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Family Christmas Events

The Christmas season is so much more than a day or two on the calendar—it’s a whole stretch of time that lets us slow down, connect, and soak up those beautiful, everyday moments with the people we love.

 

From November 1st through New Year’s Day, we have these special touchpoints along the way—Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve—to remind us of what matters most.

 

Think of Thanksgiving as the season’s kick-off. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and be grateful for both the little moments and the big ones.

By Christmas Day, we’re deep into celebrating love, joy, and generosity—those things that make everything else fade into the background for a while.

 

And as New Year’s Eve comes around, it’s a time to wrap up the year with gratitude and step into a fresh start.

 

This season is your permission to pause, gather close, and let the simple joys of the season fill your home. Whether it’s baking cookies with sticky fingers, cozying up with holiday movies, or bringing a little joy to someone who needs it, the Christmas season lets us remember the beauty of slowing down together.

 

If you’re looking for ideas to make this season extra meaningful, check out our list of community events. It’s filled with inspiration for family activities that just might become the start of new holiday traditions you’ll cherish year after year.

 

 

I update this list as I find new events posted. If I am missing a fun family Christmas event, please leave the details in the comments and I’ll add it I update this list regularly as I find new events, so be sure to check back often! If you know about a fun family Christmas event I’ve missed, please share the details in the comments—I’d love to add it!

Some of the links on this site may be affiliate links, meaning if you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

CHRIST-CENTERED EVENTS

- Night In Bethlehem -

Saturday, December 14

6:00 – 8:00pm

 

FREE

 

Experience a night in Bethlehem, pay taxes to the Romans, see merchants and their good, listen to the angels announcement to the shepherds, the star and a stable with animals and the holy family.

 

MORE DETAILS

 

West Lake Baptist Church

1439 FM 315, Chandler, TX

- The Journey -

Christmas Hayride 2024

Saturday, December 7

1:00 – 4:30pm

 

FREE

 

Come for a FREE 35-minute hayride through time, combining the present with the past. Witness characters such as shepherds, wise men, and others as they share their encounters with the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

 

MORE DETAILS

 

Hope Fellowship

465 Allen Rd, Longview, TX

- Drive Thru Bethlehem -

December 8-9

6:00-8:00

FREE

Listen to the nativity story as you drive through Bethlehem and see the holy story come to life.

MORE DETAILS

First Baptist Whitehouse

801 E Main Street Whitehouse, TX

- Christmas Nativity Celebration -

SUNDAY DECEMBER 1, 6, 7, 8

4:00-8:00pm

FREE

Join this unique community event to view hundreds of Nativities from around the world beautifully displayed amidst a backdrop of lighted Christmas trees.

Many visitors also enjoy participating in a Nativity Scavenger Hunt while viewing the Nativities.

The Back to Bethlehem room offers a unique experience for children.

MORE DETAILS

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

200 Carroll St, Shreveport, LA 71105

- A Walk Through Bethlehem -

December 13, 14, 15

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

FREE

Step back in time and experience a first century Bethlehem Market. This is a live, outdoor, interactive, walking event with rough and uneven terrain. 

MORE DETAILS

Montalba Baptist Church

Hwy 19 N / FM 321, Montalba TX

- Walk Through Bethlehem -

Jesus’s birth, death & Resurrection

December 6, 7, & 8

6:00-8:00pm

FREE

Bring the whole family and see biblical artisans recreate an entire gospel story from a humble Bethlehem birth to the cross and an empty tomb experience.

MORE DETAILS

Bar None Cowboy Church

9162 State Highway 43 East Tatum, TX

CHRISTMAS PARADES

- Rusk Annual Christmas Parade-

Tuesday, December 3

6:00 – 9:00pm

 

MORE DETAILS

 

184 S Main St, Rusk, TX

- Rose City Christmas Parade-

Thursday, December 5

6:30 – 9:30pm

MORE DETAILS

110 N College Ave, Tyler, TX

- Jacksonville Christmas Parade -

Thursday, December 5

6:00 – 9:00pm

MORE DETAILS

307 E. Commerce, Jacksonville, TX

- Mineola Christmas Parade -

Saturday, December 7

5:30 – 8:30pm

MORE DETAILS

Downtown Mineola

- Lindale Christmas Parade -

Saturday, December 7

5:30 – 6:30pm

MORE DETAILS

EJ Moss Intermediate School

411 E Eagle Spirit Dr, Lindale, TX

- Bullard Annual Christmas Parade -

Saturday, December 7

5:45 – 6:45pm

MORE DETAILS

Bullard City Hall

114 S Phillips St, Bullard, TX

- Christmas Parade on Main Street -

Saturday, December 7

5:45 – 6:45pm

MORE DETAILS

Bullard City Hall

114 S Phillips St, Bullard, TX

- Parade of the Lights -

Saturday, December 7

7:00-10:00pm

MORE DETAILS

Palestine’s only nighttime parade, where the streets of the Main Street district come alive with colorful lights, beautiful floats, and smiles all around!

