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Christmas with kids in College Station
In College Station, Christmas switches on Thanksgiving night, when more than a million lights glow at Central Park. The display began in 1984, and the town has kept adding traditions around it ever since.
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College Station Christmas Parade
When: Sat, Dec 5, 4 pm
Where: Post Oak Mall (parade start), College Station
Cost: No admission listed
The story of Christmas in College Station
How College Station celebrates
Christmas in the Park is the heart of the season. It began in 1984 as a local family's idea to spread holiday cheer with light panels, and it has grown to more than one million lights with Christmas music supplied by Bryan Broadcasting. Each Thanksgiving night the City of College Station switches the display on at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park, and the lights stay on every night until New Year's. Newer traditions have grown up beside it, including the College Station Christmas Parade, which held its first edition in December 2023 as part of the opening weekend.
Christmas last year in College Station
The big weekend came on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Breakfast with Blue Santa at the police department served donuts and photos, and children 12 and under got a present while supplies lasted. More than 150 people joined the untimed Jingle Bell Fun Run, and the third annual parade rolled at 4 p.m. with more than 75 floats. The Central Park tree was lit at 6 p.m., followed by a free evening of hayrides, cookies, cocoa, live performances and photos with Santa. Century Square also held Jingle on the Green with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Fun facts about Christmas in College Station
Kids can mail a letter to Santa through a special North Pole mailbox outside the Central Park office, and it works through Christmas Eve. The park lights run from 6 to 11 p.m. nightly, so a family can see them even after the big opening weekend is over. At Century Square, a booth lets children write wish lists that get sent to the North Pole. A city holiday guide has also listed Santa's Wonderland, a 130-acre attraction that runs a free shuttle from Post Oak Mall.
Traditions today
- Christmas in the Park: More than one million lights glow at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park from Thanksgiving night until New Year's, a tradition since 1984.
- College Station Christmas Parade: A newer city parade with decorated floats and music that runs from the Post Oak Mall area to Central Park, begun in 2023.
- Central Park tree lighting: The park's big Christmas tree is lit on parade night, opening an evening of hayrides, cocoa and Santa photos.
- Breakfast with Blue Santa: A police department breakfast with photos with Santa, and a present for children 12 and under while supplies last.
- Jingle on the Green: Santa and Mrs. Claus visit Century Square, where children can write wish lists to be sent to the North Pole.
- Letters to Santa: A special mailbox outside the Central Park office collects children's letters to Santa through Christmas Eve.
A fact for kids
In College Station, a mailbox at Central Park is just for letters to Santa. Kids can drop one in any time until Christmas Eve.
Questions about Christmas in College Station
When did Christmas in the Park start in College Station?
Christmas in the Park began in 1984, according to KBTX. It started as a local family's idea to share holiday cheer with light panels. Today the display at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park has more than one million lights. If you want to visit, our College Station Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's dates.
When do the College Station Christmas lights turn on?
The City of College Station switches on the Central Park lights each Thanksgiving night. The display then stays lit nightly until New Year's Day, from 6 to 11 p.m., so families can visit well after the opening weekend. Our College Station Christmas events guide on this page has this year's dates and times.
When was the first College Station Christmas Parade?
The first College Station Christmas Parade was held in December 2023, during the same weekend as Christmas in the Park. The 2025 parade was the third annual one, so the tradition is still young. That makes it a fun one to talk about with kids, since they can say they were there early.
What was the 2025 College Station Christmas Parade like?
The 2025 parade was held on Saturday, December 6, at 4 p.m. and featured more than 75 floats. It ran from near Post Oak Mall south on Dartmouth and ended at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park, where the tree was lit at 6 p.m. and a free family evening followed.
Is there a Christmas tree lighting in College Station?
Yes, the Central Park Christmas tree is lit on parade night, which in 2025 was at 6 p.m. on December 6. The lighting opens Christmas in the Park's big family evening with hayrides, cookies, cocoa and photos with Santa. See our College Station Christmas events guide on this page for this year's schedule.
Where do College Station kids mail letters to Santa?
Children can mail letters to Santa at a special mailbox outside the Central Park office. The city says it takes letters through Christmas Eve. It is a nice tradition for young writers, who can draw a picture, add a short wish list and decide together what to say.
What is Breakfast with Blue Santa?
