December 1- January 3: Hill Country Christmas Lights Display: Drive thru Over 200,000 Lights. 1685 N US Hwy 281 (2 mi north of Johnson City) Dexter Haynes at 830-868-0844. www.hillcountrychristmaslights.com

December 1 – Thursday, January 1: Continuation of Lights Spectacular: Lights Spectacular: This year marks the 19th anniversary of Lights Spectacular, Hill Country Style.  Proclaimed as "the Centerpiece of one of the biggest shows on the Texas Hill Country Regional Christmas Lighting Trail"  by in Southern Living magazine with a courthouse that "shines brighter than the star of Bethlehem". The entire town is bathed in lights with 100,000 lights twinkling on the Blanco County Courthouse while Pedernales Electric Coop’s Headquarters on Ave F boasts a lighted forest of over 1 million lights. Hayrides and carriage rides are available throughout the season.   Each weekend, the Garden Club Courthouse is filled with Christmas ornaments and holiday crafts for purchase.   Johnson City is located at the crossroads of the Hill Country.  Spend your nights with us while taking in the Hill Country Lighting Trail.  For the entire trail, go to www.tex-fest.com/regional/default.htm.   For additional information, call the Johnson City Visitors Center at 830-868-7684.

SPECIAL EVENTS throughout the holiday season include:

See Lights Spectacular "Hill Country Style" pictures»»
Download Entry Form for Parade (PDF) or
pick up form at the Visitors Center

Friday, December 5: Blanco County Community Choir Christmas Performance in Johnson City – Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Johnson City at 8:00 p.m. The Blanco County Community Choir, a local volunteer organization that has been presenting Christmas programs since 1974, along with a string quartet is performing an abbreviated version of "Messiah" this year.

Friday & Saturday, December 5 & 6 and 12 & 13: 1st United Methodist Church Living Story of Christmas – Johnson City First United Methodist Church will put on is annual (over 25 years!) Christmas program. It is a show for all ages and a great part of anyone's Christmas. There will be 5 free shows per night, starting at 6:30 p.m. and run on the hour and half hour; the last show being at 8:30 p.m. Each show lasts about 10 minutes. Bleacher seating. Children are welcome to pet the animals after each show. In the Church Activity Center there will be a large display of nativity scenes, free refreshments (cookies, hot chocolate and coffee). Info: 868-7414. See www.fumcjctx.org (pictures of the 2006 program are in the Photo Gallery on this web site)

Sat. - Sun., December 6 - December 7: Johnson City Courthouse Ornaments Sale: The Courthouse lobby will be open during the holiday on weekends and the Garden Club will be selling Christmas ornaments, crafts, post cards, bird houses, bumper stickers and local cook books. The ornaments are hand made each Monday morning throughout the year at our nursing home by the residents, and they are excellent decorations for a very modest cost. Proceeds support local non-profit organizations. Opening weekend of Lights Spectacular the "store" is open 5p-9p on Fri 11/28 through Sunday 11/30. Each weekend thereafter it is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 6p-9p through 12/21. Info: contact Joycelyn Carter, 868-7010.

Saturday & Sunday, December 6 & 7: Texas Hill Country Holiday Wine Trail Join us as we celebrate the holiday season. Great ideas for party appetizers! The halls of the tasting room will be decked with unique gift ideas along with gift baskets and the full selection of award-winning wines. Collect our 10th annual unique dated Christmas ornament. You do not have to have a ticket to enjoy the fun. Texas Hills Vineyard - Our award winning wines are always a hit for that hard to buy person. Gift baskets are also available, wine and Texas produced sauces and jellies. Call the Texas Hills Vineyard for more information 830-868-2321 www.texashillsvineyard.com or phone 1-866-621-9463 www.texaswinetrail.com

Saturday, December 6: Hill Country Toy Run: Celebrating our 25th year! Starting at the Johnson City Courthouse at 9 a.m. (arrive early for social time with coffee and donuts), the Bikers Toy Run heads west and swings through Fredericksburg, then up Hwy 16 north through Llano to the small town of Cherokee, picking up bikers along the way. With Santa and a sleigh full of wrapped presents purchased through donations and proceeds from the Johnson City Pig Roast, the children of the Cherokee Home will be wide-eyed and smiling as Christmas joy is delivered and the motorcycle enthusiasts share a meal with the children and spend the afternoon with them to make their day special. Event open to all. No fee. Motorcycle encouraged. Contact: Kevin Martin, 830-868-4007 or Lisa Lusk 830-868-7693. www.jcpigroast.org/HillCountryToyRunAssoc

