If you’re looking to experience a fun and festive Christmas parade, Bryan, TX, is the place to be this holiday season. There are several Christmas parades in Bryan to choose from—though only one is a lighted parade, with lighted floats, firetrucks and other vehicles.
There are also many other local events to help you and your loved ones kick off a merry and festive holiday season. Let’s take a look at the best of Bryan at Christmastime:
- Santa Arrival Parade: Santa comes to town the day after Thanksgiving, on Friday, November 24, 2023, and downtown Bryan is illuminated for the Christmas season. This early evening event is free and open to the public. Come see Jolly Old Saint Nick circle the square as twinkling lights kick off the season of merriment!
- Downtown Bryan Holiday Stroll & Lighted Parade: This is Bryan-College Station’s one and only lighted Christmas parade. Beginning at 6 PM on Thursday, December 7, 2023, the parade starts at the intersection of 24th Street and Bryan Avenue and heads south, snaking through historic downtown Bryan as it turns on 28th Street before heading back up Main. Visitors can expect spectacular floats as well as lighted fire engines and more—and a visit from Santa at the end of the parade! You can even get some holiday shopping done at the many booths. Best of all, the parade is free to attend!
Do Some Christmas Shopping—Bryan, TX
Aside from Christmas parades, there are lots of other fun events going on around the Bryan–College Station area this holiday season. Here’s where to get all your holiday shopping done, along with a good dose of Christmas cheer:
- Main Street Holiday Market: The weekend of November 18 – 19, 2023, the Brazos County Expo hosts its fifth annual Main Street Holiday Market. This winter wonderland features vendors offering the best in clothing, gifts, jewelry, foods, handmade items, soaps, candles, holiday decor and more. Admission is only $6, and you can bring a non-perishable food donation to get a dollar off. Kids ages 12 and under get in free—and Santa arrives Saturday morning!
- The Christmas Arts & Crafts Show: With over 100 booths offering tons of great Christmas gift ideas, this annual event has been running for more than 40 years. It’s all happening again on December 2 and 3, 2023, beginning at 10 AM. Admission and parking are free, and food and drink are available within the event venue, Brazos Center in Bryan.
- First Saturday Christmas Art Fair: Also on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Degallery Square on Rosemary Drive, the First Saturday Christmas Art Fair is an outdoor family event complete with live music, art activities for kids, art vendors and artist demos, and food trucks available for refreshments. This is a festive, fun and unique way to cross items off your Christmas shopping list.
Where to See Christmas Lights—Bryan, TX
There are lots of great places to see Christmas lights in Bryan, TX. Here are some local favorites that are sure to awaken the holiday spirit within:
- Lights On!: What’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season? On Friday, November 17, 2023, head downtown at 6 PM for the annual Lights On! event at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park. Help count down to the spectacular illumination of more than a million lights along Main Street and Bryan Avenue! Visitors to this free, family-friendly event can look forward to live music and numerous photo opportunities, as well as a special appearance by Santa. And don’t forget your letters for Santa—elves will be accepting them at the North Pole Mailbox. Note that the big illumination happens at this annual lighting event, but the lights stay up through the New Year, and visits to the park are always free. Many locals as well as visitors to the area have made visiting this park a family tradition during the Christmas season. You can enjoy the sights from the comfort of your car or while strolling through the park with hot cocoa or coffee in hand.
- Santa’s Wonderland: From November 10 through December 30, visitors to Santa’s Wonderland on Highway 6 in College Station can enjoy millions of twinkling lights in the Walkable Trail of Lights. You can also choose to take in the lights from the vantage point of a hayride or even a horse and carriage! Visitors can also go ice skating or play in real Texas snow. You can take a ride on the West Pole Express Train, visit Poncho the longhorn and other farm animals, send letters to Santa, and even meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Tickets for all events and activities can be purchased at the gate, but discounts are available by purchasing online in advance.
- Neighborhood displays: All you have to do to see magical Christmas lights in Bryan is head out your front door. Certain neighborhoods in Bryan are known for their incredible lights displays during the holiday season, many with animated Christmas lights shows set to holiday music. The Best Lights of the Brazos page on Facebook is a great way to keep up with which homes and neighborhoods are sharing the most holiday spirit.
Find Your Favorite Christmas Tree Farm—Bryan, TX
Christmas isn’t truly festive until you put up your Christmas tree, complete with garlands of twinkling lights, delicate ornaments, and an angel or a star at the top. And there’s nothing like the scent of a freshly cut tree to fill you with the holiday spirit. This year, bring your loved ones to a Christmas tree farm in Bryan, TX, to find your favorite tree and kick off the holidays.
At Brazos Valley Tree Farm, the Christmas season starts in mid-November and runs through the end of the year. And it’s not just a great place to get your Christmas tree—it’s also a wonderful spot for festive family fun. Offering lighted hayrides to Christmas Town, a drive-thru holiday lights experience, a concession stand, arts and crafts for the whole family, a children’s racetrack, and visits from Santa Claus, this tree farm offers the complete Christmas experience.
Kelumac Christmas Tree Farm opens before Thanksgiving, closes on Thanksgiving Day, and then reopens the next day for the holiday season. There are multiple types of trees available to suit everyone’s tastes. Note that trees go fast, and often sell out by mid-December. While you’re there, you can check out their other offerings such as shelled pecans, mulling spices, pints of bread and butter pickles, and Old World-style Christmas ornaments. You can even reserve a mini-photography session with a professional photographer on site.
Tanglewood Christmas Trees opens the Friday after Thanksgiving, offering cut-your-own Christmas trees and tons of family fun. Hot cocoa, apple cider and Christmas cookies are available to enjoy along with hayrides, cornhole and duck races. There are numerous photo opportunities at the farm, including a professional photographer who is available by appointment. Families can picnic here, or visit the gift shop for tree stands and wreaths along with holiday shopping needs.
ABC Can Get Your Home Ready for the Holidays
With so many fun activities happening in Bryan, you don’t want to be stuck at home hanging your holiday lights. Instead of spending your free time on a ladder, contact ABC Home & Commercial Services. Our pros can safely make your home look beautiful and festive this holiday season.
