Updated 12/1/2017; originally published 11/27/16
Killeen Christmas Parade
December 09, 2017 (4:30 – 7:30), Downtown, Killeen
Last year’s parade featured over 50 floats and 120 entries. The 55th annual Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 9th in Killeen’s historic and newly refurbished downtown area.
Copperas Cove, Salado, and Temple also have parades going on!
Austin Trail of Lights
December 09-23, 2017, (7:00 – 10:00 PM) Zilker Park, Austin
The Trail of Lights is The Thing to do in Central Texas for Christmas. Located in historic Zilker Park in down town Austin, it is a 50+ year tradition, featuring over 40 displays and over 2,000,000 lights. December 13th is their Heroes Night to honor veterans – the perfect time to head on down with your military family.
HEB Feast of Sharing
December 12, 2017 (4:00 – 8:00 PM)
Killeen Civic & Conference Center
3601 S WS Young Dr, Killeen, Texas 76542
The good folks at HEB are putting on a free Christmas meal for the community. That’s right – FREE. You and your family can arrive at any time, seat yourselves, and enjoy some Christmas cooking. Santa is rumored to be in attendance, and there will be shows and activities for the kiddos.
Carlson Light Display
December 01 – 25, 2017
428 Winter Sun Drive
Harker Heights, TX 76548
Some very Christmas-y locals have gone all out with the X-mas decorations. Owners of the “Antics of a Nutty Hiker and Military Spouse” blog, they put up over 30,000 lights each Christmas in a spectacular display. The lights dance to the music, to which you can tune your car radio. The street as a whole is one of the most seasonally spirited, and it is a great jumping off point for some Christmas light viewing with the fam.
Updates about the show are posted here. Note: it is usually cancelled if there is inclement weather.
The Nutcracker Ballet
December 1-3,10, 2017 (TEMPLE)
Killeen Arts and Activities Center
801 N. 4th Street
Killeen, TX 76541
The local Texas Metropolitan Ballet is putting on the seasonal favorite, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. If you and your family haven’t seen this live, do so! They are also performing in Temple on the 10th if that is more convenient for your viewing needs.
BLORA Nature in Lights Display
November 17, 2017 – January 07, 2018, (5:30 – 11:00 PM) BLORA, Belton
Had enough lights yet? I didn’t think so. Check this one out, located at the MWR’s Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA), open to everyone! It runs all the way until January 7th (Hey – Russia’s Christmas is January 7th, so still time to be festive, Russian-style!). Also check ahead, as it includes a Santa’s village and train on select dates.
Christmas on the Farm
December 02, 2017, (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Bell County Expo Center
301 W. Loop 121
Belton, TX 76512
A perfect family outing, there are approximately 40 events for kids, including hay rides, games, face painting and entertainment galore. Ironically, this event is actually indoors at the Bell County Expo Center, so it is a great weather-proof option on this list!
“I am a Christmas Addict and Need More!”
Then you and my wife would get along great.
How about 100+ more ideas for your Central Texas Christmas?
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