HOLIDAY EVENTS AROUND THE AREA THIS WEEKEND

  

The Christmas season is here, and festive events are happening all around the area.

Some of this weekend’s activities include:

• The Brenham Christmas Stroll begins Friday with the Jingle Bell Market at the Ant Street Inn from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the First Friday Farmer and Artisan Market on the courthouse square from 3 to 6 p.m.  The Nite Moves Band will perform for a “Cold Nights, Holiday Tunes” concert in the Commerce Street parking lot at 7 p.m.  On Saturday, Breakfast with Santa will begin at 8:30 a.m. at The Barnhill Center, followed by the second day of the Jingle Bell Market at the Ant Street Inn from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Local Girl Scouts and carolers will perform at 5 p.m. on the steps of the Brenham Heritage Museum.  The lighted parade will begin at 6 p.m.  Children will later be able to visit with Santa in Alamo Alley.
• Also in Brenham, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will have nativity displays on Friday and Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m.  Music from a local artist will be performed on Friday at 7 p.m.  Meanwhile, St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wellness Committee will present the St. Nicholas Jingle Jog & Walk at the church on Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m., featuring a 1-mile jog and walk and a 100-yard “Little Elves Dash” for children under 8.
• The 43^rd Annual Small Town Christmas in Bellville kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. with the lighting of the courthouse Christmas tree and the lighted parade.  Activities at the Mini-Park will follow at 6:30 p.m., including shopping, a real snow slide, inflated activity area, petting zoo, mechanical bulls, and photos with Santa.  The Red Bulls will perform for a street dance at 8 p.m.  On Saturday, Newman’s Bakery will host Breakfast with Santa starting at 8 a.m.  Holiday shopping, music and entertainment will follow on the courthouse square and under the Jim Bishop Pavilion.
• Round Top’s Christmas fun begins on Saturday at 10 a.m. with holiday shopping.  The Round Top Area Historical Homes Tour runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Festivities on the town square begin at 3 p.m., with musical entertainment, visits with Santa, and food and drinks.  Parade float judging starts at 6 p.m., with the lighted parade getting underway at 6:45 p.m.  Additionally, Blinn College’s Sounds of the Season concert will be performed on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Festival Hill concert hall. 
• The 41^st Annual Carmine Christmas Fest will be held on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Carmine Hall.  Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance, and there will be Polar Express train rides for the kids.  Visitors can also enjoy food and shopping at vendors, along with a musical presentation at 1:30 p.m. by Round Top-Carmine Elementary School students.
• Sealy’s Fantasy of Lights celebration began on Thursday and continues through Saturday.  Christmas at the Sealy Historical Park will be on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., with a life-size gingerbread house, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a light tunnel and other activities.  Saturday will host Breakfast with Santa at Trinity Lutheran Church from 9 to 11 a.m., the Jingle Bell Fun Run starting at 8:30 a.m., the Kids’ Fantasy beginning at 11 a.m. at Levine Park, and the Fantasy of Lights Parade at 6 p.m.

KWHI and KTEX-106 will have live coverage from Bellville on Friday for Small Town Christmas and from Brenham on Saturday for the Christmas Stroll and Lighted Parade.