Discover the charm of Christmas in downtown Abilene at the 35th Annual City Sidewalks celebration.
It will be a time to celebrate beloved old traditions and start a few new ones.

Merchants, museums and galleries will open their decorated doors for a month of holiday cheer, fun activities and shopping.

Parade:
6:30 pm Nov. 28, 2023
The deadline to enter the parade is Nov. 12
FOX West Texas will re-air the parade
www.foxchristmaslightsparade.com

Saturday, Nov 25, 2023

Small Business Saturday

The Abilene Downtown Association kicks off a month of fun with the 35th annual celebration of City Sidewalks with specials and sidewalk sales all day long. Buy local!

Downtown retailers are creating unique promotions or extending shopping hours today to encourage people to support locally owned businesses.

Tuesday, Nov 28, 2023

Parade Night

The FOX West Texas Christmas Lights Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy 100 festive floats decorated with lights along with bands and other entertainment! This event is enjoyed by 15,000 people a year!

Thursday, Nov 30, 2023

Craft Night

Grace Studio at The Grace Museum: Holiday Candles

6 – 8 pm

$30 ($25 for Museum Members)

Celebrate the season! Did you know that candles have been a part of nearly every winter holiday celebration around the world? Learn about different holidays and create your own pressed flower candles to adorn your home for the season. No experience necessary!

*Adult Class – Registration and more information at thegracemuseum.org/event/grace-studio-candles

Nights at the NCCIL

6 – 8 pm

Live Holiday Wreath and Garland Workshop

$35 a ticket or $25 educators and NCCIL members.

Adult’s night out! Your ticket includes snacks, drinks, and all the supplies needed to complete a fun fine art project, no experience required! Tickets at nccil.org

Friday, Dec. 1, 2023

Christmas in the Garden with Grinchy Claus and Friends

The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council invites you to a special night of holiday fun at the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden, which will be decorated with festive lights and transformed into Whoville, complete with Dr. Seuss costume characters. Be on the look out for the Grinch!

"The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" Book Reading

Costumed Characters – Snow Machine - Magic

Seuss-themed refreshments & crafts – Live music

Two times to choose from: 5-630 PM or 6:30-8 PM

$15 per family

Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023

Snowy Day at the NCCIL

The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature is hosting "The Snowy Day" at the NCCIL and partnership with the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation. Free books to first 150 children, doughnuts, book readings, ornament art project, letter writing, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free to public!

Abilene Philharmonic's Home for the Holidays Concert

7:30 p.m. Abilene Convention Center

Join us for our first pops concert of the 2023-24 concert season, Irish Christmas in America! In a world premiere and backed by a full orchestra, this show features traditional Irish music, song and dance in an engaging performance rich in humor and boundless energy. Originally from Sligo, Ireland, this folk ensemble tells the story of emigration to America and how they stayed in touch with people and customs they left behind.

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023

Grace Studio: Winter Gnomes

Create adorable seasonal gnomes to adorn your home this winter! No experience necessary! Grace Studio classes are for lifelong learners and lifelong artists. Bring a friend or come make a new one! Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy while you work. $25 for Grace members and $30 for non-members. Register at https://thegracemuseum.org/

KACU Live Radio Christmas Program at Paramount

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and KACU-FM is performing a live radio play at the Historic Paramount Theatre. Join us for “It’s a Wonderful Life” a LIVE radio play. KACU brings this nostalgic Christmas drama to a new life. Bring the whole family for a night of Christmas fun, on December 7th, at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at parmountabilene.com or KACU.org.

Friday-Saturday, Dec. 8-9, 2023

Paramount Film Series: Elf

Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.

2003 | Comedy/Family | 1 hour and 37 minutes | Rated PG
TICKETS ARE $7 FOR ADULTS and $6 FOR STUDENTS, SENIORS (60+), MILITARY, and CHILDREN.

Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023

Patty Harper Dance Studio presents "Once Upon a Christmas Eve"at 7 p.m. at the Abilene Convention Center. Tickets will go on sale starting Monday, Dec. 4 through the convention center box office. Prices are $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.

Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023

Christmas Vespers

Performed by Abilene Christian University choirs in the First Baptist Church sactuary at 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 11, 2023

Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet

Gather your loved ones for the warm-glow-nostalgia of America’s favorite Christmas celebration. Experience the extraordinary international cast and Ukrainian Principal Artists performing at the peak of classical European Ballet. Be transported by the magic of jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger than life puppets and stunning hand-crafted sets and costumes. Don’t miss this chance to experience the wonder of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet.

Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023

Abilene Community Band Christmas Concert

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Concert at 7:30 p.m. at Paramount Theatre. Free admission.

Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023

ArtWalk

Welcome to ArtWalk - our monthly celebration of art in our downtown community! On the second Thursday of every month, we invite you to experience live art demonstrations, handcrafted art vendors, local food & drink, and more! 5-8 p.m. Family Christmas Night at The Grace Museum. Free art activities at the Abilene Public Library and the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. Organized by the Center for Contemporary Arts.

Holidays Around the World Family Festival

Join The Grace Museum and connect with the community at our FREE holiday event for families from 5 to 8 p.m. Make crafts, visit with Santa, and learn about holiday traditions around the world with a presentation by Elizabeth Kahura. More information at thegracemuseum.org/event/holidays-around-the-world

Friday, Dec. 15, 2023

Friday & Saturday, Dec. 15-16, 2022

Paramount Film Series presents "White Christmas"

Singers Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) join sister act Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (Vera-Ellen) to perform a Christmas show in rural Vermont. There, they run into Gen. Waverly (Dean Jagger), the boys' commander in World War II, who, they learn, is having financial difficulties; his quaint country inn is failing. So what's the foursome to do but plan a yuletide miracle: a fun-filled musical extravaganza that's sure to put Waverly and his business in the black!

1954 | Musical/Comedy | 2 hours | Not Rated
TICKETS ARE $7 FOR ADULTS and $6 FOR STUDENTS, SENIORS (60+), MILITARY, and CHILDREN.

Thursday & Friday, Dec. 21-22, 2023

Aaron Watson Family Christmas

Throughout December

Letters to Santa: Visit the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature and write your letter to Santa Claus at the letter writing station and place it in the North Pole mailbox.

Board & Brush Holiday Projects: Sign up throughout November and December to sip, paint and connect with friends

as you create holiday wooden decor and gifts. See all projects available and class times here.

Visit the Garden: The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council has decorated the sculptures in the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center for Christmas with decorations and lights! Bring your family downtown to

take photos and explore the garden. For more information, visit storybookcapitalofamerica.com