A Hill Country Christmas: Your December Guide to Boerne, Bandera & Helotes
By Gordon Cook · October 26, 2026
The short answer: December in the Hill Country is packed. Dickens on Main and the Old West Christmas Light Fest start Thanksgiving weekend, Boerne's Weihnachts Parade is December 5, and Bandera's Lighted Parade is December 12 at 6:30 PM. Al's Hideaway in Pipe Creek is a short drive from all of it. Book direct with code FUN for 10% off 2+ nights.
Howdy, folks. Al here.
December in the Hill Country is something special, and I'd rather you see it from a warm log cabin than from the interstate. We sit in Pipe Creek in the middle of it all, so here's a weekend-by-weekend look at what's going on around us. (Want the Bandera-only version? Read our Cowboy Christmas guide.)
Thanksgiving Weekend (Nov 27–29)
Dickens on Main kicks off Boerne's season Friday and Saturday, November 27 and 28, along Main Street and the Hill Country Mile. Walking around is free. Hours for 2026 weren't posted when I wrote this, so check holidaysinboerne.com.
The Old West Christmas Light Fest opens November 27 at Enchanted Springs Ranch, 242 State Highway 46 West, about a 10 minute drive from our front gate. It's a six-acre Old West town covered in lights, with live music and free photos with Santa. Gates open at 5 PM and it runs until 10 PM.
First Weekend of December (Dec 4–6)
Boerne's Weihnachts Parade rolls down Main Street Saturday, December 5, at 6 PM. The Wassail Walk is Friday, December 4, at 4 PM, and Oma's Christmas Craft Fair is Saturday morning at 9 AM.
In Helotes, the Lighting of the Lights is held at City Hall on the first Friday of December (December 4), with a tree lighting, a children's choir and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Confirm times with the City of Helotes. The Light Fest is open these nights too.
Second Weekend (Dec 11–13): Bandera's Christmas Weekend
This is our big one, and we'd love to have you.
Saturday morning, December 12: Pancakes with Santa, right here at Al's Hideaway. Bring the kids. Bring the dog. Take as many photos with Santa as you like. Nobody's counting.
Then it's on to Bandera. Market Days runs on the courthouse lawn from 9 AM to 4 PM, and the Lighted Parade starts at 6:30 PM. Our guests are welcome to ride on our float with us, or you can find a spot on Main Street in Bandera and enjoy it from the curb. Either way, you'll have a ball. The Shopper's Jubilee follows Sunday, December 13, from 10 AM to 9 PM.
Helotes also holds its Hill Country Christmas Parade on the second Saturday of December, which lands on the 12th, the same night as ours. You'll have to pick. We're partial to ours.
Over in Boerne that weekend, Market Days starts at 10 AM Saturday, and the Texas Cellos play "A Nordic Christmas" at the Cave Without a Name at 7 PM. If you'd rather keep it quiet, Walk Through Bethlehem is Tuesday, December 8, at 6 PM, a reverent way to spend an evening.
Third Weekend (Dec 19)
Boerne's Cowboy Christmas Market Days is Saturday, December 19, at 10 AM, and the Cave Without a Name hosts a Winter Solstice concert that night at 7 PM.
All Month Long
The Christmas lights at Bandera's City Park and Courthouse are up from November 23 through January 1. The Light Fest is open every night December 18 through 23, gates at 5 PM. Adult tickets were $25 last I checked, and kids five and under are free. Dates and times can change, so double-check each event before you load up the truck.
Come Stay With Us
We've got 13 handcrafted log cabins, 10 full-hookup RV sites and 9 cowboy campsites. We're pet-friendly with no pet fees, and there are no cleaning fees. Book direct with promo code FUN for 10% off any stay of two nights or more. We're also the closest campground to the new Kronkosky State Natural Area, so you can take a quiet morning hike before the festivities start.
Boerne, Bandera and Helotes are all an easy drive, so you can set up once and take in every event without repacking the truck. December weekends fill up quick, so don't wait too long.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Christmas events are near Pipe Creek, Texas in December 2026?
Within about 20 minutes of Al's Hideaway you can find Dickens on Main in Boerne (November 27-28), the Old West Christmas Light Fest on Highway 46 (Nov 27 through Dec 23, select nights), Boerne's Weihnachts Parade (December 5), Bandera's Lighted Parade (December 12, 6:30 PM) and Shopper's Jubilee (December 13), and Helotes' holiday events. Check each town's calendar before you go, since dates can change.
When is the Bandera Christmas parade in 2026?
The Bandera Lighted Parade is Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 6:30 PM, per the Bandera Business Association. Guests of Al's Hideaway are welcome to ride on our float or watch from Main Street.
Is the Old West Christmas Light Fest near Al's Hideaway?
Yes. It is held at Enchanted Springs Ranch, 242 State Highway 46 West in Boerne, about a 10 minute drive from us. It runs 5 to 10 PM on select nights from November 27 through December 23, 2026, with live music and free photos with Santa.
Does Al's Hideaway charge pet or cleaning fees?
No. We are pet-friendly with no pet fees and no cleaning fees. Book direct and use promo code FUN for 10% off stays of two nights or more.
Plan Your December
Check availability and book direct and use promo code FUN for 10% off stays of two nights or more. Questions about Pancakes with Santa or riding the float? Text us at 830-510-1883 or call 830-510-3331.
Happy Trails.
Be Safe & God Bless.
— Al