The Lubbock area has 2 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Carol of Lights in Lubbock on December 6 to Candlelight at the Ranch in Lubbock, which runs through December 12. 2 of them are free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in Texas, part of our guide for every state.
The short version
- 2 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Lubbock for 2026, in Lubbock
- First: Carol of Lights, Lubbock, December 6. Runs latest: Candlelight at the Ranch, Lubbock, through December 12
- Free: Carol of Lights and Candlelight at the Ranch
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
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Christmas events for kids in Lubbock
2 confirmed events for kids in Lubbock, soonest first.
Tree lightingFree
Carol of Lights
- When: Sunday, December 6, 2026, 6:30 to 8 pm
- Where: Science Quadrangle, Texas Tech University, Lubbock
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host
The Carol of Lights is Texas Tech's biggest holiday tradition, and this year's ceremony is the 68th. It takes place on the Science Quadrangle, just west of Memorial Circle, with a carillon concert at 6:30 pm followed by the lighting at 7 pm. The event is free and open to the public, and no tickets are required.
The 2025 edition lit more than 30,000 lights across campus and included choirs, a torch-light procession and fireworks, so families can expect a similar mix of music and spectacle. Crowds are large, and the university has posted public and accessible parking information on its event page.
Parent tip: Last year a clear bag policy applied, and strollers, wagons and lawn chairs were allowed but subject to search. Check the event page before you go.
- Host
- Texas Tech University (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Science Quadrangle, Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Holiday lightsFree
Candlelight at the Ranch
- When: Fri December 11 and Sat December 12, 2026, 6:30 to 9 pm
- Where: National Ranching Heritage Center, Lubbock
- Cost: Free, $5 donation suggested
- Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host
Candlelight at the Ranch is the 48th annual holiday evening at the National Ranching Heritage Center. Fifteen historic structures are decorated with festive scenes and lights, and volunteers are on hand along the paths. Live Texas swing Christmas music plays in the 6666 Barn, and refreshments and kettle corn are available.
Admission is free, with a suggested $5 donation, and no ticket is needed. Free Citibus shuttles run from the satellite lot at UMC Medical Center, at 5th Street and Joliet Avenue, starting at 6:15 pm. A VIP Experience Pass is sold for $100 and includes reserved parking and early entry from 6 to 6:30 pm for up to seven people.
Parent tip: Plan on the shuttle, since parking near the Center is limited. The Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center is closed on Candlelight evenings.
- Host
- National Ranching Heritage Center (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- National Ranching Heritage Center, 3121 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79409
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Lubbock? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
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Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
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Every event above was confirmed on the host’s own page, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Texas Christmas train rides page.
Lubbock Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 2 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Lubbock
- Season
- December 6 to December 12, 2026
- Free events
- 2
- Kinds of events
- tree lighting and holiday lights
- Last checked
See every event on a December calendar
Plan your December
When each Lubbock Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Carol of Lights in Lubbock on December 6; the last runs to December 12. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Carol of LightsLubbock · Dec 6
- Candlelight at the RanchLubbock · Dec 11 to Dec 12
Looking further afield? Our Texas Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Arlington, TX, Plano, Corpus Christi, Amarillo, Laredo, McAllen, Waco, Midland, Abilene, Beaumont, College Station, Tyler, Longview, New Braunfels, Denton, Galveston, San Marcos, Brownsville, Killeen, Odessa, Wichita Falls, San Angelo, Bryan, Temple, Victoria, Harlingen and Port Arthur. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
More Christmas events arrive in late November: unlock the list and we'll email you as soon as we confirm them.
The story of Christmas in Lubbock
In Lubbock, Christmas begins with thousands of lights on a college campus. The Texas Tech Carol of Lights started in 1959 with a small group of students, carols and hot chocolate, and it still opens the season.
How Lubbock celebrates
Many of Lubbock's Christmas traditions are free and open to everyone. The Carol of Lights at Texas Tech began in 1959, when a small group of students sang carols and drank hot chocolate. It started with 5,000 lights, had more than 25,000 by 2023 and more than 30,000 in 2025, and the university says it now draws over 20,000 people. Santa Land, run by the city's Parks and Recreation Department, is a nightly walk-through of animated displays and Santa's Workshop under a 50-foot tree. At the National Ranching Heritage Center, historic ranch buildings are decorated for Candlelight at the Ranch, with live Texas swing Christmas music.
