people | places | music | shopping events| lodging | dining & more
FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE
Kerrville’s Natives of Texas • The New Braunfels Smokehouse
Texas Scratch Kitchen in Menard + The Uvalde County Fairplex
INDEX
Austin J5
Bandera B10
Bergheim D9
Bertram I2
Blanco F6
Boerne D9
Buchanan Dam F2
Buda J7
Bulverde G10
Burnet G2
Camp Verde B8
Canyon Lake G9
Castroville C12
Center Point B8
Clear Springs H11
Comfort C8
Concan A11
Driftwood H7
Dripping Springs H6
Fischer G8
Fredericksburg C5
Georgetown K2
Granite Shoals G2
Gruene H10
Hancock G8
Helotes G6
Henly G6
Highland Lakes F2/3
Hondo B13
Hunt A7
Hye E6
Ingram B7
Johnson City F5
Kendalia F8
Kerrville B7
Kingsland F2
Kyle I8
Lampasas G1
Leakey A9
Llano D2
Liberty Hill I12
Luckenbach D6
Luling K10
Marble Falls G3
Martindale J9
Mason B2
Medina A9
New Braunfels H10
Oak Hill I6
Oatmeal H2
Pipe Creek C10
Round Rock K3
San Antonio F12
San Marcos I9
Sattler H9
Seguin I11
Sisterdale D8
Spring Branch F9
Startzville G9
Stonewall D6
Utopia A10
Vanderpool A9
Wimberley H8
From the Publisher
Dear Friends -
I unexpectedly lost my precious Dad the day after Christmas last year so this has been a year of “firsts” without him.
As this first Thanksgiving and Christmas without Dad, I want to honor him by sharing his special secrets to a happy life. He was a man of God first and foremost and prayer was part of his daily life.
My Dad honored and adored his wife, my sweet Mom, of 64 years. He was a Dad like no other to me and my brother who always wanted to be a part of our lives and be helpful in all that we did. He was a loyal friend through and through. He loved unconditionally and he always showed up for his family and friends!
As the holidays are approaching and we get carried away with all the things going on around us, I hope that you will take the time to reflect on what your secret is to a happy life and share it with others. Love your friends and family…and show up for them. It matters!
Wishing you a grateful and blessed Thanksgiving and a Christmas full of love…and Jesus!
NATIVES OF TEXAS
By ERNIE ALTGELT
As more folks move into our beautiful Texas Hill Country, establishing homesteads then lovingly embellishing the same with formerly tried-and-true trees and other plantings, often brought from entirely different climate zones, disappointment can eventually result. What many discover is some floral transplants can survive and, with care, even flourish, but most just aren’t suited for our environment of extremes where rain can be scarce followed by flooding, freezing temperatures interrupted by heat waves and rocks, rocks, rocks! What’s a former urban gardener to do?
Well thankfully, new residents (and old) have a trusted botanical source a few short miles south of Kerrville on Highway 16. Appropriately named Natives of Texas, the business is dedicated almost exclusively to the propagation and vending of this region’s indigenous flora. Its remarkable inventory features beautiful and often unique species perfectly adapted to our distinctive ecosystem that have been thriving in the wild for millennia and, unsurprisingly, will do likewise when introduced into a planned Hill Country landscape. Why fight Mother Nature? Go native!
Located on 232 pristine acres, the nursery’s long-standing reputation as a respected resource for hard-to-find, quality resident plants, shrubs and trees has continued to grow faster than Alamo Vine. Initially established in 1994 by Betty and David Winningham on land that attracted the pair because of its natural beauty, Natives of Texas’ first offerings were cultivated madrone trees. A rarity, the shy madrone, unique to only a few counties in Texas, is an evergreen that features a dazzling smooth pink bark. Because of its coloring, nicknames for this rock-loving, drought-tolerant species range from “the naked Indian tree” to “ladies’ legs.”
See NATIVES, Page 9
David Winningham
Epiphyllum crenatum
Queen of the Night
Madrone tree
Whatever folks call it, sales of this arboreal loners were brisk, customers wanted more offerings and, as David remembers, “It quickly became obvious that an inventory expansion was in order.” Today, patrons from across the state (and beyond) are able to choose from hundreds of other stunning, colorful varieties of vibrant vegetation all acclimated to the harsh (often arid) Texas Hill Country.
The nursery, the brainchild of Betty, grew out of the former algebra teacher’s passion for plants – especially those native to her beloved home state of Texas. After 30 years in the classroom, retirement gave this self-taught horticulturalist the opportunity to pursue that passion.
With the fulltime assistance of friend and employee Pablo Cruces and part-time help from husband David (a happily retired research scientist), Betty nurtured the new undertaking through its infancy and well into its adolescence, collecting seeds and plants, testing new growth for hardiness and beauty and, ultimately, developing the superior product line that has come to define Natives of Texas. Unfortunately, in 2003, Betty succumbed to cancer. David and Pablo continued after her death to operate and grow the business, in her memory, as she would have wished, making this amazing nursery truly a “living legacy” to her spirit, vision and effort.
Even in the fall, visitors can almost always expect a sensual symphony of color, texture, scent and sound. Texas Star hibiscus, gayfeather and buttonbush prosper in one area while Texas lantana, the Mexican sages and indigo spires succeed in another.
