season. Locals and visitors alike can immerse themselves in the nostalgic charm of the Temple Christmas Parade, which showcases beautifully crafted floats depicting the city's historical milestones. Additionally, the Holiday Under the Stars Festival offers an enchanting blend of stargazing and seasonal activities, creating a celestial wonderland for all ages.
Meanwhile, history enthusiasts will love the Belton Christmas on the Chisholm Trail, featuring cowboy reenactors and hands-on experiences that celebrate Texas's rich cattle driving heritage. Whether you're looking to step back in time or gaze at the stars, Killeen's diverse holiday events promise something special for everyone.
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The Top Christmas Events in Killeen
See these and even more events listed below!Killeen Holiday Light Displays
Killeen Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Military-themed ornaments and decorations
Description:
Killeen's Tree Lighting Ceremony honors the city's strong military ties with a patriotic twist on holiday traditions. The towering tree sparkles with ornaments representing different military branches and operations. Visitors can create their own military-inspired ornament to hang on a special community tree. This event pays tribute to Fort Hood, which has been an integral part of Killeen since 1942. The ceremony culminates with a veteran flipping the switch, illuminating the tree in a dazzling display of red, white, and blue lights.
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Killeen Tree Lighting Ceremony
Nearby Events
Belton Christmas on the Chisholm Trail (Belton)
What to Expect:
Historical reenactments along the Chisholm Trail
Description:
Step back in time on the historic Chisholm Trail this holiday season. Belton's unique celebration brings the Old West to life with cowboy reenactors and period-accurate decorations. Visitors can try their hand at roping a wooden steer or learn traditional trail songs around a campfire. The event pays homage to the cattle drives that traversed this route in the late 1800s, shaping the region's history. The aroma of chuck wagon cooking wafts through the air as you explore this distinctive Texas holiday experience.
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Belton Christmas on the Chisholm Trail
Holiday Under the Stars Festival (Harker Heights)
What to Expect:
Stargazing combined with holiday celebrations
Description:
The Holiday Under the Stars Festival merges astronomy with seasonal cheer. This one-of-a-kind event features powerful telescopes for stargazing alongside holiday activities. You can craft your own constellation ornament while learning about celestial navigation techniques used by ancient cultures. The festival honors the winter solstice, a significant astronomical event that has been celebrated for millennia. Twinkling lights mimic the night sky, creating a captivating atmosphere as you explore this celestial-themed celebration.
Website:
Holiday Under the Stars Festival
Temple Christmas Parade (Temple)
What to Expect:
Parade floats inspired by local history
Description:
The Temple Christmas Parade marches through time, showcasing floats that depict the city's rich history. This unique procession features meticulously crafted displays representing significant moments from Temple's past. Spectators can spot references to the town's railroad heritage and agricultural roots. The parade route follows historic downtown streets, passing by century-old buildings. As you watch, the sound of vintage car horns mingles with holiday tunes, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that transports you through Temple's storied past.
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Georgetown Christmas Stroll (Georgetown)
What to Expect:
Victorian-era themed celebrations
Description:
Georgetown's Christmas Stroll transports visitors to a Victorian-era celebration. The town square transforms into a 19th-century spectacle, complete with costumed characters and period-appropriate decorations. You can participate in traditional Victorian parlor games or watch demonstrations of forgotten crafts. This event celebrates Georgetown's well-preserved Victorian-era downtown, which earned it the nickname "The Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas." The clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages echoes through the streets, adding to the authentic ambiance of this historical holiday experience.
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Salado Legends: A Christmas Carol (Salado)
What to Expect:
Interactive outdoor theater experience
Description:
Salado Legends presents an immersive retelling of "A Christmas Carol" that brings the audience into the story. This unique outdoor theater experience unfolds throughout the historic village, with scenes performed in various locations. You might find yourself following Scrooge through the streets or joining the Cratchit family for a scene in a period-accurate home. The production incorporates local history, weaving in stories of Salado's past. As you move through the village, the crisp winter air enhances the atmospheric Victorian setting of this innovative performance.
Website:
Salado Legends: A Christmas Carol
Waco Wonderland (Waco)
What to Expect:
Dr Pepper-themed holiday attractions
Description:
Waco Wonderland celebrates the city's claim to fame with Dr Pepper-inspired holiday attractions. This unique event features a ferris wheel designed to look like a giant Dr Pepper can and an ice skating rink shaped like the iconic soda's logo. Visitors can sample exclusive holiday-flavored Dr Pepper varieties not available anywhere else. The celebration pays homage to Waco as the birthplace of Dr Pepper in 1885. The sweet scent of the famous 23 flavors fills the air, adding a distinctly Waco twist to traditional holiday aromas.
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Round Rock Rock'N Lights (Round Rock)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light show synchronized to rock music
Description:
Round Rock Rock'N Lights revs up the holiday spirit with a high-energy drive-through experience. This innovative light show synchronizes dazzling displays with classic and contemporary rock hits. Visitors cruise through tunnels of pulsating lights and past animated scenes that move to the beat. The event draws inspiration from Round Rock's name, incorporating clever rock-themed displays throughout. As you drive, your car radio tunes into a special station, immersing you in a personal rock concert surrounded by a sea of synchronized lights.
