Tyler, Texas, United States
While East Texas isn’t necessarily the first place you think of when it comes to “Christmas,” …maybe it should be!
This beautiful part of Texas is usually known for its attractive and interesting historic district and downtown square, spectacular rose gardens, the Azalea Trail, scenic hiking trails, picturesque piney woods, and wonderful local food.
However, Tyler, Texas, has a fantastic list of things to do during Christmas that will not only be fun for the whole family but also send you home with everything on your family’s Christmas lists.
If you’re on a getaway from out of town and wondering where to stay in East Texas, look no further than The Rose Cottage.
The Rose Cottage is a lovely bed and breakfast run by a multi-generational Tyler, Texas family who are proud of their city and want to share all it has to offer. Especially during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays!
One of the details that make The Rose Cottage the ideal place to stay is that it is centrally located. This gives you access to all the best that Tyler has to offer—much within walking distance.
Which is perfect when you attend The 2022 Rotary Clubs of Tyler Christmas Parade with your whole family. This wonderful parade brings the entire community together to celebrate the season. The event starts downtown, making it an easy walk from your accommodations.
Follow up the parade by attending the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, located in the T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza and happening right after the parade finishes. And don’t forget to get your photos with Santa!
If you enjoy the season’s Christmas lights, Tyler, Texas, is the right place for you to visit during the holidays.
The Trail of Lights, which lasts through December, is a self-guided tour of lights and historic homes in Tyler. If you’ve had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Azalea District during spring when the flowers are in bloom, you’ll also like seeing the sparkling light display of the holiday season.
To make the tour extra special, schedule a horse and carriage riding tour. You can go to the visittyler.com website for helpful information and maps about the trail, as well as share photos and even vote for your favorite home’s light display on the Facebook group.
If light tours are your thing, then you will love Santaland. This amazing display holds over 2 million lights spread across a 24-acre park. You can also enjoy their gift shop, a visit with Santa, trailer rides, and more.
Santaland is the first Christmas theme park drive-thru in Texas and is full of unique, interesting installations.
You can also enjoy the “Up-In-Lights” holiday light display, a mile-long light park on 12 acres. This special Tyler holiday lights exhibit also offers s’mores and hot cocoa, making it a drive-thru light display everyone in the family will enjoy.
If you truly want to get into the spirit of Christmas, then focusing your Christmas shopping on the Mistletoe and Magic event is a wonderful way to get your stocking stuffers and put your money toward helping the community.
The Junior League of Tyler—a women’s organization whose charitable work focuses on volunteering and helping the local area—organizes this large fundraiser to help members of Smith County and put financial support behind community programs and local non-profit agencies.
The fundraiser lasts four days and is a shopping event that features more than 100 vendors.
The vendors offer everything from jewelry, seasonal items and decorations, delicious local and gourmet food, artwork, antiques, housewares, and so much more.
You won’t need to spend time shopping anywhere else. Take care of everyone on your shopping list, help the community, and support local businesses—what’s more in the spirit of Christmas?
In addition, check out the year’s line-up of events and purchase tickets. Ticket proceeds also go to benefit the community.
Now that you’re filled with the holiday spirit have checked off your Christmas shopping list, and are full of delicious local food and drink specials…how about picking up the main course for your Christmas dinner?
Before you leave Tyler, make sure to pick up your famous Greenberg Smoked Turkey—the perfect Christmas dinner.
A favorite of thousands of people across East Texas, and the nation, The Greenberg Smoked Turkey is a holiday institution in Tyler.
The smoked turkey factory is over 80 years old and beloved by everyone from country music stars to Oprah Winfrey, who orders one every year.
Make your holiday season joyful – full of light and wonderful local food. Support a local East Texas community by joining Tyler, Texas, in its holiday events while still getting all your Christmas cheer. Make your plans to stay at a local Tyler Airbnb to experience all of Tyler’s Christmas cheer.
There’s so much to do during Christmas in East Texas. We hope to see you there!
