Here are the holiday activities scheduled for the State Parks and Historic Sites in December. Most require reservations, so call for more information and to confirm the activity.

December 1-25, 2006
Starr Family Home SHS
Candlelight Christmas Dinners

In conjunction with the Wonderland of Lights Festival, we will offer our annual catered dinners compete with musical entertainment and a tour of the beautiful Starr Mansion. These are for group bookings by reservation only. Call for times, fees, reservations and more information (903) 935-3044.

December 2, 2006
Goliad SP
Christmas at the Mission

Experience the sights and sounds of the holiday season at Mission Espiritu Santo! Under the direction of Dr. James Lee, the Beeville Community Chorus will present a selection of sacred and secular Christmas music inside the old mission chapel. Flickering candlelight, phenomenal acoustics and voices raised in song create a visual and auditory Christmas experience like no other. 8-9 p.m. (361) 645-3405.

December 2-3, 2006
Lyndon B. Johnson SP&HS
Holiday Cookie Decorating and German Traditions

Have fun decorating cookies as it was done for a German Christmas tree in the 1900s at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm. Enjoy hearing the legend of St. Nicholas and experience other German holiday activities and traditions on the farm. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (830) 644-2252.

December 2, 8-9, 15-16, 2006
Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery SHS
Trail of Lights

Walk along the fantastic quarter-mile trail overlooking the town of La Grange and be delighted by the thousands of lights that illuminate it. Experience the more traditionally decorated 1850s-era German home of H.L. Kreische, bedecked in Christmas splendor, in a Texas-German style. Bring your children to tell secrets to Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and enjoy the genuine seasonal hospitality of the Friends of Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery, who sponsor the event. 6-8 p.m.; fees $3 adults, $1 children 3-12 (979) 968-5658.

December 2, 9, 16, 2006
Texas State Railroad SP
Victorian Christmas Train Ride

Come and experience a Christmas of yesteryear and enjoy the Old World charm of the Victorian era. You will be treated to a ride on a turn of the century steam engine, strolling carolers, Santa, brownies, cookies, lemonade, eggnog and hot cider. We invite you to join us for a fun filled Christmas event for the entire family. Meet at the Palestine station. 3-6 p.m.; fee $30 adults, $10 children 3-12, free for children under 3; reservations required (903) 683-2561 or (800) 442-8951.

December 3, 2006
Magoffin Home SHS
Holiday Tea

Begin the Christmas season by joining us for the annual Victorian tea party. The home is elegantly decorated for Christmas in the Victorian style. There will be two seatings, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.; fee $12.50 per person; advance tickets required, on sale beginning November 3 (915) 533-5147.

December 9, 2006
Barrington Living History Farm-Washington-on-the-Brazos SHS
Candlelight Christmas

The sights, sounds, smells and tastes of a traditional 19th century Texas Christmas come alive at this annual holiday event. Dr. Anson Jones and his family invite you to help decorate Barrington with greenery, play traditional games, make old-fashioned crafts, listen to stories and, as the evening draws to a close, enjoy the candlelight while dancing to polkas, waltzes and schottisches. Hearth and chuck wagon cooking, taffy pulls, hot spiced cider and cookies add to the festivities. 1-8 p.m.; fee $2 Texas State Parks Pass members, $6 non-members, $4 students, free for children 6 and under (936) 878-2213.

December 9, 2006
Battleship Texas SHS
Santa Swingin 40s Christmas

Visit the Battleship Texas and enjoy the spirit of the holidays. Write and mail letters to Santa, see dancing to swing music performed live onboard, enjoy hot wassail, meet and have your picture taken with Santa and much, much more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; fees free for Texas State Parks Pass members, $10 non-members, $5 senior citizens, free for children 12 and under (281) 479-2431.

December 9, 2006
Martin Dies, Jr. SP
Holiday Celebration

Have a fun-fill afternoon of activities and music. First, bring out your creative side at our annual Gingerbread House Design and Construction Marathon, with the Friends of Martin Dies, Jr. State Park providing all the supplies you need to create a truly unique creation beginning at 2 p.m. Then join in a festive sing-along concert of seasonal songs and hymns beginning at 4 p.m. All activities held in the Dining Hall in the Walnut Ridge Unit of the park (409) 384-5231.

December 14, 2006
Fort Leaton SHS
Christmas on the Border

Celebrate this special time of the year with a traditional borderlands Christmas. See the Posada, Folklorico Dancers, enjoy refreshments and be ready to sing along with us. 7-9 p.m. (432) 229-3613.

December 17, 2006
Lyndon B. Johnson SP&HS
37th Annual Tree Lighting

Come to the Texas Hill Country and enjoy a community-wide event with carolers, a live nativity, Santa Claus, candlelight and lamp-lit 1900s Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm and a special nighttime holiday tour of the LBJ National Historical Park and Texas White House. The LBJ Park Bookstore and Gift Shop will be open and there will be many other things to help you get into the holiday spirit. Light refreshments will be served following the tree lighting ceremony. 6 p.m. (830) 644-2252.

