Holiday hangouts: Check out these Christmastime events around Lubbock, South Plains
The Christmas and holiday season is in full swing around Lubbock and the South Plains.
From Texas Tech's Carol of Lights on Saturday and Lubbock Christian's University's Big Blue Christmas on Tuesday to tours of decorated area homes and Santa Land, here's a look at the festivities and events lined up to celebrate the season around the Hub City.
See an event we're missing? Send it to us through email at newmedia@lubbockonline.com
Note: A schedule of Pancho Clos' visits in Lubbock has not yet been announced.
LCU Big Blue Christmas
Lubbock Christian University will host its eleventh annual Big Blue Christmas celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 28 to help ring in the Christmas Season. The family-friendly event will take place in the outdoor mall area and surrounding buildings in the middle of the LCU campus from 5:30-7:00pm.
This year’s event will be an “Elf-stravaganza,” and the community is invited to come and join in the event as we begin the holiday season. The evening will be filled with Christmas fun to celebrate the birth of Christ. There will be music, caroling, s’mores, and loads of lights in the outdoor mall area, as well as games and crafts. There will be a photo opportunity with Santa, and Buddy the Elf will be walking around taking “elf-ies” with guests.
For those who would like to enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner with their family, the LCU dining hall will be open to purchase meals. There will be several vendors on site benefiting different LCU organizations, as well as a coffee and hot chocolate food truck.
It is sure to be a night of fun for the whole family to make memories together. For more information visit LCU.edu.
Carol of Lights
The 2023 Carol of Lights ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 2, with the traditional carillon concert preceding it at 6:30 p.m., around Memorial Circle at Texas Tech, according to a news release from Tech. As the more than 25,000 Christmas lights illuminate the Science Quadrangle, a fireworks display and drone show will illuminate the night sky over campus.
While the drone show will mark the first of its kind ever held in Lubbock, there’s another first at this year’s Carol of Lights – a corporate partnership with The Coca-Cola Company. Made possible through that partnership, the evening will feature performances by Lost Wax, the original mashup party band, and Cirque Entertainment.
Lost Wax makes its first trip to Lubbock as the headliner for this year’s ceremony. Their big-band sound, complete with a dazzling horn section, will appeal to Red Raiders young and old. The group was most recently featured as the house band at the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City.
For more than 25 years, the incredible artists from Cirque Entertainment have been entertaining audiences around the world. Attendees at this year’s ceremony will get to experience the dazzling aerial artistry that has made Cirque’s performances among the most sought-after in the world.
Attendees also will see special performances by Mariachi Los Matadores and Annie Chalex Boyle. The latter, an associate professor of violin at Texas Tech and concertmaster for the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, will perform one of the most anticipated songs every year at Carol of Lights, “O Holy Night.” Her stirring rendition promises to be one of the highlights of the evening.
Santa Paws
Lubbock's Hodges Community Center will host its annual Santa Paws event, letting families and pets takes pictures with Santa, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at 4011 University Ave.
Photos will be $5 per family. Meet with local vendors specializing in goods for the best good boys and girls.
$5 Pet Photos w/Santa
Vendors and Prizes
Silent Auction
Free Micro-Chipping
All pets must be on a leash or crate at this event. For more information, please call Hodges Community Center at 806-767-3706.
WT Chamber Singers to Give Free Holiday Concert
West Texas A&M University’s Chamber Singers will welcome the holiday season in an upcoming concert at its campus in Canyon.
The Chamber Singers’ Christmas concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex Recital Hall on WT’s Canyon campus.
Breakfast with Santa in Lubbock
From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 2, bring your kids and grandkids to Maxey Community Center for their Annual Breakfast with Santa. This event is the perfect way to start the Christmas season. Families will enjoy keepsake holiday crafts, a delicious brunch, and photos with Santa as their children share their Christmas wishes. Tickets can be purchased online at playlubbock.com or in person at Maxey Community Center. Registration and ticket purchase deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. For more information, please call 806-767-3796.
Tech Terrace hosting holiday home tour
Continuing a tradition that started in 1988, the Tech Terrace Neighborhood Association will host its annual Holiday Home Tour again on Dec. 2.
Eventgoers from 2 to 5 p.m. can visit seven unique homes in the neighborhood that are all decked out in Christmas cheer, right before heading across the street to Texas Tech University's Carol of Lights Centennial Closing Ceremony around Memorial Circle on campus.
The Tech Terrace U.N.I.T. holiday tour began in hopes of attracting new homeowners to the central Lubbock neighborhood while also being a fundraiser opportunity for the neighborhood association's projects and beautification, according to the event website.
Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased through evenbrite.com or the neighborhood's website at techterraceunit.org.
Lighting Up Wayland
There will be fun for the entire family on Thursday, Dec. 7 as Wayland Baptist University invites the Greater Plainview community to join students, faculty, and staff for “Lighting Up Wayland.”
