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Christmas with kids in Wichita Falls
In Wichita Falls, one of the city's biggest Christmas traditions started with a single blue bulb on a small tree. Today that story lives on in the Fantasy of Lights, a free display that families have visited for more than 50 years.
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The story of Christmas in Wichita Falls
How Wichita Falls celebrates
The Fantasy of Lights at Midwestern State University grew from the 1920s, when L.T. and Lillian Burns celebrated their first Christmas with a small tree and one blue bulb. After the family's lights were offered to the university in 1974, they stayed free to visit as a memorial to Mrs. Burns. Since 1982, Santa has also welcomed children at the Kell House Heritage Center, one of the community's oldest homes. Downtown, an annual City Lights Parade and festival opens the season each December, and Parks and Recreation hosts Christmas in the Park.
Christmas last year in Wichita Falls
The 2025 season marked the 52nd year of the Fantasy of Lights. Opening night was Monday, November 24, and the 51 displays glowed from dusk to 10 p.m. through December 27, with free admission. Kids could mail letters to Santa through Santa's Mailbox, and several school choirs and bands performed in December. At the Kell House, Santa marked his 43rd year of visits, with letters, a puppet show and an ornament craft. The City Lights Parade lit up downtown at 7 p.m. in early December, with Santa Land at Park Central nearby.
Fun facts about Christmas in Wichita Falls
Santa arrives at Christmas in the Park on a Parks and Recreation train, and the Candy Cane Scramble sends kids ages 8 to 12 hunting for 10,000 candy canes, including 12 prize canes. At the Fantasy of Lights, children under 5 ride the Polar Bear Express trolley free with an adult. A recent City Lights Festival took a Dr. Seuss theme, with about 100 floats and decorated vehicles, a Grinch-themed market and Seuss-inspired treats from downtown shops.
Trains and Christmas in Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls grew up as a railroad and oil town, and the six block Depot Square Historic District downtown is still a reminder of that era. The railroad theme shows up at Christmas too. At Christmas in the Park, Santa arrives on a Parks and Recreation train, which is a big moment for little ones waiting by Scotland Park. We did not find a train museum near Wichita Falls to list, so for now the park train and the historic depot area are the best rail stories to share with kids.
Traditions today
- MSU Fantasy of Lights: A free display of 51 lighted scenes on the Midwestern State campus, open every night from late November to the week after Christmas.
- Santa at the Kell House: Children write letters to Santa, watch a puppet show and make an ornament at the Kell House Heritage Center, a tradition since 1982.
- City Lights Parade and Festival: Downtown fills with floats and decorated vehicles at 7 p.m., with Santa Land, a holiday market and hot cocoa nearby.
- Christmas in the Park: Parks and Recreation hosts Santa, games, prizes and a Candy Cane Scramble at Scotland Park.
- Santa's Mailbox: Kids mail letters to Santa at the Fantasy of Lights and get a reply when they include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Downtown Santa Land: Park Central offers photos with Santa, story time and games around the time of the City Lights Parade.
A fact for kids
In Wichita Falls, a huge field of Christmas lights began with just one blue bulb on a tiny tree. Today it is 51 glowing displays, and visiting is free.
Questions about Christmas in Wichita Falls
What is the oldest Christmas tradition in Wichita Falls?
The Fantasy of Lights is the best known long-running tradition, tracing back to the 1920s, when L.T. and Lillian Burns lit a small tree with a single blue bulb. The display moved to the Midwestern State campus in 1974 and in 2025 marked 52 years there.
How did the Fantasy of Lights begin?
It began with the Burns family. L.T. and Lillian Burns celebrated their first Christmas with a small tree and a single blue bulb, and their display grew over the years. After the family's lights were offered to Midwestern State University in 1974, the school agreed to run them free of charge as a memorial to Mrs. Burns.
How many displays are in the Fantasy of Lights?
There are 51 displays. Two nutcrackers were added in 2024, which brought the total to 51. Families can drive or walk the Midwestern State campus from dusk to 10 p.m. every night of the season, and the displays are free to visit, with donations welcome to maintain them.
When does the Fantasy of Lights open?
It usually opens in late November. In 2025 the lights switched on just after 6 p.m. on Monday, November 24, with a countdown chant led by the university president and local kids, and they stayed on through December 27. See our Wichita Falls Christmas events guide on this page for this year's dates.
Can kids write to Santa in Wichita Falls?
Yes. At the Fantasy of Lights, Santa's Mailbox collected children's letters in 2025 from November 21 to December 19. Kids who include a self-addressed stamped envelope get a reply. Children can also write letters to Santa during a visit to the Kell House Heritage Center.
Where can kids visit Santa at the Kell House?
