City of College Station

Enjoy viewing more than one million lights that decorate Stephen C. Beachy Central Park! Lights will be on Nov. 23-Jan. 1 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. 23-Dec. 24 to ensure safe delivery.

>> Santa Letter Template (PDF)

The only nights you can’t drive through the park are Dec. 1-2, 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 and his reindeer, hayrides, and plenty of cookies and hot cocoa.

In College Station, one of the highlights of the holiday season is always Christmas in the Park event weekend. With the addition of the first College Station Christmas Parade, this year’s event promises to be better than ever.

The two nights of fun and activities are Dec. 1-2 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 his reindeer, and more.

Admission is free!

>> Event Map

Entertainment Schedule

Friday, Dec. 1  
6:15-6:45 p.m. – Texas A&M Trombone Choir
7-7:20 p.m. – Texas A&M Choral Activities
7:30-8 p.m. – Wellborn Middle School Orchestra
8-8:10 p.m. – Texas A&M Dance Arts Studio

Saturday, Dec. 2  
3:30 p.m. – Christmas Parade
6 p.m. – Lighting Ceremony
6 p.m. – Jingle Bell Fun Run (registration required)
6:15-6:45 p.m. – Wellborn Middle School Orchestra
6:50-7:10 p.m. – Hardchord Dynamix
7:15-7:45 p.m. – Opus 024
7:50-8:10 p.m. – Girl Scout Troop 33003
8:15-8:25 p.m. – Texas A&M Dance Arts Studio
8:30-9:15 p.m. – College Station High School “The Jazz Factor”
9:20-9:40 p.m. – Aggie Wranglers

Santa & Reindeer 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
Food trucks will be available, or you can bring refreshments. Vendors include Chill Out Concessions, Wingin It BCS, Raging Bull Street Tacos, Johnson & Johnson Kountry Kooking, JLM Chicken and Waffle, and Sweet Pops. Glass containers aren’t allowed, and coolers must be 48 quarts or smaller.

Parking & Shuttle Hours (Dec. 1-2 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

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 on Saturday, Dec. 2. 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. 12. The cost is $20 during the Nov. 13-26 late registration period. Jingle bells are included, but you aren’t guaranteed a shirt. Participants three years old and under are free.

>> Jingle Bell Fun Run Registration

You can also register by calling 979.764.3486 or stopping by our Central Park office.

Packet pick-up is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Nov. 29 and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Nov. 30 at the Central Park office. No parking is available in the park on the event day, and dogs aren’t allowed. Shuttles run from 3 p.m.-midnight from the Post Oak Mall parking lot (old Macy’s side).