Myriad other individually hand-raised, lovingly tended vines, grasses, ground covers, flowers, shrubs and especially, trees, also vie for space within this lush setting. Today, beyond the nursery’s initial offering of the madrone, customers can now acquire such additional unique specimens of trees as witch hazel, blanco crabapple, Apache pine, pinyon remote, Texas mulberry, linden or basswood and even, maples. Happily, the majority of the stock is deer resistant and able to tolerate dry conditions. Add to the greenery the many delightful butterflies and birds continually attracted to foliage and water features alike and the entire environment seems more akin to an unspoiled pastoral paradise rather than the successful commercial enterprise it is.
As David proudly notes, “Unlike the big box stores where people buy plants off sweltering paved parking lots, our customers are literally immersed in nature. It’s more like an outing than a shopping trip and most think that’s pretty cool.”
Photos courtesy Natives of Texas.
FYI • Natives of Texas is located at 4256 Medina Hwy (Highway 16 South)in Kerrville. The nursery is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm. For more information, please call 830-896-2169 or 830-377-7693 or email dwinningham@icloud.com. Visit the website at nativesoftexas.com.
With the holiday season looming, people’s thoughts in the Texas Hill Country inevitably turn towards two things: eating and gift giving. On Thanksgiving, as families gather, a sumptuous repast is expected where tastes are treated and appetites sated. Christmas also comes with edible expectations made even more expansive with the time-honored addition of gifting. On both occasions, folks (both providers and recipients) seek exceptionalism and achieving success can be daunting.
But, to the savvy it’s an easy “fix” that relies on a trusted source who, for the past 80 productive years, has made it, “it’s business” to offer, via mail order, an incredible line of authentic Hill Countryhoned, hickory-smoked meats (and more) ready to grace any table that also make extremely appreciated presents to boot. The venerable New Braunfels Smokehouse where quality, tradition and customer service “link” together creating unsurpassed gourmet gifting.
Family owned and operated since 1945, the Smokehouse got its start a few years earlier when its founder Kim Dunbar, a San Antonio businessman, purchased an ice plant in New Braunfels. Refrigeration in the 1940s was rare and, as a result, area ranchers and farmers began bringing their meats to the plant for cold storage. One German-American employee named Benno was adept at slowsmoking hams, sausages and other meats using Old World techniques and subsequently was asked to prepare some of the stored meat as a side job. Over time as word spread among the locals about the delicious results, demand soared for Benno’s output. Kim shared this news with a friend who knew marketing, a brochure promoting the hickory-smoked pork, beef and turkey was quickly created and distributed (to a much wider audience) and the New Braunfels Smokehouse’s mail order business got its start that so ably propels the enterprise today. Thank you, Benno!
If you’re not familiar with Smokehouse offerings, perusing its mouthwatering website and/or flipping through one of its regularlymailed catalogs is a good starting point. The product list runs the
See SMOKEHOUSE, Page 11
Dudley Snyder and his son, Hale Snyder
gamut from expertly prepared and extremely flavorful briskets, spiral sliced honey-glazed hams, various sausages, pork tenders and chops, jerky and of course, turkey (whole or sliced). The inventory is impressive with more than 100 must-have selections to choose from, many including a delightful complementing mix.
All are perfectly smoked on-site ensuring outstanding flavor, juiciness and tenderness. And while meat is what the Smokehouse is all about, it’s not the entire story. Condiments, (smoked) cheeses, sweets (the buttermilk and pecan pies are to die for) and more add to the menu’s appealing diversity. Meal-wise, you can get pretty close to a complete dining package if desired (you supply the beverages and the vegies). Couple the hearty hickoried savories with a user-friendly ordering system that promises a prompt delivery directly from their facility to your home and you’ll understand why so many customers keep coming back, year after year. Easy as pie!
The Smokehouse is still located on the same New Braunfels street as its original ice plant origins.
With expansion and renovations occurring over the decades, currently, it is housed in a 60,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art, federally inspected edifice designed to safely and efficiently handle food preparation while maintaining the traditional “old school” cooking methods that define the products’ sought-after taste. Guests are welcome to stop, shop and check out the very neat “country store” located within. There's lots of memorabilia adorning the walls that relates the company’s fun history. It’s definitely worth a visit and, you won’t leave empty-handed.
The New Braunfels Smokehouse as a family-owned business is currently run by Kim’s capable son-in-law and grandson, Dudley and Hale Snyder. Kim’s daughter, Sue Dunbar Snyder, continues to be heavily involved as well. Younger members of the family plan on joining the biz too.
Really, as Dudley attests, “We want Kim to be proud of what he started and nurtured so long ago – something wonderful with deep Hill Country roots where everyone including employees, suppliers and customers are considered family.”
Photos courtesy New Braunfels Smokehouse.
FYI • The New Braunfels Smokehouse and Country Store are located at 441 N Guenther Avenue in New Braunfels. To place an order or request a catalog, visit nbsmokehouse.com or call 800-537-6932. Phones are manned from 8 am to 8 pm seven days a week. The Country Store is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm
TEXAS SCRATCH KITCHEN
By BONNIE EISSLER
The central Texas town of Menard, population 1,300, offers small town charm, a scenic river running through it, a rich history with 18th century Spanish ruins and one of the best preserved frontier forts in the state. Once a trading post and an overnight stop on the cattle trails, the town provided a resting place for cowboys and their herds.