Palestine Main Street

825 W Spring St, Palestine, TX

- Arp Christmas Parade -

Saturday, December 7

6:00-9:00pm

Pictures with Santa will be from 10 am – 2 pm.

MORE DETAILS

Arp City Park

CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS

- CARMELAS MAGICAL SANTA LAND -

November 10 – Jan 5

Sunday – Thursday: 5:30 PM – 10 PM

Friday – Saturday: 5:30 PM – 11 PM

FREE but please leave a DONATION

MORE DETAILS

6085 Hwy 259 N, Longview, TX

- SANTA LAND -

November 8 – Jan 4

Starting at $30/car

MORE DETAILS

11518 I-20 Tyler TX75706

- THE CHRISTMAS PARK : LAND OF LIGHTS -

November 10 – January 5

Starting at $35/car

MORE DETAILS

Loop 7 and Patterson Road Athens, Texas

- AZALEA DISTRICT TRAIL OF LIGHTS -

Self-guided Tour

December 1- 31

FREE

MORE DETAILS

Azalea District neighborhood

 

Bike Ride

Thursday-Saturday, November 29 – December 23

5:30-9:00pm

Adults $10

Kids $5

MORE DETAILS

Bergfeld Park

 

Horse Drawn Carriage

November 29- December 31

5:00-9:00pm

$5-$20/person

MORE DETAILS

Bergfeld Park

 

- A PINEYWOOD CHRISTMAS -

Saturday, December 14

5:00 – 10:00pm

Enjoy our Trail of Lights with your loved ones!

MORE DETAILS

TYLER STATE PARK

789 Park Rd 16, Tyler, TX 75706

- UP IN LIGHts -

November 29-December 8

Fri/Sat/Sun @6PM

December 13-25

Every night @6PM

$20/car

MORE DETAILS

 

WALK THE LIGHTS

Tuesday, December 3⋅

6:00 – 9:00pm

Walk the 1-mile trail of lights.

$5/person

MORE DETAILS

12885 County Road 192, Tyler, TX

- CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING -

Thursday, December 5

7:00 – 10:00pm

FREE

The celebration will take place after the Annual Tyler Rotary Christmas Parade.

MORE DETAILS

Downtown Tyler

100 W Ferguson St, Tyler, TX 75702

- HOLIDAY IN THE GARDEN -

December 14

5:30 -8:00pm

FREE

MORE DETAILS

Tyler Rose Garden

420 Rose Park Dr, Tyler, TX 

- COLTON’S CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND -

Opening Night November 22

6:00 – 11:00

November 22 – December 25

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 6pm till 11pm

open all week of Thanksgiving & Christmas

FREE

Donations welcome

Bring the family or yourself and let them take you on a tour of his amazing collection of inflatables, blow molds, and lighted displays!

MORE DETAILS

2697 STATE HIGHWAY 154 EAST , Gilmer, TX,

- WALK OF LIGHTS -

November 11 – December 30

Thursday, Friday Saturday & Sunday

6:00pm-9:00pm

$20/car

Christmas light walk-through with something for everyone to see!

Pictures with Santa, Grinch, and snacks too!

MORE DETAILS

2161 FM 315 Palestine TX

- CHRISTMAS IN THE GARDEN -

Nov. 1st – Dec. 31st;

5:30pm-9:00pm.

Bring the family to stroll our property under the magical Christmas Lights.

FREE

MORE DETAILS

Ellis Home & Garden

3110 North Eastman Rd, Longview, TX

- WALK THROUGH LIGHTS -

Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays in December

Closed Christmas Day

6:00pm-9:00pm

Last entry at 8:00pm

MORE DETAILS

East Texas Arboretum

1601 Patterson Rd. Athens, TX

- 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS & CHRISTMAS VILLAGE -

November 13 – January 5

6:00 – 9:00pm

Holiday at the Arboretum returns with a garden transformed for the magic of the season including the return of the beloved Christmas Village and the 12 Days of Christmas Gazebos!

Kids $15

Adult $22

MORE DETAILS

Dallas Arboretum

8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 

- TRAILS OF LIGHTS -

November 15 – December 31

6:00pm-9:00pm

Starting at $9.99/person

Walk the beautiful Trails of Lights, take pictures with Santa, eat dinner and sweets at the food trucks, and enjoy our many attractions such as our jumbo jumpers, light maze, barrel train rides, Piney Peak slides, shooting cannons, and more! All attractions are included in your admission!

