Christmas in the Parks 2021

1 Christmas in the Parks 2021. Christmas is a great time to get out and visit a Texas state park or historic site. Whether it's a festive event with family and friends, a nature walk on a crisp evening, or re-living Christmases past in a historic home there's something for just about everyone this time of year. Before attending any event, please check with the park to confirm applicable fees, availability, and to ensure the event is still taking place. Events marked with a are taking place at a site managed by the Texas Historical Commission. Visit for the most up-to-date information on State Park holiday events and promotions. To find information about state Parks , visit or call (512) 389-8900. Visit to learn more about THC Historic Sites and events. GOLIAD SP. 2021. EVENTS. Eisenhower Sam Bell Lake Arrowhead Maxey House Bonham Ray Roberts Atlanta Cooper Lake Fort Richardson Lake Bob Sandlin Lake Lake Mineral Daingerfield Wells Lake Cedar Hill Starr Caddo Tawakoni Lake Abilene Tyler Martin Franklin Mountains Big Spring Creek Hueco Tanks Lake Lake Ft.

2 Parker San Angelo Whitney Magoffin Home Colorado Mother Neff Bend Fort McKavett Enchanted Inks Lake Rock Fanthorp Inn Huntsville Pedernales South Llano River Falls Bastrop Barrington Village LBJ Plantation Sheldon Creek & Buescher Lake Guadalupe River Kreische Lockhart Brewery &. Stephen F. Austin Sea Rim Monument Hill Country Hill Brazos Galveston Bend Island Goliad Lake Corpus Christi Goose Island Falcon Bentsen-RGV. Estero Llano Grande Wishing You a Safe and Healthy Holiday The health of our visitors is of the utmost importance. Social distancing and wearing a mask when inside buildings or when gathered with others is encouraged. Local and statewide limitations and restrictions may apply, these can change rapidly and may force an event to cancel or be modified. Please call the park directly or check social media for updates before departing for your visit. can enjoy a free drive through the festivities of the season to the decorated park and will life with musket-fire, stories, get the chance to see Santa, dancing, and more.

3 Mrs. Claus, the Grinch and (936) 873-2633. Smokey Bear. Visitors are asked to bring a donation of canned Bastrop and Buescher good foods for the local food State Parks pantry! (903) 796-6476. Turkey Trot Sunrise Hike ABILENE SP. Barrington Plantation (Buescher). Abilene State Park State Historic Site Nov. 25 7 8 Fa La La in the Forest Candlelight Christmas Start off Thanksgiving on the right turkey leg with a beautiful Dec. 11 6 9 Dec. 10-11 4:30 8 and relaxing sunrise hike! This Campers are encouraged to Walk candlelit paths at Barrington ranger-led hike will start and adorn their campsites, screen Plantation and experience a end at the Scenic Overlook and shelters, or yurts with lights and Texas Christmas in the decade is guaranteed to help you burn decorations. The public is invited before the Civil War. Discover some calories before the big to take a free drive-through tour the origins of some of our meal! (512) 718-0211. the park to see the decorated favorite holiday traditions as sites.

4 A $5 cash donation to the costumed interpreters bring Gobble Till You Wobble Friends of Abilene State Park is Backcountry Hike (Bastrop). appreciated. (325) 572-3204. Nov. 26 11 2 #Optoutside on Black Friday Atlanta State Park and take a ranger-led hike Christmas in the Park through areas of the park not often seen by the public! Bring Dec. 17-18 6 9 your Thanksgiving leftovers Campsites will be decorated to because we will be stopping bring Christmas cheer. Visitors halfway through for a picnic by BARRINGTON PLANTATION SHS. 1. the creek! Let's burn off some sure to look towards the state calories from your Thanksgiving park's 200-foot limestone bluffs feast and have fun exploring that overlook the city. Each night the beautiful backcountry of the you'll notice beautiful lighted Lost Pines! (512) 718-0211 metal poinsettias, just a small part of the Big Spring Commu- Fa La La Through the Forest nity's Comanche Trail of Lights Scavenger Hunt (Both Parks ) which features thousands of Dec.

5 1-31 lights! (432) 263-4931 or (432) 263-8235. Santa's park ranger elves have hidden ornaments around both Buescher and Bastrop State Parks ! Start off at either park headquarters building and find the first ornament. Each orna- BENTSEN-RIO GRANDE VALLEY SP. ment will have a riddle for you to find where the next ornament Bentsen-Rio Grande will be! Have fun Fa La La-ing Valley State Park BIG SPRING SP. through the lost pines forest! Bonham State Park (512) 718-0211 Festive Frontera Family Fun Day Light up the Park Dec. 5 1 4 Dec. 17 & 18 6 9 Spend an afternoon with family Campers are encouraged to and discover the park's furry, deck the halls by decorating fishy, and feathered friends! Ride their campsite camping fees the shuttle to the Pavilion for will be waived for those that par- some fun and challenging ticipate. Visitors are welcome to CCC AT BASTROP SP activities. Make a holiday come see all the decorated sites. ornament to decorate your tree. Entry fees will be waived for A Lost Pines CCC Christmas Check out our touch tables, open visitors who make a donation (Bastrop) an owl pellet present, play the of a new children's gift which Dec.

