The period from Thanksgiving to Christmas is our favorite time here in our hometown of Fredericksburg, where there are so many holiday traditions that our calendar is full almost before the season begins. We also like to take time for ourselves, to slow down, and to reflect. So we pick and choose. We don’t have to do anything, and we don’t try to do everything. Here are just a few of the events and things that you might pick and choose from to make your holiday season special.
Thanksgiving Day and Weekend:
First, of course, comes that Thanksgiving meal. For locals or folks with family in Fredericksburg, a Fredericksburg Thanksgiving is easy. For those tourists who stay with us at Agarita Creek Farms, they are easy as well – as our cabins have full kitchens. But there will always be people looking for a place to go to eat a special meal on Thanksgiving Day. While there has been no official list of places open for the upcoming Thanksgiving, we can share the following list of three of places that were open for Thanksgiving in 2015, that would put on a suitable Thanksgiving spread, and that we can recommend. They are all pricey, but this is an occasion! Please call ahead and confirm that they will be open and make a reservation.
August E’s -- August E’s has, in past years, served a traditional Thanksgiving meal with three different settings, at noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Reservations are essential. 203 E. San Antonio Street, FBG, TX (830) 997-1585.
Hill Top Café -- Conveniently located In the middle of nowhere, this would be fun! Hill Top has traditionally been open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are essential for this small spot. 10661 US Highway 87 N, FBG, TX (830) 997-8922.
Otto’s – Two seatings, one at 1 p.m. and one at 5 p.m. Reservations are essential. 316 E. Austin Street, FBG, TX (830) 307-3336.
If you want a good meal, but less occasion, Andy’s Café, Auslander, City Cafe, and Cultures are traditionally open, and consistently good.
Having gotten that important piece of business behind us, we can get to events. Because the holiday events begin in Fredericksburg almost as quickly as the Thanksgiving table is cleared.
On Friday, November 25, you could follow the masses to the malls or big box stores, or you could begin a hill country holidy; you could have “Black Friday” or a Friday filled with holiday lights. That Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is the light of the Christmas Pyramid and Community Christmas Tree at Marktplatz. This coordinates with lighting ceremonies all over the hill country, and what is called the Texas Hill Country Regional Lighting Trail, which begins November 25 and continues through January 1. You can get information on the trail at the Fredericksburg Visitor Information Center, 302 E. Austin Street. Also at Marktplatz, Eisbahn (ice skating) opens on Friday, November 25 and continues through January 3. The Fredericksburg Trade Days has its Holiday Encore that same Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and The Peddler Show occurs. A Swingin’ Christmas Show opens at the Rockbox Theatre, and continues through Christmas Eve.
The festivities continue during the weekend of Friday, December 2. Friday, December 2 is the evening Christmas Parade. It also marks the opening of the Texas Hill Country Wineries Christmas Affair, which continues through December 18. Saturday, December 3 is the 59th Annual Christmas Home Tour and Market. That same day is the Fredericksburg Chorale Christmas Concert, Christmas Cinema at Fredericksburg Theater Company, the first of two Port and Stilton Tastings at Becker Vineyards (the second being December 10), and you can Sip with Santa at 4.0 Cellars.
Wednesday, December 7 marks the Pearl Harbor Observance at the National Museum of the Pacific War.
Friday, December 9 is opening night for the Fredericksburg Community Theater’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life, which continues through December 18. Saturday, December 10 is Kinderfest (for children ten and younger, accompanied by an adult) at the Pioneer Museum, followed that night by the 9th Annual Tannenbaum Ball (for bigger kids like us) sponsored by the Pioneer Museum. December 10 also marks the second (and final) Port and Stilton Tasting at Becker Vineyard.
Saturday, December 17 is the Luckenbach Christmas Ball, featuring Gary P. Nunn. Saturday, December 17 is the 47th Annual Tree Lighting at the LBJ Ranch.
Christmas is on a weekend this year, with Christmas Eve on Saturday and Christmas on Sunday. Most of the area churches have services scheduled for both days. Fredericksburg essentially closes on Christmas Day, so if you are looking for dining options you will need to search them out and plan ahead. I will bring you a list of open restaurants if, as, and when one appears.
In the British world December 26 is Boxing Day. In the German world, such as in Fredericksburg, it is Zweite Weihnachten, the day when the Christmas celebration was traditionally spread beyond family to include friends. There will be activities in town throughout that day, including a Boxing Day celebration at Becker Vineyards.
And Zweite Weihachten brings us to New Year’s Eve. And that, our friends, will be the subject of another blog. For now let’s just say this -- Fredericksburg knows how to throw a party!
You can find more information on the holiday events mentioned here and events throughout the year from the great calendar of events maintained by the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitors Board . www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/plan/events.