TM TEXASHIGHWAYS EVENTS C A L E N D A R WINTER 2014-15 DECEMBER * JANUARY * FEBRUARY YOUR BEST RESOURCE TO FIND... festivals concerts exhibits parades and all things fun in Texas! SNAPSHOT: SAN ANGELO RODEO AND FAIR SEE MORE INSIDE... GRAPEVINETX THERE’S NO BETTER PLACE TO SPEND CHRISTMAS. Make your own ornament at Vetro Glassblowing Studio ALL WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF DALLAS-FORT WORTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. Create Christmas memories with the entire family this holiday season in The Christmas Capital of Texas®, Grapevine, Texas. Participate in some of the most unique holiday events where you can experience the thrill and joy of Christmas! ICE!™ at the Gaylord Texan Resort North Pole Express® Shopping for everyone on your list Nightly Light Show Spectacular Christmas concerts at the Palace Theatre Texas’ best Christmas lights — by the millions Animated characters and Christmas displays And a whole lot more! Spend less time and money traveling and more time having fun close to home this season in Grapevine where there’s something for everyone. Visit us at www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com or call toll-free 1-800-457-6338. AGED TO PERFECTION® 19851_GCVB_Tx_Events_Cal_Winter_CCOT_2014_v2.indd 1 8/22/14 11:17 AM TM TEXASHIGHWAYS EVENTS C A L E N D A R WINTER 2014-15 DECEMBER * JANUARY * FEBRUARY TEXAS HIGHWAYS TRAVEL INFORMATION RESOURCES EVENTS CALENDAR Texas Travel Information: Travelers may receive highway condition information from TxDOT by visiting www.drivetexas.org or by calling 800/452­9292 for 24­hour automated highway condi­ is published quarterly by the Travel Information tion information and seasonal reports on locations of scenic spring wildflowers. Travelers may also Division of the Texas Department of Trans por­ call daily, from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Central time, to speak to a professional travel counselor for travel tation with information from Texas chambers information and trip­planning assistance. of commerce, convention and visitors bureaus, and event organizers. WEBSITES: www.traveltex.com 1 Dates for events listed in this calendar were correct at the time of publication and are www.texashighways.com subject to change. Please confirm dates in www.txdot.gov www.tpwd.state.tx.us advance by calling the number listed or by 12 5 contacting the local chamber of commerce. www.thc.state.tx.us Panhandle Plains 4 www.artonart.com 11 SEND US YOUR EVENT LISTINGS: 2 The preferred way to submit events is online: TRAVEL Piney www.TexasHighways.com/EventSubmission.html Woods INFORMATION Hill Prairies Or by email: [email protected] Country and CENTERS: Big Bend Lakes 8 Texas Travel Information Country All event listings must include a city, exact start 3 Centers are open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. 6 and end dates, location (venue and/or address), Gulf daily, and from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Coast public contact information (phone, website and/ Memorial Day weekend through or email) and a brief description. Event listings Labor Day. The Capitol Visitor Center hours are 9 a.m.– are reviewed before approval and may be edited. 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon–5 p.m. Sunday, 7 year­round. All centers are closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, South Texas Editor: Erin Inks Thanks giving, Christ mas Eve and Christmas Day. Plains Phone: 512/486­5876 (Noted on map by star and corresponding number.) 10 1 Amarillo I­40 806/335­1441 LISTING DEADLINES: 2 Anthony I­10 915/886­3468 FALL (Sept., Oct., Nov.) June 1 3 Austin Capitol Visitor Center 512/463­8586 WINTER (Dec., Jan., Feb.) Sept. 1 4 Denison U.S. 69/75 903/463­2860 SPRING (March, April, May) Dec. 1 5 Gainesville I­35 940/665­2301 SUMMER (June, July, Aug.) March 1 6 Langtry U.S. 90/Loop 25 432/291­3340 7 Laredo I­35 at U.S. 83 956/417­4728 ADVERTISING SALES INQUIRIES: 8 Orange I­10 409/883­9416 AJR Media Group 9 Texarkana I­30 903/794­2114 Phone: 855/468­6257 10 Valley U.S. 77 at U.S. 83 (Harlingen) 956/428­4477 [email protected] 11 Waskom I­20 903/687­2547 12 Wichita Falls I­44, exit C 940/723­7931 © Texas Department of Transportation SUBSCRIBE TO THE TEXAS HIGHWAYS EVENTS CALENDAR: To receive free issues of the Texas Highways Events Calendar quarterly, sign up at www.TexasHighways.com/EventsCalendarSubscription. ON THE COVER: Families enjoy the thrill of a Single copies also may be requested without a subscription by calling carnival at the annual San Angelo Stock Show 800/452-9292. To subscribe to an online version of the calendar in PDF and Rodeo, set for Feb. 13­March 1. Visit format, email [email protected] with "Digital Subscription" in the www.sanangelorodeo.com for details. subject line. A searchable database of event listings Photo by Michael Amador /TxDOT also is available