6 18 1 4 Backyard Bass fishing game, or will be collected for the Fannin go birdwatching with an expert. County Children's Center. Partic- Come join park staff and Social distancing will be in effect ipating campers should contact volunteers for an afternoon of and in groups of 10 or less. the park directly for campsite Christmas fun! Tour the inside Limited space reservations reservations. (903) 583-5022. of the historic Refectory and see required. (956) 584-9156. how the Civilian Conservation Corps celebrated Christmas Brazos Bend State Park away from home! Then head Big Spring State Park Holiday in the Park outside to the back porch to Comanche Trail make a nature inspired ornament, Festival of Lights Dec. 11 9 6 pinecone bird feeder, write a last Celebrate the holidays outdoors minute letter to Santa and enjoy Dec. 1-25 6 10 with Brazos Bend State Park. a dutch oven dessert! As you drive through the west Bring your family and friends (512) 718-0211 Texas town of Big Spring, make and join us for a day full of fun 2.

7 Programs and activities. There Cooper Lake State Park . will be birding hikes, alligator Doctors Creek Unit and snake programs, holiday crafts , a visit from Santa, Winter Wonderland hayrides and much more. Dec. 10 & 11 6 9 (979) 553-5101. Escape the hustle and bustle of Caddo Lake State Park the city and kick off the holiday season with a visit to Cooper Thankful for Caddo! CEDAR HILL SP Lake State Park. Campsites will be decorated to celebrate the Nov. 27 10:30 noon about the history and pioneering season. Visitors can enjoy a free, Feeling thankful for Caddo spirit of the Penn Family and the leisurely drive through the park Lake? So are we! Close out your farm they started building here to view the decorations. Bring Thanksgiving holiday by joining over 150 years ago. Conclude your camera and join in the fun! one of our rangers on a nature with an evening of caroling (903) 395-3100. hike along the Pine Ridge Loop. around a campfire with sweet (903) 679-3351 treats and hot chocolate for you to enjoy!

8 (972) 291-3900. Colorado Bend State Park Santa and S'mores Dec. 18 1 3 Hang out with Santa and his helpers before they start their DAINGERFIELD SP. busiest night of the year! We'll be making and sharing s'mores and hot chocolate so Santa has a full Daingerfield State Park CADDO LAKE SP. belly before his big trip. 9th Annual Christmas A Crafty Caddo Holiday (325) 628-3240. in the Park Dec. 17 1 3 Dec. 15 & 16 6 9 Express your holiday cheer Dec. 17 & 18 6 10 and join us at Caddo Lake for ornament crafting! Space and Come experience a Pineywoods supplies are limited, so please Christmas ! Follow the lights see our Facebook page for reser- through the pine forest where vation details. (903) 679-3351 you will find the campsites and day-use area decorated with Christmas cheer! Feel the excite- Cedar Hill State Park ment of Christmas everywhere Christmas at Penn Farm and maybe catch a glace of Jolly Old St. Nick himself! Dec. 11 6 8 Free entrance with canned food Come explore a Christmas - donation.

9 (903) 645-2921. COLORADO BEND SP. themed Penn Farm and learn 3. Eisenhower Birthplace Holiday Toy Drive voices! Join us in the main State Historic Site Nov. 26 Dec. 20 8 5 campground; look for large campfire ring. (830) 685-3636. Holidays on the Homefront Support the Eisenhower State Park Toy Drive! The park is Dec. 11-23. collecting new, unwrapped toys Grab a self-guided tour packet, for the Grayson County Welfare walk the grounds, and learn Board for kids in need this holi- about Christmas past in North day season. If you're visiting the Texas. Find out what Christmas park and donate during this time looked like during the 1890s your entry fee will be waived per (when Dwight Eisenhower was vehicle. For more information, ENCHANTED ROCK SNA. born) and 1940s (when the email Denison community preserved Christmas in the Park (903) 465-1956. the Birthplace house) with this Dec. 5 10 1 free tour. Enjoy activities and 2nd Annual Light Up the Park children's craft kits.

10 Santa will be out and about at Dec. 10 & 11 one of his favorite places, (903) 465-8908. The tradition continues! Pull out Enchanted Rock! Join a park your Jingle Bells because it is ranger or volunteer in the picnic Christmas Time at the park! The area where you can sign or campground will be decorated, create a holiday greeting card to and visitors can drive through send to someone in need. We'll the and see our camper's dis- also have a special holiday- plays. We will have candy canes themed scavenger hunt available and DIY treats for the kiddos at the office! (830) 685-3636. and a visitor from the North Pole Santa will be there! Stan- EISENHOWER SP. dard entry fees apply but entry Eisenhower State Park fees per vehicle will be waived with the donation of a new Dutch Oven Cookoff unwrapped donated toy for the local Grayson County Welfare Nov. 20 2:30 board. For more information, It's the return of the Dutch Oven please email Cookoff at Eisenhower State (903) 465-1956.