Christmas in Wimberley means lights in the trees, a parade through downtown, familiar faces on the Square and plenty of reasons to stop into a local shop. Add a visit with our very own Wimberley Santa, and you have the makings of a pretty special Hill Country Christmas.
Whether you’re making plans with the kids, bringing family into town or looking for a gift with a little local personality, here’s what’s happening for Christmas in Wimberley in 2026.
How to celebrate Christmas in Wimberley
The holiday season stretches well beyond one big night. There are Christmas lights to wander through, live music downtown, character visits, a Santa Pub Crawl and family celebrations throughout November and December.
Wishes for Wimberley Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 28 • Parade at 6 p.m. • Downtown Wimberley
This is the big downtown Christmas kickoff—and Santa will be there! Expect decorated parade entries, families lining the route and the tree lighting afterward. The Jesse Stratton Band is also on the evening’s program. Earlier in the day, Buddy the Elf will be in the courtyard at 101 Wimberley Square from 2–5 p.m. for free photos.
The parade begins near Lion’s Field and heads through downtown; the detailed route map is still forthcoming. Street closures are currently listed for 5:30 p.m. Our Christmas parade guide covers arrival, viewing and the tree lighting afterward.
EmilyAnn Trail of Lights
November 28–December 26 • 1101 FM 2325
The EmilyAnn Trail of Lights opens the same night as the parade and downtown tree lighting, with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. November 28 and the walking trail opening at 6 p.m. The illuminated grounds, holiday displays and Santa visits make this one of Wimberley’s signature Christmas outings.
Admission is free, with a suggested $20 donation per family. Entertainment and Santa visits vary by date. Our EmilyAnn Trail of Lights guide covers the schedule, parking and what to bring.
Christmas Courtyard & live music downtown
The Christmas Courtyard season is listed for November 28, 2026–January 3, 2027. Visiting is free; performances and character appearances happen on selected dates, rather than whenever the lights are on. Check the Hometown Holidays information for the current program.
The stage in front of the Christmas tree gives you another reason to linger downtown. Stop for a set, enjoy the decorations and let the holiday shopping wait a few minutes. Here are selected dates from the Hometown Holidays music lineup:
| Date | Performer and time |
|---|---|
| Friday, Nov. 27 | Jamison Eddleman, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; Todd Sampsel, 3–6 p.m. |
| Saturday, Nov. 28 | Ryan Frenchak, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; lighted parade with Jesse Stratton Band, 6 p.m. |
| Sunday, Nov. 29 | London Bailiegh, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. |
| Friday, Dec. 11 | Jesse Stratton Duo, 3–6 p.m. |
| Saturday, Dec. 12 | Whiskey & Wine, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; Huston Sonhouse, 3–6 p.m. |
| Saturday, Dec. 19 | Spicy Loops, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; Russ Glen, 3–6 p.m. |
Santa Pub Crawl
Saturday, December 5 • Downtown Wimberley • Start time to be announced
This one is for the grown-ups. Pull out your Santa suit or favorite Christmas getup for a festive downtown pub crawl supporting Crisis Bread Basket through donations. Check the December event listing for the final start time and participating stops.
More Christmas events to put on your calendar
| Event | When | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday movie night at Wimberley Valley Winery | Nov. 27, 4–9 p.m.; Santa 4–6 p.m.; Elf at 6 p.m. | 2825 Lone Man Mountain Road. A Santa visit and a Christmas movie in one outing. |
| Stocking Stuffer Night at Wimberley Ace | Dec. 1, 6–9 p.m. | 14307 Ranch Road 12. Santa, music, raffles and food. |
| Civic Club Breakfast with Santa | Dec. 12, 8:30–11 a.m. | Texan Academy, 400 Green Acres Drive. Breakfast, crafts, a book and a Santa photo; ticket details below. |
| Twisted Motion in the courtyard | Dec. 12, 1–3 p.m.; workout 1:30–2:30 p.m. | An all-levels workout on the downtown holiday calendar. |
| Photos with the Grinch | Dec. 13, noon–2 p.m. | Downtown courtyard fundraiser for the Wimberley High School Band. Check the listing for photo pricing or donation details. |
| Princess Holiday Ball | Dec. 19 at 6 p.m.; Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. | Central Texas Theatre Academy, 12111 Ranch Road 12, suites 111–113. Princesses, dancing, crafts, desserts and a surprise Santa visit. Tickets: $35 per child, $15 per adult. |
The Princess Holiday Ball requires tickets, and seating is limited. Find event links and updates in the Wimberley Buzz Events Calendar. Holiday markets and shopping celebrations are gathered in the shopping section below.
Make something festive
If making a gift sounds more fun than wrapping one, Ceremony Botanical has botanical wreath workshops November 7 at 2 and 4 p.m. and succulent wreath workshops December 12 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Listed tickets are $110; see Ceremony’s events for reservations and what’s included.
Keep the celebration going through New Year’s Eve
The season doesn’t stop on Christmas Day. Hometown Holidays lists a downtown New Year’s Eve ball drop at 7 p.m. December 31—a welcome option for families whose midnight celebration usually involves everyone being asleep. Check the late-December schedule for the final program.