Menard was designated a “Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community” by Travel Texas in December 2024, and the town continues to provide a resting place for locals, tourists and other travelers with its perfect blend of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, history, and local culture.
Another Menard attraction that catches some first-time visitors by surprise is the cozy, family-owned and operated Texas Scratch Kitchen, a European style market and bakery, where the food is fabulous, the coffee delicious, and the flaky buttery croissants reported to rival those from the best patisseries in Paris, France.
Zea, Maia and Laila Prest are the talented teen entrepreneurs who founded Texas Scratch Kitchen. All three sisters were born in England, and when they moved to Texas, they missed the pastries and sweets, like the choux buns and macarons made by their English grandmother. Maia remembers being amazed at the enticing array of pastries on display in the bakery shop windows, like jewels with colorful fruit toppings and glossy glazes. “They were so different from what we have here,” she says.
Maia, who is the middle sister and 18 years old, started baking when she was six, perhaps even younger, and it soon became a passion. She cooked and baked alongside her mother at home, and she cooked on her own. “This was how we grew up — our grandparents on both sides of the Atlantic were always cooking and baking for the family,” she says.
The logical next step was to turn her baking hobby into a business and to cook for others. She says, “it is our mission to inspire others to enjoy real food as much as we do and share that experience with friends, family, and community.”
So, the sisters honed their business and baking skills to bring the European breads and pastries they loved to Menard, as well as many other cherished family recipes that were passed down from their great grandmother Patsy, who was renowned for her baking. “Long time residents grew up eating her cakes and she is such an inspiration,” Maia says, “she lives here in town and comes by the shop, we still call her when we need a particular recipe or have questions.”
Starting out at local farmers markets selling Texas sheet cakes, delicate homemade French macarons, and mesquite flour, their home baked pastries were soon so popular with locals that they needed to expand their business to meet the growing demand. Two years ago last September, the brick-and-mortar market and bakery opened on Main Street.
The family bought the building, which was originally a Texaco station and more recently a donut shop, a year before they opened the bakery. They installed new flooring and added fresh paint.
See SCRATCH KITCHEN, Page 13
Laila, Zea and Maia Prest
Texas-based watercolor/muralist, Christan Powers, painted a colorful mural of plants and birds in vibrant shades of green and pink on the front of the building. Their father built the shaded outdoor herb garden patio, where tables and chairs are set up between the planter boxes of herbs and vegetables — basil and oregano, lettuce, and jalapeños.
The workday begins early around 5 am, six out of seven days of the week. “We have a phenomenal baker, Jen, who was the first employee we hired, and she makes all of the sourdough and puff pastry,” Maia says. Jen attended culinary school in Massachusetts and worked as a barista at Starbucks.
Historically, bakeries have been important community gathering spots. Texas Scratch Kitchen has regulars who come in every day for coffee and pastries — cinnamon rolls, cinnamon puffs, and plain, chocolate or almond croissants. The breakfast and lunch menu items live up to their reputation and are truly made “from scratch” with breakfast sandwiches on homemade English muffins and homemade chicken stock in the chicken noodle soup. Autumn ushers in seasonal specialties like mini pumpkin pies, pumpkin cinnamon rolls with maple icing, and caramel apple danish.
Zea, Maia, Laila and their two younger siblings are the eighth generation in their family to live in Menard. They have deep roots in Texas and a long, strong connection to this close-knit community. “This is our way of sharing our English heritage and Texas roots through delicious, high-end, and homestyle foods,” Maia says.
Photos courtesy Texas Scratch Kitchen.
FYI • Texas Scratch Kitchen is located at 300 Ellis Street in Menard. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 6:30 am to 2 pm, Friday 6:30 am to 6 pm, Saturday 8 am to 2 pm. The shop is closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, follow tx_scratchkitchen on Instagram, call 325-396-8307 or email Maia at maia@txskmarket.com.
UVALDE COUNTY FAIRPLEX
By BONNIE EISSLER
Maybe it is an exaggeration to claim that everything is bigger in Texas, but it’s only a slight stretch, and we’re not just talking about big trucks, big hair, big hats, and big attitudes. Where else but Texas can you see massive manmade roadside objects like “The World’s Largest” pecan, pizza, Bowie knife, convenience store, and a giant illuminated Lone Star?
The Uvalde County Fairplex is another Texas-sized attraction and one that has been extremely valuable to the community since its official opening in summer 2013. The fairplex has a 19,000 squarefoot covered pavilion, 171,000 square-foot covered arena, and an event center perfect for weddings, birthdays, quinceañeras, and trade shows, with an auditorium, tables and seating for 600-plus guests.
A smiling 18-foot tall, freestanding wooden mural of Dale Evans welcomes visitors to the Fairplex. The Western film star and singer was born Frances Octavia Smith in Uvalde in 1912. She and her husband, the singing cowboy Roy Rogers, were a beloved celebrity couple, along with their equally famous horses, Trigger and Buttermilk, in the 1950s and 1960s when Westerns dominated films and television.
Decked out in boots, hat and a sparkling fringed dress, Dale Evans is the iconic “Queen of the West.” Some have observed that Uvalde is the “iconic Texas” depicted in old Westerns, due to its rugged dramatic
See FAIRPLEX, Page 16
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landscape, frontier and ranching history. Uvalde’s cowboy culture dates back to the 1850s and the merging of Spanish and Mexican vaquero heritage with Anglo-American ranching. These enduring traditions are still present today in the local lifestyle, ranching work, livestock shows, and participation in rodeos.
