Experience the Magic of Christmas in Abilene: A Festive Event Guide
The holiday season in Abilene is a time filled with joy, warmth, and a variety of exciting events for residents and visitors alike. From dazzling light displays to heartwarming performances, Abilene has something for everyone this holiday season. Here is the ultimate guide to events that will make your holidays in Abilene truly magical.
Dazzling Displays
Downtown Christmas Parade of Lights
See a dazzling display of floats at the Downtown Christmas Parade of Lights where downtown is covered with Christmas lights! Bring the whole family for a night of Christmas magic with a tree lighting, food vendors, live performances, and a parade full of twinkling lights.
When: December 2
Where: Downtown Abilene
Pro tip: Show up early to grab a hot drink, delicious dinner, and stake your claim on front row seats to the parade.
Christmas in the Garden
Join us for a night with Santa and friends from the Hundred Acre Wood at the annual Christmas in the Garden. Wear your pajamas and have fun playing games, making crafts and eating yummy, light refreshments inspired by A.A. Milne's book, "Winnie-the-Pooh".
When: December 5
Where: Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
Pro Tip: Cost is per family so round up your clan and head on out for festive fun.
Christmas Celebration at the Abilene Zoo
Enjoy the wonder of the holidays at Christmas Celebration where you can meet Santa’s magical reindeer, go ice skating, and walk through immersive light displays. Walking through exhibits full of exotic animals surrounded by lights and enjoying a hot cup of cocoa makes Christmas Celebration a night to remember for the whole family.
When: December 12-23
Where: Abilene Zoo
Winter Lightfest
Featuring a 3/4-mile walking trail through nearly 3 million lights Winter Lightfest promises a dazzling display filled with interactive lights, a scavenger hunt, and plenty of photo ops. Be sure to round up your Christmas gang and head out for a night of festive fun and don't miss out on your opportunity to see Santa.
When: November 29, December 5-7, 12-14, 19-23, & 26-27
Where: Abilene Field of Dreams
Pro Tip: December 7th is Bark at the Park! Bring you dog to join in on the festive fun.
Christmas at the Farm
Join Denton Valley Farms for Christmas at the Farm! The entire farm will be transformed into a Texas Christmas Winter Wonderland. With over 170 acres of Christmas fun you are sure to make festive memories while on the farm.
When: December
Where: Denton Valley Farms
Christmas Lane
Drive through a free display of Christmas Lights at Christmas Lane! After your drive through the lights stop inside a winter wonderland to see Santa, make a call to the North Pole Hotline, and grab some hot chocolate.
When: December
Where: Abilene State Supported Living Center
Christmas on the Stage
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker ushers in the holiday season in Abilene as if a dream. Join the Abilene Ballet Theatre at the historic Paramount Theatre for three days of Christmas magic. With charming characters, breathtaking choreography, and timeless music, this beloved holiday tradition captures the wonder and joy of the season.
When: November 21-23
Where: Paramount Theatre
Pro tip: Show up early for the best parking and enjoy dinner downtown.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
When: December 5-7 & 12-14
Where: Abilene Community Theatre
KACU's Live Radio Play: It's a Wonderful Life
Kick off the holiday season with this creative take on It's A Wonderful Life. Performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of an audience, actors perform the dozens of characters in the radio play as well as produce the sound effects.
When: December 5
Where: Paramount Theatre
Pro tip: Show up early for the best parking and enjoy dinner downtown.
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
Celebrate with a classic Christmas tradition at NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet. the show uniquely blends classical ballet and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score with jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger than life puppets and stunning hand-crafted sets and costumes.
When: December 31
Where: Abilene Convention Center
An Aaron Watson Family Christmas
An Aaron Watson Family Christmas is an authentically Abilene experience. The show will be packed full of Christmas classics, songs from his Christmas album and some of Aaron’s most popular hits. Don't miss out on this festive night of cheer designed for the whole family to enjoy.
When: December 19 & 20
Where: Paramount Theatre
Pro Tip; This event sells out every year so grab you tickets early
A Three Tenors Christmas
Join the Abilene Philharmonic for A Three Tenors Christmas for a festive evening of beloved holiday classics and soaring operatic favorites. Featuring powerhouse vocalists Carl Tanner, Arnold Rawls, and Samuel Cook this will be a night to remember.
When: December 6
Where: Abilene Convention Center
Downtown Shops
Downtown Abilene comes alive with Christmas cheer. From window decorations and cozy cafes to the perfect gift Downtown promises a charming day of shopping, exploring, and local food. Each shop invites you to uncover authentic finds, from vintage treasures to local artisanal crafts. Abilene’s shopping experience blends the nostalgia of the past with the flair of modern retail, creating a delightful journey for every holiday shopper.
Pro Tip; Stop by the visitor center at 1101 N. 1st Street or Frontier Texas for a downtown map and guide to local businesses.
Storybook gardens
Abilene is home to the largest collection of public Storybook Sculptures in America. Around the holidays these sculptures come to life at night with Christmas lights and decorations throughout the gardens. The festive lights create an iconic stop for Christmas photos and memories.
Pro tip: Stop by the visitor center at 1101 N. 1st Street or Frontier Texas to get a Storybook Sculpture Guide.
Cozy Cafés
Whether you’re fueling up for a day of exploring or looking for a cozy corner to savor a slow morning, Abilene’s coffee scene is full of flavor, charm, and local flair. From downtown staples to tucked-away treasures, local coffee shops in Abilene are a great stop for a warm festive drink.
Festive Cocktails
Celebrate the holidays in style with festive cocktails crafted by Abilene’s talented mixologists. Whether you prefer something sweet, spicy, or sparkling, there’s a drink to match every mood. Enjoy the warmth of the season, one sip at a time.
Where Holiday Magic Shines Bright
Whether you’re searching for dazzling displays, cozy downtown shopping, or heart-warming performances. From front-row seats at the parade of lights to sipping a locally crafted cocktail in the Cultural District, Abilene invites you to immerse yourself in a blend of tradition, charm and genuine joy. So bundle up, gather your friends and family, and step into a holiday celebration that’s authentically Abilene.