Fa la la in love with the magic of Christmas in Goldthwaite. From Santa’s visit to Christmas lighting, all the quintessential holiday experiences can be found here in the Hill Country. In the true spirit of Texas, our holiday celebration grows bigger and brighter each year so whether you’re native to Central Texas or searching for towns that could be the set of a Hallmark movie, make sure Goldthwaite is on your travel list this season, and don’t forget to check it twice!

Santa Clause is Coming to Town

Ho ho ho! Goldthwaite’s boys and girls have been so good this year, Santa can’t help but visit them early! In fact, he’d like to personally kick off our Christmas festivities on December 3rd. From 2-4 pm, Santa Claus will be in the Welcome Center waiting to meet you! Come whisper what you want for Christmas and for $5, you can snap that classic picture on Santa’s lap to send in this year’s family newsletter!

Shop Small for Christmas Gifts

As you wait for the sun to set, take advantage of Goldthwaite’s small business shopping. Stores including Pecans.com, Switch Boutique, Mills County General Store, Aroma of Hope, and more offer unique gift items that are more meaningful than what you can find in big box retailers. Each of our downtown shops welcomes your support and is eager to share its curated collection with you!

Christmas Parade of Lights

You’ll notice crowds of people start to line the street around 5:30 and that’s when you know you’re in for a true treat! Not only are people gathering to catch a beautiful Texan sunset, but they’re actually choosing a good spot to watch our beloved town parade beginning at 6 pm! If you want the inside scoop, bring a portable chair and a warm blanket to cozy up just like the locals do! 

What do The Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, Elf, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer all have in common? They’ll likely be stars in Goldthwaite’s Christmas Parade of Lights because this year’s theme is Christmas movies! The annual Christmas Parade of Lights is a spectacle that has turned into one of our town’s most treasured traditions. It’s a magical time when pickup trucks can be snow globes, trailers can be Santa’s workshop, and lawnmowers can be Christmas trees! As always, parade floats will be judged on theme interpretation, originality, construction, and light display so get those creative juices flowing! We can’t wait to see our favorite holiday characters displayed on Fisher Street!

Ugly Sweaters and Hot Hot Chocolate

Though Texas isn’t known for a snowy Winter Wonderland, you may still get cold during the parade which is why a hot cocoa contest will be held in the Goldthwaite pavilion immediately following the parade’s end from 6:30-8:00 pm. You’d be surprised how each vendor differentiates their hot cocoa with a secret special touch. In the past, there was even a Grinch-themed brew where the cocoa was actually green! And what Christmas celebration would be complete without an ugly sweater contest? Luckily, you won’t have to find out because ugly sweaters will be on full display as you sip hot chocolate.

A Drive Through the Christmas Light Display

After a full day of holiday fun, you’ll pack your car full of Christmas cheer and rosy noses, but the night’s not over just yet. On your way home, walk or drive through Goldthwaite’s Trail of Lights, located in Goldthwaite’s City Park. A display of lighted archways, twinkling trees, holiday icons, and Texas totems is the most magical finale to a day full of wonder. We can’t wait to share the spirit of Christmas with you here in Goldthwaite, Texas.