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.
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.
The cozy community of Tomball will transform its downtown into a wintertime wonderland during a day long fröhliche Weihnachten celebration filled with festive food and fun.
Held as a part of the Second Saturday Events, Tomball denizens bring a dollop of Deutschland to the southeast Texas town as attendees clink glasses of dunkles Bier and Glühwein to the sounds of traditional German tunes, while others remember the reason for the season as a band of Christmas singers perform "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht."
Among the many activities for all ages:
Ice skating rink
Large outdoor movie screen
Hayrides
A tour of the Christmas lights
fireworks
unveiling of bronze statue, "The Train Conductor"
German gastronomic delights, including Christmas Stollen, apple strudel, red cabbage, bratwurst, and Kaffe und Kuchen
Vendors selling Christmas ornaments and German-inspired arts and crafts
Children's Activities: Children can make a new four-legged friend as they cuddle critters in the petting zoo and take a leisurely pony ride, or burn off excess energy as they jump for joy in a bounce house, scale a rock wall or brave a mini-bungee jump.
Admission is free and there are no parking fees.
When: December 12, 2009
Where: Events will be held in Old Town near the Train Depot Plaza at 201. S. Elm in Tomball.
