in eastern Williamson County
Attractions run the gamut from nostalgic decorations to holiday drones
As the year winds down, the holiday lights burn bright in eastern Williamson County. From Coupland and Hutto to Taylor and points in-between, residents and visitors alike can celebrate a wide range of seasonal events and treats through the chill days of December.
Visitors to downtown Hutto will find the holiday season in full swing, from the traditional Hippo Claus Crawl to a Christmas tree briming with lights. Courtesy photo
Some of the attractions include Taylor’s annual Christmas parade with Santa on a tractor. Meanwhile, Hutto sets the night sky ablaze with 400 drones and hosts a Yuletide light trail. In addition, the Living Nativity at the Church on the Hill in Taylor shares the story of the birth of Christ with visitors.
Taylor’s nostalgic holiday charm returns
The city of Taylor kicks off the first weekend in December with its annual Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting featuring floats, decorated fire trucks, classic cars and Santa on a tractor cruising down Main Street from 12th to Third streets.
The event runs 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, with the parade starting at 6 p.m.
Santa works a double shift. After wrapping up the parade, he will assist Mayor Dwayne Ariola in lighting the Heritage Square Christmas tree. Then he will head to his hut to hear all of the Christmas wishes from the kiddos.
For adults, the city is hosting a Vendor Village starting at 3 p.m. at Heritage Park at Main and Fourth streets. This new event begins after the weekly farmers market with a focus on shopping small and soaking up the holiday spirit.
According to Ruby Fisher, the city’s special events coordinator, there will be face painters, a bounce house, free hot cocoa and the Taylor High School choir singing. Santa will pose for pet portraits and accept donations for the nonprofit Texas Critter Crusaders until the parade starts. The Crusaders provide assistance to the city Animal Shelter.
Blending new and old, Heritage Square’s holiday decorations feature updated lights for the season — including historic displays — thanks to local volunteers.
The holiday celebration wraps with live music, featuring Not Past 11.
“Truly, the Christmas parade, the tree lighting and the Vendor Village are going to be incredible,” Fisher said. “Folks can start their day shopping at the Farmers Market, then roll over to Old Taylor High (at 410 W. Seventh St.) for Taylor Market Days, come back downtown for the Vendor Village, and then zip around some of the local stores before the parade.”
Other seasonal events in Taylor
Mistletoe Market is back and features local arts and crafts, including ceramics, paintings and jewelry. It’s scheduled 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in the McCrory Timmerman building lobby at 201 N. Main St.
The Taylor Parks and Recreation Department will host a free ornament-making playday for kids from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 19 in the multipurpose room at Memorial Field at 1412 Davis St.
Hutto goes high tech for the holidays
Hutto will host its Holiday Celebration at Brushy Creek Amphitheater, 1001 CR 137, 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. The Holiday Market and Drone Show start at 5 p.m. with wares from local businesses, then the city brightens the sky with 400 lighted drones for a show at 8 p.m.
Starting Dec. 10 and running through Dec. 23, also at the amphitheater in Adam Orgain Park, the city hosts a walking trail lit by holiday lights starting at 6 p.m. daily. It is free and family and stroller friendly.
Hutto spokeswoman Abby Fenton said in addition to the lights, the trail will include festive sounds. Each night features a different activity, including live music, Letters to Soldiers, photos with Santa, karaoke and more.
The city will also collect nonperishable food for local food banks.
For adults, the Hippo Claus Crawl returns to downtown Hutto 6-9 p.m. Dec. 13. This year marks the ninth annual event where beverage stops await callers.
Participants are encouraged to dress festive as the DJ drops some sounds for the dance floor.
Individual $25 tickets are required for this 21 and older event at https://connect. huttotx.gov/ huttotx/218539?utm_ source=bewith&utm_ medium=calendar. Admission includes a souvenir cup.
Holiday Homes Tour in Taylor The Taylor Conservation and Heritage Society will host its annual Holiday Homes Tour. Five historic homes, plus the Moody Museum, will be dressed in their seasonal finery and open from 1-5 p.m. Dec. 13 and Dec. 14.
“This year’s exclusive house tour invites visitors to explore a wide range of architectural styles and dates of construction, each home offering an individual glimpse into our community’s past,” said Kay Peebles, a society board member.
According to the society, each of the tour houses is notable for a variety of historical reasons. The grand homes feature elegant staircases, original woodwork, stained glass and period fixtures.
“Many of the houses contain beautiful antiques and art collections that should not be missed,” Peebles said.
2025 Holiday Homes Tour
• Fairchild-Osborn House at 1019 Cecelia St.
• Volek-McLaughlin Home at 915 Howard St.
• “Yellow House on Lake Drive” at 1215 W. Lake Drive
• Easley-Hawkins House at 1720 W. Lake Drive
• Pecan Manor at 819 Hackberry St.
• Dan Moody Museum at 114 W. Ninth St.
Pre-event tickets are $20, purchased at https://www.facebook. com/taylorheritagesociety.
org/ or Kincl Antiques, 200 W. Second St.; Taylor Soap Bar, 321 N. Main St.; or the Vintage Affaire, 106 E. Second St.
Tickets will also be available on the day of the event at the Moody Museum for $25.
While not an official stop on the 2025 Holiday Homes Tour, guests are encouraged to see the handmade quilts by the Blackland Quilt Guild at St. James’ Episcopal Church, 612 Davis St.
17th annual Pilgrimage to Bethlehem
Locally known as The Church on the Hill, Immanuel Lutheran Church, 411 CR 401 in Taylor, will host its annual living nativity for the 17th year.
The faith-based exhibit is a rain or shine event 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and Dec. 14.
Costumed guides lead guests on a walking tour through scenes depicting the birth of Christ, with 140 cast members from about 15 local churches.
According to the church, the production starts in Mary and Joseph’s Nazareth home, where Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel. In the next scene, guests can pay their taxes with a coin they receive, as ordered by the Roman Emperor Caesar’s proclamation. Back then, people had to return to their ancestral home, the city of their birth, to register and pay their taxes.
Then tourgoers then visit a bustling Holy Land marketplace, where Mary and Joseph look for a place to stay. In the final scene, the guides lead their groups to see the shepherds and the Wise Men, visiting the babe.
The free tours depart every 20 minutes. Visitors can enjoy traditional Christmas carols before the nativity tour starts, and there will be music for children, too.
The church will be collecting funds and nonperishable food items for Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry in Taylor and the food party at the Hutto Resource Center.
Coupland Country Christmas
At Coupland’s historic MKT (Missouri-Kansas-Texas) Railroad Depot, holiday revelers can meet Western Santa the week of Christmas. With games and hot dogs, attendees will gather at the Coupland Depot for an evening of smalltown cheer sponsored by Citizens National Bank, the City Council and the Horseback Carolers.
The fun and games start at 2 p.m. Dec. 21 at 115 Hoxie St.
The event is free and family friendly.
Hutto hosts its Holiday Celebration at Brushy Creek Amphitheater, 1001 CR 137, 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, with a drone show at 8 p.m. featuring 400 lighted drones. Photo courtesy of Hutto
