Dreaming of the holidays in Round Rock? If visions of festive decor, family activities, and seasonal events dance in your head, we can help make your visions come true. Our city is enchanting during the holidays, and there is always something to do. Seize the season with our Round Rock Holiday Bucket List (we even checked it twice)!
1.) Marvel at Hometown Holiday decor- We deck the halls and streets in Downtown Round Rock! Our decor captivates visitors with dazzling displays of holiday lights, oversized ornaments, and twinkling archways.
2.) Attend the Model Train Show- This is a treasured holiday tradition, and it’s happening this year at the Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. The annual Tinplate Tracker Model Train Show has exquisite displays and is a delight for guests! See the amazing display November 26th- January 1st.
3.) Savor homemade sugar cookies- It’s cookie season! Enjoy sugar, spice, and everything nice at our local bakeries. Paige’s Bakehouse, The Sweet Tooth Parlor, Adelyn Bakery Boutique, and Tiff’s Treats whip up decadent desserts!
4.) Visit Santa’s Jingle House- Experience the magic of the season at Santa’s Jingle House at the Owen House. During December, they welcome guests to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus, and elves in their dashing home. Visitors can also host a holiday party in this historic home.
5.) Spend the holidays with your Christmas canine- Are you and your pup spending the holidays together? Round Rock is a pet-friendly city with plenty of activities for you both to enjoy. Here’s a dog-friendly guide to our city!
6.) Sip on hot cocoa at our local coffee shops- To quote the movie Polar Express, “Say, we got it, hot chocolate!” Our coffee shops have steamy cups of silky hot cocoa for you to savor. The only rule we have is “never ever let it cool!”
7.) Delight in visions at Light Up the Lake- The stunning display at Light Up the Lake will mesmerize the whole family this year! The grounds glisten with lights and festive figurines! They also have live music, special treats, and kid-friendly activities.
8.) Get your holiday Instagram photo– Whether you’re visiting family or on a holiday getaway, you’ll want to make sure to get a Santa selfie for the gram. Round Rock has plenty of Christmas card-worthy spots! Check out instagrammable places in Round Rock for photo inspiration!
9.) Get merry at a holiday wine tasting- Cheers to holiday cheer and wine! Try perfect blends paired with delicious delicacies at the Holiday Tasting with Wine Sensation.
10.) Gift yourself a trip to Kalahari Resorts and Conventions- Give the gift of memories and adventure with a vacation to Kalahari Resorts and Conventions! Kalahari is home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark with 30 slides, 20 pools, and tons of family activities. They also have Tom Foolery’s Adventure Park for more holiday excitement!
11.) Embrace the sounds of the season- Voices will be singing, and bells will be ringing at the Round Rock Community Choir Sounds of the Season Holiday Concert! This free concert is on December 18th at 7:00 pm. The show is filled with classic holiday favorites and sing-along carols!
12.) Shop at a Holiday Craft Fair & Market- Find one-of-a-kind presents for your friends and family at the Round Rock Market Days and Amatuli Market! These recurring markets have holiday goodies, custom crafts, and festive fun.
13.) Dine out for your holiday dinner- Want to avoid cooking? We know we do! Luckily, there are holiday buffets at Kalahari and plenty of restaurants to choose from. Skip the dishes and dine out for dinner!
14.) Explore Santa’s wonderland at Bass Pro Shops- Walk through a winter wonderland at Bass Pro Shops! This magical land offers free photos with Santa, crafts for kids, and seasonal games.
15.) Watch a Christmas classic at Flix Brewhouse- Enjoy a seasonal flix and seasonal brews at the Flix Brewhouse this season!
16.) Craft a Christmas creation- Get crafty and create a custom gift! Round Rock has plenty of creative outlets for you to utilize. Check out Painting with a Twist, Ceramic Lodge, and Board & Brush to create a thoughtful present.
17.) Enjoy the Texas weather- With an average of 232 sunny days and mild winters there’s a strong possibility it will be sunny and temperate during the holidays! Enjoy the weather with a stroll through our lovely parks and trails!
18.) Cross off your gift list- ‘Tis the season of giving! Give your loved ones something special this year. We have unique boutiques like the Rhae Boutique and Mercantile on Main. We also have shopping centers like Round Rock Premium Outlets and La Frontera Shopping Center.
19.) Dig into a holiday pie- Did the holidays even happen if you didn’t have a slice of pie? Dig into a warm slice of pie at the dessert shops in Round Rock. Papi’s Pies, Pie Jacked, and even Round Rock Donuts serve up superb pies!
20.) Enjoy a Penfold Theatre Classic- Plunge into the Christmas Spirit by enjoying the Penfold Theatre Co. A Miracle on 34th Street Classic Radiocast at Old Settlers Association of Williamson County. The showtimes run Dec. 9-18th, you don’t want to miss this holiday classic!
21.) Give back this season- The Round Rock Police Department will be hosting their Operation Blue Santa Christmas Drive this year, and the Round Rock Serving Center has a variety of volunteer and donation opportunities for you this season.
22.) Drink a festive cocktail- Get in the holiday spirit with some spirits! Locations like The Ruby Hotel, Urban Rooftop, Cork & Barrel, and Hoot & Annie mix up innovative drinks that will bring you some extra cheer.
Photo by: @JasminXassisin
23.) Burn off your holiday dinner with a football game– Do you have a family tradition of playing a football game after holiday dinner? If you’re ready to score a touchdown, Round Rock has great parks and sports facilities to play a pick-up game with friends and family.
24.) Meet Santa at the Premium Outlet Mall– See the big man himself at the Round Rock Premium Outlets. Santa is flying in from the North Pole for a meet and greet and photo-ops. Click here for more details.
We ho, ho, hope you spend the season in Round Rock! If you are looking for accommodations during your seasonal stay, you can find our hotel directory here. See you soon!
*Our hotels, stores, restaurants, and facilities are taking precautions to ensure that you have a safe seasonal stay in Round Rock. Please visit individual websites beforehand to see their health and safety protocols. *