The Kell House Heritage Center, one of the community's oldest homes, has hosted Santa since 1982, and 2025 was the 43rd year. Children write letters, watch a puppet show, meet Santa and make an ornament. Visits are a calm, small-scale way for young children to meet Santa.
How long has Santa visited the Kell House?
Santa has visited the Kell House Heritage Center since 1982. By 2025 that made 43 years, and some adults who now live in Dallas bring their own grandchildren back because they remember going as kids. The letters and ornament craft are still part of the visit.
What is the City Lights Parade in Wichita Falls?
It is a downtown holiday parade and festival that kicks off the season in December. Floats and decorated vehicles roll through downtown at 7 p.m., and Santa Land, a holiday market and downtown restaurants fill out the evening. One year's theme was Hometown Christmas in 2024.
What time does the Wichita Falls Christmas parade start?
The City Lights Parade has started at 7 p.m. in recent years. Local radio recommends arriving early, because downtown fills up quickly, and Santa has been available for photos beforehand. In 2024, for example, Santa took photos from 3 p.m. until the parade began. See our Wichita Falls Christmas events guide on this page for this year's schedule.
What is Santa Land at Park Central?
Santa Land is a family area at Park Central, across from Big Blue downtown, that goes with the City Lights Festival. It has photos with Santa, story time and games for kids. It is within walking distance of the parade route, so families can combine it with watching the floats.
What was the City Lights theme with the Dr. Seuss floats?
In one recent year the City Lights Festival and Parade took a Dr. Seuss theme, with about 100 floats and decorated vehicles. Downtown also had a Grinch-themed market called Mt. Crumpit Market, plus a s'mores station and Seussical treats from local businesses.
What happens at Christmas in the Park?
Christmas in the Park is a Parks and Recreation event for area kids. On December 7, 2024, it was held at Scotland Park, with Santa arriving on the Parks and Recreation train at 12:50 p.m., plus games, prizes and photos until 3 p.m. It also includes the Candy Cane Scramble.
What is the Candy Cane Scramble?
The Candy Cane Scramble is an annual highlight of Christmas in the Park for children ages 8 to 12. Kids hunt for candy canes scattered across the park: about 10,000 in all, including 12 special prize candy canes. Younger children can join the games and meet Santa while the older ones scramble.
Where does Santa's train arrive at Christmas in the Park?
Santa rides in on the Parks and Recreation train. In 2024 he pulled in at 12:50 p.m. at Scotland Park, next to the Scotland Elementary School gym, and then spent the afternoon meeting kids. Watching him step off the train is a favorite moment for little ones who love trains.
Is the Fantasy of Lights free?
Yes, admission is free. The displays have stayed free since they came to the Midwestern State campus, in keeping with the condition that they serve as a memorial to Mrs. Burns. Donations are welcome and help pay to maintain the displays. A trolley ride, called the Polar Bear Express, ran in 2025 for a fee.
Can toddlers ride the Polar Bear Express trolley?
Yes, in 2025 children under 5 rode free with an adult. The Polar Bear Express trolley ran from November 27 to December 25 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Fantasy of Lights, with the last ride around 9:45 p.m. Check our Wichita Falls Christmas events guide on this page for this year's schedule.
Do school groups perform at the Fantasy of Lights?
Yes. Several elementary and middle school choirs and bands perform at the Fantasy of Lights in December, and there is a concert on opening night in Akin Auditorium. In 2025 that concert was on November 24 at 7 p.m. It is a fun way for kids to see friends perform.
How can I explain the blue bulb story to my kids?
Tell them that one couple in Wichita Falls started with a tiny tree and one blue light, and over many years that light grew into a whole field of glowing scenes that everyone can visit for free. It shows how a small, kind idea can become a gift to the whole town.
What is the Depot Square Historic District?
Depot Square is a six block historic district in downtown Wichita Falls that reminds visitors of the city's oil and railroad era. It sits close to the downtown spots that fill with holiday visitors for the City Lights festival, so it is a nice place to talk with kids about how trains once shaped the city.
Where can kids see Christmas lights in Wichita Falls?
The Fantasy of Lights at Midwestern State University is the classic spot, with 51 displays that glow from dusk to 10 p.m. Downtown also lights up for the City Lights Parade. Our Wichita Falls Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's confirmed dates and other family events.
Sources
- Fantasy of Lights celebrating 52 years with Wichita Falls community, Midwestern State University News
- Santa returns to Kell House for 43rd year, KAUZ NewsChannel 6
- City Lights Parade 2025, 106.3 The Buzz
- Wichita Falls: Where Holiday Spirit Is Texas Sized, Texas Monthly (sponsored)
- Parks and Rec to host Christmas in the Park, KAUZ NewsChannel 6
- A beloved Wichita Falls tradition: Christmas parade returning soon, KAUZ NewsChannel 6