Christmas of a different kind in Texas

Where snow, lights and Santa Claus have a different meaning

Berkel en Rodenrijs – December 10, 2019 – The Advent season with Christmas as the shining highlight: Most people do not only think of gingerbread, mulled wine, candlelight and Co. but also of festive decoration or atmospheric Christmas carols. Most of it can also be found in the Lone Star State Texas, where the cowboy hat is exchanged every year for a pointed cap and the boots for fluffy slippers or simply combined with the Christmas outfit. Instead of snow and fairy lights, however, in many places visitors meet the beach and the stars and Santa Claus also has a lot to do before the special day – for example listening to a cave concert or giving survival tricks in the wild …

Sand instead of snow: The Texas Riviera

Long walks through lonely dune landscapes instead of hectic pre-Christmas hustle and bustle, azure blue water instead of icy snowstorms and surfing instead of tobogganing – on the 1,000 kilometer long Gulf Coast in the southeast of the Lone Star State, visitors encounter what Christmas originally is all about: peace, silence and contemplation. From Galveston to South Padre Island, there are many places that offer ideal conditions for windsurfers, kitesurfers and surfers – at some places all year round thanks to pleasant temperatures. The island of South Padre is particularly popular with kitesurfers, who find ideal conditions here due to flat waves and constant winds. The Texas coastline is also considered as best birdwatching spot in the United States. Between November and March, bird lovers can admire around 380 different species – from herons, pelicans and avocets to cranes and owls. The Santa’s Hustle on 15 December in the historic seaside city of Galveston is a charity run where participants dress up as Santa Clauses and finish in the middle of typical Christmas music, Christmas cookies and colourful decorations.

Stars instead of fairy lights: The Enchanted Rock Star Festival

An alternative to flashing chains of lights is the Enchanted Rock Star Festival in the middle of the Texas Hill Country: Contrary to what the name might suggest, there are less rock stars than countless stars above the firmament of Enchanted Rock. The massive, pink-coloured rock formation has been attracting people for thousands of years and at Christmas time especially night owls and romantics, because the area around the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area has one of the darkest skies in Texas as an international light protection area – ideal conditions for taking a look into universe. Accompanied by astronomers and park staff, regular night tours including telescopes are offered, during which star constellations and myths about Enchanted Rock are explained. A guided tour lasts five hours and costs seven dollars (approx. 6.50 euros).

Cave instead of igloo: Christmas at the Caverns

From 7th to 23rd December, the largest cave system in Texas, between New Braunfels and San Antonio, will be devotional: in the majestic chambers of the Natural Bridge Caverns at a depth of 54 metres, between thousands of sparkling lights and a 20-metre-high Christmas tree, in the Advent season, contemplative sounds of choirs and professional singing groups will resound in an impressive atmosphere. But not only underground, but also on the surface there is a lot to experience during “Christmas at the Caverns”: Visitors drive on a hay cart through a historic Texas Hill Country Ranch, pass a Christmas village with an arts and crafts market and finally land at a campfire where marshmallows can be roasted. Children can also play in a maze where they meet Santa Claus and his reindeer. While the visitors listen to the music, eat sweet treats or buy Christmas presents, they do something good: part of the income is donated to the local table.

Adventure instead of peace: Santa’s Survival Hike

If you’ve always wanted to follow in Santa’s footsteps and seek an adrenaline kick, you should go to Lockhart State Park about an hour’s drive south of Austin on 21 December. Together with a ranger, the discovery tour “Santa’s Survival Hike” on the Creekview Trail leads through the forest – including survival tricks for the wilderness. But to find Santa Claus, you need one thing above all else: skill and stamina on the over one kilometre long adventure trail. At the end, the participants are enticed by a special reward – a photo taken together with Santa Claus in front of a magical forest backdrop.