Dec. 10 | Attend a Jingle Bell Run
Comal ISD is hosting the 30th annual Jingle Bell Run. Enjoy your holiday morning with a family-friendly run at Gruene Hall while enjoying a holiday costume contest, hot cocoa, coffee, sausage wraps, beer and pictures with Santa Claus. CISD will be passing out 30th Annual Commemorative Medals to the first 1,000 people who pick up their runner’s packages. The run begins at 8 a.m., and the kids walk/run begins at 9 a.m. www.gruenetexas.com/holidays.php
Dec. 11 through Jan. 02 | Drive through a park of holiday lights
Take a drive through Santa’s Ranch, a mile of winding Christmas holiday lights and animated Christmas displays while enjoying homemade hot cocoa, kettle corn and snacks. Santa’s Ranch opens from 6-10 p.m. Sun.-Thu. and 6-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Tickets start at $35 for a single day and $70 for a season pass. 9561 N. I-35, New Braunfels. 830-743-1293. www.santasranch.net
Dec. 11 | Take photos with the Grinch
Local CBD shop Go Green Botanicals will be hosting a holiday event with the Grinch. Photos can be taken with the Grinch, and he will be giving away stocking stuffers to each child who attends. 3-6 p.m. Free. Go Green Botanicals, 2090 I-35, Ste. 4106, New Braunfels. 830-608-9446. www.gogreenbotanicals.com
Dec. 14 | Sip wine with dinner
The Sylver Spoon Dinner Theater is hosting the Wine Wars: Old vs. New World event. The event is featured as a dinner duel with four food courses and eight wine selections. 7-10 p.m. $79. Sylver Spoon Dinner Theater, 6700 I-35, New Braunfels. 830-627-7226. www.sylverspoon.com
Dec. 16-18 | Come to life with ‘The Nutcracker’
The community will have the opportunity to see the American Dance Company’s production of “The Nutcracker” at the Brauntex Theatre in New Braunfels, composer Peter Tchaikovsky’s tale of a nutcracker toy coming to life. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. showings available. Ticket prices vary with seating. Brauntex Theatre, 290 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels. 830-627-0808. www.brauntex.org
Dec. 16 | Celebrate the holiday season
Local New Braunfels businesses Las Fontanas Mexican Kitchen, Freiheit Country Store and the Silos at Freiheit Village will be hosting their third annual Winterzeit event. Those attending will find food trailers, a full bar, live music, games and vendors. A local brass band will also be performing at the event. 6-9 p.m. Free. Silos at Freiheit Village, 2064 Central Plaza, New Braunfels. 830-837-5600. www.facebook.com/silosatfreiheit
Dec. 17 | Go for a festive stroll
Take in the sights and sounds of the holiday season while taking part in the 11th Annual Madeleine Memorial 5K Christmas Stroll. All of the proceeds from the event will go toward the Madeleine Hindman Memorial Fund. Face painting and live music from the Zack Walther Band will begin at 4 p.m. The 5K will begin at 6 p.m. with music and fun events continuing after the Christmas stroll. 4 p.m. Ticket prices vary based on when participants register. Free (children 5 and under), $25 (age 6 and over on race day). Gruene Lake Village, 2348 Gruene Lake Drive, Ste. C, New Braunfels. 830-624-8377. www.madeleinehindmanmemorialfund.com/stroll
Dec. 17 | Celebrate literature
Locally owned new and used book store The Book Haus in New Braunfels will be hosting a Winter Wonderland event. The holiday book fair will include vendors, food trucks, snow foam, music and more fun events. Pictures will also be available to be taken with Santa and the Grinch. 5 p.m. Free. The Book Haus, 992 W. Hwy. 46, Ste. 102, New Braunfels. 830-302-7600. www.thebookhaus.com
Dec. 17 | Watch the Polar Express
The city of New Braunfels is hosting a free showing of the animated “Polar Express” movie at the Landa Park Dance Slab. Train rides will be available for $5 before the movie. Train tickets are purchased by cash only. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Landa Park Dance Slab, 110 Golf Course Road, New Braunfels. 830-221-4350. www.nbtexas.org/calendar
