Thrilled about holiday festivities in Canyon Lake? Discover all the festive events with our ultimate guide! Whether you're a Canyon Lake native or a holiday adventurer, this guide illuminates the city's seasonal charm.
Popular Events: One cannot overlook the enchanting Christmas at Old Fort Concho, where historical buildings are transformed into a festive wonderland, showcasing sparkling lights and holiday decor. The Lights Spectacular-Hill Country Style also captivates with dazzling light displays that celebrate the season. And definitely don't forget the Sights & Sounds of Christmas, a delightful festival filled with local artisans, live music, and holiday cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Canyon Lake
- Lights Spectacular-Hill Country Style (Johnson City)
- Christmas at Old Fort Concho (San Angelo)
- Santa’s Ranch (New Braunfels)
- Sights & Sounds of Christmas (San Marcos)
- Christmas Campfire and Trail of Lights (Natural Bridge Caverns)
- Gruene Christmas Market Days (Gruene)
- Christmas Light Up the Park Event (Bonham)
- Christmas Lights on the Llano (Junction)
- Twinkle Tour 2024 (Lake Tawakoni State Park)
- Winter Holiday Traditions (Government Canyon State Natural Area)
See these and even more events listed below!
Canyon Lake Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Light Up the Park Event
What to Expect:
Free campsites for participants who decorate their sites with holiday lights and decorations.
Description:
Drive through Bonham State Park to see campsites decorated with holiday lights and decorations. Entrance fees are waived with a donation of a new, unwrapped gift for children.
Where: Bonham | More Info: Christmas Light Up the Park Event
Twinkle Tour 2024
What to Expect:
Festive Christmas lights and holiday reading.
Description:
Join us for the annual Twinkle Tour at Lake Tawakoni State Park, where you can enjoy festive Christmas lights and listen to a reading of The Night Before Christmas at the amphitheater.
Where: Lake Tawakoni State Park | More Info: Twinkle Tour 2024
Lights Spectacular-Hill Country Style
What to Expect:
Over 2 million twinkling lights in historic downtown.
Description:
Johnson City's Lights Spectacular is a dazzling display of over 2 million twinkling lights in historic downtown, featuring local food, beer, wine, and festivities in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Where: Johnson City | More Info: Lights Spectacular-Hill Country Style
Santa’s Ranch
What to Expect:
Spectacular drive-thru light display with themed animated scenes.
Description:
Santa's Ranch is a premier holiday light exhibition in Texas, featuring over 2.5 million twinkling lights, animated Christmas displays, and homemade hot chocolate and kettle corn.
Where: New Braunfels | More Info: Santa’s Ranch
Christmas Lights on the Llano
What to Expect:
Holiday lights reflecting in the Llano River.
Description:
Beautifully lit trees in Junction City Park along the banks of the Llano River create a picturesque holiday setting from November 1 to January 1 each year.
Where: Junction | More Info: Christmas Lights on the Llano
Christmas Campfire and Trail of Lights
What to Expect:
Live music and festive lights in an underground setting.
Description:
The Christmas Campfire and Trail of Lights at Natural Bridge Caverns feature a 1/3-mile walk through twinkling holiday lights, live music, and a cozy campfire with s'mores, hot chocolate, and festive treats. The event includes a Reindeer Roundup Maze and synthetic ice-skating rink for kids.
Where: Natural Bridge Caverns | More Info: Christmas Campfire and Trail of Lights
Canyon Lake Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas at Old Fort Concho
What to Expect:
Historical re-enactments and period traders create an immersive 19th-century holiday experience.
Description:
Christmas at Old Fort Concho transforms the fort's 40 acres and 24 buildings into a festive holiday setting. Visitors can experience the Winter Rendezvous, with re-enactors and period traders bringing the 1800s to life. The event features troops drilling and shooting on the Parade Ground, artillery demonstrations, merchants offering items for Christmas shopping, a Food Court with various food options, and children's activities.
Where: San Angelo | More Info: Christmas at Old Fort Concho
Gruene Christmas Market Days
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with local artisans.
Description:
Gruene Christmas Market Days features nearly 100 vendors offering handmade items, unique gifts, and packaged Texas foods. The event offers a variety of holiday shopping options in the historic district.
Where: Gruene | More Info: Gruene Christmas Market Days
Canyon Lake Holiday Giving Opportunities
Christmas by the Highway
What to Expect:
Community-driven Christmas outreach program.
Description:
The Granite Shoals Christmas Outreach "Fill the Boat" is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit initiative that brings Christmas joy to children in Granite Shoals. Donations can be dropped off at the Granite Shoals Police Department or City Hall.
Where: Granite Shoals | More Info: Christmas by the Highway
Canyon Lake Other Holiday Activities
Sights & Sounds of Christmas
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday event with carnival rides and live entertainment.
Description:
The Sights & Sounds of Christmas Festival in San Marcos, Texas, is a family-friendly event featuring carnival rides, a petting zoo, live entertainment, and a Town of Bethlehem re-enactment. It offers a variety of activities for all ages, including meeting Santa and enjoying delicious festival food.
Where: San Marcos | More Info: Sights & Sounds of Christmas
14th Annual Toy Drive & Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Holiday-decked-out golf carts parade through Canyon Lake streets.
Description:
The 14th Annual Toy Drive & Christmas Parade in Canyon Lake features holiday-decked-out golf carts taking the streets. This unique event showcases festive holiday spirit and community involvement.
Where: Canyon Lake | More Info: 14th Annual Toy Drive & Christmas Parade
Bee Cave on Ice
What to Expect:
Affordable ice skating with included skate rentals.
Description:
The Bee Cave on Ice ice skating rink offers 60-minute skate sessions, including skate rentals, for $15. It operates seven days a week with varying hours from Monday to Thursday (3 pm - 9 pm), Friday (12 pm - 9 pm), Saturday (10 am - 10 pm), and Sunday (10 am - 7 pm). Tuesdays feature a community night with discounted skating at $10.
Where: Bee Cave | More Info: Bee Cave on Ice
A Crafty Caddo Christmas
What to Expect:
Hands-on Christmas ornament-making with park staff.
Description:
Join us at Caddo Lake State Park for A Crafty Caddo Christmas, where you can deck the halls in our CCC Hall by the fire, sip hot chocolate, snack on cookies, and create your own Christmas tree ornaments. All supplies will be provided.
Where: Caddo Lake State Park | More Info: A Crafty Caddo Christmas
Winter Holiday Traditions
What to Expect:
Hand-crafting items in a historic setting.
Description:
Celebrate the holidays by hand-crafting items reminiscent of historic ranches that became Government Canyon, fostering a connection to the past.
Where: Government Canyon State Natural Area | More Info: Winter Holiday Traditions
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- New Braunfels (14 miles)
- San Marcos (19 miles)
- Cibolo (22 miles)
- Schertz (22 miles)
- Kyle (24 miles)
- Converse (25 miles)
- Seguin (28 miles)
- San Antonio (34 miles)
- Austin (41 miles)