Spend December in Burnet County
Go ice skating, bask in the glow of holiday lights, watch Christmas parades, visit Bethlehem at Christ’s birth, or shop festive markets for special gifts. You won’t have to travel far in the Highland Lakes of Burnet County to experience awe-inspiring holiday happenings.
In Marble Falls, the Walkway of Lights display in Lakeside Park along Lake Marble Falls is open daily throughout the month and features festive and imaginative creations. Come on a weekend and have your photo taken with Santa.
Granite Shoals’ Christmas by the Highway gets bigger and better every year. For 2022, 10 light structures were added. Drive by or park and walk to get a closer look at the colorful presentations, which are on display every evening this month.
A multicolor glow of holiday lights envelopes the city of Burnet every evening in December. The annual Trail of Lights brightens three locations in the city, including the Burnet County Courthouse square, which features the county Christmas tree. Other displays are at Wallace Riddell and Hamilton Creek parks.
Burnet County Decembers can be mild, but you can experience an added touch of winter at the Marble Falls Winter Ice Skating Rink, open nightly except Christmas Day. Newly relocated to Harmony Park in downtown, this seasonal venue sits next to a backdrop of the Marble Falls city Christmas tree and is a short stroll to pre- or post-skate shopping and dining.
While Marble Falls has its ice, Burnet brings in the snow for its Christmas on the Square festival Dec. 10. Aside from sledding or friendly snowball fights, you can check out the wares at food and vendor booths, tune in to live music, sit back and watch a noontime parade, and get a photo taken with Santa and the Grinch. While enjoying the festivities, visit Christmas at Fort Croghan from 5-8 p.m. that same day at the fort museum and grounds, 703 Buchanan. Enjoy a soup and cornbread supper for $5 and see how the pioneers celebrated the holidays.
Nearby Bertram goes big on Dec. 3 with a holiday float parade, live music, and an array of vendor, food, beer and wine booths. Youngsters have their own area with kid-centric activities and photos with St. Nick.
On Dec. 2, Marble Falls pumps up the wattage in this holiday-lit city with its Lightup Parade. Colorful floats travel down Main Street, toward Lakeside Park, where the spectacular Walkway of Lights awaits.
In Burnet, Main Street Bethlehem remains a don’t-miss December event for anyone wanting to experience the glory of the first Christmas. Main Street Bethlehem is free and open to the public on Dec. 2-4 and 9-11, covering an entire city block with authentic sets and cast members in period costumes.
There’s even more to do and see in Burnet County this month. For more information, go to highlandlakesofburnetcounty.com/events/.