MORE HOLIDAY EVENTS AROUND THE AREA THIS WEEKEND

The holiday season is in full swing around the area, with all kinds of festive events taking place this weekend.

Here are some of the activities going on:

• Downtown Brenham will have “A Taste of Christmas” on Saturday until 6 p.m.  Over 25 businesses will offer drinks and treats for shoppers to enjoy, like mimosas, Christmas margaritas, egg nog, sugar cookie martinis, cranberry brie bites and rum balls.  A map of participating locations can be picked up at the Brenham Washington County Visitor Center.

• The Brenham Children’s Chorus’ holiday concert, “In the Spirit”, will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Dr. W.W. O’Donnell Performing Arts Center at Blinn College.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 979-277-3897 or emailing brenhamchildrenschorus@gmail.com. 

• The Burton Christmas Market & More is set for Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at the Texas Cotton Gin Museum and Pavilion.  Food and craft vendors will be on-site, and JuneBug’s famous turkey stew will be served.  Santa will be there for photos from 1 to 3 p.m., and there will be community caroling from 3 to 4 p.m.

• Chappell Hill’s holiday fun gets underway at 10 a.m. on Saturday with the Chappell Hill Garden Club’s Christmas Home Tour.  People can visit six decorated properties and enjoy the Round Top Ruggers rug show.  Tickets for the home tour can be purchased by calling 713-562-6191.  At 3:30 p.m., Santa will arrive in downtown to take photos and visit with children.  Downtown businesses will have various activities like ornament and Christmas cookie decorating, barrel train rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, letter writing to Santa, and a “snow” bubble machine.  The Teddy Bear Parade begins at 4:30 p.m.

• Washington-on-the-Brazos will host Candlelight Christmas on Friday and Saturday from 4:30 to 8 p.m.  Guests can discover the origins of favorite holiday traditions as costumed interpreters bring to life the festivities of the season with musket fire, music and dancing.  The historic home of the last President of the Republic, Dr. Anson Jones, will be available for tours along with the plantation’s quarters.   Tickets are sold at the event.

• Independence will host its annual “Bethlehem in Independence” on Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m.  Families can walk or take hayrides through live nativity scenes that begin on the town square.  Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served along with hot chocolate, cider, cookies and s’mores.  Santa Claus will make an appearance both nights on his firetruck and take photos.

• Navasota’s “Home for the Holidays” celebration on Saturday starts with a farmers market at 9 a.m. in the Navasota Public Library.  From 1 to 5 p.m., downtown will have activities like photos with Santa Claus, a bounce house, mechanical reindeer and Polar Express train rides.  The Christmas parade begins at 6 p.m., followed by the tree lighting ceremony and caroling from the Navasota High School Choir.

• Caldwell will host its “Christmas on the Square” Friday starting at 6 p.m.  There will be various music and dance performances.  The lighted parade through downtown starts at 7 p.m.

• “Santaville in Somerville” starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Welch Park.  Vendors will sell their wares, and there will be kids’ activities from 3 to 5 p.m.  A lighted Christmas parade begins at dusk. 

• Fayetteville’s Country Christmas celebration on Saturday will feature a home tour from noon to 4 p.m.  Christmas caroling on the town square starts at 5 p.m., followed by a lighted parade at 6 p.m.  There will also be a Christmas tree decorating contest display in the Old Firehouse, and Santa will be there to greet children. 

KTEX-106’s Trail Boss Troy will be in Caldwell for Christmas on the Square Friday evening and in Navasota on Saturday for Home for the Holidays.  Courtney Cartwright will be in Chappell Hill on Saturday for the Teddy Bear Parade and other festivities.