The following are a few things to do and places to go in New Braunfels this holiday season. Additional information about each event can be found on each event's respective website. This list is not comprehensive.

November

Ninth annual Festival of Trees

Attendees will be able to bid on decorated trees and wreaths to benefit the Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation and the Meals on Wheels program. There will be photo opportunities with Santa and live entertainment.
  • Nov. 19-21, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
  • Free (admission)
  • McKenna Event Center, 801 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels
  • www.festivaloftreesnb.com
Thanksgiving cupcake decorating class

2tarts Bakery will be teaching buttercream decorating, fondant techniques and more at the Landa Recreation Center.
  • Nov. 21, 6-8:30 p.m.
  • $90
  • Landa Recreation Center, 164 Landa Park Drive, New Braunfels
  • www.newbraunfels.gov
Weihnachtsmarkt


The annual Christmas market, which benefits the Sophienburg Museum & Archives, will have breakfast and photos with Santa as well as arts and crafts.Downtown lighting and Santa’s arrival

Christmas lights will light up Main Plaza as Santa Claus arrives in a fire truck at 6:30 p.m. There will be remarks from the mayor, a performance from the Comal Community Band and photo opportunities with Santa.The Polar Express Experience

“The Polar Express” will be screening at the Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre. Children will receive a golden ticket and there will also be a photo opportunity with Santa Claus before the movie.
  • Nov. 24, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
  • $11-$24
  • The Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre, 290 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels
  • www.brauntex.org
Two Ton Tuesday Thanksgiving Show & Food Drive

Two Tons of Steel will play a show at Gruene Hall for Thanksgiving. Attendees will get $1 off their cover charge with the donation of a canned good, which will then be collected at the Hall and donated to the New Braunfels Food Bank.16th annual Gruene Turkey Trot


The Comal Cops for Kids 16th annual Gruene Turkey Trot begins in front of Gruene Hall in New Braunfels and features a 5K Run and Walk and a quarter-mile Kid's Turkey Chase, with in-person registration available on race day.
  • Nov. 28, 8 a.m.
  • $15 (quarter-mile Kid's Turkey Chase), $25 (5K run and walk)
  • 1601 Hunter Road, New Braunfels
  • www.athleteguild.com
December

Hope Hospice’s 39th Annual Tree of Lights

Santa will light a 65-foot-tall tree at New Braunfels MarketPlace. Guests can enjoy live music and holiday-themed drinks and snacks. The Light Up a Life campaign will honor deceased loved ones by shining a light to keep their memory alive.
  • Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m.
  • Free (admission)
  • New Braunfels MarketPlace, 651 Business I-35, New Braunfels
  • www.facebook.com/events/996833081389514/?_rdr
Wassailfest

The annual event will have local businesses and nonprofit organizations compete for the best wassail, a traditional hot, spiced cider. Attendees can visit vendor booths and listen to Christmas carols while tasting and voting on the best wassail recipe.Christmas at the Caverns


Natural Bridge Caverns will have a Christmas experience for families for eight select nights with Christmas caroling, a trail of lights, s’mores, hot chocolate, Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as a Reindeer Roundup Maze.Gruene Christmas Market Days

Nearly 100 vendors will sell Christmas gifts, crafted items and packaged Texas foods and more.Jeepers for Pups

Hosted by New Braunfels Jeeps and Drinks, Jeepers for Pups will have vendors, a silent auction, a DJ night train, photo opportunities with Santa and The Grinch, a booze wagon and a K9 demonstration to benefit the Comal County K9 Unit.Gruene Town Lighting

A brass band street performance will play at 5 p.m. followed by the town lighting at 6 p.m., when Cowboy Kringle will ride into town on horseback and hand out candy canes to children.Breakfast with The Grinch


The Grinch will be visiting Landa Haus for breakfast, crafts and Grinch-themed cookie decorating. Photo opportunities will also be available.
  • Dec. 7, 8-11:30 a.m.
  • $15 (registration required)
  • Landa Haus, 360 Aquatic Circle, New Braunfels
  • www.newbraunfels.gov
Christmas Market at Historic Old Town

The New Braunfels Conservation Society will host its annual Christmas market, which will have a variety of gift baskets and other items.