Saturday, December 6: Christmas at the LBJ Boyhood Home – 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. each evening. National Park Rangers will provide an open house and relive a 1920’s small town Christmas celebration in this decked out historic home located on Elm Street, one block south of Hwy 290 (Main Street) in Johnson City. Free. Complemented by stunning lighting display at the PEC, across the street www.nps.gov/lyjo for more information or call the public affairs office at (830) 868-7128, ext. 244. More Information »»

Sunday, December 7: Blanco County Community Choir Christmas Performance in Blanco – First Baptist Church in Blanco at 7:00 p.m. The Blanco County Community Choir, a local volunteer organization that has been presenting Christmas programs since 1974, along with a string quartet is performing an abbreviated version of "Messiah" this year.

December 1 - December 28: Johnson City Carriage Rides: Available: 6:00-11p, through Christmas every week (except Christmas day) Fridays & Saturdays 20 minute rides in beautiful ornate carriages, originating from the (South East Corner) of the Courthouse Square, $6/person (age under 3 free), minimum 4 adults per pull-out. Call for special pick up locations or destinations, extended trips, non-holiday and private rides, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Sundays & after 9:00 pm on Fridays & Saturdays. Advance Reservations & Planning Information: 512-477-8824. Elaine Glass, Owner, Die Gelbe Rose Carriage Company. Email: admin@diegelberosecarriage.net, Web: www.diegelberosecarriage.net.

Wednesday, December 10: Christmas Lighting Contest Registration DEADLINE – To enter, complete the registration form (Click to download registration form PDF file) and fax it to (830) 868-4855 or deliver your completed registration form to one of the following representatives: Johnson City Chamber of Commerce office located at 100 Main Street (the Withers & Spaulding Building at the corner of Nugent and Main); The Record Courier Newspaper at 207 S. Highway 281; Cattleman’s Bank 403 S. Highway 281; Johnson City Bank 100 E. Pecan.

Fri., December 12: "Movies Under the Stars" will join the "Lights Spectacular, Hill Country Style" celebration: Hosted by the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce and the LBJ National Historical Park, this event will take place in the cleared lot next to the Blanco County Courthouse on Nugent and Pecan. Feature movie and starting time will be announced at a later date. Bring your chairs and come prepared for an outdoor movie treat!

Sat. - Sun., December 13 - December 14: Johnson City Courthouse Ornaments Sale: The Courthouse lobby will be open during the holiday on weekends and the Garden Club will be selling Christmas ornaments, crafts, post cards, bird houses, bumper stickers and local cook books. The ornaments are hand made each Monday morning throughout the year at our nursing home by the residents, and they are excellent decorations for a very modest cost. Proceeds support local non-profit organizations. Opening weekend of Lights Spectacular the "store" is open 5p-9p on Fri 11/28 through Sunday 11/30. Each weekend thereafter it is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 6p-9p through 12/21. Info: contact Joycelyn Carter, 868-7010.

Saturday & Sunday, December 13 & 14: Texas Hill Country Holiday Wine Trail Join us as we celebrate the holiday season. The halls of the tasting room will be decked with unique gift ideas along with gift baskets and the full selection of award-winning wines. Collect our 10th annual unique dated Christmas ornament. You do not have to have a ticket to enjoy the fun. Texas Hills Vineyard - Our award winning wines are always a hit for that hard to buy person. Gift baskets are also available, wine and Texas produced sauces and jellies. Call the Texas Hills Vineyard for more information 830-868-2321 www.texashillsvineyard.com or phone 1-866-621-9463 www.texaswinetrail.com

Friday & Saturday, December 12 & 13: Bethlehem Nights Live Nativity @ Hill Country Christmas Lights Display – 6:30pm-9:30pm. 1685 N US Hwy 281 (2 mi north of Johnson City) Dexter Haynes a 830-868-0844. www.hillcountrychristmaslights.com

Friday & Saturday, December 5 & 6 and 12 & 13: 1st United Methodist Church Living Story of Christmas – Johnson City First United Methodist Church will put on is annual (over 25 years!) Christmas program. It is a show for all ages and a great part of anyone's Christmas. There will be 5 free shows per night, starting at 6:30 p.m. and run on the hour and half hour; the last show being at 8:30 p.m. Each show lasts about 10 minutes. Bleacher seating. Children are welcome to pet the animals after each show. In the Church Activity Center there will be a large display of nativity scenes, free refreshments (cookies, hot chocolate and coffee). Info: 868-7414. See www.fumcjctx.org (pictures of the 2006 program are in the Photo Gallery on this web site)