Christmas last year in Lubbock
The 67th Carol of Lights took place on Sunday, December 7, 2025, with a carillon concert at 6:30 pm and the ceremony at 7 pm. More than 30,000 lights came on across campus, choirs and a trombone choir performed, a torch-light procession with the Masked Rider crossed the quad and fireworks closed the night. Santa Land ran for its 69th year from December 8 to 21, nightly from 6 to 10 pm, and it was free. The library also hosted a Pajama Storytime with Santa at the Groves Branch on December 10, where Santa read a book and families stayed for photos.
Fun facts about Christmas in Lubbock
The first Carol of Lights had only 5,000 lights, and by 2023 it used more than 25,000. In 2023 the show added more than 400 drones, described as the largest drone show in Lubbock's history. Santa Land stands at 600 Cesar E. Chavez Drive and was in its 69th year in 2025, so it has been a Lubbock habit for generations. Candlelight at the Ranch is set among 15 historic structures, and the 6666 Barn fills with Texas swing music. Santa has even read a book at a library Pajama Storytime.
Traditions today
- Carol of Lights: Texas Tech turns on more than 30,000 lights on the Science Quadrangle each December, with a carillon concert and a torch-light procession. It is free.
- Santa Land: A free city tradition with a 50-foot tree, animated displays and Santa's Workshop, open nightly in December and now in its 69th year.
- Candlelight at the Ranch: Fifteen historic ranch buildings at the National Ranching Heritage Center are decorated for special December evenings, with live Texas swing music.
- Ballet Lubbock's The Nutcracker: A ticketed holiday ballet at the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences, held with several showtimes each year.
- Pajama Storytime with Santa: Lubbock library branches have hosted storytimes where children wear pajamas, hear Santa read a book and stay for photos.
A fact for kids
The first Carol of Lights at Texas Tech used 5,000 lights. By 2023 it used more than 25,000, and that year more than 400 drones flew over Lubbock as part of the show.
Questions about Christmas in Lubbock
When did the Carol of Lights start in Lubbock?
The Carol of Lights began in 1959, when a small group of Texas Tech students organized a gathering with carols and hot chocolate. Gene Hemmle is named as a co-founder. It started with 5,000 lights and has grown to more than 30,000 lights in 2025, and it is now a well-known Texas Tech tradition.
What is the Carol of Lights?
It is Texas Tech's annual holiday lighting ceremony on the Science Quadrangle. A carillon concert comes first, then the campus lights turn on, with choirs, a torch-light procession and fireworks in recent years. The 2025 ceremony used more than 30,000 lights, and admission is free for the whole community.
How many lights does the Carol of Lights use?
The 2025 Carol of Lights turned on more than 30,000 lights across the Texas Tech campus. The tradition began with just 5,000 lights in the late 1950s, and a 2023 university story described more than 25,000. The number has grown steadily as the event has become a signature start to the Lubbock holiday season.
Who comes to the Carol of Lights?
Thousands of students, alumni and Lubbock community members come each year, and the university says the small original group has grown to over 20,000 people. The event is free, no ticket is needed, and strollers, wagons and lawn chairs were allowed last year, though they are subject to search.
Is there a drone show at the Carol of Lights?
There was one in 2023. That year's 65th Carol of Lights included a drone show with more than 400 drones, described as the largest in Lubbock's history. Other years have featured different shows, such as the fireworks display and torch-light procession in 2025, so the program changes from year to year.
What is Santa Land in Lubbock?
Santa Land is a free holiday display run by the City of Lubbock Parks and Recreation Department at 600 Cesar E. Chavez Drive. It features a 50-foot Christmas tree, animated displays and Santa's Workshop. In 2025 it was open nightly from 6 to 10 pm, and it was in its 69th year.
How old is Santa Land?
Santa Land was called the city's 69th annual in 2025, which suggests it began in the late 1950s, though the city's article does not give a start year. That makes it a tradition that several generations of Lubbock families have visited. It is free for all ages and run by the Parks and Recreation Department.
When was Santa Land open last year?
Santa Land ran from Monday, December 8, through Sunday, December 21, 2025, from 6 to 10 pm each night. Admission was free. The location was 600 Cesar E. Chavez Drive in Lubbock. For this year's confirmed dates, see our Lubbock Christmas events guide on this page.
What is Candlelight at the Ranch?
Candlelight at the Ranch is a holiday evening at the National Ranching Heritage Center on the Texas Tech campus. Fifteen historic structures are decorated with festive scenes and lights, and live Texas swing Christmas music plays in the 6666 Barn. Admission is free with a suggested $5 donation, and it was the 47th annual in 2025.
