Seasons Greetings! The holiday season is in full swing here in New Braunfels! Like our famous fall festival, WurstFest, New Braunfels is also famous for the plethora of holiday activities you can take part in throughout the month of December. To help you make your schedule, we’ve made a list of some of our favorite holiday activities to do here in New Braunfels. We hope you get the chance to attend some of these great local events with your friends and family.
Santa’s Ranch Light Exhibition
Runs daily at sundown from November 1, 2025 - January 3, 2025
Bring your friends and family and enjoy one of the best holiday light exhibitions in the state! You’ll take a drive through over a mile of winding country roads while taking in 3 million beautiful lights, animated Christmas displays, and enjoying homemade hot chocolate, kettle corn, and more.
Wassailfest
December 4, 2025, 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Drink hot cider and walk through Christmas lights At Wassailfest in Downtown New Braunfels!
On December 4th streets will be lined with Christmas decorations, lights, music and a fun-filled atmosphere where people of all ages fill the downtown area to celebrate Wassailfest. Sip your wassail and check out the food vendors, shopping specials and extended hours at downtown businesses, and a variety of entertainment and activities.
Christmas at the Caverns
Starts December 6, 2025, runs through December 23, 2025, various days and times
Natural Bridge Caverns celebrates Christmas unlike anywhere else in the world! Nestled in the scenic Texas Hill Country, they kick their holiday festivities up a notch. Hear your favorite carols echo throughout Texas’ largest underground cavern. Visit with Santa, hear stories from Mrs. Claus, and then round up his reindeer in our 5000 sq. ft. outdoor maze. As the sun sets behind the 30-foot tall Christmas tree, take a stroll through the extended trail of lights, and let your little ones enjoy the synthetic ice-skating rink. Don’t forget to roast s’mores, enjoy music, and shop for your holiday gifts!
Gruene Town Lighting
December 6, 2025, 5:00pm
Head over to Gruene, TX for their Christmas festivities. After the Annual Gruene Pony Express Ride that morning, close out the day with a brass band street performance at 5pm followed by the annual town lighting at 6pm when Cowboy Kringle rides into town on horseback and hands out candy canes to the kids. Free admission.
Live Holiday Performances
Various Days and Times
Performance venues all around New Braunfels will be putting on holiday-themed shows throughout December. Here are a few of our favorite venues and their schedules.
New Braunfels Performing Arts
A Charlie Brown Christmas
December 6, 2025 - December 7, 2025, Various Times
A Seussified Christmas Carol
December 12, 2025 - December 14, 2025, Various Times
Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre
The Grand Ol’ Christmas Show
December 3, 2025, 7:30pm
Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas
December 5, 2025, 7:30pm
An Olde English Christmas
December 6, 2025, 7:30pm
The Issacs Christmas
December 12, 2025, 7:30pm
Ballet Texas Presents “The Nutcracker”
December 18, 2025 - December 21, 2025, Various Times
Holiday Markets
Need to do a little shopping? Shop local at these events full of local vendors, handmade goods, and festive entertainment.
Gruene Market Days
December 6, 2025 - December 7, 2025
NBCS Christmas Market
December 11, 2025, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Frieheit Santa Market
December 13, 2025, 11:00am - 4:00pm
4th Annual Grinch Market at Frieheit Country Store
December 14, 2025, 11:00am - 4:00pm
We hope you found this list of holiday activities in New Braunfels helpful! The holiday season is the time to make magical memories with your friends and family and to explore the wonderful little town we call home. From all of us at Smile New Braunfels, Have a Happy Holiday!
