Skip to main content

City of Bryan, Texas

MORE
INFO  ›

x

facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon flickr icon youtube icon NextDoor icon
November 1, 2024

Holiday Cheer Starts Here!

It’s time to deck the halls and plan your holiday season in Bryan! We’ve gathered a list of holiday festivities to add to your calendar.

sparkle burst illustration

Red mailbox decorated with holiday motifs with text "Santa Mail"

Santa Mailboxes

Now – Dec. 15
Various locations around town
Participation: Free

Ready to share your wish list with Santa? Drop your letter in one of the red Santa Mailboxes! Letters dropped off by Dec. 15 will get a written response from Santa. Don’t forget to include a return address!

Mailboxes are located at POV Coffee House at Lake Walk, the Carnegie History Center in Historic Downtown Bryan, and the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History.

brightly lit tree against a dark night sky filled with stars

Lights On!

Friday, Nov. 22 | 5 – 10 p.m.
Historic Downtown Bryan
Admission: Free

At 6:30 p.m., join the countdown to illuminating the Sale Park Christmas tree and Historic Downtown Bryan. You’ll also get to enjoy photo backdrop stations, train rides, live entertainment, bounce houses, free hot chocolate, a special appearance by Santa Claus, and other holiday-themed activities hosted by local businesses.

Learn More About Lights On!

Legends Event Center Merry and Bright Marketplace

Merry & Bright Marketplace

Saturday, Nov. 23 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Legends Event Center
Admission: $5

Searching for unique, locally-crafted gifts? Stop by Legends Event Center as it transforms into a holiday shopping extravaganza where you’re sure to find something special for everyone on your list. Bonus: there will be seasonal cocktails to enjoy while you support local, small businesses.

Learn More About Merry & Bright Marketplace

Storyteller presenting a table filled with holiday items

Holidays Around the World

Monday, Nov. 25
10:30 a.m. | Clara B. Mounce Library
3:30 p.m. | Larry J. Ringer Library
Admission: Free, tickets required

Kick off your holiday season with storyteller Elizabeth Kahura presenting Holidays Around the World, hosted by the Bryan + College Station Public Library System. The performance highlights Thanksgiving, Christmas, Las Posadas, Kwanzaa, and Diwali through pictures, storytelling, poetry, music, and dance. Free tickets will be available at the door 30 minutes before each performance on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is limited.

Learn More About Holidays Around the World

Reindeer on the Run

Reindeer on the Run

Friday, Nov. 29 – Friday, Dec. 13
Various Parks and Recreation facilities
Admission: Free

Oh deer! Santa’s reindeer have escaped from the North Pole and are hiding out in Bryan. We need your help to find and return them to Santa before Christmas Eve! All you have to do is follow the clues to locate all nine reindeer and then you’ll be entered into a prize drawing.

Learn More About Reindeer on the Run

Holiday Magic glowing sign with a gingerbread man standing next to it

Holiday Magic

Thursday, Dec. 5 | 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Sue Haswell Memorial Park
Admission: Free

Returning for its 26th year, Holiday Magic offers snow hills, holiday music by Bryan ISD choirs, inflatables, train rides, face painting, cookies, hot chocolate, letter to Santa, a character scavenger hunt and a special showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. Park at Blinn College and take the complimentary shuttle service for a hassle-free evening of festive fun.

Learn More About Holiday Magic

Family with children posing for a photo with Santa Claus

Winter Wonderland

Saturday, Dec. 7 | Noon – 3 p.m.
Travis Fields, Travis Bryan Midtown Park
Admission: Free

Presented by the George H.W. Bush Library and Museum, the whole family is invited to enjoy holiday games, a petting zoo, a vendor market, a toy drive by The Marine Corps League, and a chance to meet Santa and other favorite holiday characters.

Learn More About Winter Wonderland

Holiday Night Bazaar at Lake Walk

Holiday Night Bazaar

Saturday, Dec. 7 | 6 – 10 p.m.
Lake Walk
Admission: Free

Need to cross some Christmas shopping off your list? Shop with over 50 artisans, farmers, producers, and crafters from the Brazos Valley. Enjoy live music and Christmas lights around Lake Walk while you shop, and check out the grand opening of North Star Lounge at Hershels inside The Stella Hotel.

Learn More About Holiday Night Bazaar

holiday cookies decorated with icing and sprinkles

Senior Social: Holiday Cookie Decorating (ages 55+)

Tuesday, Dec. 10 | 3 – 5 p.m.
Legends Event Center
Admission: $20 per person, registration required

Celebrate the season with a holiday cookie decorating social for adults 55 and older. Candace’s Cookie Shoppe will show you how to turn plain cookies into festive masterpieces while you mingle and have fun! The cost is $20 per person to cover supplies. Registration is required by Monday, Dec. 9.

Learn More About Senior Social

Ballet dancers performing for a group of children

Ballet Brazos Nutcracker Storytime

Thursday, Dec. 12 | 5 p.m. | Clara B. Mounce Library
Sunday, Dec. 15 | 2 & 3 p.m. | Larry J. Ringer Library
Admission: Free, tickets required

Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Bryan + College Station Public Library System as Ballet Brazos dancers bring “The Nutcracker” to life, narrated by a librarian. Free tickets will be available at the door 30 minutes before each performance, on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is limited.

Learn More About Nutcracker Storytime

Smiling family sitting on a holiday float surrounded by lights and decorations

Downtown Holiday Stroll & Lighted Parade

Thursday, Dec. 12 | 5 – 9 p.m. (Parade starts at 7 p.m.)
Historic Downtown Bryan
Admission: Free

The season wouldn’t be complete without Destination Bryan’s annual Downtown Holiday Stroll & Lighted Parade. Stroll through Historic Downtown Bryan to shop, eat, drink, and partake in holiday-themed activities. At 7 p.m., be dazzled by floats, fire engines and vehicles festively decorated for the only lighted parade in Bryan-College Station.

Learn More About the Parade

line of gravestones with holiday wreaths resting on each

Wreaths Across America

Saturday, Dec. 14 | 11 a.m.
Bryan City Cemetery & Oakwood Cemetery
Admission: Free

Honor military veterans this holiday season by volunteering with Wreaths Across America to place wreaths on graves at Bryan City Cemetery and Oakwood Cemetery.

The balsam fir wreaths symbolize the eight services: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Space Force, and POW/MIA.

Interested in sponsoring a wreath? Each wreath costs $17, and the deadline is Dec. 2.

Learn More About Wreaths Across America

Mayor Bobby Gutierrez ringing a bell in front of a Salvation Army donation stand

Mayor Ring-Off

Saturday, Dec. 14 | Noon – 5 p.m.
All proceeds benefit The Salvation Army Bryan/College Station.

Mayor Bobby Gutierrez will face off against College Station Mayor John Nichols in the Salvation Army’s annual Mayor Ring-Off on Saturday, Dec. 14 from noon to 5 p.m.

You can also give now through Dec. 14 online through our Virtual Red Kettle.

Learn More About the Mayor Ring-Off


Looking for more festive events and shopping? Check out Destination Bryan’s Holiday Guide.

sparkle burst illustration

 
Share This:   share on facebookTweet This!
 
Posted in: Articles