Every state has certain things that signify Christmas is here, whether it be making a specific food, going to some of the most iconic light displays, or participating in your town’s parade or lighting ceremony. From pecan pie to the River Walk to driving around looking at neighborhood lights, these 12 activities are obligatory for every Texan at Christmastime.
- Drive around your neighborhood and look at Christmas lights.
Flickr/danielray Everything is bigger in Texas, and the holidays are no exception. I guarantee there’s at least one house in your neighborhood that gives even Clark Griswold a run for his money. Bring some hot chocolate and be sure to blast the Christmas music. (Pictured is the 1300 block of Briarwood in Houston.)
- Eat tamales.
Flickr/bigrickstuart Some people have ham or turkey again on Christmas Day - which, don’t get me wrong, we do too - but we also have tamales. Some of us even have a tried-and-true tamale person who we call about this time every year.
- Attend a parade near you.
Flickr/visitelpaso In Texas, big cities and small towns alike host Christmas parades. High school bands march, different clubs and organizations represent themselves with festive floats, and everyone just has a grand old time.
- Taken a stroll down the San Antonio River Walk…
Flickr/brianmoranhdr If you haven’t seen these iconic lights in person, you haven’t truly experienced Christmas in Texas.
- …and ridden on one of the floats.
Flickr/navycrackerjack74 (Your driver will be Santa Claus!)
- Pay a visit to your local zoo.
Yelp/John L. Most zoos have some sort of Christmas celebration, so you get to see all your favorite critters and beautiful lights at the same time! This is Houston’s Zoo Lights which runs through January 15th.
- Experience the largest light display in Texas at SeaWorld
Flickr/brianmoranhdr SeaWorld has held festivities for years, but this year is special - it’s decked out in over 5 million lights, making it the largest display in the state. Walk around and take in the sights, meet Rudolph and his reindeer friends, take pictures with Santa, and watch several Christmas-themed shows featuring Shamu, dolphins, and Beluga Whales. The attraction runs through January 1st and tickets can be purchased here.
- Eat pecan pie.
Flickr/stevensnodgrass I know we just had Thanksgiving, but I could use another slice of this already. Mmmm.
- Hang a barbed wire wreath on the front door.
Flickr/rustiqueart I know we don’t ALL do this, but it adds a nice little Texas touch to Christmas.
- Take a ride on the Polar Express
TripAdvisor/TimeLadyOfEarth There are a few throughout the state, but the most well known is the Texas State Railroad in Palestine. They recreate the movie with amazing attention to detail, from the singing chefs serving hot chocolate to punching holes in all the golden tickets. Young or old, this is a magical experience that everyone should have.
- Attend Dickens on the Strand in Galveston.
Flickr/galvestonisland From December 2-4th, you’ll get to go back in time to 19th century England as people adorned in Victorian attire from head to toe parade through the streets singing Christmas carols. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped right into a Dickens novel.
- Visit the Johnson City Courthouse
Flickr/jmtimages It illuminates the night with over 100,000 lights - not even including the ones on the trees surrounding the building. The small-town charm of Johnson City really helps solidify the Christmas spirit and evoke a cozy, heartwarming feeling like no other.
Are any of these Christmas traditions for your family? What else lets you know it’s Christmas in Texas?
Flickr/danielray
Everything is bigger in Texas, and the holidays are no exception. I guarantee there’s at least one house in your neighborhood that gives even Clark Griswold a run for his money. Bring some hot chocolate and be sure to blast the Christmas music. (Pictured is the 1300 block of Briarwood in Houston.)
Flickr/bigrickstuart
Some people have ham or turkey again on Christmas Day - which, don’t get me wrong, we do too - but we also have tamales. Some of us even have a tried-and-true tamale person who we call about this time every year.
Flickr/visitelpaso
In Texas, big cities and small towns alike host Christmas parades. High school bands march, different clubs and organizations represent themselves with festive floats, and everyone just has a grand old time.
Flickr/brianmoranhdr
If you haven’t seen these iconic lights in person, you haven’t truly experienced Christmas in Texas.
Flickr/navycrackerjack74
(Your driver will be Santa Claus!)
Yelp/John L.
Most zoos have some sort of Christmas celebration, so you get to see all your favorite critters and beautiful lights at the same time! This is Houston’s Zoo Lights which runs through January 15th.
SeaWorld has held festivities for years, but this year is special - it’s decked out in over 5 million lights, making it the largest display in the state. Walk around and take in the sights, meet Rudolph and his reindeer friends, take pictures with Santa, and watch several Christmas-themed shows featuring Shamu, dolphins, and Beluga Whales. The attraction runs through January 1st and tickets can be purchased here.
Flickr/stevensnodgrass
I know we just had Thanksgiving, but I could use another slice of this already. Mmmm.
Flickr/rustiqueart
I know we don’t ALL do this, but it adds a nice little Texas touch to Christmas.
TripAdvisor/TimeLadyOfEarth
There are a few throughout the state, but the most well known is the Texas State Railroad in Palestine. They recreate the movie with amazing attention to detail, from the singing chefs serving hot chocolate to punching holes in all the golden tickets. Young or old, this is a magical experience that everyone should have.
Flickr/galvestonisland
From December 2-4th, you’ll get to go back in time to 19th century England as people adorned in Victorian attire from head to toe parade through the streets singing Christmas carols. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped right into a Dickens novel.
Flickr/jmtimages
It illuminates the night with over 100,000 lights - not even including the ones on the trees surrounding the building. The small-town charm of Johnson City really helps solidify the Christmas spirit and evoke a cozy, heartwarming feeling like no other.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