MORE DETAILS

Piney Park

600 Martin Lake Road Marshall, TX

- THE NORTH POLE OF TEXAS -

November 29, November 30 | 6-9 PM

December 6, December 7 | 6-9 PM

December 13, December 14 | 6-9 PM

December 20, December 21, December 22 | 6-9 PM

FREE

Grab your family and friends, bundle up, and come check out our newest additions, enjoy the tastiest cup of hot chocolate, grab a fresh sugar cookie from Gran’s Cookie Shack as you get off the train, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and have a ton of FUN! We love celebrating the birth of Jesus with you – He is the reason for the season!

MORE DETAILS

North Pole of Texas

227 Co Rd 3378, Pickton, TX

- CHRISTMAS BALLOON GLOW -

Thursday, December 12

5:30pm- 10:00pm

FREE

Experience the thrill and wonderment of the holiday season at the Longview Christmas Balloon Glow. Get up close access to tethered hot air balloons as they illuminate the evening sky with vibrant colors flashing to the beat of popular holiday season music

MORE DETAILS

Behind Longview Exhibit Center

1180 Jaycee Dr. Longview , TX

- Zip line through the lights -

November 30 – January 1

Weekends Only

6:00 pm & 8:00 pm

 

$29-$39/Person

 

Don’t miss out on the fun for the entire family! Ride an old-fashioned wagon and zip-line thru thousands of Christmas lights & decorations! Tour our Bethlehem Manger, Christmas Maze, Santa’s Gravity Defying Workshop & enjoy a Christmas Train Sleigh-Ride! Roast Marshmallows for Free! Enjoy Hot Cocoa & Hot Apple Cider for $1/each (please bring correct change) at our winter grotto! Bring your camera!

 

MORE DETAILS

 

Thomas Falls Zip Line

5543 US Hwy 259 North, Diana, TX
 

HOLIDAY EVENTS

- Pizza with Santa at 6 Forks Farm -

Thursday, December 5

5:30 – 8:30pm

MORE DETAILS

6 Forks Farm

14190 SH 19 N Athens, Tx 75752

- Breakfast with Santa -

Saturday, December 7⋅

9:00 – 11:00am

FREE

MORE DETAILS

First Methodist Church Mineola

612 N Newsom St, Mineola, TX

- Santa Meet & Greet -

Saturday, December 7⋅1

10:00am – 1:00pm

FREE

MORE DETAILS

Old Saint Nick is making a special appearance at Hughes Plant Farm!

Hughes Plant Farm

19980 Hwy 69 South Tyler, TX

- Santa’s coming to Plants of Texas! -

Saturday, December 7⋅

10:00am – 12:00pm

FREE Santa pics!

MORE DETAILS

Plants of Texas

17470 FM 2493, Flint, TX

- Christmas at The Hendo -

Saturday, December 7⋅

11:00am– 6:00pm

FREE

MORE DETAILS

Hendo Ranch

11173 CR 456 S, Henderson, TX

- FREE Pictures with Santa Clause -

Saturday, December 7⋅

11:00am – 1:00pm

FREE

MORE DETAILS

FREE pictures with Santa • Hot Cocoa Bar • Letters to Santa • Story Time with Santa

Bannister Plumbing and Air

4555 N Jackson, Jacksonville, TX, United States, Texas

- Winterfest with Santa -

Saturday, December 7⋅

1:00 – 4:00pm

FREE

MORE DETAILS

Enjoy the Winter Fest as Santa visits the children. This free, family-friendly event will include a tree decorating contest, write letters to Santa, handmake decorative crafts, games, local vendors and much more!

Bergfeld Park

1510 S College Ave, Tyler, TX

- FREE Pictures with Santa -

Sunday, December 8⋅

2:30 – 5:30pm

FREE

MORE DETAILS

LOCAL Car Wash

7671 S Broadway Avenue, Tyler, TX

- Downtown Tyler's Scavenger Hunt -

Thursday, December 12⋅

4:00 – 5:00pm

FREE

MORE DETAILS

Explore Downtown Tyler through this magical event! During the event, some locations will be free and have extended hours. More details to come soon!

Downtown Tyler, Texas

110 N College Ave, Tyler, TX 75702

- Breakfast with Santa -

Saturday, December 14⋅

9:30am – 12:30pm

FREE

MORE DETAILS

Join us for a Polar Express-themed Breakfast with Santa

Glass Recreation Center

501 W 32nd St Tyler, TX

- Canton Snow Day Festival -

Saturday, December 7⋅

3:00 – 6:00pm

FREE

MORE DETAILS

Join us for the annual Snow Day Festival, filled with frosty fun for the whole family. Enjoy a giant snow slide, bounce houses, and unforgettable memories with Santa. We’ve got plenty of surprises in store!