December 17-18, 21-22, 2006
Wyler Aerial Tramway SP
Santa Arrives at Ranger Peak

Santa will be at the top of Ranger Peak waiting for children to deliver their letters in person and to take their picture with him. Noon-5 p.m.; fees $7 adults, $4 children 4-12, children 3 and under free (915) 562-9899.

December 19, 2006
Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center
Christmas on the Border

Celebrate the holiday season in West Texas border fashion. Local community performers will provide the entertainment; refreshments and treats will be served and a special visit by Santa Claus will delight the children. 6:30-9 p.m. (432) 424-3327.

Tags: Christmas in Texas, Texas Christmas, Christmas in Texas parks, Christmas in Texas State Historic sites

20th Annual Port Isabel Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Port Isabel, Texas
6 pm

Dozens of boats compete for cash and prizes with their decorated vessels. The parade route through the channels of Port Isabel and across the Laguna Madre to South Padre Island offers great spectator viewing areas. The parade will begin at the Port Isabel city docks.

Boats will be competing in six overall divisions: commercial; Large Power Boats 23 feet and over; Medium Power Boats 18 – 22 feet and under; Small Power Boats 17 feet and under; Large Sailboats 26 feet and over; and Small Sailboats 25 feet and under.

For a map of the parade route, please click here.

Harbor Lights Festival
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Corpus Christi, Texas
2 pm to 9 pm

25th year anniversary of the Harbor Lights Festival with a Children’s Parade, Santa’s Motorcade, Laser Light Show, Illuminated Boat Parade and a Fireworks Display held on the Corpus Christi Bayfront Marina. Food, Family Activities, Arts and Crafts. Free to the public. This event is held between Lawrence Street T-Head and Peoples Street T-Head.

Saturday, December 2, 2006
Christmas in Rockport-Fulton
Rockport, Texas

Tropical Christmas Celebration Night Land Parade, Lighted Boat Parade, Lighting of the Children’s Tree.

Saturday, December 9, 2006
Annual Carolers-A-float & Boat Lighting Contest and Parade
Port Aransas, Texas

Port Aransas residents and visitors will be able to enjoy Christmas caroling, a lighted boat parade and a visit by Santa Claus on Saturday, December 9th. Activities begin at dusk in Robert’s Point Park Pavilion at the City Harbor. Refreshments will be served immediately after the carolers return.

Saturday, December 9, 2006
Caroling at the Mansion
Fulton Mansion on Fulton Beach Rd.
Rockport, Texas

Celebrate the Christmas spirit and sing along with a medley of Christmas carols by candlelight on the front steps of the Fulton Mansion.

Thursday, December 14, 2006
Caroling at Fulton Pier
Fulton Fishing Pier, Fulton Harbor Park, Fulton Beach Road
Rockport, Texas

Come join the 2nd Annual Caroling at Fulton Pier from 6-730 p.m. Santa arrives at 615 p.m. Santa will give away cookies, hot chocolate and stocking stuffers. Complimentary chili dog supper with chips and lemonade. Hay rides for all ages. Remember to bring your fishing pole!

Tags: Christmas in Texas, Texas Christmas, Christmas on the Texas Coast, Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Rockport-Fulton, Port Isabel, Christmas boat parade

Jefferson, Texas-Treat the family to a journey through time on an unforgettable ride on an old-fashioned steam train. Departing at twilight, passengers will be awed by five miles of twinkling lights as the history of the Christmas tree unfolds on the Rail of Lights Christmas Train. Glide along Big Cypress Bayou on a riverboat. Hear tales of legend and lore of Jefferson’s colorful and storied past when once a thriving riverport in the 1800s.

Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana- Most downtown buildings in both cities are illuminated with millions of sparkling lights. Visit the historic churches decorated with lights and scenes in the Highland-Fairfield District. Or take a short drive to explore the quaint small towns of Caddo and Bossier Parishes.

Natchitoches, Louisiana- Experience the charm of the original French colony in Louisiana during the Festival of Lights and Christmas Festival, one of the oldest community-based holiday celebrations. This annual event draws in excess of 100,000 visitors each year for the parade, live entertainment, food fair, arts and crafts show and a spectacular fireworks show over the scenic Cane River Lake.

Marshall, Texas- see post on Wonderland of Lights.

The Holiday Trail of Lights offers miles and miles of holiday cheer. Within a one-hour drive of each other, these communities are are connected by a short drive on Interstate highways. Southern hospitality sparkles in the six cities as you follow the Holiday Trail. With millions of lights, fireworks, live entertainment, Christmas musicals and parades, this is a spectacular event.

Tags: Christmas in Texas, Texas Christmas, Holiday Trail of Lights of Lights Celebration, Marshall, Texas, Kilgore, Texas, Jefferson, Texas, Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana, Natchitoches, Louisiana