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Our 11 Best Ideas for Celebrating Christmas in Texas This Year

Texas is a big state with lots to do for families during the holiday season

Christmas is the loveliest time of the year. And in the Lone Star State, you can truly have a Christmas to remember. This holiday season, get your loved ones together and enjoy Christmas Texas style. From boots to BBQ and everything in between, the Great State of Texas has all you need for holiday fun. Check out our list of 11 awesome Texas holiday favorites to treat your family to this year.

1. Ranch time

Get out on the range with your kin this season and spend some time having a ranch Christmas. There’s nothing quite like having a folksy traditional Christmas, waking up and making coffee as you take in the fresh country air. With plenty of holiday rental options out there, this dream is easy to turn into a reality.

Riding horse in Texas
Make memories with horseback riding in Texas

2. Family BBQ

While you’re out on the ranch, why not get your family together and have a BBQ! There’s nothing better for a family holiday vacation than fresh BBQ for Christmas dinner, and in Texas, you will have access to some of the best.

3. Check out a rodeo

You can’t go all the way to Texas without experiencing the fun of a rodeo. Watching real cowboys ride around, get bucked from bulls, have an all-around amazing time is the kind of holiday experience that you and yours will always remember.

Austin at night
Gorgeous Austin city skyline at night

4. See the sights in Austin

Austin is the capital of Texas, and a beautiful city by any measure. Many of the city’s streets are strung up with beautiful Christmas lights around the Holiday season, so put on your best Christmas dress and take in all the city has to offer. If you’re looking for a little more, try a Lone Star Riverboat for a new experience on the water!

5. Sample the local cuisine

While you’re in the state capital, you’ve got to try out some of the local restaurants. Rainey Street and the Red River Cultural District offer some of the finest dining in the state, with interesting options ranging from Texas BBQ to Thai cuisine. Rest assured you won’t go hungry!

San Antonio riverwalk
San Antonio’s Riverwalk is pretty by day and by night

6. Take in the San Antonio Riverwalk

If San Antonio is more your scene, you’re in luck. The Riverwalk in downtown is beautifully decorated around the Holidays. You and your partner will revel in the beauty as you walk down the winding river paths, smelling the delicious food cooked at the restaurants along the way, and watching the light glisten off the river water.

7. Go on a historic building tour

Christmas is a time for reflection. One way to do that is to take in some history, and San Antonio has plenty of it to spare. From the famous Alamo to the Mission San Jose church, there is a lot of history in this part of Texas.

Alamo with Texas State Flag
The Alamo is a must-see if you are visiting San Antonio!

8. See the sights in Dallas

Dallas is one of the biggest cities in the US, and boasts everything from museums to lively nightlife and more. If you find yourself in The Big D this holiday season, stop by Stone Street Gardens for lovely café and bistro dining. There are plenty of fresh shopping spots here, too. Plus, at a cool average high of 58 degrees in December, you know you won’t be too cold as you take in the lights.

9. Learn to ride a horse

This one makes a great Christmas gift for the horse lover in your family. Surprise them on Christmas morning with horseback riding lessons, then spend the rest of your holiday season learning the art of riding. Texas is a great place to do it, with affordable rates and plenty of range, you’ll be riding like a cowboy with a western hat in no time.

Magnolia Farms is fun for the whole family!

10. Visit the Silos in Waco

Just about a hundred miles north of the state capitol of Austin is the city of Waco, where the whole family can enjoy visiting the famed Silos at Magnolia Market, owned by Joanna and Chip Gaines of the hit TV Show “Fixer Upper” on HGTV. They have a fun, festive Christmas installation during the Holiday season that includes a light display that covers the enormous Silos. Don’t forget to stop by their own restaurant, Magnolia Table, just a few miles down the road from the Silos. Parents and kids will enjoy a relaxing holiday at Magnolia Market in Waco.

11. Spend time with family

No matter where you are, the most important part of the holiday season is spending time with family. From coast to coast, appreciate those you love this Christmas. While the fun of a travel destination is great, there’s nothing that compares to the love and warmth of the people who are closest to you in life.

Christmas family fun
Gosh I miss the kids this young at Christmas!

That’s a Wrap!

Christmas in Texas might not be your first thought for a travel destination this Holiday season, but as you can see, the Lone Star State has a lot to bring to the table!

Author

I am a busy mama with 3 delicious babies and a serious itch for travel and writing (when I am not bartending, that is)! After graduating from Cal State San Marcos with a B.A. in Communications, I decided to start a family and pursue a career in freelance writing. I created HotMamaTravel as an outlet to do what I love while sharing useful travel tips and inspiration with others. Our mission is to show parents how to master travel with kids, while keeping your Saturday-night selves. We call it "Family travel...with a twist".

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