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Round Rock Christmas Family Night (Round Rock)
What to Expect:
Sports-themed holiday activities
Description:
Round Rock Christmas Family Night scores a home run with its sports-themed holiday celebration. This unique event combines seasonal cheer with the city's love for athletics. Families can participate in holiday-themed versions of various sports, like "Reindeer Games" obstacle courses or "Snowball" pitching contests. The celebration honors Round Rock's reputation as the "Sports Capital of Texas." The cheers of excited children blend with the sound of jingle bells, creating a lively atmosphere that captures the spirit of both the holidays and friendly competition.
Website:
Round Rock Christmas Family Night
Copperas Cove Krist Kindl Markt (Copperas Cove)
What to Expect:
Authentic German Christmas market
Description:
Copperas Cove's Krist Kindl Markt brings a slice of Germany to Central Texas. This authentic Christkindlmarkt replicates the traditional holiday markets found in German towns. Visitors can browse stalls selling handcrafted ornaments, nutcrackers, and other German holiday specialties. The event pays homage to the German immigrants who settled in the area during the 19th century. The aroma of freshly baked stollen and glühwein permeates the air, transporting you to a quaint Bavarian village nestled in the heart of Texas.
Website:
Copperas Cove Krist Kindl Markt
Waco Christmas Parade (Waco)
What to Expect:
Parade floats inspired by famous Waco landmarks
Description:
The Waco Christmas Parade showcases the city's iconic landmarks in a unique holiday spectacle. Floats creatively reimagine famous Waco sites like the Suspension Bridge and Magnolia Market with twinkling lights and festive flair. You can spot references to the city's diverse history, from its mammoth fossils to its sports legends. This parade celebrates Waco's evolution from a Huaco Indian village to a modern city. The clatter of hooves mingles with cheers as the floats pass by, creating a lively tribute to Waco's past and present.
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Austin Trail of Lights (Austin)
What to Expect:
Light displays inspired by Austin's music scene
Description:
The Austin Trail of Lights illuminates the city's musical heritage with a dazzling twist. This unique light show features displays inspired by Austin's famous live music venues and iconic musicians. Visitors can stroll through a glowing guitar-shaped maze or pose for photos with light sculptures of music legends. The trail honors Austin's title as the "Live Music Capital of the World." As you wander, the soft strumming of local musicians adds a live soundtrack to the visual spectacle, immersing you in Austin's vibrant culture.
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Christmas in the Park (Harker Heights)
What to Expect:
Texas wildlife-themed holiday displays
Description:
Christmas in the Park celebrates the Lone Star State's diverse ecosystems with unique holiday displays. This distinctive event features light sculptures of Texas wildlife, from longhorns to armadillos, decked out in festive attire. You can embark on a "Holiday Safari" scavenger hunt to spot all the illuminated animals. The celebration educates visitors about Texas' natural heritage while spreading holiday cheer. The rustle of wind through native plants adds a touch of authenticity to this Texan winter wonderland, bringing the state's wilderness to life in a whole new way.
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Holiday Magic in Marble Falls (Marble Falls)
What to Expect:
Lakeside light show with floating displays
Description:
Holiday Magic in Marble Falls transforms Lake Marble Falls into a shimmering spectacle. This innovative celebration features floating light displays that dance across the water's surface. Visitors can take a guided boat tour to view the illuminated scenes up close or enjoy the reflection from the shore. The event draws inspiration from the town's history as a hub for marble quarrying. The gentle lapping of waves against twinkling lights creates a mesmerizing effect, offering a unique perspective on holiday illuminations.
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Cameron Christmas Parade (Cameron)
What to Expect:
Parade celebrating local agriculture
Description:
The Cameron Christmas Parade rolls out a cornucopia of agricultural delights. This unique procession features floats adorned with local crops and farm equipment decked in holiday lights. You can marvel at a combine harvester transformed into Santa's sleigh or tractors pulling wagons full of illuminated produce. The parade honors Cameron's rich farming heritage, which dates back to the 1800s. The earthy scent of hay and pine mingles in the air, creating an authentic rural holiday atmosphere that celebrates the town's agricultural roots.
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Enchanted Rock Christmas Hike (Fredericksburg)
What to Expect:
Nighttime guided hike with stargazing
Description:
The Enchanted Rock Christmas Hike offers a celestial celebration atop one of Texas' natural wonders. This distinctive event combines a guided nighttime hike with holiday-themed stargazing. Participants can learn about winter constellations while sipping hot cocoa at the summit. The hike honors the Native American legends associated with this ancient granite dome. As you ascend, the crunch of your footsteps on the rock accompanies stories of the area's rich geological and cultural history, creating a truly unique holiday experience under the vast Texas sky.