Oh my, how time does fly. It feels like mere weeks ago that we were prepping for the holidays and now we’re smack dab in the middle of the mistletoe! Brownwood might be small, but our cheer is mighty and we have holiday tidings to prove it. If you’re hitting the road for small-town Texas celebrations this holiday season – plan to spend the first weekend in December ho-ho-holidaying with us up here at the top of the Hill Country.
We’re counting down the days until Christmas kicks off! Here’s this year’s holiday programming!
All of the Lights
Our 11th Annual Christmas Under The Stars Parade kicks off the Christmas cheer on Thursday, December 5, at 6:30 pm. The Spirit of Christmas Lighted Parade brings more than 100 floats, classic cars, marching bands and more to dazzle in a parade that starts at the Depot.
Bring the kiddos out and watch them light up with the spirit of Christmas as the parade winds its way through downtown with an endless stream of twinkling lights shining brightly through the dark sky.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Who has rosy cheeks, a twinkle in his eyes, a bounce in his step and is coming to town? That’s right! Santa Claus!
Santa makes Brownwood home base for the weekend of our Christmas Festival (Depot Plaza; December 6 & 7; 4 pm to 8 pm. He’ll feel right at home with real, live snow (!!) merrily watching friends and families enjoy the tidings. Check your list twice, because he’s posing for photos all weekend!
What kind of fun is Santa bringing to town? Train loads! Here are some of the festival’s merry activities for the family.
Santa’s Workshop
Santa might have thought the North Pole was just a tad too cold because this year he’s set up right here in Brownwood. Step into the Depot and instantly be transported into Santa’s Workshop. Kiddos can help decorate the big gingerbread house, write Santa a letter, decorate ornaments, take an #elfieselfie, enjoy brownies and hot chocolate and so much more (like meet Santa!!!)!
Building Crosses
McCoy’s elves will be lending a hand to anyone wanting to build their own wooden cross! Afterward, head to the decoration table to personalize your piece!
Giant Obstacle Course
Nearly 70-foot-long, this obstacle course is a challenging race for two competitors! It’s a course of soft, bouncy obstacles that are fun to wiggle through, ending in an 8-foot slide!
Snowball Fights!
Snow in Brownwood, Texas? Yes! Make snow angels, have a snowball fight, or build a snowman in the wonderland of snow!
Mini Train Rides
Sit back, relax and enjoy the trip on the mini train as it chugs along the tracks. Delight in the nostalgia, the crisp air and the starry night!
Big Wheel Races
They were so cool when you were a kid! Now that you’re a big kid, take to the track and challenge your friends or significant other to an adult big wheel race! We also have a smaller track for the kids!
Sipping Under the Stars
We couldn’t be more excited for our inaugural wine & beer tasting event. Dubbed Sipping under the Stars, we’ll be strolling downtown to enjoy sips, treats and local shopping with our friends, families and amazing Brownwood businesses!
Enjoy amazing tastes from downtown restaurants, relax for a moment with a massage, shop the Artisan Market, and much more all while enjoying the downtown Christmas spirit.
Tickets are just $20 and include tasting tickets, a commemorative wine glass, tote, and exclusive offers from downtown merchants. (December 7, 2019; 5 pm – 9 pm)
All Aboard!
Polar Express
The cheer doesn’t stop there, oh no. Not when Santa is bringing his reindeer to Texas aboard the Polar Express! Take an enchanted trip through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a desert of ice to the North Pole, where you can tell Santa your Christmas wish.
Walkthrough the pages of the Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg, as the story sweeps you away to a magical place if you BELIEVE. Join us at The Lehnis Railroad Museum December 14th & 21st 6 pm – 8 pm.
Wagon rides
What happens when Santa comes to Texas? He trades his sleigh for a wagon, of course! Climb up for an old-fashioned wagon ride that takes you through the twinkling Christmas lights on the Fire Station, grain silos and more. The fun is offered by Heart of Texas Camp & Retreat!
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Catch a fittingly-old time radio show of It’s A Wonderful Life at Brownwood’s beautiful Lyric Theatre the first two weekends in December. Between matinees and evening showings, there are eight total showings starting on December 6!
We hope to see you around this Holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from everyone here at the City of Brownwood.
