Excited about the holidays in New Braunfels? Our guide will lead you to all the festive activities!
First up is Wassailfest, where you can enjoy warm wassail and holiday cheer under twinkling lights. Unique handmade goods and local crafts are the highlight of Gruene Christmas Market Days. And Santa's Ranch is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its drive-through display of over a million lights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in New Braunfels
- Wassailfest
- Santa's Ranch
- Weihnachtsmarkt
- Hill Country Christmas Lights
- Christmas Parade
- Santa's Workshop
New Braunfels Holiday Light Displays
Santa's Ranch
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display with animated scenes
Description:
Santa's Ranch illuminates the night with over 1.5 million twinkling lights spread across a sprawling Texas Hill Country ranch. This drive-through experience features a winding path of animated displays and dazzling light tunnels. Visitors can marvel at intricate scenes depicting everything from nativity stories to playful winter wonderlands. The ranch's unique topography allows for creative light installations that cascade down hillsides and reflect off natural water features. Tune your car radio to a special station to enjoy synchronized holiday music as you journey through this radiant spectacle.
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Hill Country Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Synchronized light show set to holiday music
Description:
Hill Country Christmas Lights electrifies the night with a dazzling display of over 100,000 lights synchronized to holiday tunes. This immersive experience transforms a private ranch into a luminous spectacle, featuring towering oaks wrapped in colorful strands and animated light sculptures. Visitors can tune their car radios to a dedicated station to hear the music accompanying the light show. The display incorporates elements of Texas Hill Country flora and fauna, with illuminated cacti and longhorns adding a local touch. A winding drive through the property reveals new surprises at every turn.
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New Braunfels Holiday Markets and Shopping
Weihnachtsmarkt
What to Expect:
German-style Christmas market with authentic cuisine
Description:
Weihnachtsmarkt brings a slice of Germany to New Braunfels, honoring the city's rich German heritage. This traditional Christmas market fills the air with the enticing aroma of freshly baked strudel and roasted nuts. Peruse stalls offering authentic German crafts, ornaments, and delicacies. The market's centerpiece is a towering Christmas pyramid, a multi-tiered carousel-like structure originating from the Erzgebirge region of Germany. Visitors can savor Glühwein, a warm spiced wine, while browsing handcrafted goods and enjoying performances of traditional German carols.
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New Braunfels Other Holiday Activities
Wassailfest
What to Expect:
Community-wide wassail tasting competition
Description:
Wassailfest transforms downtown New Braunfels into a lively celebration of German holiday traditions. Stroll through the historic streets, sampling a variety of wassail recipes crafted by local businesses competing for the coveted title of best wassail. This spiced cider competition dates back to medieval times, reflecting the area's strong German heritage. Visitors can cast their vote for their favorite wassail, contributing to the festive atmosphere that buzzes with live music and the aroma of cinnamon and cloves.
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Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Nighttime parade with illuminated floats
Description:
New Braunfels' Christmas Parade illuminates the city streets with a procession of glowing floats and festive performances. This nighttime spectacle showcases the creativity of local businesses, schools, and community groups as they craft elaborate, light-adorned floats. The parade route winds through the historic downtown, passing by landmarks that highlight the city's German-Texan heritage. Marching bands fill the air with holiday melodies, while costumed characters interact with spectators. You can spot unique touches that reflect New Braunfels' culture, such as floats inspired by the nearby Comal and Guadalupe Rivers.
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Santa's Workshop
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday craft-making experience
Description:
Santa's Workshop brings the North Pole to New Braunfels, offering hands-on holiday craft-making experiences for visitors of all ages. This interactive space buzzes with activity as participants create personalized ornaments, decorate gingerbread houses, and craft holiday cards. The workshop is designed to resemble a traditional German toy shop, paying homage to the area's heritage. Expert crafters guide visitors through each project, sharing techniques passed down through generations. You can learn about the history of various holiday crafts while fashioning your own unique creations to take home.
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Nearby Events
Gruene Christmas Market Days (Gruene)
What to Expect:
Open-air market in a historic district
Description:
Gruene Christmas Market Days breathe life into the historic Gruene district, showcasing an array of artisanal crafts and locally-made goods. This open-air market unfolds against the backdrop of 19th-century buildings, offering a unique shopping experience. Explore booths filled with handcrafted jewelry, Texas-themed decor, and gourmet foods. The market pays homage to Gruene's cotton gin past, with many vendors incorporating cotton-based products into their offerings. You'll find the streets humming with the sounds of local musicians, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
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Eisbahn Outdoor Ice Skating (Fredericksburg)
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating in the heart of Texas Hill Country
Description:
Eisbahn Outdoor Ice Skating defies Texas's warm climate, offering a frosty adventure in the heart of Fredericksburg. This open-air rink provides a unique opportunity to glide across the ice under the expansive Texas sky. The rink's design incorporates elements of Fredericksburg's German architectural heritage, creating a charming backdrop for skaters. Beginners can participate in skating lessons, while more experienced skaters can show off their moves during themed skate nights. The contrast of palm trees and twinkling lights surrounding the icy surface creates a distinctly Texan winter experience.
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Old Gruene Market Days (Gruene)
What to Expect:
Year-round market with special holiday offerings
Description:
Old Gruene Market Days infuses holiday cheer into its year-round tradition of showcasing local artisans and craftspeople. The market, set against the rustic charm of historic Gruene, comes alive with seasonal offerings during the winter months. Visitors can browse through an eclectic mix of handmade quilts, pottery, and holiday-themed decor. The market's location near the iconic Gruene Hall, Texas's oldest dance hall, adds a touch of Lone Star State history to the shopping experience. Artisans demonstrate their crafts, allowing you to witness the creation of unique gifts firsthand.
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Trail of Lights (Wimberley)
What to Expect:
Walking trail through natural scenery adorned with lights
Description:
The Trail of Lights in Wimberley transforms the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country into a luminous winter spectacle. This walking trail winds through towering cypress trees and alongside babbling creeks, all adorned with thousands of twinkling lights. The path showcases light sculptures inspired by local wildlife and vegetation, creating a uniquely Texan holiday experience. Visitors can pause at various points along the trail to enjoy live performances by local musicians. The event honors Wimberley's artistic community by incorporating installations created by area artists, blending nature and creativity.
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Festival of Lights (San Marcos)
What to Expect:
Holiday light display centered around a historic town square
Description:
The Festival of Lights in San Marcos bathes the historic downtown square in a sea of colorful illumination. This dazzling display features over 200,000 lights draped across century-old oak trees and adorning Victorian-era buildings. The event pays tribute to San Marcos' status as a mermaid capital, incorporating aquatic-themed light sculptures throughout the square. Visitors can admire the lights while strolling past local shops and restaurants, many of which offer special holiday menus and extended hours. The centerpiece of the festival is a towering Christmas tree, decorated with ornaments crafted by local schoolchildren.