LOCAL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES THIS WEEKEND

  

The holidays are here, and this weekend is chock-full of Christmas celebrations around the area.

Here are just a few of the events occurring throughout the weekend:

• Several activities are planned in Brenham outside of the Christmas Stroll. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brenham will have free international and live nativities on display today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) from 6 to 9 p.m. each day.  Over 300 nativities will be displayed inside the church, located at 1400 Niebuhr Street in Brenham, with a live nativity outside.  Meanwhile, Grace Lutheran School PTL is hosting a “Reverse Christmas Parade” at Grace Lutheran Church, located at 1212 West Jefferson Street, Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.  Floats in the parade will be parked, and the public will be able to drive through and see the floats.  Any organizations interested in participating can message Grace Lutheran School on Facebook.

• Bellville’s 38^th Annual Small Town Christmas celebration begins tonight at 6 p.m. with the lighted Christmas parade through downtown and the lighting of the courthouse tree by Bellville’s first responders. Activities at the Mini-Park will follow, along with a showing of “Elf” and a street dance with the Red Bulls.  On Saturday, Newman’s Bakery will host breakfast with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m., and holiday shopping will begin at 9 a.m. on the courthouse square and under the Jim Bishop Pavilion.   John’s Lutheran Retreat Center, located at 4740 Highway 36 North in Bellville, will host a drive-thru living nativity tomorrow and Sunday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  To learn more, visit www.bellvillesmalltownchristmas.com.

• The 34^th Annual Fantasy of Lights celebration in Sealy has seen some changes, but plenty of activities are still planned for tomorrow starting at 10 a.m. at Levine Park, including shopping, a gingerbread house decorating contest, and musical performances. There will also be a virtual Jingle Bell Fun Run, and the lighted parade down Main and Atchison Streets begins at 6 p.m.  For more information, go online to http://fantasyoflights.sealycommunityfoundation.com.

• Round Top is set to host a day of holiday fun tomorrow beginning at 10 a.m. with shopping, along with live music and vintage cars. Stew will be served on the square starting at 5 p.m., and a lighted parade will begin at 6:45 p.m. on FM 1457, just past the Round Top Volunteer Fire Department.  More information is available online at exploreroundtop.com/christmasparade.

• The Carmine Chamber of Commerce Christmas Fest is scheduled for Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Carmine Hall with the theme “The Polar Express.” Families will be able to shop from vendors for Christmas gifts, and children can “ride” the Polar Express and see Santa from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Kettle-cooked beef stew and old-fashioned hamburgers will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Desserts will also be available.  Visit the Carmine Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for more information.

The KWHI and KTEX-106 crews will be covering events throughout the weekend.  Holly Ryder will be in Bellville this evening for the Small Town Christmas celebration, and in Sealy tomorrow for the Fantasy of Lights parade.