After 35 years on the Santa Fe Railroad, Steam Engine 3417 carried its last load in 1954. Retired to the peace of Hulen Park, today the locomotive charms a new generation of Lone Star residents, and each December since 1996 its whistle blasts heralds the start of the holiday season.
From mid-November through New Year's Eve, more than 3 million Christmas lights will illuminate Hulen Park's 12 acres, casting a warm glow on the faces of visitors who can also experience a weekend of winter wonder in early December as a plethora of marching bands and festive floats promenade downtown in a Christmas parade. Carol-singing choirs provide a seasonal soundtrack as spectators stroll among vendor booths brimming with holiday gift items while little ones sit on Santa's lap for a photo that will be cherished through the years.
The following day, the doors of many of Cleburne's most architecturally interesting abodes open to the public for the Candlewalk Tour of Homes.
When: November 23 - December 31, 2009 (Hulen Park Christmas lights) December 4: Christmas parade, Santa December 5: Candlewalk Tour of Homes
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go, including the city of Lewisville, which welcomes more than 15,000 spectators each year as residents ring in the festive season with the Holiday at the Hall event.
Kids converging at the Kiwanis Club can enjoy pancakes and sausage with Old Saint Nick, sing carols and create a Christmas art project at the Breakfast with Santa event.
Local and regional acts will perform seasonal songs on two stages, while strolling performers spread Christmas cheer throughout the festival area.
Instead of eight tiny reindeer, horsepower from hundreds of "hogs" bring a little Christmas magic at the Motorcycle Toy Run. Riders giving an unwrapped new toy, which will later be distributed at a local charity, will rev up their engines in Old Town.
Christmas themes chiseled in ice will sparkle in the street as visitors vote on their favorite work of holiday art at the Polar Ice Carving Village.
A cavalcade of cuddly canines will also be on hand to celebrate the spirit of the season at Tailwaggers Ranch, where doggie don duds for a pet costume contest and pet parade, Rovers show their skills in an agility rally, and 20 rescue groups bring some barking buddies to join the in fun.
Strike up the band for the annual Sam Pack's Ford Christmas Parade, which will feature floats, dance troupes, drill teams and more, filing down the streets of of the city.
As natural light begins to dim, residents and guests alike will gather for the Holiday Lights! Old Town lighting ceremony.
A seven-day salute to south of the border sounds, from the heavenly refrains of a Mariachi mass at the San Jose Mission to a final farewell breakfast, the 1,000 mariachi musicians and vocalists who perform at Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza have offered San Antonio music lovers food for the soul each year since 1994.
Concerts
The blare of trumpets and romantic strains of violins will beckon music lovers to the Instituto de Mexico in HemisFair Palza for a performance by Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán during a homage to Hispanic heritage, Noche de Cultura.
As the sun begins to set over San Antonio, sightseers at the Rivercenter Mall Lagoon on the Riverwalk can enjoy an evening of canciones y cultura as student Mariachi groups from across the nation perform during Serenata en el Rio.
A century of tradition echos in the songs of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, who-- along with the winners of the student competitions and "Best Mariachi vocalist in the U.S." victor-- will take the stage for a concert at San Antonio Municipal Auditorium.
Competitions
Mariachi Group Competition
Mariachi vocal Competition
Workshops
Performers pass on their passion for the musical genre to the next generation at mariachi instrumental and vocal workshops at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center as well as through community and in-school presentations at various locations.
A wee bit of Scotland can be found in central Texas each year in Salado, and whether you are searching for your ancestors in a genealogy workshop or simply savoring the event's sights and sounds, the three-day gathering is one Highland fling that will never be forgotten.
Events
The rhythm of Scottish drums and blare of pipes are sounds that stir the blood during a competition of musical mastery, while performers prancing to the steps of the Seann Triubhas, the Sword dance and the Pas de Basques tap out the heartbeat of the Highlands during the dance competition.
In a battle of brawn, find out who will be the king of the clans in a tug-o-war, and cheer on the kilt-clad contestants aiming to win first prize in the athletic games, which include the weight toss and weight throw, tossing the sheaf the hammer throw, the stone toss and tossing the caber.
Passersby intrigued by the intoxicating aroma of Scottish shortbread can head to the Clan Tent area for the start of a culinary contest, then stay for the day's quirkiest competition, the bonniest knees contest.
In the evening, a Texas Tattoo says farewell to the setting sun on College Hill, then head to the Longhorn Room for a Texas-style Scottish soiree-- a ceilidh.
