Your 2026 Guide to Holiday Markets & Events in Bryan, TX

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From holiday lights to classic Christmas shows and family-friendly events, there are plenty of things to do this holiday season in Bryan!

Lights On! In Historic Downtown Bryan

Downtown Bryan | Friday, November 20 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Begin Christmas festivities with the annual Lights On! Join us for this special event and watch thousands of lights glow along Main Street and Bryan Avenue, transforming Historic Downtown Bryan into a holiday wonderland. Enjoy free admission, festive picture stations, lively entertainment, and more. This family-friendly tradition includes a visit from Santa Claus, mouthwatering treats, and holiday shopping.

Check out all the activities & street performances at this year's celebration by visiting our Lights On! event page.

The Nutcracker at Rudder Auditorium

Rudder Auditorium | Friday - Saturday, December 4-5 | Multiple Times

Every year, when the town is decked out in Christmas lights and holiday spirits are high, Rudder Auditorium welcomes a Christmas classic as a holiday tradition. The Nutcracker takes to the stage for its 15th anniversary at Rudder Auditorium in a stunning display of dance, music, and storytelling. This year, the production combines New York City Ballet professionals with the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra.

Don't miss the Bryan holiday tradition, and grab your tickets on the Rudder Auditorium website.

Lighted Parade in Historic Downtown Bryan

Downtown Bryan | Thursday, December 17 | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Come enjoy the best Lighted Holiday Parade in Bryan-College Station! Wander through downtown Bryan and take in stunning, dazzling lights. The parade will start at 7:00PM, going down Bryan Avenue and Main Street. Floats, vehicles, fire engines, and more – all decorated with lights – will parade through the streets of Downtown Bryan for a night of festive holiday fun!

Psst—A little elf told us that if all the children in Bryan-College Station are extra good this year, Santa will even pay us a special visit at the end of the parade!

Holiday Stroll in Historic Downtown Bryan

Multiple Locations | Sunday, December 13 - Thursday, December 17 | Times Vary

Get in the holiday spirit with fun events throughout the week leading up to the Lighted Parade! From glass-fusing classes at Brazos Glassworks to storytime with Santa at Wonderful Words Bookshoppe, there are a lot of festive activities to enjoy.

Head to our Holiday Stroll event page for more information about everything to expect from the annual event.

Holiday Magic at Sue Haswell Park

1142 E William Joel Bryan Pkwy. | Thursday, December 3 | 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Come sled down the snow hill, have your pictures taken with Santa, and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies with the entire family! There will also be other entertainment, inflatables, games, train rides, and a drop box for your letters to Santa. Holiday Magic will also have photo-ops with holiday characters and tons of picturesque holiday lights, perfect for making holiday memories with your family.

Holiday Porch Stroll

Heritage Park | Sunday, December 13 | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Experience the magic of the holiday season in Bryan's East Side Historic District during the Holiday Porch Stroll. This self-guided, outdoor walking tour invites visitors to explore the neighborhood’s beautifully decorated porches and front yards, each showcasing the district’s historic character with a festive holiday touch.

Parking is available at Fannin Elementary, just a short walk from Heritage Park.

Reindeer On The Run Scavenger Hunt

Bryan City Parks | November 30 - December 13 | Self Paced

Oh deer! Santa’s reindeer have escaped the North Pole and we need your help to find them! Explore City of Bryan locations to find all nine of Santa’s reindeer for a chance to win prizes. Go to Bryan's government website for clues on where to find Santa’s nine reindeer in Bryan. Decode the clues, and head to each of the nine locations in Bryan. When you find the reindeer, scan the QR code to be entered to win great prizes! Winners will be selected on December 16th.

Active Texan Tinsel Trot at Lake Walk

4107 Lake Atlas Dr. | Saturday, December 5 | Multiple Start Times

Take part in a 5K, 10K, or 1 mile kids and family run this holiday season at Lake Walk! This festive run will lead you through the scenic Traditions neighborhood, with paved, tree-lined streets. You'll probably even see some houses with all-out decorations for the season! After the Tinsel Trot, enjoy a party under the Christmas lights at Lake Walk.