How do you get to Candlelight at the Ranch?
Parking near the National Ranching Heritage Center is limited, so organizers run free Citibus shuttles from a satellite lot at UMC Medical Center, at 5th Street and Joliet Avenue. In 2026 the shuttles start at 6:15 pm. The Center is at 3121 4th Street, and the evenings run from 6:30 to 9 pm.
What is the 6666 Barn at Candlelight at the Ranch?
The 6666 Barn is one of the historic structures on the grounds of the National Ranching Heritage Center. During Candlelight at the Ranch, it is where live Texas swing Christmas music plays. Visitors can listen to the music and then walk to the other decorated buildings on the grounds, so it makes a fun stop for families with children.
Does Lubbock have a Nutcracker ballet?
Yes. Ballet Lubbock presents The Nutcracker at the Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences, with multiple ticketed showtimes each December. It is a ticketed holiday performance for families. See our Lubbock Christmas events guide on this page for the dates and times we could confirm.
Can kids meet Santa at the library in Lubbock?
Sometimes. On December 10, 2025, the Groves Branch Library held a Pajama Storytime with Santa for ages 0 to 10, where children wore pajamas, heard Santa read a book and stayed for photos. Branch schedules change each year, so check the library calendar and our events guide.
Where can kids see a big Christmas tree in Lubbock?
Santa Land has a 50-foot Christmas tree, and the free display is run by the city's Parks and Recreation Department. Texas Tech's Carol of Lights also lights up the campus with tens of thousands of lights. See our Lubbock Christmas events guide on this page for this season's confirmed dates.
Is it cold in Lubbock at Christmas?
December evenings in Lubbock can be chilly, and most of the best-known traditions are outdoors, including the Carol of Lights, Santa Land and Candlelight at the Ranch. Dress in layers and bring a hat and gloves for young children. Candlelight at the Ranch and Santa Land both run in the evening after dark.
How can I explain the Carol of Lights to a young child?
Tell them it began in 1959 when a few college students sang carols and drank hot chocolate, with just 5,000 lights. Now thousands of people gather as the whole campus lights up. Kids often enjoy counting the lights, listening for the bells and watching for the fireworks.
What is the Masked Rider at the Carol of Lights?
The Masked Rider is Texas Tech's horseback mascot. In 2025, Raider Red and the Saddle Tramps led a torch-light procession with the Masked Rider as part of the ceremony. It is one of the traditions that make the Lubbock event feel like a Texas Tech celebration as well as a Christmas one.
Are Lubbock's big Christmas traditions free?
Most of them are. The Carol of Lights is free with no ticket required, Santa Land is free for all ages, and Candlelight at the Ranch is free with a suggested $5 donation. Ballet Lubbock's The Nutcracker is ticketed. Our Lubbock Christmas events guide on this page lists prices for the events we confirmed.
What are the oldest Christmas traditions in Lubbock?
The Carol of Lights, organized in 1959, is the best documented. Santa Land, now in its 69th year, is also from the late 1950s by the city's own count. Candlelight at the Ranch is in its 48th year in 2026. Together they form the backbone of the Lubbock holiday season.
What is Lubbock's most famous Christmas event?
The Texas Tech Carol of Lights is one of the best known. It draws thousands of people, turns on more than 30,000 lights and is free to attend. Santa Land and Candlelight at the Ranch are also long-running favorites. Our Lubbock Christmas events guide on this page has current dates.
Sources
- City of Lubbock preparing for 69th annual Santa Land, KCBD
- Texas Tech to host 67th annual Carol of Lights Sunday, Dec. 7, KCBD
- What's new: 65th Carol of Lights and 100 years of triumph, Texas Tech University
- Candlelight at the Ranch, National Ranching Heritage Center
- Four Can't-Miss Lubbock Holiday Events, Visit Lubbock
- Pajama Storytime with Santa, City of Lubbock
Lubbock Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What are the best Christmas events for kids in Lubbock this year?
We confirmed 2 for the 2026 season, and 2 of them are free. Good places to start: Candlelight at the Ranch (Dec 11 to Dec 12) and Carol of Lights (Dec 6). Every event on this page has the times, the cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Lubbock?
Yes, every event on this page is free. Some free events still need a reservation, so check the listing before you go.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Lubbock?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Lubbock Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 4, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.