Tag: christmas

Holiday Happenings

Christmas in Brenham & Washington County

Experience the magic of a small-town Christmas in Brenham and Washington County! Historic downtowns dressed in holiday lights, festive events, unique local shops, and beloved Christmas traditions make this a wonderful place to celebrate the season and make special memories. Gather your family and friends and discover all the holiday happenings in Brenham, Burton, Chappell Hill, Independence, and Washington, Texas.

Families walk together in the Christmas Teddy Bear Parade in Chappell Hill, Texas
Teddy Bear Parade in Chappell Hill, Texas

Downtown Brenham’s Cocoa Crawl – Nov. 28

The historic Moody-Wheeler Building in downtown Brenham, a two-story cream-colored structure with arched windows and detailed cornices, built in 1885. A large holiday wreath with a red bow hangs from a streetlamp in front of the building, and three women walk along the sidewalk below. The mural on the lower wall depicts vintage storefront scenes, and an American flag waves from the roof against a partly cloudy sky.
Moody-Wheeler Building, Downtown Brenham

Shop small in beautiful Downtown Brenham on Friday, November 28. Taste hot cocoa variations while you shop at your favorite boutiques!

A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play – Dec. 3-20

Unity Theatre presents A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play a radio play drama adapted by Joe Landry playing on the Main Stage December 3 – 20, 2026. Step into the golden age of radio and celebrate the season with a fresh take on a timeless classic! Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol comes alive as a live 1940s radio play, complete with swinging music and delightfully quirky studio sound effects.

Jingle Bell Market – Dec. 4

The historic Ant Street Inn in Downtown Brenham is decked with Christmas lights with a colorful sunset in the background

The historic Ant Street Inn in Downtown Brenham hosts the annual Jingle Bell Market on Friday, December 4, 10 am – 6 pm.  Explore a wide selection of vendors in one space for your holiday shopping.

The Downtown Brenham Lighted Parade – Dec. 5

A nighttime Christmas parade in downtown Brenham, with streets lined by crowds watching illuminated floats and vehicles decorated with holiday lights. A group at the front carries a banner reading “Ocean Treasures,” followed by a truck pulling a festive float with a lit Christmas tree. Historic buildings trimmed with glowing lights frame the scene, and the festive atmosphere fills the street with color and excitement.
Christmas Stroll & Lighted Parade, Downtown Brenham

Downtown Brenham looks like a Christmas movie set with the holiday magic of the annual lighted parade. The lighted parade at 6:00pm on Saturday, Dec. 5, is the highlight of the festivities, but the weekend also includes the First Friday Farmer & Artisan Market;  Breakfast with Santa at The Barnhill Center; Jingle Bell Market at Ant Street Inn, and more. For a complete schedule of the weekend festivities, click here.

A festive indoor holiday scene where two young children sit on Santa’s lap for a photo. They are dressed in matching Christmas pajamas, smiling under bright lights. Behind them, a black curtain is decorated with white paper snowflakes and red-and-green garlands. A white Christmas tree with presents underneath stands beside them, while a couple stands nearby taking photos on a smartphone. The room glows warmly with chandeliers and holiday cheer.

Cold Nights, Holiday Tunes – Dec. 11

A band in Christmas attire plays in the "Cold Nights, Holiday Tunes" free outdoor concert in Downtown Brenham

Get ready to jingle and jangle this holiday season with “The Spicolis“! Our FREE outdoor concert begins at 7 pm.
Bring your chairs and join us for a night of music and merriment in the Commerce St Parking Lot (E).

“Home for the Holidays” Christmas Stroll – Dec. 12

A multi-generational family poses in a Christmas sled in front of a Texas flag in Alamo Alley, Downtown Brenham, Texas

On Saturday, 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏𝟏𝐚𝐦-𝟔𝐩𝐦, join 30+ Downtown Brenham businesses for a special holiday experience. Enjoy mouth-watering samples of treats and drinks, take advantage of special discounts, and check off some holiday shopping from your list.

The Christmas Experience at Milk & Honey Ranch – Dec. 11-13

Join the fun December 5-7, 5-9pm at Milk & Honey Ranch with a Christmas market, Christmas concert, petting zoo, live nativity scene, bounce house, caroling and more fun for the entire family.

Burton Christmas Market – Dec. 12

Exterior photo of The Nesting Company retail shop in Burton, Texas, dressed with Christmas garlands and wreaths

Spend a fun-filled afternoon, Saturday, December 12, 12-4 pm strolling the tiny, charming town of Burton. Enjoy the holiday spirit all around Burton with shopping, kids activities/crafts, and pictures with Santa.

A small Historical Home with a white picket fence in Chappell Hill, Texas, decorated with red ribbons for Christmas

Saturday, December 1210, is the perfect day to visit Chappell Hill. Festivities begin with the Christmas Home Tour by the Chappell Hill Garden Club from 10 am – 5 pm.

Chappell Hill Teddy Bear Parade – Dec. 12

Families and children participate in the Teddy Bear Parade in downtown Chappell Hill, walking down the street near Bevers Ice House. Mrs. Claus leads the way, smiling beside kids carrying large teddy bears and stuffed animals. Spectators line the sidewalks, some taking photos, while storefronts decorated with wreaths and garlands create a cheerful small-town holiday scene.
Teddy Bear Parade, Downtown Chappell Hill

Continue your Saturday in downtown Chappell Hill with the kids for the annual Teddy Bear Parade, Saturday, December 12, 3:30-5:00 pm. Lots of fun activities for the children. Sit and talk to Santa, and bring your Teddy Bear for the parade!

Celtic Angels Christmas at The Barnhill Center – Dec. 12

Traditional holiday and Celtic music performed by gorgeous vocalists, accompanied by a full band and world-class champion Irish dancers at The Barnhill Center’s historic Simon Theatre. Numerous costume changes, spine-tingling harmonies, and jaw-dropping choreography all contribute to this joyous celebration that captivates all ages with the magic of the season. Saturday, December 12, 7:00-9:00 pm. Purchase tickets here.

Christmas at the Museum – Dec. 19

Visit Star of the Republic Museum and explore the traditions of 1840s and 1850s Texas through hands-on period crafts, Saturday, December 19, 10 am – 4 pm. Included with General Admission to Washington-on-the-Brazos SHS. Admission must be purchased at the Visitor Center.

Christmas Events at Antique Rose Emporium

The Antique Rose Emporium in Independence is hosting Christmas events throughout December.

Photos with Santa

Santa Claus stands smiling in a festive outdoor walkway in downtown Brenham, dressed in his traditional red velvet suit with white fur trim and a gold belt buckle. String lights hang overhead, greenery wraps around a nearby lamp post, and trimmed hedges and brick buildings create a charming small-town holiday backdrop.
Alamo Alley, Downtown Brenham

Several retailers offer portrait sessions with Santa. Appointments with Brenham Portrait Gallery are offered on several days each week at Hermann Furniture throughout November and December. Other businesses including Blue Bell, Puppy Dawgs and Cat Tails, Silver Wings Ballroom, Antique Rose Emporium and South Texas Tack also offer Santa photo ops on select dates.

Live Nativities

Celebrate the reason for the season with one of the area’s live nativities. Bethlehem in Independence live nativity is December 12-13, 6-8 pm, at the Independence School House. The Greatest Gift Live Nativity by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is December 4-5, 6-9 pm, at 1400 Niebuhr Street, Brenham. There will also be a live nativity scene at The Christmas Experience at Milk & Honey Ranch, December 11-13, 5-9 pm.

Be sure to check our event calendar for a complete list of everything happening in Washington County!