The annual livestock shows, rodeos, roping, bull riding, barrel racing and equestrian events are “the action-packed heart of the Fairplex.” The warmup area, bucking chutes, cattle pens, roping boxes, 265 stalls, and numerous other amenities are all comfortably located inside the enormous, covered arena. Everything has been designed and constructed specifically for hosting these thrilling crowd-pleasing entertainments.
The 2012 inaugural event, the Junior Livestock Show, which took place before the center was quite completed (it didn’t officially open until 2013) brought in record-breaking sales. The multi-facility center generates millions of dollars each year in revenue, boosts the local economy through jobs and tourism, supports local talent, provides entertainment, and promotes local and Texas culture.
The Uvalde Fairplex is the home arena to the Texas Junior High and High School Rodeo Associations for Region VIII. It’s also where world champion barrel racer, Charmayne James, conducts her annual multi-state clinics. Charmayne was born in Boerne, Texas, started riding horses at age three, and by age six she was running barrels. She has said that barrel racing was the only thing she ever wanted to do. Before retiring in 2002, she won 11 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) championships, the most in history.
Several popular annual events bring in more than 100,000 guests each year — Cactus Jack PRCA Xtreme Bull Riding, Briscoe Ranch BBQ cook-off, Heart of the Hills Barrel Racing Association Circuit, and the Uvalde Area Chamber Hunters Roundup. Fairplex director Wendy Speer says, “we now have a multi-year contract to host six days of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo PRCA qualifier every November.”
The Uvalde Cactus Jack Foundation organizes and sponsors the eagerly anticipated “Xtreme Bull Riding” event, featuring champion professional bull riders and ranch bronc competitors, held in May at the Fairplex County Arena. This is one of the largest fundraisers for the foundation, which provides educational resources and funds extracurricular activities for youths at Uvalde County Independent School District (UCISD) and other local schools.
The foundation’s name refers to John Nance Garner, also known as “Cactus Jack,” U.S. Vice President from 1933 to 1941 under Franklin D. Roosevelt. After a long career in state and national politics, he retired to his home in Uvalde for the last 26 years of his life.
The Palomino Fest is an annual Labor Day weekend festival at the Fairplex, featuring a pro rodeo, parade, carnival rides, petting zoo, and live music concerts. In 2025, the festival was held during the last weekend in August and drew nearly 20,000 attendees, the biggest crowd in years. Recent music lineups have included a variety of Latin music artists, such as Los Palominos, Uvalde’s own Grammy Awardwinning musicians. It all adds up to another fun and memorable weekend at the Fairplex!
Wendy says she typically does “at least one tour a month for people coming from in and out of the state wanting to mirror the success of the Uvalde Fairplex.”
The citizens of Uvalde came together to build a first class multipurpose center and this is a major accomplishment to be proud of, as they continue to host events that entertain, celebrate local culture and traditions, raise funds for worthy causes, and create lasting memories. Photos courtesy Uvalde County Fairplex.
FYI • Uvalde County Fairplex is located at 215 Veterans Lane in Uvalde. For more information, visit uvaldecountyfairplex.com.
Los Palominos will perform at Labor Day Palmino Fest.
Hill Country Calendar
EVERY SUNDAY
WIMBERLEY: The Market at Blanco Brew. Fresh, local produce, handcrafted products, and delicious food. 9 am to 1 pm. 14200 Ranch Road 12.
FIRST SUNDAY
WIMBERLEY: Coffee & Cars. Experience the perfect blend of adrenalinefueled automotive beauty and delicious caffeinated delights. 8 am to 11 am. Blanco Brew, 14200 Ranch Road 12.
EVERY TUESDAY
BOERNE: Farmers Market. Tuesday afternoons. Explore the bounty of local farmers and growers, homesteaders, ranchers, and artisans, and enjoy the dynamic atmosphere of the market. boernefm.com.
FIRST & THIRD TUESDAY
WIMBERLEY: Jon Conboy’s Song Circle. Musicians invited to join in. 6:30 pm to 9 pm. Willow Lake Watering Hole & Mercantile. 110 Old Kyle Road.
THURSDAY - SUNDAY
WIMBERLEY: Live Glassblowing at Wimberley Glass Works. Watch as molten glass is spun, stretched, and shaped into stunning works of art— right before your eyes. 10:30 am to 3 pm. WGW.com.
EVERY FRIDAY
LEAKEY: Live Music at the Leakey Inn. LeakeyInn.com.
WIMBERLEY: Four-game “Early Bird” session starts at 7:15 pm. Main event at 8 pm with 10 games. VFW Post 6441, 401 Jacobs Well Road.
EVERY FRIDAY AND SUNDAY
FREDERICKSBURG: Live music at Texas Heritage Vineyard. 2 pm to 4 pm texasheritagevineyard.com.
SECOND FRIDAY
UVALDE: Four Square Friday. Enjoy late-night shopping, food, live music, and art. Historic Downtown Uvalde, Getty Street.
EVERY SATURDAY
BANDERA: Cattle Company Gunfighters. 1800s gunfight reenactments at Rattlesnake Ridge, facebook.com/banderagunfighters.
BANDERA: Cowboys On Main. Free cowboy fun on Main Street in downtown Bandera. banderabusiness.com.