“Just follow Santa to the steps of historic Gates Hall,” university officials said, noting that “Lighting Up Wayland” is a post-Christmas parade party for the community. “There is going to be plenty of fun, food, and fellowship in Gates Circle.”
Free food and Christmas cookies will be served from 7 to 8:30 p.m. A faculty and staff choir will lead the singing of Christmas carols, and prizes will be given away. Come early to register, and you must be present to win.
The post-parade festivities, which take place at 1900 West Seventh St., celebrate the moment when Gates Hall is lit with holiday décor. It’s a moment folks won’t want to miss as this Wayland Christmas tradition continues.
In addition to the music and lighting ceremony, two other traditions continue. Dr. Bobby Hall, University President, will read the Christmas Story from the Bible, and Santa Claus will arrive to hand out candy canes and pose for photos.
There will be lots of other opportunities for holiday photos during “Lighting Up Wayland.” Once the lights come on, Wayland’s historic Gates Hall serves as a perfect holiday backdrop for photos with family and friends.
Candlelight at the Ranch
The National Ranching Heritage Center will be dressed in all its holiday finery for the 45th Annual Candlelight at the Ranch. Join the tradition on Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9 from 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock.
Ranching Heritage Association members can enjoy early access to VIP Experience Passes starting in November. VIP Experience Passes include –
One reserved parking spot
Early entry for you and up to 6 guests (7 total) from 6 - 6:30 p.m.
Light holiday refreshments
Support of ranching heritage preservation and educational efforts through the National Ranching Heritage Center
For more information on Candlelight, visit ranchingheritage.org
For questions regarding VIP Experience Passes, contact Daniel Meyers at daniel.meyers@ttu.edu or call (806) 834-1621
Ballet Lubbock's 'The Nutcracker' at Buddy Holly Hall
Ballet Lubbock once again brings the holiday classic "The Nutcracker" to the stage Dec. 1-3 and 8-10.
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, Friday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 9; at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, Sunday, Dec. 3, Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10; and at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3, in the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences.
Individual tickets for the Ballet Lubbock production range from $15 to $120 (plus taxes and fees), depending on seating.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://balletlubbock.org/ or www.buddyhollyhall.com/
Santa Land in Lubbock
Join the City of Lubbock Parks and Recreation and Champion Energy for a Lubbock tradition as it kicks off its 67th Annual Santa Land. The Santa Land festivities will begin Saturday, Dec. 9, and will continue through Thursday, Dec. 21. Visitors can stop by daily from 6 to 10 p.m. at 600 Cesar E. Chavez Drive.
Walk through this festive holiday village with a 50 foot Christmas tree, animated displays, and Santa's Workshop. This event is open to the public and admission for all ages is free.
There are opportunities for entertainment groups to perform at this year’s Santa Land. For more information about entertainment opportunities or becoming a 2023 Santa Land sponsor, contact Donavon Hailey at (806) 775-2678 or dhailey@mylubbock.us.
Volunteer opportunities are available to help host this year's Santa Land. It's a fun volunteer opportunity for student organizations, and anyone interested in helping us organize and showcase this great family event. For more information, contact Donavon Hailey at (806) 775-2678 or dhailey@mylubbock.us.
For more details, contact the City of Lubbock Parks and Recreation Department at 806-775-2673, or visit www.playlubbock.com.
Miracles Christmas Parade returns to 34th Street
A "Twinkle of Hope" is coming to the 18th annual Miracles Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Starting at 6 p.m., individuals can see around 30 parade floats going down 34th Street between Avenue Q and Indiana Avenue.
Non-profits, schools, families and organizations can also participate in the parade. With this year's theme being "Twinkle of Hope," those interested in participating are encouraged to have as many lights as possible on their float.
For the full details, requirements and application, visit http://www.miraclesparade.com/. The application deadline is 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
Ransom Canyon Christmas Tour of Homes
The 36th annual Ransom Canyon Christmas Tour of Homes is set for Thursday, Dec. 14. The event will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Participants can view Christmas lights reflecting on Lake Ransom Canyon, tour four Ransom Canyon homes decorated for Christmas. Enjoy live Christmas carolers and music ensembles at each home. Eat cookies and enjoy hot chocolate at the Chapel by the Paul Stapp Gospel Brass. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and make s'mores over an outdoor fire.
Advance tickets are $15 each or five for $60. Tickets will be $20 after 5:30 p.m. the day of the event at the Ransom Canyon Firehouse. Advance tickets are available at locations including the Ransom Canyon City Hall, 24 Lee Kitchens Drive, as well as Wentz Orthodontics, Christian Brothers Automotive, Happy State Bank in Slaton and NextHome CORE Realty. There will be a door prize drawing for a gift basket. For more information, go to https://www.ransomcanyonchapel.com/
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Check out these Christmas, holiday events around Lubbock, South Plains
