Things to Do in Abilene This Month | Events and Attractions

Signature Events and Festivals

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

Arts and Culture

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Grab your tickets for this hilarious Christmas classic! The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a delightful show adapted from Barbara Robinson’s bestselling book based on her novel of the same name, and is a widely beloved Christmas tale.

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.

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

ArtWalk Christmas Market

Wander through downtown and explore handcrafted works from local artists and makers, enjoy food from local eateries or visiting food trucks, and catch live-music sets that add to the festive atmosphere. ArtWalk also invites families and aspiring artists to get hands-on with art creation stations, interactive performance pieces, and opportunities to shop local.

When: December 6

Where: Center For Contemporary Arts

Snowy Day

A Fun Free Activity to get the whole family in the Christmas Spirit. Snowy Day at the NCCIL includes letter writing, a Fine Art Project and an opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus! FREE books will be given out first come, first serve.

When: December 6

Where: Nation Center for Children's Illustrated Literature

Once Upon A Christmas Eve

Get ready to be swept away into a magical world of dance. Once Upon A Christmas Eve is an annual production is filled with professional choreography, stunning costumes and breathtaking sets. Follow the journey of "Arabella" in 1920s NYC's 5th Avenue to the North Pole. A mix of ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop and lyrical woven into a beautiful story.

When: December 13

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

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

Live Muisc

Local Legends

As a Certified Music Friendly City, Abilene has a long list of local musicians performing across town for you to discover all year round. From local legends lighting up The Ice House stage to rising talent on the road to stardom at Betty Rose's, Abilene serves up a night of music that’s full of pure Texas charm.

Musical Icons

From charming evenings in the beautifully restored Spanish Moorish Paramount Theatre to big stage names at the Abilene Convention Center, Abilene brings renown hits right to you. With options including A Three Tenors Christmas, Blue Suede Christmas, An Aaron Watson Family Christmas, The Whiskey Wonderland Acoustic Tour, and Home For The Holidays the sounds of musical icons take center stage and invite you to join in on an evening you won't want to forget.

Outdoor Adventures

Farmers Market

Shop fresh and local at the Abilene Farmers Market! Browse a colorful selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables, locally raised meats, farm-fresh eggs, baked goods, jams, and handmade crafts. It’s the perfect way to connect with local growers and makers while supporting the community.

Date: Every Saturday 8am - 12pm

Where: 626 N. 1st Street

Storybook Gardens

As the Storybook Capital of America Downtown Abilene is filled with the largest public collection of storybook character sculptures! Stop by Frontier Texas or the Visitor Center at 1101 N. 1st Street to grab your Adventure Guide and explore the storybook gardens taking photos with your favorite characters.

Where: Downtown Abilene

Winter Lightfest

Stroll through a dazzling display of nearly 3 million Christmas lights featuring photo ops, a special appearance by Santa, and a scavenger hunt through the light trail. Winter Lightfest is an unforgettable experience perfect for making Christmas memories.

Date: November 29 - December 27

Where: Abilene Field of Dreams

Shopping

ArtWalk Christmas Market

Wander through downtown and explore handcrafted works from local artists and makers, enjoy food from local eateries or visiting food trucks, and catch live-music sets that add to the festive atmosphere. ArtWalk also invites families and aspiring artists to get hands-on with art creation stations, interactive performance pieces, and opportunities to shop local.

When: December 6

Where: Center For Contemporary Arts

Downtown Shopping

Wander through Abilene’s vibrant Downtown Cultural District and discover a delightful mix of boutiques, antiques, and art nestled among galleries, local restaurants, and storybook sculptures. From stylish local boutiques and curated gift stores to vintage treasures and handmade goods, downtown shopping offers an authentic Abilene experience

Whether you’re here for a signature festival, a cozy coffee break, or an afternoon exploring downtown, you’ll find both the frontier spirit and warm Texas hospitality that defines us.