Saturday, December 13: A Timeless Christmas at the Johnson Settlement – 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. In addition to the Christmas celebration in the decked out LBJ Boyhood historic home located on Elm Street, one block south of Hwy 290 (Main Street) in Johnson City visitors can board a shuttle bus and ride to the Johnson Settlement, where they will be guided by lantern light even further back in time to a late 1860s Christmas frontier Texas and a visit to the frontier cabin of Sam Ealy Johnson. Free. www.nps.gov/lyjo for more information or call the public affairs office at (830) 868-7128, ext. 244. More Information »»

Saturday, December 20: 3rd Saturday Sale at Suzy Q's – Join us at Suzy Q's during our 3rd Saturday Sale, with 25% to 50% of select home decor and furniture. Call Suzy Q's for more information: 830-868-2919. web: www.suzyqs.net

Saturday, December 20: Johnson City Memorial Park: Music in the Park: Johnson City Memorial Park: Music in the Park: 5 p.m. The 3rd Saturday of every month, bring your friends and allow our our local musicians to entertain you for the evening. This event is sponsored by Raymond Weeks of LMR Contracting and Family Martial Arts and Fitness Center , Dan and Penny Hawkins of Excalibur Oil, Bobby Beal of the Bobby Beal Band, J.T. Woodcock of Woodcock Lathe and Stucco. For additional information or changes in venue, 512-750-0006 or rweeks@lmrcontracting.com.

Sat. - Sun., December 20 - December 21: Johnson City Courthouse Ornaments Sale: The Courthouse lobby will be open during the holiday on weekends and the Garden Club will be selling Christmas ornaments, crafts, post cards, bird houses, bumper stickers and local cook books. The ornaments are hand made each Monday morning throughout the year at our nursing home by the residents, and they are excellent decorations for a very modest cost. Proceeds support local non-profit organizations. Opening weekend of Lights Spectacular the "store" is open 5p-9p on Fri 11/28 through Sunday 11/25. Each weekend thereafter it is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 6p-9p through 12/21. Info: contact Joycelyn Carter, 868-7010.

Saturday, December 20: Christmas at the LBJ Boyhood Home – 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. each evening. National Park Rangers will provide an open house and relive a 1920’s small town Christmas celebration in this decked out historic home located on Elm Street, one block south of Hwy 290 (Main Street) in Johnson City. Free. Complemented by stunning lighting display at the PEC, across the street www.nps.gov/lyjo for more information or call the public affairs office at (830) 868-7128, ext. 244. More Information »»

Sunday, December 21: "Celebration of the Birthday and Legacy of Lady Bird Johnson" Celebrate at LBJ Ranch at 2:30 p.m.. The event will begin the festivities of the day, before the Annual Tree Lighting" Renowned Celebrities in attendance for book signings and general greetings will be Author Jen Olson: Every Texas needs a Trail, Kathie Appelt and artist/illustrator Joy Fisher Hein: Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers.

Sunday, December 21: 39th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Evening Ranch Tours. 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, TX. Celebrating the Season with an open house at the Sauer-Beckmann German farm (including a candlelit Christmas tree and delicious homemade refreshments), a children's nativity scene,and a relaxing rid through the famed LBJ Ranch to view special Christmas displays and decorations at the Texas White House and other treasured sites. Yuletide music, courtesy of the Community Band of Fredericksburg and Stonewall school students, adds even more enjoyment As dusk turns to darkness, Johnson family members arrive and extend their holiday wishes, culminating in the lighting of a beautiful native cedar tree. Santa has always found time in his busy schedule to make an appearance as well. Join LBJ State Park & Historic Site, LBJ National Historical Park & Western National Parks Association for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Tours of the LBJ Ranch and Sauer-Beckmann in Stonewall. For more information call 830-644-2420 or 830-868-7128 x 245 or www.nps.gov/lyjo

Monday, December 22: ALERT - Santa is scheduled to make a stop early here in Johnson City. Santa has asked for some help with his task . . . 10:00 a.m. at the LBJ Nursing Home. Have you felt like you wanted to reach the top of the MOUNTAIN this season? Then come help celebrate with us!