Holiday Head Start

As the year comes to a close, the excitement of the holiday season comes alive once again! This magical time is perfect for making plans and embracing the festive spirit. Whether you're eager to dive into the best holiday events, organize fun outings with loved ones, or stay in the loop with local celebrations, Discover Temple is here to ensure you have an unforgettable experience.

This year, the City of Temple is rolling out the festive red carpet with its Holly Jolly Christmas celebration! For the entire month, you can immerse yourself in a whirlwind of family-friendly activities, dazzling festivities, and vibrant community events. 

Whether you call Temple home or you’re visiting for the first time, Discover Temple is your go-to guide for all things holiday-related. Let’s make this season one to remember by creating cherished memories together! Join us in the festivities and embrace the joy of the holidays!

The downtown area of Temple is transforming into a winter wonderland, and you won't want to miss it! With each new event happening in the downtown district, Temple, Texas, has a little more holiday cheer to go around. Before long the downtown banners, lights and wreaths, and beautiful Christmas trees will be shining bright and gracing us with its presence in the downtown district. Take a stroll through the lively downtown district and soak in the sights as local businesses deck their halls for the holidays. It’s a truly enchanting experience!

With the holiday season upon us, downtown Temple is buzzing with excitement and events. Mark your calendars for First Friday on December 6! This popular event will be alive with energy, featuring delicious food and drink specials at your favorite local restaurants. Join the fun with shopping, block parties, and plenty of entertaining activities for the whole family. First Friday will also feature a new downtown initiative, Jingle Jam and Kringle Krawl. Kringle Krawl with feature specials at some of your favorite restaurants and shops with plenty of chances to see local groups carol and spark the holiday spirit throughout the downtown. At Jingle Jam, visitors can head to The Yard to enjoy live music and entertainment from several incredible bands and local singers from all over the state. 

On Saturday, December 14, don’t miss the Second Saturday Market at Main Street Design and Consign. This festive market will showcase a variety of local vendors offering everything from homemade goods to unique jewelry and stylish apparel. Bring your furry friends, gather your loved ones, and support our local business owners while enjoying the holiday spirit.

For even more holiday inspiration and to discover all the wonderful festivities happening in Temple, be sure to check out the latest issue of The Temple Ticket. Let the holiday fun begin!

Christmas at the Plaza is a brand new City of Temple event featuring a tree lighting show and Holiday Market.

Kick off the inaugural Christmas at the Plaza with the City of Temple! Discover the spirit and enchantment of the holiday season as the City unveils a tree-lighting show like no other. Featuring music, lights, and incredible family fun, Christmas at the Plaza will be an event you won't want to miss. While you wait for the incredible show to start, explore a variety of vendors with holiday crafts and offerings, or treat yourself to food. This local event will take place on Saturday, November 30 from 3 PM to 8 PM. The tree lighting show begins at 7 PM. Christmas at the Plaza takes place at Santa Fe Plaza.
 

Santa at the Depot is a highly anticipated ticketed event held at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum. This event is specially designed for families and offers a delightful experience for the little ones. The event features various fun-filled activities that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults alike. There will be plenty of opportunities to take pictures with Santa Claus, creating unforgettable memories for the whole family. Along with the photo sessions, there will be plenty of fun and entertainment that visitors can enjoy. The Santa at the Depot event is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit and create lasting memories with your loved ones. 

While tickets have sold out for taking photos with Santa and time slots to see the first floor of the Santa Fe Depot decked out with holiday cheer, visitors can show up to the outdoor Holiday Market. The Holiday Market will take place on the Santa Fe Plaza just outside of the depot and feature local vendors and businesses with a variety of goods and offerings. The Holiday Market is free to attend and does not require a ticket.

Anyone can also stop by to watch Santa Claus arrive on the train. You don't need a ticket to see him come in on the train and marvel at the excitement!

The Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum is also featuring a brand new event, Santa Paws. For $10, visitors can purchase tickets to bring their beloved dogs to take a photo with Santa. Let your furry best friends join in on the fun and give them a chance to woof and howl and ask Santa Claus, or should we say Claws, for what they really want for Christmas.

The 78th Annual City of Temple Christmas Parade will be held on Monday, December 2, at 6:30 PM. The annual Christmas Parade has become a holiday tradition for families in Bell County. The parade's theme this year is "Toyland," and features lit displays and floats organized by local schools, groups, and businesses. For more information about the parade route and schedule, visit hollyjollytemple.com.

Christmas parades are one of the most sought-after family events to attend during the season. In addition to the 78th City of Temple Annual Christmas Parade, visitors can watch the Parade of Lights, which features boats on Belton Lake decked out for the holidays. The best viewing area for this unique parade is on the patio of Dead Fish Grill, which overlooks the lake. 

What would the holiday season be without a little Christmas music to lift the mood?

For ballet fans, visitors will want to grab tickets to a performance of the classic Christmas Ballet, The Nutcracker. The Classical Ballet Conservatory at Lisa's Dance Connection presents this beautiful ballet production. Buy tickets to the ballet for shows from Friday, December 13, through Sunday, December 15.

Temple Civic Theatre is also putting on several great holiday events. The theatre's Hometown Holidays event features a Holiday Fashion Show presented by Susan Marie's and Charlie Wharton Starfire Jewelry on Saturday, December 7. There will also be Christmas workshops for $10 each to learn Christmas Decorating with a Vintage Flair, Christmas Tree Decorating Tips, and Christmas Trends for 2024 and 2025.

The Temple Civic Theatre also features Milk and Cookies with Santa. Tickets are $10 per person/pet to take a photo with Santa while enjoying milk and cookies with Santa and his elves. This event takes place on Saturday, December 21 at 10 AM.

Spending time outdoors is always a great idea, but it can be challenging during the colder weather. Fortunately, BLORA offers an event that makes exploring nature during the holiday season more manageable. The Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area hosts a Nature In Lights trail annually, and it's a mesmerizing sight to see. This five-mile trail features all kinds of light displays and arrangements, making it a perfect family tradition during the Christmas season. After paying the entrance fee, you can experience this stunning lit trail that you'll be craving to see again.

In addition to the trail, BLORA also features a scenic Santa's Village and Depot area that opens in December. Visitors can shop at local toy and food vendor booths and enjoy special holiday-themed items. With hot cocoa, treats, novelties, and pictures with Santa, it's no surprise that this event is a favorite for visitors and locals alike. People travel from all across the Central Texas region to witness the incredible displays at this stunning nature scene. Nature In Lights at the BLORA takes place from November 15 to December 31.

The holiday season in Temple is a time of great excitement and joy. There are many wonderful events and activities to enjoy, including parades, magnificent holiday lights, and a variety of exciting festivities. If you want to make the most of this festive season, be sure to check out the latest edition of The Temple Ticket, which is packed with information on the best holiday attractions, gatherings, and events. 

Whether you're looking for family-friendly activities or something more adult-oriented, something is waiting for you in Temple during the holidays. So don't miss out on all the holiday cheer and fun activities this season! Make sure to mark your calendars for the upcoming holiday events you want to attend. With so much to see and do, you're sure to create unforgettable memories with your loved ones. Read The Temple Ticket to learn more about all the holiday happenings in Temple.

Want a chance to have your photos featured in our holiday galleries? Tag @discovertemple and #discovertemple on Instagram with your holiday event photos to be featured.

Visit hollyjollytemple.com for more!