Celebrate the best of the holidays in Tyler with our ultimate guide. From those who call Tyler home to those who wish they did, this guide ensures a memorable yuletide experience.
Popular Events: The Rose City Christmas Parade lights up the streets with festive floats and community spirit, drawing spectators of all ages. With enchanting decorations and family-friendly activities, Mistletoe & Magic brings a touch of whimsy to the season. And the Texarkana Main Street Christmas Market is something you definitely don’t want to miss, featuring local artisans and delicious holiday treats. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Tyler
- Rose City Christmas Parade
- Mistletoe & Magic
- Texarkana Main Street Christmas Market (Texarkana)
- Pharr Festival of Lights Market (Pharr)
- Christmas on the Chisholm Trail (Belton)
- Home for the Holidays Market of Midland (Midland)
- Walk of Lights (Palestine)
- Christmas in the Park Weekend & Jingle Bell Fun Run (College Station)
- Light the Night Christmas Parade (Fredericksburg)
- Port Arthur Holiday Parade (Port Arthur)
See these and even more events listed below!
Tyler Holiday Light Displays
Walk of Lights
What to Expect:
Christmas light walk-through with Santa and snacks.
Description:
Walk of Lights is an antique marketplace in Palestine, Texas, offering a variety of items and hosting a Christmas light walk-through with Santa and snacks.
Where: Palestine | More Info: Walk of Lights
Light the Night Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Beautifully illuminated holiday parade with Santa and children's activities.
Description:
The Light the Night Christmas Parade in Fredericksburg, Texas, features an illuminated holiday night parade rolling down Main Street from Washington to Edison Streets. The event includes reserved bleacher seating available for purchase and free seating along the route. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos at Marktplatz, and a children's activity area will be set up.
Where: Fredericksburg | More Info: Light the Night Christmas Parade
55th Annual LBJ Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday celebration with historical farm visit.
Description:
Join us for the 55th Annual LBJ Tree Lighting, featuring carolers, a live nativity, Santa Claus, refreshments, and a spectacular tree lighting. Activities include visits to the Sauer-Beckmann Farm, where you can experience an authentic Texas-German Christmas.
Where: Fredericksburg | More Info: 55th Annual LBJ Tree Lighting
Tyler Holiday Markets and Shopping
Mistletoe & Magic
What to Expect:
Holiday shopping event with local merchants and community fundraising initiatives.
Description:
Mistletoe & Magic is a holiday shopping event featuring local merchants, online auctions, live auctions, and chance drawings. It offers a delightful evening of festive fun with catered dinner and drinks, providing an opportunity to support local businesses and community initiatives.
Where: Tyler | More Info: Mistletoe & Magic
Pharr Festival of Lights Market
What to Expect:
Annual Christmas tree lighting with festive activities.
Description:
Pharr Festival of Lights Market is a holiday event featuring holiday lights, festive decorations, live music, food vendors, and photo opportunities. It includes the annual lighting of the Christmas tree with a countdown starting at 7 pm. The event offers a variety of activities such as carnival games, snow sledding, and Elf Shelf giveaways, making it a family-friendly celebration.
Where: Pharr | More Info: Pharr Festival of Lights Market
Home for the Holidays Market of Midland
What to Expect:
Unique gifts from local small businesses in a festive setting.
Description:
The Home for the Holidays Market of Midland is a three-day event featuring over 100 merchants selling unique and one-of-a-kind gifts. It offers a variety of choices in a festive atmosphere, allowing customers to experience face-to-face interactions with local small businesses.
Where: Midland | More Info: Home for the Holidays Market of Midland
Sip & Shop Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with local vendors and festive atmosphere.
Description:
The Sip & Shop Christmas Market at The Silos on 77 in Giddings offers a variety of handmade gifts, seasonal treats, and holiday drinks. Visitors can browse through an array of unique items while enjoying festive music and a visit from Santa.
Where: Giddings | More Info: Sip & Shop Christmas Market
Tyler Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Rose City Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Annual parade with a "Magic Rotary" theme.
Description:
The Rose City Christmas Parade, hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Tyler, features a festive procession through Downtown Tyler, showcasing entries from organizations, bands, and other groups. This year's theme is "Magic Rotary."
Where: Tyler | More Info: Rose City Christmas Parade
Texarkana Main Street Christmas Market
What to Expect:
"Decade-themed floats and Toys for Tots donation drive."
Description:
The 40th Annual Main Street Texarkana Christmas Parade features a theme of "Christmas Through the Decades," inviting participants to bring a chosen decade to life with their entries. The event includes a collection of donations for Toys for Tots and showcases past parade winners.
Where: Texarkana | More Info: Texarkana Main Street Christmas Market
City of College Station Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community celebration with Santa's grand arrival.
Description:
The City of College Station Christmas Parade is a community-driven event featuring beautifully decorated floats, marching bands, and the grand arrival of Santa Claus. The parade begins at Post Oak Mall and travels through various streets before ending at Beachy Central Park.
Where: College Station | More Info: City of College Station Christmas Parade
Ballet Brazos' The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with guest artists from New York City Ballet.
Description:
Ballet Brazos' The Nutcracker features preeminent ballet dancers from the New York City Ballet, along with local and professional performers, in a classic holiday ballet by Tchaikovsky. The event includes pre-show activities like Photos with Clara, Red Carpet Photo Area, live holiday music, and a Nutcracker Market.
Where: College Station | More Info: Ballet Brazos' The Nutcracker
Tyler Other Holiday Activities
Christmas on the Chisholm Trail
What to Expect:
Historic downtown Christmas celebration with movie screening and tree lighting.
Description:
Christmas on the Chisholm Trail features a movie screening of "Arthur Christmas," followed by a City Tree Lighting Ceremony, shopping, food vendors, music, and visits with Santa. The event culminates with a Christmas parade beginning at 6 PM.
Where: Belton | More Info: Christmas on the Chisholm Trail
Christmas in the Park Weekend & Jingle Bell Fun Run
What to Expect:
Holiday festivities with hayrides, cookies, and local performances.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with old-fashioned hayrides, cookies, hot cocoa, local performances, and photos with Santa at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park.
Where: College Station | More Info: Christmas in the Park Weekend & Jingle Bell Fun Run
Port Arthur Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Diverse cultural participation in a downtown parade setting.
Description:
The Port Arthur Holiday Parade is a cultural celebration featuring a downtown parade with diverse participants, including marching bands, floats, and community groups. It promotes unity and festive spirit among the city's residents.
Where: Port Arthur | More Info: Port Arthur Holiday Parade
A Very Marshy Christmas
What to Expect:
Santa's airboat arrival with festive activities.
Description:
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at Sea Rim State Park by airboat, offering hot cocoa, Christmas crafts, and photo opportunities.
Where: Port Arthur | More Info: A Very Marshy Christmas
Prowl-O-Ween
What to Expect:
Spooky Halloween event with educational activities.
Description:
Prowl-O-Ween is a Halloween event at Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary featuring spooky fun, educational enrichment, and community spirit. Attendees can enjoy the grounds in their spookiest costumes while supporting the important work of Tiger Creek.