Looking for Christmas cheer? enjoy upcoming holiday fun for the whole family
Editors Note: The Globe-News was informed of a change in information regarding giveaways during the Electric Light Parade after this story was originally published: as a safety precaution, all participating floats are asked to not hand out any candy, fliers, or merchandise of any kind during the parade. This story has been edited to reflect these changes below.
As many Amarillo and Panhandle residents welcome the holiday season, here are several upcoming events sure to make you feel merry and bright this Christmas that the whole family can enjoy.
Electric Light Parade
Kicking off the Christmas festivities, Center City Amarillo will host its annual electric light parade Dec. 2. at 6 p.m. The parade will return to its traditional format of the floats driving by the pedestrians.
The parade will travel down Polk Street beginning at 11th Avenue and toward 4th Avenue. According to Beth Duke, executive director for Center City Amarillo, this year's theme is "Christmas Around the World"
"Last year we found that Amarillo was a little too big to have a reverse parade, so this year we went back to the traditional parade format. ... We hope everyone can come out and enjoy this year, the creativity with this theme of 'Christmas Around the World.' I think you will see some wonderful new original floats," Duke said.
Duke said the parade is expected to have 80 floats, including participants from the Amarillo Sod Poodles to Dr. Seuss. Previous parades drew crowds upwards of 10,000 people, and this year, Center City is expecting similar numbers in attendees.
As part of the parade, Center City is partnering with ABC News 7 who will be hosting a toy drive, collecting donations for children in need this holiday season.
For those who cannot attend the parade in person but still want to view the holiday fun, ABC News 7 will host a live broadcast from 6 to 7 p.m. the night of the parade.
As a reminder, Center City would also like to inform attendees that the parade held in the evening and visibility may be strained. Attendees are asked to ensure that children are accounted for and not to wander in the streets.
Floats participating in this year's Electric Light Parade are all asked to either be lit or glow. As a safety precaution, all participating floats are asked not to hand out any candy, fliers, or merchandise of any kind during the parade. Center City states that this is a stipulation that has always been a requirement of the parade, but it is being enforced more strictly this year to ensure the safety of all parade participants and parade watchers.
The parade is free and open to the public. For more information, visit Center City online at https://centercity.org/lightparade/
Christmas in the Botanical Gardens
For a fun night of magical fun with nature, the Botanical Gardens of Amarillo hosts its annual Christmas in the Gardens, Nov. 26 through Dec. 23. The event will be held each Thursday through Sunday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and everyday the holiday week, Dec. 19 through Dec. 23.
During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to walk through the gardens and view more than 400,000 lights while listening to local groups and schools sing Christmas carols. Hot cocoa, popcorn, or s'mores will also be provided. Attendees will also get the opportunity for a photo with the Grinch or Santa.
Admission is $8 per individual, or $6 for seniors. For members, current or retired military, and children ages 5 and younger, admission is free.
To learn more, visit the Botanical Gardens online at https://amarillobotanicalgardens.org
Maxwells Magical Christmas
For those of you seeking a more hands-on Christmas experience, Maxwell's Pumpkin Farm invites the community to its third Maxwell's Magical Christmas Festival, open each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the month of December. The event begins Dec. 2 and runs every day during the week of Christmas, from Dec. 18 through Dec. 23. The festival hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the farm, located at 12908 Bell St.
Upon arrival, each individual will be greeted with several eye-catching light displays that can be viewed from Interstate 27. Each admission ticket includes entrance into the farm, unlimited access to Santa Claus, a chance to ride the lighted hayride trail, Christmas photo ops, a chance to walk the lighted walking tail, the Candy Chaos obstacle course, low ropes course, magic carpet ride, tube slides, farm animals, pedal cars, tire mountain, rat rollers, calf ropin', ball zone, bunnyville, jump pad, jumping pillows, tube swings, playground, The Mercantile, Cornhole Acres, and the barnyard jumper. For an additional purchase, attendees will also have the chance to participate in their Apple Cannons shooting range.
Larry Borger, owner of Maxwell’s Pumpkin Farm and Maxwell’s Magical Christmas, said in a news release: “We’re so excited to welcome everyone out to Maxwell’s to light up their holidays and have some country fun. We’ve made it easy for folks to park their cars and ride to the entrance on our Grain Trains and take in over one million lights and displays with seasonal fun throughout our farm. ... We’ve been blessed with great crowds since the addition of Maxwell’s Magical Christmas two years ago. So, we’ve been planning all year how to do it bigger and better and hope families will come on out and get some Christmas Spirit Maxwell’s style!”
The Christmas Festival will also include concessions selling crowd favorites, such as hand-battered corn dogs, greenchili stew, brisket Frito pies, turkey legs, kettle corn, funnel cakes, hot cocoa, hot cider, coffee and more. Attendees are also encouraged to purchase a s’mores kit to cook and enjoy at one of the many fire pits provided throughout the farm.
General admission is required for all ages 3 and older. Admission can be purchased in person at the gates or online at https://www.simpletix.com/e/general-admission-maxwells-magical-christm-tickets-103467 .
For more information and a full calendar, visit maxwellspumpkinfarm.com .
Christmas lights viewing
For those of you who'd rather avoid the crowds, Christmas light viewing is the perfect option. Bishop Hills Neighborhood and Candy Cane Lane are among some of the places people can cruise through in the comfort of their own vehicles while listening to Christmas music and enjoying the wondrous displays to get in the holiday spirit.
Bishop Hills will host its annual holiday displays, open to the public beginning the first week of December through Dec. 26, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. every evening, Sunday through Thursday, and 6:30 p.m. to midnight every Friday and Saturday. During the annual event, admission is free, but a donation is asked for to help support the community's electricity bill.
In addition to the traditional Bishop Hills lights, holiday viewers are welcome to drive down Candy Cane Lane this holiday season.
Beginning Thanksgiving Day and continuing through the month of December, residents of Gainsborough Road decorate their homes in elaborate Christmas decorations for all to view. Some nights attendees will also have the opportunity to have a snowball fight, get a photo op with the Grinch or Santa, and drink some hot cocoa.
For more information on Candy Cane Lane and when snowball fights will be arranged, follow them on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo celebrates the Christmas season with upcoming festivities