Dec. 20 and 27 | Watch a popular band
Gruene Hall is hosting a live performance by popular regional band Two Tons of Steel. The band takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. Gruene Hall is offering swing dance lessons prior to the start of the live performance. Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels. 830-606-1281. www.gruenehall.com
Dec. 21-22 | Experience old time radio shows
The Brauntex Theatre in New Braunfels will host an event that includes performances from producer and classically trained vocalist Will Hearn. The Christmas musical will also feature co-star Dalton Flake and Blue Water Highway. An entertaining night of classic Christmas songs and funny skits based around an old-fashioned radio show is in store for all who attend. 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $32-$58 depending on seating. The Brauntex Theatre, 290 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels. 830-627-0808. www.brauntex.org
Dec. 27 through Jan. 1 | Gift local art
The New Braunfels Art League will be hosting a show throughout December called Small Works for Big Holidays. The art show will feature work from local artists and include small artwork that can be purchased and gifted easily during the holiday season. The gallery is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon-5 p.m. on Sunday. Free. New Braunfels Art League, 239 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels. 830-629-8022. www.thenewbraunfelsartleague.com
Dec. 31 | Cheers to the new year
The Sylver Spoon Dinner Theater is hosting a New Years Eve event that will feature a five-course meal, live entertainment and a free Champagne toast. 8-11:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person. An additional $15 ticket can be purchased to watch the live show beginning at 10:30 p.m. Sylver Spoon Dinner Theater, 6700 N. I-35, New Braunfels. 830-627-7226. www.sylverspoon.com
Through Dec. 23 | Christmas at the Caverns
The Natural Bridge Caverns will host various events throughout the Christmas holiday season. Every weekend leading up to Dec. 23, Christmas at the Caverns will be held, which features a 30-foot Christmas tree and a long trail of lights. Those attending can hear their favorite holiday carols echo through the underground cavern. Photos can be taken with Santa, and visitors can make their way through a 5,000-square-foot outdoor maze. Skate on a synthetic ice rink, roasting s’mores, live music and shopping for holiday gifts are additional activities to take part in. Tickets range from $23.99-$46.99 for adults and $17.99-$36 for children. Natural Bridge Caverns, 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio. 210-651-6101. www.naturalbridgecaverns.com
December live music calendar
The Grapevine 1612 Hunter Road, New Braunfels. 830-606-0093 • www.grapevineingruene.com
9 Soul Ethos, 4 p.m.
10 Bret Graham Band, 2 p.m.
11 Will Owen Gage, 1 p.m.
15 Henri Herbert Band, 5 p.m.
16 Wilkinson’s Quartet, 4 p.m.
17 Sylvia & Matt Kirk, 2 p.m.
Gruene Hall 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels 830-606-1281 • www.gruenehall.com
9 American Aquarium, 8 p.m.
15, 16 Randall King’s Neon Christmas, 8 p.m.
18 Aaron Watson, 8 p.m.
19 Brett Graham, 6 p.m.
23 Deck the Dancehalls: Kevin Fowler, 8 p.m.
20, 27 Two Ton Tuesdays: Holiday Show, 8:30 p.m.
Krause’s Cafe 148 S. Castell Ave., New Braunfels 830-625-2807 • www.krausescafe.com
10 Yesenia & The Groove Doctors, 6 p.m.
17 Shay Domann, 6 p.m.
18 Walt Harfmann Plus, 2 p.m.
Phoenix Saloon 193 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels 830-643-1400 • www.thephoenixsaloon.com
8 BJ Thibodeaux, 8:30 p.m.
9 Chris Max Band, 9 p.m.
17 Sun Valley Station, 8:30 p.m.
18 All Mixed Up, 2 p.m.
22 Josh Holden, 8:30 p.m.
23 Groove Monkey, 8:30 p.m.
The Redbird Listening Room 1260 S. Business I-35, New Braunfels 830-606-7886 • www.redbirdlisteningroom.com
8 Ian Moore, 7:30 p.m.
11 Joshua Ray Walker, 4 p.m.
21 William Beckmann Las Posadas Tour: Hope for Uvalde, 7:30 p.m.