at www.texashighways.com. Printed on Recycled Paper DECEMBER Travel spotlight HILL COUNTRY >Fredericksburg A German Christmas, Texas style If you’ve ever wanted to experience a German Christmas celebration, there’s no need to hop on a plane—the rich cultural heritage of Fredericksburg adds authentic German flair to the town’s holiday festivities, including the Eisbahn outdoor ice-skating rink and a German Christmas Pyramid (a spinning, wooden deco- ration dating to the 1500s that depicts the story of the Nativity and may be the inspiration for the modern Christmas tree). Both can be found on the Marktplatz throughout the season, starting on the day after Thanksgiving. Holiday celebrations continue with the Light the Night Christmas Parade and After Glow on Dec. 5, and the local Holiday Home Tour on Dec. 6. On Dec. 26, the city’s local German club also celebrates “Second Christmas” or Zweite Weihnachten, an afternoon holiday party featur- ing traditional activities and treats, like stollen fruit cake or warm mulled wine. Later that day, Photo: Kevin Stillman/TxDOT the Pioneer Museum hosts visitors on a separate Candlelight Tour of historic homes. For a full calendar of holiday activities, visit www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/holiday. —Erin Inks are opened to the public for guided viewing. Various DECEMBER 2014 locations. 432/837-8813 S M T W T F S BIG BEND COUNTRY EL PASO: Dec. 6 Celebration of the Lights Enjoy 1 2 3 4 5 6 music from local bands and choirs before the holiday 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ALPINE: Sept. 19-Jan. 18 Marfa Flights: Aerial lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Then the lighted parade 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Views of the Big Bend Country This exhibit fea­ begins, and fireworks begin at 7:15 p.m. Cleveland tures photographer Paul V. Chaplo’s aerial photogra­ Square Park will be the site for Holiday Lights with 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 phy of remote and beautiful Big Bend landscapes. thousands of displays and decorations. Downtown. 28 29 30 31 Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University. http://visitelpaso.com/events/community/15779- www.museumofthebigbend.com 432/837-8730 celebration-of-lights-parade ALPINE: Dec. 6-7 Mountain Country Christmas EL PASO: Dec. 9 “Beauty and the Beast” The Dates for events listed in this calen dar Find arts and crafts at this two­day show. Alpine Civic Plaza Theatre. http://elpasolive.com 915/534-0600 are subject to change. Please confirm dates Center. http://gfwcwomansclubofalpine.vpweb. in advance by calling the number listed or by com EL PASO: Dec. 23 Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” A troupe of 40 world­class contacting the local chamber of commerce or ALPINE: Dec. 14 Tour of Historic Homes Each Russian artists bring this charming classic to life. The convention and visitors bureau. year, a selection of significant historic Alpine homes Plaza Theatre. http://elpasolive.com 915/534-0600 2 Texas Highways Events Calendar | Winter 2014-15 > PANHANDLE PLAINS MArcH 2014 DECEMBER 2014 > BIG BEND COUNTRY EL PASO: Dec. 26 Hyundai Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta BAYTOWN: Dec. 1-31 Christmas Gift Gallery Includes performances, children’s activities and a fire­ Features original work by more than 50 artists. The Art works spectacular. Judson F. Williams Convention Center of Baytown. http://art-league-of-baytown.org Center. http://sunbowl.org 915/533-4416 Events online 281/427-2222 EL PASO: Dec. 27 Hyundai Sun Bowl Sun Bowl BAYTOWN: Dec. 4 Christmas Parade Begins at Stadium, 2701 Sun Bowl Drive. http://sunbowl.org/ Texas Highways Events Calendar 6:30 p.m. on Market Street and heads down Texas the_sun_bowl_game/game_day 800/915-2695 Avenue. www.baytown.org/christmasparade is online, with additional 281/420-6597 MARATHON: Dec. 6 Fiesta de Noche Buena Enjoy live music on the street and at the Gage Hotel as information about these BAYTOWN: Dec. 6 Christmas on Texas Avenue vendors along Main Street extend their hours until Vendors and food trucks to set up booths on Texas 9 p.m. and offer refreshments. Santa Claus makes and other events. Avenue to sell arts and crafts, antiques, collectibles an appearance at Trans Pecos Bank. Main Street. and more. Also enjoy entertainment and pictures with www.marathontexas.com/events 432/837-3915 Go to www.texashighways.com Santa and Mrs. Claus. On Texas Avenue between Commerce and Pruett streets. http://christmas-on- MIDLAND: Dec. 4-Jan. 4 Christmas at the and www.traveltex.com texas-avenue.com 281/674-5163 Mansion With Santa Claus, Saturday choirs and dec­ orations filling the galleries, the historic Turner BAYTOWN: Dec. 13 Christmas Past and Present Mansion becomes an enchanting place for children Volunteers dressed in period attire welcome visitors to and adults alike.