Santa in Wimberley
Wimberley Santa, pictured below on the Wimberley Square, is a bit of a local celebrity. His calendar is full of book readings, photos and visits around town, which means there are plenty of opportunities to see that familiar face. For children, getting a little time to share their Christmas wishes can be the part they remember most.
For the big holiday outings, start with the parade, EmilyAnn and the Civic Club breakfast. If you’d like a smaller scheduled visit, storytime is another lovely option. Here are a few highlights:
| Where | When in 2026 | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting | Nov. 28; parade begins at 6 p.m. | See Santa during the downtown kickoff. |
| EmilyAnn Trail of Lights | Nov. 28 arrival at 5 p.m.; evening visits 6–9 p.m. More visits on selected nights through Dec. 26. | Most listed visits start at 6 p.m., with end times varying by night. Use our full Santa guide for the date-by-date schedule. |
| Jaclynn Renee Wine Collective storytime | Nov. 29, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | 107 Henson Road. $20 per child; advance tickets and an accompanying adult required. |
| Civic Club Breakfast with Santa | Dec. 12, 8:30–11 a.m. | Texan Academy, 400 Green Acres Drive. Pancakes, sausage, crafts, a book and a photo. Advance tickets: $5 children/$8 adults; at the door: $8 children/$10 adults. |
| Wimberley Village Library | Bingo Dec. 17, 3:30–5:30 p.m.; storytime Dec. 18, 10–11 a.m. | Two chances to spend time with Santa at the library. |
| Texan Santa & Ben the longhorn | Dec. 19, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., according to Santa’s calendar. | By the Christmas tree on Wimberley Square; free photos. Confirm the time closer to the event, since the Hometown Holidays listing still says time to be announced. |
Some visits also include a limited number of Magic Wishing Coins for the first children to arrive—a sweet little extra to tuck away with the Christmas memories. Book breakfast through the Civic Club, and check ticket availability for storytime before going.
See the complete schedule in our Where to See Santa in Wimberley guide, including Creekhaven, Wimberley Gardens, local book signings, the full EmilyAnn schedule and all the other listed appearances.
Christmas shopping in Wimberley
A handmade gift, something from a favorite little shop, a local treat for the host—Wimberley makes it easy to give a present with a story behind it. The Square is a natural place to start, but leave room for the shops and markets beyond downtown, too.
Small Business Saturday: November 28
The Saturday after Black Friday is November 28. Make it a shop-local day and give Wimberley’s independent businesses a place on your Christmas list. Browse the boutiques, galleries and specialty shops, ask for gift ideas and see what catches your eye. Individual businesses set their own hours and promotions.
Our Wimberley shopping directory can help you find shops to explore. That same Saturday also brings Makers Market and WineBerley’s Christmas Market, so there are several ways to shop locally.
Holiday markets & local makers
The holiday markets give you plenty of chances to shop before and after Thanksgiving. St. Stephen’s Mistletoe Market is Friday, December 4, from 3:30–6 p.m. at 6000 FM 3237. It belongs on the list right alongside Market Days and the smaller markets around town.
| Market | 2026 dates and times | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Wimberley Makers Market | Nov. 14 and Dec. 12, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; Nov. 28 and Dec. 19, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. | Oak Park Lawn, 109 Oak Drive |
| The Market at Blanco Brew | Nov. 8, starts at 9 a.m. (closing time unlisted); Nov. 15 and Dec. 6, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. | 14200 Ranch Road 12 |
| Friendsgiving Market | Nov. 15, 3–6 p.m. | Chill’s, 14004 Ranch Road 12; vendors and family activities |
| WineBerley’s First Annual Christmas Market | Nov. 28, noon–9 p.m. | 13615 Ranch Road 12; artisans and handmade gifts |
| St. Stephen’s Mistletoe Market | Dec. 4, 3:30–6 p.m. | St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, 6000 FM 3237 |
| Art Crawl Holiday Market | Dec. 4, 5–8 p.m. | Participating Wimberley galleries; see organizer’s map |
| Kidpreneur Christmas Fair | Dec. 11, 3–7 p.m. | Downtown; further location details forthcoming |
For the Art Crawl Holiday Market, the organizer lists December 4, 5–8 p.m. Check the gallery map for participating locations. Our events calendar has links for the other markets and updates as organizers share more details.
Wimberley Market Days
Wimberley Market Days takes place on the first Saturday from March through December. That puts the remaining 2026 market dates on November 7 and December 5, with the market’s listed hours of 7 a.m.–4 p.m. at 601 FM 2325. Check the Lions Club’s market website before going.
Bring your gift list, but leave a little room for the find you weren’t expecting. Our Market Days guide has tips for making the most of your visit.
Sip, shop & make an evening of it
There are shopping evenings, too: Downtown Sip & Shop is November 11, 4–8 p.m., and My Happy Place’s Holiday Soiree is December 12, 5–8 p.m. at 100 Oak Drive, with ticketed progressive cocktail shopping. Check the event listing for tickets and participating stops.
For outdoor events, bring comfortable shoes and a layer for after sunset. On a mild Hill Country evening, mosquito spray still earns its place in the bag. Keep an eye on the Wimberley Buzz Events Calendar as more Christmas plans are added.
Details checked November 3, 2026. Event schedules, ticket availability and holiday business hours can change.
