Jingle All the Way to These Holiday Events

Make the most of this holiday season with fun activities for the whole family! There’s plenty to do in Bryan this year, including longtime favorites and fresh experiences.

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

Santa Mailboxes

Friday, Nov. 21 – Thursday, Dec. 11
Three locations around town
Participation: Free

Drop off your wish list for Santa at one of three red Santa Mailboxes, appearing around town through the magic of holiday spirit. Letters dropped off by Dec. 11 will get a special response from Santa, as long as a return address is included. Mailbox locations: Carnegie History Center, Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History and POV Coffee House.

group of ballerinas in costume dancing The Nutcracker performance.

Ballet Brazos Nutcracker Storytime

Friday, Nov. 21 | 4 p.m.
Clara B. Mounce Public Library
Admission: Free tickets given out 30 minutes before performance

The timeless classic “The Nutcracker” comes to Clara B. Mounce Library, as Ballet Brazos presents a shortened version perfect for young children. Limited seating is available, with free tickets given out 30 minutes before the performance on a first-come, first-served basis.

Learn More About Nutcracker Storytime

brightly lit tree against a dark night sky filled with stars.

Lights On!

Friday, Nov. 21 | 5 – 10 p.m.
Historic Downtown Bryan
Admission: Free

Kick off the holiday season at Lights On! The annual favorite is bigger and better this year, with the City of Bryan investing in new lights and decorations to set up around Downtown. The official countdown to light the Sale Park Christmas tree and illuminate Downtown begins at 5:40 p.m., followed by live music, face painting, bounce houses, holiday food, an appearance by Santa and more.

Learn More About Lights On!

Reindeer on the Run

Reindeer on the Run

Monday, Dec. 1 – Sunday, Dec. 14
Various Parks and City Facilities
Participation: Free

Oh no! Santa’s reindeer have escaped the North Pole and decided to hide in Bryan, Texas. Help us get them home by searching the city using clues from Santa’s elves. Find all nine reindeer by Dec. 14 and 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. 4 | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Sue Haswell Memorial Park
Admission: Free

Holiday Magic is back for its 27th year to provide more free holiday cheer for our community. Park at Blinn College and take free shuttles to the park for photos with Santa and holiday characters, hot chocolate and cookies, snow hills, train rides, a holiday scavenger hunt, a showing of the Polar Express and much more.

Learn More About Holiday Magic

People walking through booths at First Friday with Christmas lights placed throughout downtown.

December First Friday

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

First Friday is always a great time, and it gets even better around the holidays! Christmas lights will be on around Downtown and many shops will be open for buying presents. Plus, enjoy the live music, art, vendors and dining options you know and love at every First Friday.

Learn More About First Friday

Family with children posing for a photo with Santa Claus.

Winter Wonderland at Travis Fields

Saturday, Dec. 6 | Noon – 3 p.m.
Travis Fields
Admission: Free

Back for a fourth year, Winter Wonderland is a great way to celebrate the season. Meet Santa, play holiday games, visit the petting zoo, ride the holiday train, stroll through a local vendor market and more. The Marine Corps League will also host a toy drive giveaway.

Learn More About Winter Wonderland

Holiday Porch Stroll logo over a collage of pretty houses.

Holiday Porch Stroll

Sunday, Dec. 7 | 4 – 7 p.m.
East Side Historic District
Participation: Free

Walk through history with a self-guided tour of one of Bryan’s oldest neighborhoods. Pick up a free guide and map at Heritage Park, then explore the charm of the East Side Historic District and view historic home exteriors decorated for the season.

Learn More About Holiday Porch Stroll

Senior Social graphic with pretty Christmas ornaments.

Senior Social: Holiday Craft Day

Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 1 – 3 p.m.
Neal Recreation Center
Admission: $5 at the door

Ages 55+ are invited to make ornaments and snow globes, while enjoying festive music and refreshments.

Learn More About Senior Social

Cartoon reindeer with the words Reindeer Hot Cocoa Jars Adult Craft.

Adult Craft: Reindeer Hot Cocoa Jars

Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 5:30 p.m.
Clara B. Mounce Public Library
Admission: Free

The BCS Library’s monthly adult craft event is a sweet one in December. Ages 18 and up can decorate jars as reindeer and fill them with hot cocoa ingredients. Registration is required, starting Nov. 19.

Learn More About Adult Craft

People in costume wave from a float during the Christmas parade.

Downtown Bryan Holiday Stroll & Lighted Parade

Thursday, Dec. 11 | 5 p.m.: Holiday Stroll; 7 p.m.: Lighted Parade
Historic Downtown Bryan
Admission: Free

Enjoy a magical experience on one of the most special nights of the year in Downtown. The stroll begins at 5 p.m. and the parade starts at 7 p.m., with floats, vehicles, fire engines and more parading down Bryan Avenue and Main Street. This year’s theme is “Rockin’ Around Downtown,” so expect floats to feature live music performances, carolers and more.

Learn More About the Parade

Legends Event Center Merry and Bright Marketplace.

Merry & Bright Marketplace at Legends Event Center

Saturday, Dec. 13 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Legends Event Center
Admission: $5, or $3 with a donated canned food item. Children 11 and under are free.

It’s a holiday shopping extravaganza! More than 80 local artisans, makers and crafters will fill the floor of Legends Event Center with unique gifts, festive décor and holiday treats. Sip seasonal drinks and cocktails while looking for the perfect present, and meet Santa (he’s everywhere this year!).

Learn More About Merry & Bright Marketplace

line of gravestones with holiday wreaths resting on each.

Wreaths Across America

Saturday, Dec. 13 | Noon
Bryan City Cemetery & Oakwood Cemetery
Participation: 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. 1.

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. 13 | Noon – 5 p.m.
Walmart on Briarcrest Drive
All proceeds benefit The Salvation Army Bryan/College Station

Help Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez remain undefeated against College Station Mayor John Nichols in The Salvation Army’s annual Mayor Ring-Off. Visit the Walmart on Briarcrest or donate online through our Virtual Red Kettle, which is live now.

Learn More About the Mayor Ring-Off

Maroon & White Night sponsored by St. Joseph Healht

Maroon & White Night

Friday, Dec. 19 | 6 – 10 p.m.
Historic Downtown Bryan
Participation: Free

Finish your Christmas shopping at a festive edition of Maroon & White Night. Texas A&M faculty and staff can enjoy special time with friends and colleagues and find holiday-themed cocktails.

Learn More About Maroon & White Night


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