Things to Do

Holiday Light Display is True Meaning of Green Christmas In Johnson City

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Formerly known as Hill Country Christmas Lights, over 2 million lights are returning to Johnson City, Texas, in the form of some of your favorite holiday displays! The much-anticipated return follows a five-year hiatus. Happening nightly, beginning November 22, A Lone Star Christmas is a must-see for your family. This drive-through light display features LED lighting fashioned into such highlights as a 30-foot-long illuminated tunnel, a 35-foot-tall Mega Tree that dances to music, as well as a variety of new and unique Texas-themed display pieces paying homage to the Lone Star State. It’s truly a green Christmas in every sense of the word. And, best of all, it’s free!

With more than 2 million LED lights, A Lone Star Christmas will feature holiday characters, including Santa and his reindeer landing on top of an H-E-B, as well as an inspired orange and white Whataburger tunnel! Families will be able to make new memories this season with a drive through this wonderful Christmas light display while listening to an FM radio station dedicated to this holiday extravaganza. Donations are accepted in lieu of admission fees, and every dollar raised will go toward Operation Christmas Child together with a local Johnson City charity. To cap off the experience, hay rides can be scheduled from the light display into Johnson City and back, allowing your family the kind of “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to enjoy the local lighting displays of the area, complete with hot cocoa.

Holiday Light Display Brings True Meaning of Green Christmas to Johnson City

Photo: A Lone Star Christmas

Starting in 2002, the Haynes family began sharing their deep love for Christmas and everything it inspired by putting lights up at their ranch just outside of Johnson City on Hwy. 281 and opening it up to the public as a free drive-through light display. Over the years, the display has garnered the attention of people far and wide, including media coverage from Austin Living Magazine and the New York Times, as well as regional magazines and publications, not to mention a special feature on the Travel Channel! The tradition continues this year with newly added Texas-inspired features, making a visit to the Hill County even more awe-inspiring! The family hopes to once again bring joy to the area and beyond with A Lone Star Christmas – their own version of seasonal magic – making it an annual tradition for families from far and wide.

Holiday Light Display Brings True Meaning of Green Christmas to Johnson City

Photo: A Lone Star Christmas

Coordinated to holiday music your family can hear on the radio as you drive through, the display will also feature a live nativity scene scheduled for Friday and Saturday, December 14 and 15, entitled “Bethlehem Nights Live Nativity.” The return of one of the most popular annual Christmas light displays in the Texas Hill Country, A Lone Star Christmas hosts tens of thousands of guests over the course of its run, happening November 22 to January 1. From 6 to 11 p.m. each night, visitors can enjoy a 100% environmentally-friendly Christmas light display together with a holiday hayride down Hwy. 281 into Johnson City. Guests can also book private and group hayrides to share the experience with their loved ones. Private family hay rides and large group bookings can be arranged at the link provided here. Everyone is invited to make A Lone Star Christmas a bright part of their holiday season beginning the weekend before Thanksgiving. For location and direction details, visit the web link available here. For updates and special features, visit their Facebook page or contact them directly by calling (210) 790-2054. Don’t wait, visit www.alonestarchristmas.com for more info and to begin your holiday adventure in the Texas Hill Country today!