The Texas Hill Country is one of the fastest-growing areas of the country thanks to its amazing natural beauty, temperate climate, and tremendous value for families of all sizes. The Texas Hill Country is also one of the best places in the country to enjoy the holiday season. This year, whether you’re just settling into your new home in New Braunfels or visiting the area for any reason, check out some of the local events and traditions that make the Texas Hill Country so special during the most wonderful time of the year.
While snow may be scarce in Texas, you can still enjoy all the comforts of the cooler months in the Texas Hill Country. Whether you’re sitting on your back porch to enjoy the autumn sunset and cool air or warming by the campfire for a rustic night of relaxation under the stars, the Texas Hill Country is a magical place during the holidays.
Texas Hill Country winters are generally mild, making this an ideal location for those who want to avoid the bitter cold and piles of snow that the northern states experience. This year, take time to check out the local traditions in New Braunfels and the surrounding areas to take full advantage of the holiday season’s festivities in the Texas Hill Country.
Kids of all ages are sure to enjoy Santa’s Ranch, a stunning mile-long stretch of Christmas lights and holiday displays on Interstate 35 in New Braunfels. Enjoy freshly popped kettle corn and warm hot cocoa as you and your family take in the sights. This display opens every night starting on November 8 and continues until January 4. Santa’s Ranch is a treasured family tradition in the Texas Hill Country and one of the biggest Christmas light displays in the region.
Another local favorite for holiday light displays is the Annual Johnson City Light Spectacular. This year, the event will run from November 29 until January 5, complete with fireworks and carriage rides. The best part is this event is family and pet-friendly, and completely free. Take your time and enjoy the spectacle and visit some local businesses to show your appreciation to the community for this amazing holiday celebration.
Looking for a new take on a holiday meal this year? The Blair House Inn hosts an annual Thanksgiving Feast that can help save you and your family the stress of cooking a massive Thanksgiving Day meal in a spacious and luxurious dining hall. The Blair House Inn is a local favorite for spa days, cooking classes, and catered events, so consider adding a Holiday Feast to your plans this November.
If you prefer a home-cooked meal for Thanksgiving, you probably won’t want to step foot in your kitchen for at least a few days following your Thanksgiving feast. Luckily, Texas is home to some of the best barbecue in the world, and you’re sure to find plenty of great places to go out to eat between Austin and San Antonio.
The residents of Comal County are well-known for their generosity and welcoming nature. Are you and your family looking for a way to spread the holiday spirit and help those less fortunate this year? Operation Turkey is an annual event in Austin each year that brings holiday meals to the homeless and less fortunate throughout the Texas Hill Country. You can check out the Operation Turkey website to find out how you and your family can get involved and help this amazing cause.
Every Thanksgiving, the Comal Cops for Kids Foundation hosts an annual Turkey Trot event to raise money for local charities. Spend the morning of Thanksgiving Day on a 5k run or walk through the Historic District of Gruene. You don’t need to feel guilty about overindulging in your dinner that evening after burning all those calories for a great cause!
No matter how large your family is or what your usual holiday plans entail, the New Braunfels area of the Texas Hill Country is a fantastic place to enjoy the holiday season.
For more information, visit Vintage Oaks. Vintage Oaks is a 3,900-acre masterplanned community featuring Texas land for sale from one to 14 acres priced from the $90s and a variety of custom and semi-custom homes, and is the fastest-growing community in the San Antonio area for five consecutive years.
Owners enjoy amenities including three pools, a lazy river, children’s playgrounds, five miles of nature trails, tennis and basketball courts, sporting fields, and the stunning Tuscan clubhouse. The year-round calendar of events and activities for all ages also includes the Summer Concert Series in Timber Ridge Park, dining out groups, Bunco groups, swim-in movies, yoga classes, Wine Night and more.
The new Fitness Club at Vintage Oaks gives owners a world-class facility right in the community, with 7,800 square feet of space including: large indoor/outdoor classrooms; a lap and fitness pool; Precor cardio and Life Fitness weight equipment; a hot tub; locker rooms; and more than 100 group exercise classes per month including yoga, water aerobics, and boot camps.
To learn more about the newest Hill Country land release, download the interactive map below.