EVERY SATURDAY
BOERNE: Old Jail Museum Tours. thejail.org.
FIRST SATURDAY
BANDERA: Market Day (March-December). Vendors sell wares and merchandise on Main Street. banderacowboycapital.com.
KERRVILLE: Kerr County Market Days and Hill Country Swap Meet. kerrmarketdays.org.
ROCKSPRINGS: Homesteaders Swap Meet. Edwards County Senior Activity Center, 104 Kerr Street, 830-499-0925.
WIMBERLEY: Market Day (March-December).The Hill Country’s largest outdoor market! More than 49 booths on 20 shaded acres at Lions Field. 7 am to 3 pm. wimberleymarketday.com.
SECOND SATURDAYS
MEDINA: Main Street Sale. Visit the shops at this morning market, open 9 to 11 am November through April. banderacowboycapital.com.
EVERY WEEKEND
DRIPPING SPRINGS: Live music at Fox 12 Brewing. Find out more at 12foxbeer.com.
FIRST FRIDAYS
GEORGETOWN: First Friday Music on the Square. March through November, the Georgetown square comes alive with live music and afterhours shopping. dgagtx.org.
EVERY SATURDAY
BANDERA: Western Music Festival and Round-Up. The 11th Street Cowboy Bar, aka the “Biggest Little Honky Tonk in Texas,” hosts this event featuring live western music all weekend long. 11thstreetcowboybar.com.
BANDERA: Celebrate Bandera Round-up. Longhorn Cattle Drive Parade, arts and crafts, music, gunfight reenactments, a ranch rodeo, and Lil’ Wrangler activities. banderatex.com.
SECOND SATURDAY
MEDINA: Main Street Sale. On the second Saturday of the month, visit the shops at this morning market.banderacowboycapital.com
SECOND WEEKEND OF THE MONTH
BOERNE: Market Days. At this market held on the second weekend of each month, hundreds of festive booths display everything from collectibles and remembrances of the past to modern innovations that bring a smile of wonder to those who stroll past. eventsoffmain.com/market-days.
NOVEMBER 1 –JANUARY 4
NEW BRAUNFELS: Santa’s Ranch Drive Through Christmas Lights Park. 9561 I-35 North. santasranch.com.
NOVEMBER 7–DECEMBER 31
BOERNE: The Jones Christmas Ranch. Drive through a massive ranch-size synchronized light and music display, now boasting three million lights. 43360 I-10. thejoneschristmasranch.com.
NOVEMBER 21–JANUARY 3, 2026
MARBLE FALLS: Walkway of Lights. Stroll lakeside among dazzling light sculptures; Santa visits Fridays and Sundays. Lakeside Park, 305 Buena Vista Drive. visitmarblefalls.org.
MARBLE FALLS: Winter Ice Rink. Seasonal ice skating and bumper cars by the lake. Lakeside Park. visitmarblefalls.org/christmas-season.
NOVEMBER 22
KERRVILLE: Holiday Lighted Parade and Courthouse Lighting Ceremony. Carols and a 45-foot tree lighting. Kerr County Courthouse, 700 Main Street. kerrvilletx.gov.
NOVEMBER 22–JANUARY 1, 2026
FREDERICKSBURG: Eisbahn Ice Skating Rink. Open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. $15 all-day pass. Includes skate rental. $10 Tuesdays. facebook.com/eisbahntx.
NOVEMBER 24–DECEMBER 15
PIPE CREEK: Pipe Creek Christmas Tree Farm. Choose-and-cut trees, photo ops, and festive farm fun daily. Pipe Creek Tree Farm, 805 Phil’s Road. pipecreekchristmastrees.com.
NOVEMBER 28
GEORGETOWN: Lighting of the Square. ADowntown lights glow nightly through January 1. Georgetown Square, 103 W. Seventh St. visit. georgetown.org/events/festivals_events.php.
NOVEMBER 28–30
FREDERICKSBURG: Trade Days Holiday Encore. Shop 350+ vendors across seven barns plus a beer garden with live music. Fredericksburg Trade Days, 355 Sunday Farms Lane. fbgtradedays.com.
NOVEMBER 28–DECEMBER 27
LLANO: Starry Starry Nights Lighted Christmas Park. Stroll illuminated displays along the Llano River in Badu Park. 300 Legion Drive. facebook. com/starrystarrynightsllano.
NOVEMBER 28–JANUARY 3
DRIPPING SPRINGS: Western Wonderland. Ice rink, Trail of Lights, festive market, and live entertainment for all ages. Dripping Springs Ranch Park, drippingspringsranchpark.com/westernwonderland.
NOVEMBER 28–29
BOERNE: Dickens on Main. Main Street transforms with live performances, snow, music, food, kids’ activities. holidaysinboerne.com.
NOVEMBER 29
BOERNE: Music in the Cave: Sounds of the Season. A cappella quartet Tinsel performs contemporary classics and beloved carols underground. cavewithoutaname.com.
COMFORT: Christmas in Comfort. Festival with 100+ vendors, live entertainment, lighted parade with fireworks. comfortchamber.com.
LEAKEY: Festivity of Lights Hill Country Strong Lighting Ceremony. 6 pm. Display runs through mid-January. Real County Courthouse.
NOVEMBER 29–30
FREDERICKSBURG: Texas Woodworkers Market. Fine woodworking, live music, food, wine. Marktplatz. www.visitfredericksburgtx.com.
