Looking for something to do in Abilene? Check out this list of December events
The Abilene-area has holiday activities galore throughout the month of December. Check out this list to pack your calendar and enjoy the season.
Month long or extended weekend events
Christmas Lane 2023 will be at Abilene State Supported Living Center December 1-26. Come out to enjoy an arrangement of indoor and outdoor displays, activities and concessions. This free event is open to the public and 100% of donations and sales are used to improve the quality of life for people living at ASSLC.
Abilene Zoo Christmas Celebration will be December 15-23. Come to the zoo to make a toy at Santa's Toy Workshop, journey to Beltway's Walk to Bethlehem, decorate cookies at Mrs. Claus's Texas Bakery, meet Santa and his reindeer and enjoy the 500,000 light display. Tickets are required.
The Letter Writing Station is open December 2-23 at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. Children are able to see the picture book art on exhibit and write a special letter to Santa that is mailed directly to the North Pole!
United Way Winter Lightfest is a 3/4-mile paved walking path through nearly 3 million lights. Visitors can take photos, meet Santa, participate in a scavenger hunt and enjoy some sweet treats. Open for weekend nights throughout December. Tickets are required.
Events at Abilene Convention Center
December 2 - Irish Christmas in America features traditional Irish music, song and dance in an engaging performance from an Irish folk ensemble. They will tell the story of emigration to America and how they stayed true to the people and customs left behind.
December 2-3 - Abilene Comic Con invites all pop culture lovers to stop by and share in the fun. With video gaming tournaments, special celebrity guest panels and a variety of collector and artisan vendors, you are sure to lose a day to the adventure and comics.
More: Abilene Comic Con 2023 to have retro gaming, Bluey, special guests and collectibles
December 5 - H-E-B Feast of Sharing from 4-8 p.m. This free event is open to the public and will serve traditional Texas-style meals to guests. There will be music, activities for the family and a variety of free services such as health and wellness screenings and flu shots.
December 9 - Patty Harper Dance Studio presents "Once Upon a Christmas Eve," a story of a homeless girl's selfless act during the holiday season. The crowd will enjoy ballet, tap and lyrical dances performed to classical Christmas tunes.
December 11 - NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet. Come and experience an international cast of performers in a magical acrobatic act with larger than life puppets and hand-crafted sets and costumes.
December 16 - Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour. Blippi and special guest Meekah are coming to Abilene for the ultimate curiosity adventure as they discover what makes different cities unique and special.
Events with Abilene Public Libraries
December 1 - Super Storytime: Snow! at the main library branch. For youth and parents from 11-11:45 a.m. Enjoy the enhanced storytime session with silly songs and craft making.
Family Storytime with the Noah Project. Youth and parents are welcome to join in a special storytime teaching youth about moral issues with featured story and craft. This program is held across all three library branches. Dec. 6 at Main. Dec. 13 at South. Dec. 20 at Mockingbird.
December 6 - Tiny Tree Ornament Workshop at main library branch. Free crafting session for teens and adults.
December 7, 14 and 21 - Harry Potter's Wizarding Celebration at the main library branch. Immerse yourself in the wizarding world throughout the month of December with feature film showings, wizarding board games, craft making and more.
December 9 - Family Flix: "The Grinch." Everyone is invited to the south branch library to watch the latest animated adaptation of the classic Dr. Seuss story.
December 9 - Saturday Matinee: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Everyone is invited to the south branch library to watch the live-action adaptation of the Dr. Seuss story starring Jim Carrey.
December 12 - Crafty U: Wine Cork Angel Ornaments at the south branch library. Teens and adults are invited to this educational crafting workshop.
December 13 - Crafty DIY: Letter Tile Ornaments adult craft workshop at the main library branch.
December 14 - Creative Club: Gingerbread Man. Youth can meetup at the main branch library during ArtWalk Night for a featured holiday story and craft project.
December 15 - Family Fun: A Royal Ball at the south branch library. Youth are encouraged to come dressed in their royal best for this enhanced storytime where you'll become royalty.
December 16 - Stories with Santa at the south branch library. Santa will be stopping by at the library for morning storytime complete with hot cocoa and crafts.
