2023 Christmas in Burnet Dates & Activities
Lighting of the Square – Sat., November 25 @ 5:30pm in Downtown Burnet
Holiday Trail of Lights – November 25 – January 1
Christmas on the Square Festival – Sat., December 9 from Noon – 8pm
Main Street Bethlehem – December 1-3 and 8-10
Christmas at Old Fort Croghan – December 9 from 5-8pm
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Saturday, December 9, 2023
A spectacular Christmas celebration in downtown Burnet that includes a bicycle giveaway, snow slide and snow play area, live holiday entertainment, over 175 vendors, a parade, and a visit from Santa!
Schedule of Events
12:00 – 8:00pm Vendor Booths open to the public. Live Entertainment & Christmas Music.
12:00pm Christmas Parade (Registration is free!)
1:00 – 4:00pm Snow on the Square (Free! Donations appreciated but not required!)
1:00-4:30 Photos with Santa -Benefitting Sleep in Heavenly Peace (beds for kids)
4:30pm Bicycle Raffle (For kids age 2-11. Child MUST be present to win. Registration runs 1-4pm near the stage)
5:00 – 8:00pm Christmas at Old Ft. Croghan (Christmas the way pioneers experienced it)
5:30 – 9:00pm Main Street Bethlehem
Additional details can be found at https://www.burnetchamber.org/christmas-on-the-square/
Note: Since so few vendor spots are available, we have moved to a wait list. We will review the list on Fridays to see if anyone is a fit for one of the last spots. All vendors are then notified early the following week.
Arts & Crafts Vendor WAIT LIST
Food Vendor Application
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Main Street Bethlehem
December 1st-3rd and 8th-10th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
This Christmas, visit Bethlehem . . . in Burnet Texas. Main Street Bethlehem is located two blocks east of the town square. (300 E Washington St., Burnet TX 78611) Experience the presence of animals as they affect all aspects of life in that time. Savor the smells of fresh goat butter, campfires, and hot bread. Then immerse yourself in the din of the marketplace. Search for the inn, only to find it full. Then follow the trail to the cave where a road-weary couple has moved in with the animals. Admission is free (donations are accepted).
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Burnet Trail of Lights
November 25 – January 1
Starting on the east end of Wallace Riddell Park, thousands of lights create holiday sculptures, including a picture-perfect lighted tunnel, ready made for selfies and group photos. On Main and Washington streets, the Burnet County Courthouse features both static and moving displays. Plus, there’s the beautifully decorated Christmas tree on the east entrance of the courthouse. Next, take Jackson Street to Hamilton Creek Park where sparkling lights reflect off of the creek.
While it’s possible to walk the Burnet Trail of Lights, you might want to consider driving to each location and parking. You can park in the Square, take in the courthouse, and then walk to Hamilton Creek Park before or after visiting Wallace Riddell Park.
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Christmas at Old Fort Croghan
Sat., December 9 from 5-8pm
Fort Croghan Grounds & Museum light up for the holidays the old-fashioned way with luminarias and lanterns. Volunteers in costume recreate a Christmas from Burnet County’s pioneer past. The free event includes from carolers and musicians. Re-enactors share stories of what life was like for the area’s first pioneers during Christmas.
For a $5 donation, you can eat a light dinner of homemade soup, cornbread or crackers, a drink of hot-spiced cider, coffee, or bottled water, and cookies during Christmas at Old Fort Croghan.
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2nd Annual Lighting of the Burnet Courthouse
Saturday, November 25, 2023 @ 5:30
(Mrs. Claus reads to kids at 5:00pm near the Christmas tree. Lights turned on at 5:30. Shops and tours available until 6:30.)
Come celebrate Shop Small Saturday (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) with the Lighting of the Burnet Square.
Festivities start at 5pm with Mrs. Claus reading Christmas books to kids. At sunset (around 5:30), the Burnet High School choir will sing a couple of Christmas songs. Then there will be a brief remarks and then the lights will be flipped on around the Burnet Square. Just off the Square, the Historical Jail will be open for tours and will be giving out complimentary hot chocolate (109 S. Pierce St.). Several shops will be open until 6:30pm making it easy for people to Shop Small while finding gifts. The event is organized by the Burnet Chamber of Commerce.
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