NOVEMBER 29–DECEMBER 20
PIPE CREEK: Pancakes with Santa. Saturday-morning photos with Santa at the cabins and RV park. Al’s Hideaway Cabin and RV Rentals, 299 Willow Springs. alshideaway.com.
NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 26
WIMBERLEY: EmilyAnn Trail of Lights. Mile-long trail illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights with live entertainment, fire pits, and cocoa. EmilyAnn Theatre and Gardens, 1101 FM 2325. emilyann.org.
NOVEMBER 29–JANUARY 3, 2026
WIMBERLEY: Christmas Courtyard. Twinkling downtown with parades, pub crawl, Cup of Cheer, live music. Downtown. hometownholidays.com.
NOVEMBER 29–JANUARY 4, 2026
JOHNSON CITY: Lights Spectacular Hill Country Style. A beloved citywide holiday light tradition across the historic square, Memorial Park, and PEC HQ. lightsspectacular.com.
NOVEMBER 30
BANDERA: Country Christmas in the Park. Watch the Bandera City Park light up; enjoy a tree lighting, face painting, hot chocolate, and a giant snow globe. Bandera City Park. banderacowboycapital.com.
DECEMBER 3
KERRVILLE: Wild West Wine Wednesdays. Meet local brewers, winemakers, distillers and sample products while touring current exhibits. museumofwesternart.com.
DECEMBER 4
KERRVILLE: Handel’s Messiah. Symphony of the Hills presents this annual community sing-along and orchestra performance. Cailloux Theater. symphonyofthehills.org.
NEW BRAUNFELS: Wassailfest. Sip hot cider and stroll through downtown lights with food vendors, live entertainment, and extended shopping hours. Gruene Hall. newbraunfels.gov.
DECEMBER 4–13
SAN MARCOS: Sights and Sounds of Christmas. Experience Bethlehem reenactments, concerts, children’s choirs, and Santa’s nightly arrival. San Marcos Plaza Park, 206 N. CM Allen Parkway. sights-n-sounds.org.
DECEMBER 5
FREDERICKSBURG: Light the Night Christmas Parade. Illuminated floats parade down Main Street followed by Santa photos and kids’ activities. visitfredericksburgtx.com.
DECEMBER 5–6
BOERNE: Stocking Stroll. Purchase a ticket to collect gifts from participating shops along the Hill Country Mile. boerne.org.
DECEMBER 5–7
BUDA: Budafest. Three days of holiday cheer include a carnival, kids activities, an art market, and a parade with fireworks. Buda City Park, 204 E. San Antonio Street. budafest.org.
LLANO: A Dickens Christmas. Victorian festivities includes a dinner theater, parade, markets, Christmas tree forest. llanotxdickens.org.
DECEMBER 5–7, 12–14
BURNET: Main Street Bethlehem. Immersive live nativity features volunteer actors, craftspeople, live animals in a realistic setting. 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. fbcburnet.org/main-street-bethlehem.
DECEMBER 5–7, 12–14, 19–21
KERRVILLE: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. A heartwarming tale of the Herdman family’s chaotic but meaningful church Christmas play. caillouxperformingarts.com.
Hill Country Calendar
DECEMBER 5–20
BOERNE: Boerne Bright. A walk-through light experience featuring more than 400,000 lights at Boerne’s First Baptist Church. 631 S. School Street. boernebright.com.
DECEMBER 5–21
COTTONWOOD SHORES: Winter Wonderettes. 1960s-inspired musical featuring humor and harmony as a quartet saves Christmas when Santa goes missing. Hill Country Community Theatre. thehcct.org. DECEMBER 5–23
AUSTIN: 62nd Annual Ballet Austin’s The Nutcracker. balletaustin.org. DECEMBER 6
AUSTIN: German-Texan Heritage Society Christmas Market. Browse handmade crafts, enjoy German pastries, and listen to carols. German Free School of Austin, 507 E. 10th Street. germantexans.org.
AUSTIN: Trail of Lights Fun Run. Run or stroll through the two-mile illuminated course at Zilker Park’s Trail of Lights. austintrailoflights.org.
AUSTIN: Downtown Holiday Stroll. Music, shopping, Santa, and the lighting of the 45-foot downtown tree. downtownaustin.com.
BANDERA: Market Day. Local artisans and farmers set up pop-up shops selling crafts, produce, and baked goods. banderabusiness.com.
BERTRAM: Country Christmas Festival. Parade, kids’ snow play, live music, and food vendors. Downtown Bertram. bertramchamber.com.
BOERNE: Weihnachts Parade. A nighttime holiday parade features more than 100 illuminated floats down historic Main Street. ci.boerne.tx.us.
BOERNE: Music in the Cave: A Nordic Christmas with Texas Cellos. Candlelit. cavewithoutaname.com.
BOERNE: Down Home Christmas. Family-friendly event with photos with Santa, hayrides, crafts, live music, shopping. theagricultural.org.
DRIPPING SPRINGS: Christmas on Mercer. Annual festival features live music, kids' activities, arts and crafts vendors, food and holiday fun. cityofdrippingsprings.com/christmasonmercer.
FREDERICKSBURG: Santa Day Parade. Santa rides through downtown and visits children afterwards. visitfredericksburgtx.com.
FREDERICKSBURG: Outpost. Learn how Marines battled fortified Japanese defenses during WWII. pacificwarmuseum.org.