Breakfast with Blue Santa is a free morning event at the College Station Police Department. In 2025 it ran from 8 to 10 a.m. on December 6 with donuts, milk, juice and photos with Santa. Children 12 and under received a present while supplies lasted, and families could also try the bounce houses.
What is Jingle on the Green?
Jingle on the Green is a free annual holiday event at Century Square in College Station. In 2025 it offered food, music, shopping, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. A booth let children write Christmas wish lists to be sent to the North Pole.
What is the Jingle Bell Fun Run?
The Jingle Bell Fun Run is an untimed 1.5-mile run or walk that starts near Post Oak Mall and finishes at the Christmas in the Park entrance. In 2025 more than 150 people took part. Registration and a fee are required.
How many lights are in Christmas in the Park?
Christmas in the Park uses more than one million lights, according to KBTX and the City of College Station. They cover Stephen C. Beachy Central Park and glow from 6 to 11 p.m. nightly through New Year's Day. Christmas music from Bryan Broadcasting is part of the display.
Who plays the music at Christmas in the Park?
KBTX reports that the Christmas music at the park display is provided by Bryan Broadcasting. The music plays alongside the more than one million lights, which makes the park feel like a walk through a holiday soundtrack. Families can also hear live entertainment on the big opening weekend.
What is Santa's Wonderland near College Station?
Santa's Wonderland is a 130-acre holiday attraction that a College Station tourism guide listed with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a snow playground and live entertainment. The same guide noted a free shuttle from Post Oak Mall, so it is worth checking the current season details before you plan a trip.
What is Howdy Holly-Days in Northgate?
Howdy Holly-Days is a free holiday event in the Northgate district. In 2025 it ran from 4 to 8 p.m. on December 13 with more than 50 vendors, live entertainment, train rides, Candy Cane Lane and photos with Santa. Dates change each year, so check our College Station Christmas events guide on this page.
How do you explain Christmas in the Park to a young child?
Tell your child that a whole park is dressed up in more than a million little lights, like a glowing garden. Families have been visiting since 1984. You can talk about the tree, the music and the hot cocoa beforehand, and let them pick a favorite light to find once you arrive.
Does Santa visit College Station in person?
Yes, Santa has appeared at several College Station gatherings. In 2025 he was at Breakfast with Blue Santa, at Christmas in the Park on parade night and at Century Square for Jingle on the Green, alongside Mrs. Claus. Our College Station Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's visits.
What does Blue Santa mean?
Blue Santa is the name used for the police department's Santa, who greets families at the free breakfast held at the College Station Police Department. The city says children 12 and under receive a present while supplies last. A simple way to explain it to kids is that officers help Santa spread cheer.
Is Christmas in the Park free?
Yes, the City of College Station lists Christmas in the Park as free. The lights are on nightly from 6 to 11 p.m. until New Year's Day, and the big opening evening adds free hayrides, cookies, cocoa, live performances and photos with Santa. Check our College Station Christmas events guide on this page for this year's details.
What are some movie nights at Christmas in College Station?
In 2025 the city showed Christmas Classics on the City Hall lawn, including The Grinch, The Santa Clause, A Christmas Story and Elf. They were free, with food, popcorn and cocoa bars before the show. The lineup changes each year, so use our College Station Christmas events guide on this page for current titles.
How long has the city run holiday events for families?
The city's Christmas in the Park goes back to 1984, and the parade began in 2023, so the family calendar has grown over time. By 2025 the city's holiday lineup included a parade, tree lighting, fun run, bike ride, movie nights and a police department breakfast with Santa.
What should we bring to the College Station Christmas parade?
Bring a blanket or folding chairs, warm layers for the evening and a plan for parking, since the route runs from Post Oak Mall to Central Park. The 2025 parade started at 4 p.m. and the park event followed at 6 p.m., so families can stay for the tree lighting and cocoa.
Sources
- Annual 'Lights On' tradition marks the start of holiday season in College Station, KBTX
- Saturday's parade and Christmas in the Park event ensures loads of cheer and family fun, City of College Station Blog
- Experience the magic of the holidays with a bevy of joyous events across College Station, City of College Station Blog
- Jingle on the Green returns to College Station with holiday festivities, KBTX
- Holiday Events in College Station, Visit College Station
- Experience the magic of the holidays (Howdy Holly-Days listing), City of College Station Blog