Leave the stress of the holidays behind and rest easy knowing you & your loved ones visiting Bryan will have the perfect place to stay! Bryan offers accommodations for every style and budget and it's a guarantee that wherever you stay, you’re sure to be greeted with a friendly smile & a charming “Howdy!” while you’re in Aggieland.

Click here to find the perfect accommodations for your family.

Lights On! In Historic Downtown Bryan
Friday, November 19 | 6:00PM | Free Event

Destination Bryan will kick off the holiday season in Bryan, Texas with the annual Lights On! Help us countdown to turn on thousands of lights along Main Street and Bryan Avenue to illuminate picturesque Historic Downtown Bryan. This free, family-friendly event will include holiday photo backdrop stations, live music at the Palace Theater, and a special appearance by Santa Claus.

Holiday Stroll & Lighted Parade in Historic Downtown Bryan
Thursday, December 9 | 6:00PM | Free Event

Come enjoy the only Lighted Holiday Parade in Bryan-College Station! Stroll around Historic Downtown Bryan for an evening of holiday cheer, merriment, and even mark off some of your holiday shopping list! The parade will begin at 6:00PM at the intersection of 24th and Bryan Streets heading south, turn on 28th, and head back north on 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!

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 Magic at Sue Haswell Park
Thursday, December 2 | 6:00PM | Free Event

Come sled down the snow hill, have your pictures taken with Santa, and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. There will also be other entertainment, inflatables, games, train rides and a drop box for your letters to Santa.

Reindeer On The Run Scavenger Hunt
Starts Thursday, December 2

The City of Bryan’s Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a fun new family-friendly activity during the holidays this year – Reindeer on the Run! Go to Bryantx.gov/Reindeer 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. The Reindeer on the Run scavenger hunt begins December 2 thru January.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN AGGIELAND

The Local At Lake Walk
4100 Lake Atlas Drive| Seasonally Every Tuesday | 4:00PM - 7:00PM

Free and open to the public The Local offers an array of artisans, farmers, producers, and crafters from across the Brazos Valley. From fresh foods such as bread and honey, to homemade soaps and handcrafted jewelry, The Local features a variety of vendors week to week. Don't miss out on this neat market, this season of The Local runs until December 7!

Main Street Holiday Market
Brazos County Expo | 5827 Leonard Road | Saturday, November 20 & Sunday November 21

The 4th annual Main Street Holiday Market will feature fantastic vendors who will be bringing the best in clothing, gifts, gourmet food, accessories, Texas handmade, jewelry, home and holiday decor, gifts for the guys, Scentsy, soaps, kids clothing, photography, candles, and so much more. Santa arrives on Saturday morning and you don't want to miss him! Show hours are Saturday 10:00AM-5:00PM and Sunday 11:00AM-4:00PM. Admission is $6.00 or $5.00 with your non-perishable food donation to The Bridge Ministries Bryan, Texas. Kids 12 and under are FREE. There is free parking and hourly door prizes too!

First Friday
Historic Downtown Bryan | December 3 | 5:00PM-11:00PM

Stroll the festive-filled streets in Historic Downtown Bryan and enjoy live music, art, and an array of shopping and dining options. 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.

Holiday Premiere Market
Brazos County Expo | 5827 Leonard Road | Friday, December 3 & Saturday, December 4

Benefitting the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, an exquisite collection of the finest merchants selling their finest specialty gift items, unique home accessories, designer fashions for adults & children, gourmet foods, and custom designed and heirloom jewelry. Admission for Friday and Saturday will be $5 at the door (10 and under free), good for both days of shopping!

Christmas Arts & Crafts Show
Brazos Center | 3232 Briarcrest Drive | Saturday, December 4 & Sunday, December 5

The 39th Annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Show is being held at the Brazos Center in Bryan on December 4th and 5th. Bring your family and friends to a fun-filled shopping experience with 100 vendors with a wide array of gift-giving ideas for the holidays! Admission is free!

Night Bazaar Market At Lake Walk
4100 Lake Atlas Drive | Friday, December 17 | 6:00PM - 10:00PM

The Night Bazar at The Local will be back on December 17th. This is a perfect opportunity to get your holiday shopping done and visit your favorite vendors from our past seasons! The market will take place from 6:00PM-10:00PM. More details to come.

Farm Patch
3519 South College Avenue | Open Daily

Open since 1974, The Farm Patch is an open-air market offering unique fruit and vegetable stands that included 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.

Brazos Valley Farmers’ Market
500 North Main Street | Every Saturday 8:00AM - 12:00PM

Locals love the year-round Brazos Valley Farmers’ Market that takes place every Saturday at the North end of Historic Downtown Bryan. Shop local produce, pantry-essentials, and more that align with each of Texas' seasons!

Support locally-owned businesses & find festive decor at retail shops throughout Bryan! Merchants like Savage Diva, The Frame Gallery, Bird’s Nest Gifts & Antiques and Old Bryan Market are known throughout the Brazos Valley for their eclectic, handpicked items.

So, grab your shopping lists and shopping partners and start planning your holiday shopping excursions today!

Need to fuel up pre-shopping? Check out the cutest coffee shops Bryan has to offer!