GRUENE: Gruene Town Lighting. Watch Cowboy Kringle light up Gruene’s downtown while handing out candy. gruenetexas.com.
KERRVILLE: Kerr County Market Days and Swap Meet. Artists, crafters, garage sellers offer handmade items, collectibles. kerrmarketdays.org.
KERRVILLE: Christmas Market. More than a dozen vendors sell handmade gifts, food, and crafts. Wilson Ranch, 512 Rogers Trail.
KERRVILLE: Running Home for the Holidays 5K. Louise Hays Park, 202 Thompson Drive. kerrvilletx.gov.
MARBLE FALLS: Light Up Christmas Parade. A nighttime parade with illuminated floats and live music. visitmarblefalls.org.
MARBLE FALLS: Market Day on Main. Arts, crafts, baked goods, and local products for holiday shopping. visitmarblefalls.org.
DECEMBER 6–7
BOERNE: Oma’s Christmas Fair. Shop from 100 artisans selling handmade gifts and baked goods. Kendall County Fairgrounds. kcfa.org.
GRUENE: Gruene Christmas Market Days. Shop from nearly 100 vendors for handmade holiday gifts and Texas foods. gruenetexas.com.
KERRVILLE: Hill Country Gun Show. Browse guns, knives, coins, and outdoor items to benefit local veterans. gunshowtrader.com.
DECEMBER 6–27
BANDERA: Cowboys on Main. Cowboy-themed fun with wagon rides, storytellers, and Western music. Downtown. banderabusiness.com.
BANDERA: Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters. Reenactments of 1800s gunfights held twice daily every Saturday. Rattlesnake Ridge, 126 SH 16 South. facebook.com/banderagunfighters.
DECEMBER 6–28
BANDERA: Christmas Light Viewing Carriage Ride. Ride through Bandera City Park to view light displays. wagonridesofbandera.com.
DECEMBER 6–13, JANUARY 17 – FEBRUARY 28
BOERNE: Cibolo Farmers Market. Hike, shop, and explore locally grown produce and crafts at this festive open-air market. Herff Farm, 33 Herff Road. cibolo.org.
DECEMBER 7
BANDERA: Singing in the Saddle. Join wagon and horseback riders for afternoon Christmas caroling. Downtown. banderabusiness.com.
FREDERICKSBURG: Pearl Harbor Commemoration. National Museum of the Pacific War. pacificwarmuseum.org.
MARBLE FALLS: Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy breakfast, activities, and photos at Lakeside Pavilion. 305 Buena Vista Drive. visitmarblefalls.org.
ROUND MOUNTAIN: Root 90 Christmas Praise and Worship Concert. Round Mountain Cider Mill, 222 Lee Lane. root90worship.com.
DECEMBER 7, 14, 21
BANDERA: Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides with Santa. Evening rides around the square with Santa. Downtown. wagonridesofbandera.com.
DECEMBER 8–14
AUSTIN: Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. Live music and fine art shopping from Texas artists and makers. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road. armadillobazaar.com.
DECEMBER 11–14
AUSTIN: Blue Genie Art Bazaar. Iconic Austin holiday market features hundreds of artists offering gifts, crafts, art. bluegenieartbazaar.com.
DECEMBER 12–13
BOERNE: Weihnachts Weekend. German-style Christmas market featuring crafts, food, and live entertainment. holidaysinboerne.com.
DECEMBER 12–14
KERRVILLE: Hill Country Chorale Christmas Concert. Cailloux Theater, 910 Main Street. caillouxperformingarts.com.
NEW BRAUNFELS: Heritage Society Christmas Market. Handcrafted items, baked goods, and antiques. newbraunfelsconservation.org.
DECEMBER 12–15
FREDERICKSBURG: Trade Days Christmas Encore. Over 350 vendors offer antiques, collectibles, and holiday gifts. Fredericksburg Trade Days, 355 Sunday Farms Lane. fbgtradedays.com.
DECEMBER 13
BANDERA: Cowboy Christmas Parade. Celebrate the season with a Western-themed parade featuring horses, wagons, and local floats. Main Street, Bandera. banderacowboycapital.com.
BANDERA: Cowboy Campfire Christmas. Gather at dusk for storytelling, s’mores, cowboy poetry, songs around a campfire. banderabusiness.com.
BOERNE: Walk in Bethlehem. Reenactment of nativity with interactive stations, music. St. Helena’s Episcopal Church. sthelenas.net.
BOERNE: Music in the Cave: Tinsel Quartet. cavewithoutaname.com.
MARBLE FALLS: Snow on Main. Snow play area, music, and kids’ activities. Main Street, Marble Falls. visitmarblefalls.org.
AUSTIN: Handel’s Messiah. Austin Symphony Orchestra performs the beloved holiday oratorio with a full chorus. austinsymphony.org.
DECEMBER 14
KERRVILLE: Symphony of the Hills Christmas on the Hills. Cailloux Theater, 910 Main Street. symphonyofthehills.org.
FREDERICKSBURG: Christmas Home Tour and Market. Self-guided tour of historic homes, holiday gift market. pioneermuseum.org.
WIMBERLEY: Bethlehem Village. Experience the sights and sounds of ancient Bethlehem with live animals and local actors. Cypress Creek Church, 211 Stillwater Road. cypresscreekchurch.com.