Jingle Bell Sip & Shop in Historic Downtown Bryan

Historic Downtown Bryan | Saturday, November 21 | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Gather in Downtown Bryan for the annual holiday sip & shop event. During this time of year, Downtown Bryan is covered in thousands of lights, and the stores are decorated for the holidays!

Each store will feature one wine tasting and one holiday beverage (hot chocolate, wassail, cider, or something warm!). Each ticket includes a wine glass, wine tastings at participating businesses, a tote bag, and a map of all of the participating merchants in Downtown Bryan. Tickets will be available soon!

Ticket profits from this event will also go to support Voices for Children, a nonprofit located in Downtown Bryan whose mission is to provide volunteer advocates who ensure children who have experienced abuse or neglect have a safe and permanent home.

Holiday Night Bazaar At Lake Walk

4107 Lake Atlas Dr. | Saturday, December 5 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Free and open to the public, the Holiday Night Bazaar brings together a variety of artisans, farmers, producers, and crafters from across the Brazos Valley. Shop fresh foods such as homemade soaps, handcrafted jewelry, and other unique gifts for friends and family, all while live music plays and holiday cheer fills the air.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the Theatre Company

3125 S. Texas Ave. | Select Dates in December, Starting Friday, December 4 | Multiple Times

Bring the whole family to the Theatre Company's rendition of the classic holiday tale, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Sing along to the Christmas songs, and watch as iconic holiday characters, like Santa Claus, Bumble, and Clarice, help Rudolph find his place among his fellow reindeer.

Reserve your tickets for the production on the Theatre Company website.

Holiday Showcase at The Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History

3232 Briarcrest Dr. | Tuesday, December 8 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

The annual Holiday Showcase is a great time to get holiday shopping done while experiencing the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History!

This annual event features a variety of local artists and authors selling unique gifts for the holidays. There will also be live music, wine, and hors d'oeuvres, along with access to the Museum gift shop and their current exhibits.

First Friday

Historic Downtown Bryan | Friday, December 4 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Stroll the festive-filled streets in Historic Downtown Bryan and enjoy live music, art, and an array of shopping and dining options. Local artisans and members of the Brazos Valley Farmers’ Market will also be selling their goods on Main Street, and various shops and restaurants will be open extra late into the evening.

44th Annual Christmas Arts & Crafts Show

3232 Briarcrest Dr. | Saturday, December 5 | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

This free market is a long-standing tradition in Bryan, Texas! There will be over 100 vendors at the Brazos Center selling a variety of unique holiday gifts, from artwork to handmade soap. You never know what you might find (or how many gifts you can check off your list)!

Out & About BCS Holiday Market at Rountree

2603 Roundtree Dr. | Sunday, November 29 | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Rountree is hosting an Out & About Holiday Market to kick off the holiday season and give you a jump start on your holiday shopping. Shop local artisans and enjoy fun activities like cornhole and DIY postcards. They'll also have holiday activities to play during the market to celebrate the season!

Missed the Out and About Holiday Market? The Roundtree Market has other markets, opening weekly every Sunday for shoppers to peruse and browse.

First Saturday Christmas Art Fair

930 North Rosemary Drive | Saturday, December 5 | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Don't miss family-friendly fun and extraordinary artwork at DeGallery's First Saturday Christmas Art Fair! This outdoor art fair will feature live music, activities for kids, art vendors, and an artist's demo.

Farm Patch

3519 South College Ave. | Open Monday - Saturday | 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Open since 1974, The Farm Patch is an open-air market offering unique fruit and vegetable stands that include all types of food products, flowers, and bedding plants. During the holiday season, The Farm Patch offers poinsettias and winter plants that will perk up your home and office for the holiday season! Get ahead of the gift-giving and be sure to order their festive holiday baskets filled with local fruit, nuts, and more.

Farmers' Market in Brazos County

206 W Villa Maria Rd. | Every Saturday | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Locals love the year-round Farmers’ Market that takes place every Saturday at the Midtown Park. Shop local produce, pantry-essentials, and more that align with each of Texas' seasons! In the holiday season you'll find delicious honey products, jams & jellies, root vegetables, and more! This farmers' market is also pet-friendly, so even your furry friends can tag along!

While we do our best to stay in-tune with the community & keep up with all things in Bryan, we may have missed a spot or two. If you believe we left off your favorite holiday spot, kindly send us an email at marketing@destinationbryan.com.

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