The winter holiday season is a fantastic time to visit Washington County to enjoy numerous activities and find unique holiday gifts. Here are a few fun events coming up in November and December, all just an hour away from Houston and a stone’s throw from Gates Ranch.
Highway 36 Grand Art Trail & Sale in Washington and Surrounding Counties
November 2-3
Whether you’re looking for art for your home or as a gift, this spectacular event is a must for art lovers. The Highway 36 Art Trail will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 2-3. The trail begins in Bellville and ends in Caldwell. More than 100 artists will be exhibiting at several venues in Bellville, Brenham, by Lake Somerville, Somerville, Caldwell and New Taber and at numerous art studios on the trail. Artwork includes ceramics, pottery, stained glass, bronze, pastel, oil, watercolor, photography, jewelry and more.
The event is sponsored by Arts at the Lake, a non-profit organization dedicated to exposing the art and artists in Central Texas as well as educating artists and art lovers.
For locations, exhibit hours, maps and other information, go to www.artsatthelake.org and click the link “See Highway 36 Brochure.”
Holiday Home Tour & Trunk Show in Brenham
November 22-24
The Holiday Home Tour and Trunk Show is an annual Brenham tradition to kick off the holiday season!
The Home Tour, held November 23-24, is hosted by Heritage Belles in period dress and includes the 1870 Giddings Stone Mansion, 1843 Giddings Wilkin house and other historic homes that are exquisitely decorated for the holiday season. Tickets are $15 per person, good for both days, and available only at the Mansion at 2203 Century Circle in Brenham. Home tours are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
The Holiday Trunk Show will be hosted at the Giddings Stone Mansion where visitors can shop from a variety of vendors for one-of-a-kind gifts such as jewelry, antiques, furniture, sweet treats and much more! This year’s shopping begins on Friday, November 22, and continues through the weekend.
For more information about home tours and the dates/business hours of the trunk show, visit www.GiddingsStoneMansion.com, or call 979-836-1690.
Santa’s Wonderland in College Station
November 22 – December 30
Experience the wonders of Christmas at Santa’s Wonderland, including adventures in Santa’s Town, a Texas Christmas village. The fun begins November 22 and lasts through December 30.
Board a fun hayride or horse and carriage tour to see the sights and sounds of Santa’s Wonderland, an amazing display that features millions of dazzling Christmas lights along a winding path stretching over a mile. Relax and enjoy holiday foods, unique shops and live music around a cozy campfire.
For more information, visit www.santas-wonderland.com, or call 979-690-7212.
Downtown Brenham’s Christmas Stroll & Lighted Parade
December 6
What do you think of when you picture small towns at Christmas? We hope you’ll think of Brenham! Downtown Brenham is decorated with thousands of lights to greet you as soon as you turn the corner for the town’s annual Christmas Stroll & Lighted Parade.
On one special night of the year, Friday, December 6, Brenham keeps its doors open late, greeting people with smiles, hot cider and homemade goodies from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Brenham hosts a festive lighted parade at 6 p.m., complete with music, kids, horses and, of course, Santa Claus! After the parade, mingle in the streets, listen to the tuba band play Christmas carols, and peruse through the many shops. Plans are also underway for a fun-filled Saturday too.
For more information, visit www.visitbrenhamtexas.com or call 979-836-3339.
Christmas Fayre in Chappell Hill
December 7
Santa is coming to town for the Chappell Hill’s Annual Christmas Fayre on Saturday, December 7, from noon to 7 p.m. Children dressed in holiday attire are invited to bring their favorite teddy bears and spend the day in historic downtown Chappell Hill. Festivities include fun and games for children, Teddy Bear Parade, Santa’s arrival, live reindeer petting and photos, train rides, wine tasting, live music, ceremonial lighting of downtown holiday lights and Christmas tree, and firing of the cannon. Holiday shopping as well as food and refreshments, will be available by participating local business and vendors.
The elves are busy preparing, so check in for more details at www.ChappellHillTX.com.
Christmas at Winedale in Round Top
December 14
Christmas at Winedale, a 19th century folk life celebration, will be held Saturday, December 14, from noon to 4 p.m. at Winedale Historical Complex. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.
Winedale’s annual Christmas celebration gives visitors a chance to experience a recreation of life in the 1800’s. The event features the opportunity to tour Winedale’s historically significant buildings, decorated as they would have been in the 1800s. Visitors can also enjoy stagecoach rides, folk life demonstrations, tours of the herb garden, music, and other entertainment. Children will enjoy making crafts in the one-room schoolhouse, the corral’s kid-friendly farm animals, and candy canes from the Weihnachtsmann (German Santa Claus). Food and drinks will be available for sale.
Winedale Historical Complex is located four miles northeast of Round Top at 3738 FM 2714 (off FM 1457). For more information, please call 979-278-3530, email winedale@austin.utexas.edu or visit www.cah.utexas.edu.
Bethlehem in Independence
December 22
Country churches in Independence, Texas, come together to perform different scenes of the Christmas story. Visitors sipping hot chocolate travel from scene to scene via hayrides. For more information, please call the Independence General Store at 979-836-4211.
These are just a few of many event coming to Washington County in November and December. For a listing of more events, please visit the Washington County Chamber of Commerce website at www.brenhamtexas.com.
While you’re in Washington County, we invite you to take a private tour of Gates Ranch. From Houston, you’re only a one-hour drive from an exclusive, private community of family farms where you find only beauty, serenity and privacy. We’ve sold 50% of the family farms in Phases I and II, so we encourage you to visit us soon. For more information about Gates Ranch or to schedule your personal tour, please call Cyndee Smith with Oldham Goodwin Group at 713-816-3407 or visit www.gatesranchtx.com.