CLICK HERE FOR GROWING UP TEXAS' DOWNTOWN BRYAN'S HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE

Avoid doing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen this holiday season... Restaurants throughout Bryan are ready to serve your family! Just like local retail establishments, it’s important to support our locally-owned restaurants this holiday season.

In Historic Downtown Bryan, sample the seasonal brews at Savage Brew Lab and Blackwater Draw Brewing Co., try one of Texas Monthly’s Best BBQ Bites at All The King’s Men, grab a delicious brunch at 3rd on Main, or chow down on delicious Cajun fare and craft cocktails at Downtown Elixir & Spirits Co.

Food really doesn’t get more fresh than what you’ll find on the north end of Downtown, where Ronin serves up delicious bites from their own farm! Looking for something a little more upscale? Christopher’s World Grille, Madden’s Casual Gourmet, and Campfire Restaurant serve some of the finest dishes around. You definitely won’t be disappointed.

If you're looking for more casual dining, that offers a family-friendly atmosphere and shareables check out:

Bavarian Brauhaus
C&J Barbeque
Chicken Oil Company
J Cody's
Margie's
Public & Main
Shipwreck Grill
RX Pizza
The Village Cafe

Click here for information on all of the nearly 200 restaurants in Bryan

Wine & Wassail - Sip & Shop in Downtown Bryan
Historic Downtown Bryan | Saturday, November 20 | 4:00PM-8:00PM

Gather in Downtown Bryan for the annual Wine & Wassail holiday sip & shop event on Saturday, November 20, 2021 from 4:00PM-8:00PM. 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 includes a wine glass, wine tastings at participating businesses, a tote bag, and a map of all of the participating merchants in Downtown Bryan. Purchase your tickets today!

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.

Messina Hof Winery
4545 Old Reliance Road | Open Daily

Located right in Bryan’s backyard, Messina Hof Winery is one of the most-renowned wineries in the state. Family owned and operated, Messina Hof has been producing top-rated Texas wines for over 40 years and offers wine tastings, winery tours, gourmet dining, and more in their Wine Bar, Tasting Room, and at The Vintage House Restaurant. Plus on cooler days their delicious, hot mulled wine is served.

Make reservations for their Who Killed Santa Murder Mystery Dinner, Christmas Cellar Tours and more today!

Vino Boheme Wine Bar By The Village Cafe
206 West 26th Street | Open Wednesday-Sunday

A new, eclectic wine bar by The Village Cafe, both in style and geography. Named after the Bohemian lifestyle, this wine bar serves up a hefty wine list, delectable charcuterie boards, and more that will have you getting into the holiday swing of things in no time!

Art Of War Saké Bar
419 North Main Street | Open Thursday-Sunday

Located in historic Downtown Bryan, Art of War is a purveyor of fine saké, craft cocktails and food. Inspired by the owners journeys into the far east and a desire to bring innovation to his quaint but thriving downtown - Art of War is a unique destination that will have you returning time and time again. Tip - try out their homemade ramen and spring rolls before they sell out for the week!

The 101
101 South Texas Avenue | Open Tuesday-Sunday

The 101 is an ice-house style bar, located in a fully renovated former service station in Historic Downtown Bryan. They’ve got an extensive beer list, great mixed drinks, and offer paninis & sandwiches. It’s a great space in any weather, but it’s perfect on a nice evening when they roll the doors up for an open-air experience!

Make plans to attend their totally rad 80s themed Derby Prom Night on Saturday, November 20 celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Brazos Valley Roller Derby.

more places to dine & drink

Kelumac Christmas Tree Farm
10379 Taylor Road | Open Wednesday-Sunday: 10:00AM-5:30PM

Unleash your inner Griswold and bring the whole family out to Kelumac Christmas Tree Farm! The earlier you visit, the better your selection of trees to pick from. The farm will be opening the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and selling trees till Sunday December 2021 or when the farm runs out of trees to cut! Kelumac provides: saws, measuring pole, and a wagon cart to haul your tree for cleaning and bailing. For reservations for professional photography sessions contact the farm.

Opens Wednesday, November 24: 10:00AM-5:30PM
Closed Thanksgiving Day
Re-opens Friday the Day after Thanksgiving, November 25: 10:00AM-5:30PM

Aggieland Wild Animal Safari
18075 FM 974 | Open Daily

Take advantage of the mild Brazos Valley winter & head out on an adventure you’ll never forget! Aggieland Wild Animal Safari is home to a 250-acre drive-thru safari, 20 acres of walkthrough zoo, and dozens of species of exotic animals. Make friends with a giraffe or 2, feed a herd of zebras, and watch as otters splash and play on their slide. Don’t miss out on their Black Friday discounts! Click here for details.

Polar Express Pajama Party & Outdoor Movie
The Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley & Lake Walk | Saturday, December 4 | 5:30PM-9:30PM

Starting at 5:30PM-7:30PM admission will take place at the Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley. There will be several activities and celebrations taking place indoors. Around 7:30PM the film The Polar Express will start playing at The Pavilion! POV Coffee will also be serving hot chocolate at the movie. This is a great opportunity to bring out the family for a day of fun as we approach the holidays!

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.

Follow us on instagram to find plenty more things to do in Bryan, Texas