A week or two back I got an email from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. It started out like this:
Looking for something different to do with family and friends this holiday season? Consider a road trip to discover the beauty and solitude of Big Bend Ranch State Park. Or, you can opt for the creature comforts of home with a stay at one of three featured state parks with cabins, or a yurt at Abilene State Park. Holiday events are offered at many state parks including Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site. Pull out your planning calendar and get ready for this holiday issue of the State Parks Getaways E-Newsletter!
Some of this I knew about, some I didn’t. For example, I’ve known about the three cabins on the rim at Palo Duro Canyon State Park for some time, but it was the first I’d heard of the annual tree lighting at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historical Site.
This got me to thinking about annual holiday events close to Dallas and Fort Worth. It’s nice to get away for a day to have some fun and relax. Many communities in this part of Texas have annual festivities to celebrate Christmas and the holiday season. Sometimes the celebration is centered around the history or cultural heritage of the community, and you have an opportunity to learn something while also having fun.
What follows in a list of several locations and events I’m aware of. Some of them I’ve attended in the past, others are future projects. Presented in no particular order. If you have a favorite holiday road trip destination near the DFW area, please share it with us by posting a comment. Thank you, and have a wonderful and safe holiday season.
Granbury Texas is a popular destination in this area. This time of the year, the historic town square is beautifully decorated. Granbury has an annual Candlelight Tour of Homes. They have historic homes, decorated for the holiday season, that open their doors to the public for the Candlelight Tour, and they also offer entertainment and re-enactments on-site. The homes on the tour change each year, but expect to see the inside of a few grand historic homes and possibly the courthouse and other historic properties around town. Combine this with live entertainment and great dining options and your bound to find something you like.
Denton Texas has the Denton Holiday Lighting Festival on the Thursday following Thanksgiving. From the event web site:
Come capture the true spirit of a small-town holiday celebration! The 21st Annual Holiday Lighting Festival on Denton’s downtown square kicks off with a sing-along and the lighting of the community Christmas tree. Twinkling lights, choirs, bell-ringers, dancers and the aroma of spicy hot cider will transport the child in you to memories of Christmas past. Take a spin in a horse-drawn wagon, have your child’s photo taken with Santa, or participate in interactive arts and crafts activities that will forge memories for the entire family. Vote for your favorite cider as downtown businesses compete in the annual Wassail Fest.
I’m sure this event, dating back to 1988, is grand fun. It’s always in the middle of the week though. The historic town square and the courthouse are finely decorated, and there’s plenty of holiday cheer on other days of the week for those of us who can’t make it on Thursday. I’ve talked about the Courthouse-On-The-Square Museum and the Historical Park of Denton County elsewhere on this site. The decorations are great. Try to include some time after dark in your trip plan.
Clifton Texas, the Norwegian Capital of Texas has the Norwegian Country Christmas, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the first Friday in December, and the annual Norwegian County Christmas Tour on the first Saturday in December from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Norwegian culture and local history on display.
From the Clifton Chamber of Commerce web site:
Heritage Village at The Armory in Clifton City Park will offer a number of artisan demonstrators, arts and crafts, as well as Norwegian and German homemade sweets, treats, and German sausage. The Bosque Memorial Museum’s exquisite collection is highlighted by special displays and the nationally acclaimed “Horn Shelter” display. The annual Gallery of Trees will be set up at the Bosque Conservatory featuring an array holiday trees and decorations, and a wide variety of other displays.
A stop on the tour will be at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church at Norse. Local story tellers at the church will answer visitor’s questions about the early history of the Norwegian settlement in Bosque County. The next stop on the tour is at the Old Rock Church outside Cranfills Gap where various entertainers will be performing throughout the day. The early history of the settlers can be seen in the regal church sitting on the hill with no modern luxuries such as electricity or air conditioning. Heating of the church is still done with the large wood stove that stands in the corner of the church.
Texas artist, George Boutwell, has a studio in Clifton Texas.
Sundance Square in Downtown Fort Worth has plenty going on this time of the year. Annual events, live music, theater — plenty of entertainment options. The Christmas tree is huge, holiday decorations splendid, street scene festive. This historic district in Downtown Fort Worth has plenty of old architecture and an amazing range of shopping and entertainment options. Maybe dinner and a romantic carriage ride through the holiday-decorated streets of Sundance Square is your idea of a good time.
Tell me about your favorite holiday road trip.
Sam
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