December 16 - Gingerbread House Workshop at the mockingbird branch library is open to everyone wanting to build and design your own house of gingerbread for free.
December 16 - Holiday Stuffie Sleepover at the south branch library. Youth are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animals for this fun event. Stuffies will roast marshmallows, make s'mores, sing songs, drink cocoa and read stories all night long.
December 18 - Beginner Sewing Series: Gnomes at the south branch library. Teens and adults are invited to learn the art of sewing from a retired home economics teacher.
December 19 - Abilene Recovery Council Presents: "I Saw Santa's Underpants" at the main library. Join in this enhanced storytime event about a silly rhyming holiday story.
December 19 - Open Mic Night: Holiday Edition at the south branch. Share your talents and spread some cheer with a holiday performance.
December 26 - Family Flicks AM: "The Secret Life of Pets" at the main library branch. Come out and watch this family-friendly movie following the shenanigans of pets when their owners are not around.
December 26 - Family Flicks PM: "Sing" at the main library branch. Keep the family movie fun going with the afternoon showing of the animated, movie musical "Sing."
December 28 - Trivia Night: Holiday Classics at the main library. Teens and adults are invited to participate in this holiday trivia session.
Events at Paramount Theatre
December 1 - "Merry Christmas Everyone" from the Celebration Singers. A free performance from a crew of talented vocalists and musicians will be a memorable tribute to the holidays. The program will feature a variety of classic seasonal songs for the crowd to enjoy.
December 7 - It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. This ticketed event will bring to life a Christmas classic in a live radio drama that the whole family can enjoy.
December 8-9 - Movie: "Elf." Enjoy the comedic Christmas staple that will make you laugh and transport you to the North Pole and New York City with Buddy the elf.
December 10 - Handel's "Messiah." Witness this special performance presented by the Abilene Opera Association.
December 12 - Abilene Community Band Christmas Concert will present their annual performance.
December 15-16 - Movie: "White Christmas." Enjoy the 1954 musical on the big screen with the entire family.
December 21-22 - An Aaron Watson Family Christmas. The Abilene native is back by popular demand to perform Christmas favorites and some of his biggest hits.
December 31 - Movie: "Moonstruck." Embrace the new year with Cher and Nicolas Cage in this 1987 romantic comedy.
Events to shop
December 2 - Downtown Merkel Christmas Market at The Lovely at Mulberry Creek Square.
December 9 - Mistletoe Market at Comfort Inn & Suites Regional Medical Center.
December 9 - A Grinch Christmas Market at Christian Job Corps of Abilene.
December 9 - Drug Emporium Abilene Local Christmas Fair.
December 9 - Vendor Holiday Mini Market at Makers + Creators Marketplace.
December 16 - Matera Gardens Christmas Market.
Events for the arts
December 1-3 and 8-10 - "Dinner with Friends" with Abilene Community Theatre is a contemporary play centered around the changing dynamics between two couples. A relatable and realistic story with a four-person cast is sure to show the vulnerability in friendships and the connection people create through food.
December 3 - A Capella Group Christmas Concert at Abilene Christian University's Boone Family Theatre.
December 5 - Gospel Choir Concert at Abilene Christian University's Boone Family Theatre.
December 7-8 - Tot Spot with The Grace Museum. Bring out your preschooler and family to this creative class where the kids will make a snowman handprint ornament.
December 7 - Grace Studio: Winter Gnomes. Join in on the crafting fun and learn to make decorative gnomes for your home.
December 7-10 - A Charlie Brown Christmas at McMurry University in the Ryan Little Theatre in the Amy Graves Ryan Building.
December 10 - Christmas Vespers by Abilene Christian University choirs at First Baptist Church on North 3rd Street.
December 12 - Homeschool Art Day at The Grace Museum. Only for homeschool students and their families. Come enjoy this month's project and create a miniature sculpture that can be used as an ornament or decorative piece.
December 14 - ArtWalk by the Center for Contemporary Arts. Experience live art demonstrations, handcrafted art vendors and local businesses at this fun Thursday night event.
December 14 - Holidays Around the World Family Festival at The Grace Museum. Connect with the community at this free holiday event for families. Visit with Santa, make crafts while learning about international holiday traditions and hear from a storyteller from the African Safari Program about Kwanzaa, Diwali and Hanukkah.
