There are plenty of activities you can do in Abilene. You can shop in timeless stores, try various restaurants, and discover the local history.

The town of Abilene displays a rich western heritage and genuine cultural experiences. Places like the Downtown Cultural District, various museums, and restaurants make the city worth visiting.

But what winter activities can you do in Abilene? How is the climate in Abilene in winter? How do you prepare for a vacation in Abilene? Are there certain clothes to pack and other travel essentials you need?

Things to Do in Winter in Abilene

Winter in Abilene is a great time to bundle up with your family and enjoy its cool weather. Let us look at some activities you and your family can do in Abilene, Texas, during this season.

Experience Winter Themed Events

You can experience the magical Winter Lightfest with the amazing 3/4-mile walk with around 3 million lights. It’s the most extended light tunnel in the U.S., giving a virtual reality experience and Santa.
While walking through the holiday trail, you can get hot chocolate, s'mores, and food from food trucks.

The trail is open during the weekends, starting the day after Thanksgiving and during the week of December 19 to 23, which is Christmas week.

If you want to experience the Winter Lightfest in Abilene, visit https://unitedwayabilene.org/winterlightfest/ for more information

Enjoy the 34th Annual Fox West Texas Christmas Lights Parade on November 29th. See a dazzling display of floats covered with Christmas lights. You may just get a sneak peak of Santa Claus before he heads back to the North Pole to finish getting your presents ready.

Head down to THE longest Family Christmas Tradition in Abilene... The Christmas Lane Abilene! Drive thru and see 150+ displays at the Abilene State Supported Living Center. Stop by and come inside Winter Wonderland to see indoor displays, Trains, make a call to the North Pole Hotline, see Santa, and grab some hot chocolate from the concession.

There is always something special about the Abilene Zoo in December! At the Christmas Celebration, enjoy the wonder of the holiday while meeting Santa’s magical reindeer, ice skating, walking through immersive light displays, watching a professional ice sculpture show, and experiencing the spirit of the season at a live nativity.

Discover Heritage and Culture

There are many attractions to visit in Abilene, Texas, including unique historic sites, top-tier museums, and art galleries that any traveler can visit.

Experience the real wild west history of this frontier at Frontier Texas! Interact with life-sized holographic displays where history comes to life.

You can walk between attractive rows of lone stone chimneys at Fort Phantom Hill. There, you can see a mid-19th century army fort that safeguarded travelers as they moved west.

You can hunt for the statues of characters if you are traveling with kids. The hunt is from the classic children's storybook characters. Abilene is called the "Storybook Capital of America" for a reason.

In the heart of downtown is the 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum. Come here to learn and witness the sacrifices American heroes made while serving in World War II while in the 12th Armored Division. You will be amazed at the sheer volume of WWII artifacts this museum displays.

If you are an art enthusiast, check out Abilene's Center for Contemporary Arts. Guests and local artists created the artworks on exhibit, including photographs, mixed media, paintings, and ceramics. There is something for any art fan here at this collection.

Go Shopping

The shopping opportunity in Abilene is timeless. In the Historic Downtown area, you can shop from attractive, old-fashioned antique shops then fast-forward to the modern times in convenient shopping malls with a wide range of options.

Try Restaurants

Abilene is a great place to find great food. Head on over to one of the best steak restaurants in Texas, the Beehive Restaurant and Saloon. The Beehive serves extensive food options, such as various types of burgers, chicken fried steak, and seafood entrees.

Just around the block, Cypress Street Station provides you with a high-end notable dining experience with some of your favorite comfort food options. Here, you can get your lunch of mac and cheese, homemade meatloaf, fish, and chips, or eat a heavy meal of steaks and pork chops.

Need a good holiday coffee? We've got you covered. With numerous coffee shops around town, you can get any type of holiday treat you need to stay warm this winter. Check out Monks, Front Porch Coffee, Mezamiz Coffee House, Moose Mountain or many others to get your fix in.

Traveling to Abilene: Tips and Trip Essentials

While summer in Abilene, Texas, can get very hot, winters are short, dry, windy, and cold.
If you visit Abilene during the winter months, expect wind and/or rain. So pack extra socks, warm pants, gloves or mittens, a jacket or coat for snow, and boots. We look forward to hosting you in our West Texas frontier town soon!

Check out our EVENTS page to stay up to date on everything going on in Abilene!