Shopping
Find a Scottish souvenir of your stay in Salado among the vendor booths in the clan tents and at the Wee Scots Shop next to the Central Texas Area museum.
When: November 13 - 15, 2009 (the grounds for the games are not officially opened until November 14th.)
The Tremont House in Galveston Offering Thanksgiving Getaway Package
In celebration of the upcoming holiday, The Tremont House in Galveston is offering a Thanksgiving Getaway package. Step away from the stove and enjoy a Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet served on November 26 (other meals at Tremont Cafe are 20% off, excluding alcohol), then relax with a transcendental "Thank You Special for Two" treatment at The Spa at The Hotel Galvez, which also includes a 50% discount on a second spa service. Guests can also get in the spirit of the season with two tickets to the Moody Garden Festival of Lights.
Available from November 25 - 28, 2009, a two-night stay $325 can be booked for Wednesday and Thanksgiving Thursday, while a two-night stay on Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday can be booked for $395, based on double occupancy. (Couples can add an additional night for $175.) Guests staying on Friday get an additional treat, as the Hotel Galvez presents its annual holiday lighting celebration.
Bagpipes beckon to residents of the live music capital of the world each fall as the annual Austin Celtic Festival gets underway by Ladybird Lake.
Events
Highland Games
Kilt-clad participants carry on a tradition reaching back to 12th century Scotland as they balance a large wooden pole in the caber toss just one of the tests of adults agility during the games. Kids can also participate in their own mini-version of the games.
History Performers
Enjoy a blast from the distant past as you watch vikings battle for victory, look on in awe at reenactors who conjure up the spirit of inhabitants from the Iron Age, and see promising Robin Hoods take aim at their target during an archery demonstration and King's Tournament.
Storytelling
The rippling water of Lake Lady Bird Lake will sound like applause as storytellers weave fanciful tales on the stage at Seelie Court.
Dancing
Tartan will twirl on stage as dancing troupes move their feet to the beat of bagpipes and bodhrans. If the beat inspires you to move your feet, there will be free dance workshops for all ages.
Animals
Furry friends will be on hand to enjoy the festivities, including Scottish Terriers, Irish Wolfhounds and Scottish Deerhounds, whose paws will promenade to the tune of a piper in the Celtic Dog Parade, while the intelligence of our tail-wagging chums will be on display during the sheep herding demonstration. (Pets will not be allowed on festival grounds due to health and safety regulations.)
Workshops
Although advanced classes require prepayment, beginners to the arts (including the Celtic guitar, Irish drums, Irish whistle, Scottish country dances, Breton dancing, Celtic poetry and more) can learn the basics at free workshops conducted both days.
Vendors
Looking for a Celtic Christmas gift? Browse among booths brimming with claddagh rings, green man garden sculptures and Celtic crosses.
When: November 7 and 8, 2009
Where: Fiesta Gardens on the shores of Lake Ladybird Lake in Austin.
Hotel Galvez in Galveston Rings in The Holiday Season
The holidays are close at hand, Galveston's Hotel Galvez is ready to celebrate the season. Patrons can pack their suitcases for a special Thanksgiving Getaway Package stay, which features brunch for two, pickets to the Moody Gardens Festival of Lights, and transcendental treatments from The Spa at Hotel Galvez with its Thank You Special for Two with a 50% discount on a second spa service. A two night stay on Wednesday and Thanksgiving Thursday costs #369, while stays on Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday are available for $479, based on double occupancy.
The "Queen of the Gulf" will look regal in the glow of the Holiday Lighting ceremony. an event free to the public which will take place on November 27th. Galveston's Mayor will flip the switch on the hotel's front lawn, illuminating rows of Christmas lights, their sparkle matched only by the beaming smiles of children as they have their photo taken with Santa. The Galveston Ballet will dance to the delight of both the young and the young at heart and the harmonious voices of carolers will echo in the air as the public peer at a gingerbread replica of the Hotel Galvez, while inside the real hotel adult attendees can sample specialty drinks from the lobby bar. A royal visit by "Queen Victoria" is a welcome invitation to Galveston's upcoming annual event, Dickens on The Strand.
Loving his stay in the Lone Star state, Saint Nick will make future appearances at Hotel Galvez at Sunday Brunch with Santa on December 6, 13 and 20th, when kids can once again have their picture taken with the jolly old elf. Live holiday entertainment will also keep the hotel in the holiday spirit every Friday and Saturday in December from 5 p.m. - 10 pm and on Sundays from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