December 15 - An Evening in December with Bradly Hunter Welch. Come out and enjoy a free performance of Advent and Christmas music by the organist at First Baptist Church on Orange Street.
Events for the family
December 1 - City of Clyde Christmas Parade at 6 p.m.
December 1 - Christmas in the Garden at the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden. Join the fun with Grinchy Claus and his friends. Enjoy costumed characters, photo opportunities, holiday book readings, refreshments and live entertainment. Registration is required.
December 2 - Christmas in the Gap at Old Settlers Grounds in Buffalo Gap. Celebrate the season with Buffalo Gap Elementary PTO. There will be a 6 p.m. tree lighting, free professional Santa photos, live music, foods and drinks with local businesses, a Christmas market and more.
December 2 - Snowy Day at the NCCIL. From 10 a.m. to noon families are invited to enjoy free doughnuts, book readings, ornament art projects and letter writing. The first 150 children to arrive will be gifted free books.
December 2 - Breakfast and Photos with the Grinch at the 4th annual Toys for Tots Drive. The Marines will be collecting and loading the Toys for Tots Truck from 9-11 a.m. Located at Keller Williams Realty - Texas Lifestyle Group.
December 9 - Fa La La in the Forest at Abilene State Park. Drive through the park to see dazzling Christmas lights.
December 9 - Star Party at Abilene State Park. Join Big Country Master Naturalists for stargazing the whole family can enjoy.
December 9 - Ice Princess Brunch at the Abilene Zoo. Meet and greet with the ice princesses, listen to a Christmas story and take photos with the characters.
December 14-16 - Texas Cowboys' Christmas Ball at Pioneer Hall in Anson. Join in this official Texas Historical Commission event and celebrate the western heritage in this old-time frontier gala.
December 14-16 and 21-23 - Night of Lights at Safety City. Join the Abilene Fire Department and local sponsors at this Christmas light walk-through attraction. There is free admission and hot chocolate for guests to enjoy.
December 16 - Santa & Reindeer Brunch at the Abilene Zoo. Meet and greet with Santa and his reindeer, listen to a Christmas story and take photos.
December 16 - Hiking with Homeless Dogs with All Kind Initiative and Abilene State Park. Bring your family and friends on a trail hike with a shelter dog at this hike and adoption event.
December 16 - That's a Wrap! Holiday Gift-Wrapping Party at Cesar Chavez Recreation Center. Join Abilene Parks and Recreation at this fun and productive event where you can grab your friends and wrap some presents.
Other December events for everyone
December 2-3 - Silver Spur Gun & Blade Show at the Taylor County Coliseum. With over 300 tables for all sportsman, outdoorsman and Christmas needs, you will definitely spot some unique finds.
December 2-3 - Christmas Tea in the gallery of the Buffalo Gap Historic Village. Enjoy the tradition of a "formal tea" with delicacies and history of the cultural custom.
December 2 - Christmas Princess Pop-Up at The Parlor on South Clack in Abilene. Get dolled up and enjoy cookies with the girls at this party.
December 4 - ReVive Christmas Open House with ReVive Integrative Wellness. Enjoy appetizers, drawings, giveaways and seasonal specials.
December 7 - Abilene in the 1920s an Exhibition Reception with The Grace Museum. Join in for a swell evening of 1920s-era fun and explore the history galleries, dance to jazz music and refresh yourself with food and drinks. Decade clothes are encouraged.
December 8 - Windcrest Health & Rehab's Christmas Tour of Trees. Come see decorated Christmas trees, decorate cookies and enjoy a performance from the Wylie High School choir.
December 13 - CASA Christmas Open House at the Taylor County Plaza Building. Come out for some Christmas cookies and learn more about how you can give a child experiencing foster care a voice.
December 13 - 8th annual Pajamas for Mamas at Heff's Burgers at the Mall of Abilene. This event benefits the Noah Project of Abilene. Donate pajamas to a special mama and get glam with your donation.
December 30 - Dutch Oven Cooking at Abilene State Park. Learn to cook the old-fashioned way.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: A list of December events in Abilene, add activities to your calendar