Downtown Canton, Texas

290 E Tyler St, Canton, TX

- Polar Express Day -

Saturday, December 14⋅

10:00 – 11:00am

$25/person

MORE DETAILS

Warm up at our Hot Chocolate Bar, get creative with festive crafts, and enjoy delicious snacks. The day will be filled with activities and surprises for all ages.

The Platform – Longview

813 E Methvin, Longview, TX

- Grinch’s Lair -

November 22 – December 22

Friday, Saturday & Sunday

12:30pm – 5:30pm

Inspired by Dr. Seuss’s beloved tale “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” this interactive, live production invites you to explore the Grinch’s world.

MORE DETAILS

$15/person

Historic Texas Jailhouse

704 Avenue A Palestine TX

- The Polar Express™ Train Ride -

November – December

Times & Pricing Varies

Bring the award-winning book Polar Express to life.

MORE DETAILS

Texas State Railroad

Palestine Depot

789 Park Road 70 Palestine TX

- ICE: Rudolph -

November – December

Times & Pricing Varies

One of my family’s FAVORITE holiday events

Experience beloved Christmas story in ice form. And enjoy other family activities throughout the resort.

MORE DETAILS

Gaylord Texan

1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX 76051

- Christmas in Lindale -

Winter Wonderland

December 7th – January 1st

Open Daily 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

FREE

explore and enjoy 10,000 square feet of beautiful Christmas vignettes and photo backdrops

MORE DETAILS

Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square

205 Cannery Row (E. North St.) Lindale, TX

- Holiday Who-bilation -

December 21

9:00am-5:00pm

$25/person

Create your own quirky, green-themed decorations and festive keepsakes, and dive into the fun of making your very own slime. With all materials provided, just bring your crafty fingers and a sense of holiday mischief.

MORE DETAILS

The Platform

813 E Methvin St Longview TX

- OPen HOuse & cookie with Santa -

December 7

9:00am-12:00pm

 

FREE

 

Bring your kids for a fun-filled morning of cookies, and photos with Santa!

 

MORE DETAILS

 

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen

16700 FM 2493, Suite 500, Tyler, TX

CHRISTMAS SHOWS & CONCERTS

-Nutcracker Christmas Tea-

Saturday, December 14⋅

2:00 – 5:00pm

$25pp

MORE DETAILS

Grand Empress Tea House

100 N Kilgore Street, Kilgore, TX

-Holiday Planetarium Shows -

All December long

Laser light show with Christmas Music

$5/per person

MORE DETAILS

TJC Earth & Space Science Center

1411 E Lake St, Tyler, TX 

- TJC The Nutcracker -

Friday, Saturday, & Sunday December 6 – 15

Matinee 2:00pm

Evening 7:00pm

$25- $45/Person .

MORE DETAILS

Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center

1303 S Mahon Ave, Tyler, TX

- Miracle on 34th Street -

December 6- 15

Matinee 2:30

Evening 7:50

Adult $18

Student $12.50

MORE DETAILS

Tyler Civic Theatre Center

400 Rose Park Dr, Tyler, TX

- NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet -

November 21

7:00pm

Starting at $33/person

MORE DETAILS

Belcher Center at LeTourneau University

2100 S. Mobberly Avenue Longview, TX

- Vibre' Handbell Ensemble -

Christmas Concert

Thursday, December 12

7:00pm

FREE

The Hamptons Senior Living

4250 Old Omen Rd, Tyler, TX

 

Sunday, December 15

7:00pm

FREE

Henderson Methodist Church

204 N Marshall St, Henderson, TX 

 

December 19

7:00pm

FREE

Pollard United Methodist Church

3030 Copeland Rd, Tyler TX

 

Sunday, December 29

7:00pm

FREE

Emerald Bay Community Church

160 La Salle Rd, Bullard, TX

 

MORE DETAILS

- A Seussified Christmas Carol -

December 13-15

Join us for a unique twist on Charles Dickens’ classic tale, reimagined in the playful and rhyming style of Dr. Seuss.

$12-$17/Person .

MORE DETAILS

Historic Texas Theatre

213 W Crawford St Palestine TX

- Movie on Main -

Saturday, December 7⋅

7:30 – 8:30pm

 

FREE

 

MORE DETAILS

 

What the Grinch movie in Downtown Bullard following the Annual Christmas Parade!

 

- Movies in the Park - Elf -

Saturday, December 7⋅

6:00 – 9:00pm

 

FREE

 

MORE DETAILS

 

Tyler Rose Garden

420 Rose Park Dr, Tyler, TX 

 

The holiday season is a beautiful opportunity to slow down, connect with loved ones, and create memories that last a lifetime. Whether you’re sticking with cherished traditions or starting new ones, there’s so much magic to be found in these moments.

 

What traditions bring your family the most joy during this season? Share your favorites in the comments, and don’t forget to share this list with your family and friends.

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