DECEMBER 15–24
AUSTIN: Trail of Lights. Austin’s iconic holiday event with millions of lights, food trucks, rides, and live performances. Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road. austintrailoflights.org.
DECEMBER 19–21
BOERNE: Cowboy Christmas Market Days. Western-themed gifts, crafts, and food at. Main Plaza, 100 N. Main Street. eventsoffmain.com.
DRIPPING SPRINGS: Western Wonderland Christmas Concert. Carols and music beneath thousands of lights. drippingspringsranchpark.com.
LLANO: Christmas Boat Parade. Decorated boats on Llano River, carolers, cocoa and lights. Badu Park. facebook.com/starrystarrynightsllano.
DECEMBER 21
BOERNE: Music in the Cave: Winter Solstice Celebration. Candlelit concert featuring instrumental meditations celebrating the longest night of the year. cavewithoutaname.com.
2025 GUN SHOWS
Dec 13-14 Amarillo Civic Center
Dec 20-21 Kerrville Expo Hall
2026 GUN SHOWS
Jan 10-11
Abilene Convention Center
Feb 14-15 Fredericksburg Fair Grounds
Feb 28-Mar 1 Kerrville Expo Hall
March 7-8
Abilene Convention Center
April 11-12 Kerrville Expo Hall
June 27-28
Abilene Convention Center
July 11-12 Kerrville Expo Hall
July 17-18 Amarillo Civic Center
Aug 15-16 Abilene Convention Center
Aug 22-26 East Bernard Riverside Hall
Sept 12-13 Kerrville Expo Hall
Oct 17-18
Abilene Convention Center
Nov 14-15 Kerrville Expo Hall
Dec 12-13 Amarillo Civic Center
Dec 19-20 Kerrville Expo Hall
Saturday 9-5 • Sunday 10-4
Hill Country Calendar
DECEMBER 22–31
WIMBERLEY: Hometown Holidays. Downtown Wimberley transforms into winter wonderland with Santa visits, more. hometownholidays.com.
DECEMBER 26–28
FREDERICKSBURG: Trade Days After-Christmas Market. Antiques, collectibles, and Texas crafts. fbgtradedays.com.
DECEMBER 27
BANDERA: End of the Trail Dance. 11thstreetcowboybar.com.
DECEMBER 28–31
AUSTIN: New Year Celebration. Family-friendly event with fireworks, food trucks, and live music. Auditorium Shores. austintexas.gov/any.
DECEMBER 31
FREDERICKSBURG: New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks. Enjoy live music, local food, and a countdown to midnight on historic Main Street. visitfredericksburgtx.com.
NEW BRAUNFELS: Midnight on Main. Dance under the stars and watch fireworks. 500 Main Plaza. innewbraunfels.com.
JANUARY 1
GRUENE: Hair of the Dog Day. Enjoy free live shows all day at the legendary Gruene Hall on New Year’s Day.gruenehall.com.
VANDERPOOL: First Day Hike. Start new year off with a two-mile hike through trails of Lost Maples. tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lost-maples.
JANUARY 8–10
BANDERA: Bandera County Junior Livestock Show. 4-H and FFA youth exhibit livestock and ag projects, plus livestock auction. bcjlsa.com.
JANUARY 9–10
AUSTIN: “Stomp.” The world-renowned percussion group returns using everyday objects to create rhythm. texasperformingarts.org.
JANUARY 10–11
AUSTIN: City-Wide Vintage Sale. Shop antiques, collectibles, and vintage treasures from 80–100 vendors at Austin’s largest indoor vintage market. Palmer Events Center. citywidevintagesale.com.
FREDERICKSBURG: Book Festival. Join more than a dozen Texas authors for readings, signings, more. fredericksburgbookfestival.org.
JOHNSON CITY: Snow Day at the Science Mill. Sled into 28 tons of real snow plus fun science experiments and activities. sciencemill.org.
JANUARY 18
AUSTIN: Austin International Half. Features fast, mostly downhill course through Austin ending near Capitol. downhilltodowntown.com.
JANUARY 24–25
KERRVILLE: Home and Outdoor Living Show. Discover home improvement products, a tiny home village, food trucks, and workshops for gardening and design. kerrvillehomeshow.com.
FEBRUARY 7
BANDERA: Mardi Gras. Enjoy a parade, shop handcrafted goods and art booths. banderatex.com.
BANDERA: Mardi Gras Gumbo Cookoff. 11th Street Cowboy Bar, 307 11th Street. banderaprorodeo.org.
BANDERA: Cowboy Mardi Gras Bull Riding. Watch top bull riders compete under the arena lights for this thrilling Western event. Mansfield Park Rodeo Arena, 2886 SH 16 North. ridingonfaithrodeo.com.
LLANO: Rainbow Trout Release Party. Watch Texas Parks and Wildlife release 2,000 rainbow trout into Llano River plus fly-casting demos, free hot dogs, and family fun. llanochamber.org.
FEBRUARY 14
AUSTIN: La La Land in Concert. Relive the Oscar-winning film starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone with a live orchestra performing the score in sync with the movie. Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Drive. texasperformingarts.org.
GET WILD THIS WINTER
Head into the Texas Hill Country and journey along hiking trails you’ll share with no one but the locals. Listen to leaves rustling and birdsong, and inhale the scent of sage in the crisp air. Winter has arrived in Texas Hill Country, and it is spectacular.
