When the holiday season arrives, Texas and nearby Oklahoma towns come alive with lights, music, and the kind of small-town charm that makes this time of year special. Across the state, you will find some of the most beloved Christmas events in Texas, from glowing light displays to festive parades and live performances that bring families together. In this guide, we’re sharing eight standout celebrations you won’t want to miss, each offering its own way to experience the warmth and joy of a true Texas Christmas.
1. Wonderland of Lights in Marshall
Date: Opening Ceremony Wednesday, November 26, 2025 (5:45 p.m.)
Location: Historic Harrison County Courthouse Square and Downtown Marshall, TX
Description: One of the largest and most beloved Christmas light events in Texas, this festival transforms downtown Marshall into a glowing wonderland. The historic courthouse becomes the centerpiece surrounded by millions of lights, carriage rides, an ice-skating rink, a Christmas market, and photo spots with Santa. Families stroll through streets filled with color, music, and excitement.
Why it’s unique: The scale and tradition of this event make it one of Texas’s holiday landmarks in Harrison County. The combination of elegant architecture, dazzling lights, and a close-knit community atmosphere creates an unmatched experience. Visitors leave with memories that feel both nostalgic and grand, proving why this celebration is one of the most iconic Christmas events in Texas year after year.
2. Christmas Tree Lighting in Mount Pleasant
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025 (5:30 to 8:30 p.m.)
Location: Downtown Courthouse Square and Caldwell Park, Mount Pleasant, TX
Description: Music fills the streets of Mount Pleasant as residents and visitors gather for a festive evening that combines tree lighting, school choir performances, and live bands. Pop-up vendors, food trucks, and local shops add to the lively setting as the community comes together to celebrate the season with songs and smiles.
Why it’s unique: This event highlights the strong artistic spirit of East Texas, giving local talent a stage while bringing the community closer through performance and creativity. It is more than a celebration of lights and trees, it is a musical showcase that turns the entire downtown into a stage. Among Christmas events in Texas, few deliver such a genuine mix of hometown pride and joyful entertainment.
3. An Old-Fashioned Christmas in Albany
Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025 (Lighted Parade at 6 p.m.)
Location: Downtown Albany, TX
Description: Albany invites guests to experience an evening filled with nostalgic charm. The event features a lighted parade, a chili supper at the historic Aztec Theatre, photos with Santa, and local holiday shopping. The streets of Shackelford County glow with lights while families gather to enjoy the simplicity and joy of a true small-town Christmas.
Why it’s unique: This celebration feels like opening a window into the past, where holiday spirit thrives through tradition and kindness. It preserves the essence of Christmas with home-cooked meals, laughter, and community pride. As one of the most authentic Christmas events in Texas, it offers warmth and comfort that remind visitors what the holidays are truly about.
4. Hometown Christmas in Historic Hico
Date: Friday and Saturday, December 5 to 6, 2025
Location: Historic Downtown Hico and City Park, TX
Description: For two days, Hico turns its historic district into a lively holiday gathering filled with twinkling lights and festive sounds. The Hamilton County event includes tree lighting, food trucks, hot chocolate, Christmas shopping, Santa visits, and a parade that winds through the heart of downtown. Families and visitors enjoy the perfect mix of history and holiday spirit.
Why it’s unique: Hico blends its old-town character with joyful celebration, creating a warm and welcoming Christmas experience for all ages. Every corner reflects small-town pride and attention to detail, from the decorated storefronts to the smiling faces lining the parade route. It stands among the most charming small-town Christmas events in Texas, offering an ideal weekend getaway for those who love classic holiday traditions.
5. Land of Lights Christmas Park in Athens
Date: November 10 to January 3 (6 to 10 p.m. nightly)
Location: Loop 7 and Patterson Road, Athens, TX
Description: The Land of Lights Christmas Park is a breathtaking mile-long display of holiday brilliance featuring more than four million lights, sixty themed scenes, six tunnels, and fourteen glowing arches. Visitors can enjoy both drive-through and walk-through routes, surrounded by vibrant colors and music that set the tone for the season.
Why it’s unique: Athens offers the largest and most spectacular Christmas light park in Texas, creating a lasting impression on every guest. The experience is immersive and family-friendly, designed for both wonder and convenience. It combines scale, creativity, and local pride to deliver a light show that remains a must-see Christmas event in Texas every year.
6. Cow Country Christmas in Throckmorton
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2025 (3:30 to 7 p.m.)
Location: Downtown Courthouse Square, Throckmorton, TX
Description: Cow Country Christmas brings together residents, vendors, and visitors for a celebration that captures the heart of rural Texas. The event includes live music, children’s activities, shopping, and prize drawings that feature locally raised beef boxes. It is a day of food, laughter, and shared community pride.
Why it’s unique: Throckmorton County embraces its ranching roots through this event, celebrating the agricultural heritage that defines its culture. It offers authentic small-town warmth with festive energy and a focus on family connection. The balance of holiday cheer and rural character makes it one of the most genuine and down-to-earth Christmas events in Texas.
7. Hometown Christmas in Rockwall
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025 (starting around 10 a.m.)
Location: Downtown Rockwall, San Jacinto Plaza, and Rockwall Square, TX
Description: Downtown Rockwall transforms into a cheerful holiday scene for the annual Hometown Christmas. Visitors can enjoy the Rockwall Kiwanis Christmas Parade, a local artisan market, a snow play area, train rides for children, and a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. The entire downtown fills with lights, laughter, and the warm sense of community that defines the season.
Why it’s unique: Hometown Christmas stands out for its welcoming small-town energy and balance of family activities and festive shopping. It captures the joy of classic Christmas parades while offering hands-on fun and real snow for kids. This is one of the most heartwarming Christmas events in Texas, perfect for families who want tradition and togetherness in one memorable day.
8. Magnolia Christmas Festival in Durant, Oklahoma
Date: November 14-15, 2025
Location: Choctaw Event Center, Durant, OK
Description: The Magnolia Christmas Festival welcomes guests for two full days of shopping, music, and fun. With more than one hundred vendors, live entertainment, family zones, and the Holly Jolly Quilt Show, it brings a lively holiday spirit that attracts visitors from both Oklahoma and North Texas.
Why it’s unique: This festival bridges two regions through creativity, community, and joyful celebration. It encourages families to explore local artistry, taste regional foods, and take part in shared traditions. While technically across the border, it remains one of the most popular holiday gatherings for Texans seeking new and memorable Christmas events close to home.
The Magic of Christmas Across Texas
From Rockwall’s storybook streets to the glowing parks of Athens, these eight Christmas events in Texas showcase the charm and warmth that make the season unforgettable. Whether you are drawn to live music, hometown parades, or scenic drives through miles of lights, each town offers a special way to celebrate tradition, community, and the joy of the holidays.
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