Being an admirer of Christmas lights, I am making it a personal mission this December to see all of the displays that the Texas Hill Country has to offer, Llano’s Starry Starry Nights being at the top of my list. Debuting the day after Thanksgiving, Llano gets into the holiday spirit each year by displaying a trail of lights along the Llano River in Badu Park. Starry Starry Nights allows visitors to walk through the lighted display, admiring the illuminations against the backdrop of the river that runs through the heart of Llano. Walking through Starry Starry Nights, you are bound to choose a favorite display piece—one that catches your eye and makes you stop walking to truly appreciate its twinkling beauty. Keep your phone handy—there will be plenty of picture-taking opportunities! This year, aside from the Llano River backdrop, what makes Starry Starry Nights unique is that an LED Santa Clause display, pulled by his sleigh of reindeer, will appear to be flying into the park from across the river. Kids won’t be disappointed by the display, as the real Saint Nick will be present every Friday and Saturday evening until December 21. Since the Starry Starry Nights display will be stretched across Badu Park, expect to have plenty of time to absorb the sights. Luckily if you get too cold admiring the dazzling display, you can warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.
Saturday, December 7 will be filled with opportunities in Llano with Junk Hippys starting the day off at the John L. Kuykendall Arena & Events Center at 9:00 a.m. The Junk Hippys coming to the event center is like having a city-wide flea market, but at the convenience of being under one roof. With Christmas just around the corner, Junk Hippys makes holiday shopping easier. You never know what treasure you will find at a flea market—it could be that perfect gift for your hard-to-please in-law, or exactly what belongs in the empty space on your living room shelf. Food trucks will be on site for when you need to refuel during your shop.
At 10:00 a.m. you can catch me in Castell for the annual Gumbo Cook-Off at Castell General Store. Both locals and visitors make it their mission to concoct the most delicious-tasting gumbo, and like the spice levels in some of the stews, the cook-off gets heated. Though gumbo is most popular in Louisiana, you’d be surprised at the creations these Texan chefs think up! Each gumbo has a unique combination of ingredients that could open your taste buds to a new experience. Take a daytrip through beautiful Llano County to Castell and grab a bowl to see which gumbo steals your heart—maybe it’s got gator tail in it.
The Woman’s Culture Club Annual Holiday Home Tour will take place in Llano from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The day has several other events to offer, including the last Llano Artwalk of 2019, followed by Llano’s Sip & Stroll.
Ending this first Saturday of December is the Annual Lighted Christmas Parade, which will encourage people to decorate participating vehicles with strings of twinkle lights, transforming the average four-door Chevy into a holiday themed float. Christmas spirit fills the air as the community joins together to celebrate the joyous occasion as friends, family or neighbors. Bring a thermos of hot cocoa, a warm, thick blanket, and post up in a lawn chair near the Llano County Courthouse Square to watch the parade from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. After witnessing the Llano community joyously participate in the annual parade, you’ll be ready to spread the cheer this season.
There is something about snow that brings out my inner child. My ears perk up on freezing-cold days when I hear someone say the word, thinking could we possibly be lucky enough to get to experience that unexpected joy today. I love everything about the magical substance: its cold pure taste, its glistening color against sharp sunlight, and the unmistakable sound compacted snow makes when my boots walk over it—like a muffled, crunch. Living in Texas, it’s rare that I get to bask in this experience, much less plan on it. Something that makes the holiday season special is that Llano makes that experience possible every year through Snow Day. On the early morning of Saturday, December 14, 35,000 pounds of ice will be brought to Badu Park to create an amazing winter wonderland. From 1:00 – 9:00 p.m. kids can ride down a ramp perfect for sledding. Snow Day guarantees that winter will be brought to Llano County.
At 2:30 p.m., the Llano County Opry Christmas Show with Lisa Layne will begin at the Lantex Theater. It isn’t quite Christmas until you hear the warm, familiar song, “All I Want for Christmas is You” strike the chords of your heart, making you feel right at home, regardless if home is Llano or not. Her voice will steal you away, opening your eyes and ears to the true wonders of Christmas through song.
Llano County is the perfect place to vacation when you want to get a taste of community, festivity and warm holiday spirit. If you are a visitor looking to discover all the area has to offer, consider extending your stay to explore. There is always something to do in Llano County!
