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Christmas in the Park

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2024 SEASON

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Stephen C. Beachy Central Park!

College Station’s beautiful Christmas in the Park displays began in 1984 when a local family funded a couple of light panels. Since then, the collection has since grown to more than one million lights and has become a holiday mainstay.

Our crews work year-round preparing the light panels to ensure they brightly shine when we flip the switch on Thanksgiving Day. The hundreds of illuminated panels — a bulb for every inch — are taped precisely to preserve the panels' mesmerizing effects.

We offer three ways to enjoy the time-honored tradition of holiday lights at Beachy Central Park:

    LIGHTS ON ● Nov. 28-Jan 1, 6-11 p.m.
    Enjoy viewing more than one million lights that decorate Stephen C. Beachy Central Park! Lights will be on Nov. 28-Dec. 24 each night from 6-11 p.m.

    As you stroll or drive through the park, be sure to tune in to Christmas 97.3 FM to enjoy Christmas music provided by Bryan Broadcasting.

    Admission is free, and parking is available in the park.

    And don’t forget to bring your wish list for Santa. Our staff has arranged with his elves to accept letters for Santa in our North Pole mailbox outside the Central Park Office. Drop your letter off from Nov. 28-Dec. 24 to ensure safe delivery.

    >> Santa Letter Template (PDF)

    The only nights you can’t drive through the park are Dec. 6-7, when we’re preparing for the Christmas in the Park event weekend. The drive-thru closes at 7 a.m. on event days to keep everyone safe as we set up for visits with Santa, hayrides, and plenty of cookies and hot cocoa.
    EVENT WEEKEND ● Dec. 6 & 7, 6-10 p.m.
    In College Station, one of the highlights of the holiday season is always Christmas in the Park event weekend. With the addition of the second annual College Station Christmas Parade, this year’s event promises to be better than ever.

    The two nights of fun and activities are Dec. 6-7 at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park. Holiday-themed festivities are scheduled from 6-10 p.m. each night. Featured fun includes old-fashioned hayrides, cookies, hot cocoa, local song and dance groups, photos with Santa, and more.

    Admission is free!


    Entertainment Schedule Coming Soon!


    Entertainment Application

    Santa Photos
    Santa will be at the Fun for All Playground. A professional photographer isn’t provided, but bring your camera to capture the moment. Pets aren’t allowed.

    Waiver & Wristbands
    Free wristbands are required to participate in all activities. You can complete a waiver form at an information booth to get your wristband.

    Food Trucks

    More information coming soon

    Parking & Shuttle Hours (Dec. 6-7 only)
    Stephen C. Beachy Central Park will be closed to through traffic from 7 a.m.-midnight, so visitors can’t drive through the park like the rest of the month. Shuttles run from 3 p.m.-midnight from the Post Oak Mall parking lot (old Macy’s side). Handicap parking is available at the Beachy Central Park softball complex, accessed from State Highway 6.

    >> Parking Map
    JINGLE BELL FUN RUN • Dec. 7, 6 p.m.
    Join us after the College Station Christmas Parade for the one-mile, untimed Jingle Bell Fun Run through the lights to kick off Christmas in the Park. The race starts at 6 p.m. at the hayride line near the tennis courts. Part of the run is on an unpaved surface.

    The entry fee is $15 and includes a shirt and jingle bells if you register by Nov. 17. The cost is $20 during the Nov. 17-Dec. 1 late registration period. Jingle bells are included, but you are not guaranteed a shirt. Participants three years old and under are free. No parking is available in the park on event day. Dogs are not allowed.

    Packet pick up is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Dec. 4 and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the Stephen C. Beachy Central Park Office at 1000 Krenek Tap Road.

THANK YOU

The popular event wouldn’t be possible without the generous contributions of our community partners  — Christmas 97.3Bryan Broadcasting, and HEB.

The Parks & Recreation Department wishes you a peaceful and joyous holiday season and the best in the coming year. For more information, contact us at 979.764.3486 or [email protected].


Visit ChristmasinCS.com for more events and specials happening in College Station. 

Contact Information

Parks & Recreation Department1000 Krenek Tap Road979.764.3486
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