Things to Do

Christmas in God’s Country: A Community Celebration of the Season

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Tony Maples Photography

 

A weekend celebration of holiday magic is coming your way with Christmas in God’s Country kicking off in Hondo, located in the Texas Hill Country! Join friends, family, neighbors, and visitors at this hugely popular event celebrating the sounds, sights, and tastes of the season. For over a quarter-century, this special celebration has been enjoyed by Hill Country families sharing in the joyful festivities that mark the occasion – including real snow!

Christmas in God’s Country: A Community Celebration of the Season

Photo: Facebook/Hondo Area Chamber of Commerce

For the first time ever, this formerly two-day event will now become a full three days of family fun and holiday spirit, presented by the Hondo Area Chamber of Commerce. They welcome you to bundle up and make your way to downtown Hondo. This fun-filled weekend features a Hometown Holiday front-and-center! On Friday, December 7, the evening celebration begins in front of City Hall at 6 p.m. when the Meyer Elementary choir brings everyone together for classic Christmas carols while Santa Claus looks on. The lighting of the community Christmas tree follows, and then visitors can enjoy a great snow slide (made with real snow!) in the play area, horse-drawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa, and a delicious dinner at one of the fabulous food trucks. You can also pair your dinner with a great selection of local beer and wine available throughout the evening. The caroling will continue with the beautiful voices of the Texas Children’s Choir all through the evening, and everything is free of charge except for food and wine purchases made with on-site vendors!

Christmas in God’s Country: A Community Celebration of the Season

Photo: Facebook/Hondo Area Chamber of Commerce

Guests are then invited to come back on Saturday, December 8 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. to spend the day browsing vendor booths from across the state, gathered around the Courthouse square at Market Days. Start (or finish!) your Christmas shopping with items of genuine craftsmanship, gifts, décor, and collector’s items, many of which are made right here in Texas! As the shopping continues throughout the day, the songs and sounds of the holiday will fill the air, making for a magical Christmastime experience. Food trucks will also be available for all your meal-time needs.

At 6 p.m., the St. John’s Catholic Church Jingle Bell Jog kicks off! You can either register in advance to run-off the Christmas calories or cheer on the joggers as they make their way to the finish line on Avenue M. Then, bring the whole family out on Saturday evening for a long-standing Hondo tradition – the annual Lighted Night Parade! Come early to get the best seats along any of the downtown Hondo streets! Best float prizes will be awarded in such categories as youth and adult clubs/organizations, marching bands, business/commercial, best lighting, and most creative, to name only a few!

Christmas in God’s Country: A Community Celebration of the Season

Photo: Pxhere

To cap off a weekend of family time and the celebration of the true meaning of Christmas, you’re welcome to attend the Community Worship in God’s Country. It will be held on Sunday evening, December 9 at 6:30 p.m. This marks the first time that Christmas in God’s Country will be a three-day event, allowing for a weekend in Hondo unlike any other! Guests can bring lawn chairs and blankets and join Plants & Pillars, a Christian Student Ministry, at the Loading Dock on 18th Street to celebrate “The Reason for the Season.” It’s a worship service you won’t want to miss! A full schedule of events is available on the Hondo Area Chamber of Commerce website at the link provided here. Vendor and event applications, as well as registration for the Jingle Bell Jog, are also available at this same link, along with added details you’ll need to enjoy this genuine community celebration of Christmas in God’s Country, found in Hondo, Texas!