By Adrianna Zampieri
Call your family and friends because Christmas in the Park is almost here! Beginning Friday, December 4, through Sunday, the 6th, visit Stephen C. Beachy Central Park for a family-friendly and fun-filled event that’s sure to put you in the joyful holiday mood.
Available on all three days, Friday and Sunday from 6pm – 10pm and Saturday from 12pm – 9pm, snuggle up with your significant other and take a ride around the park on an old-fashioned hayride. Munch on free cookies and sip on delicious hot cocoa with your best friend and take goofy selfies. Even get your children’s photo with Santa professionally taken for only $5, or for free if you take the picture with your own camera.
Also on Saturday, Christmas in the Park boasts a variety of activities that will interest all ages. You are invited to watch captivating dance performances while the kids can play in inflatable bounce houses, visit with animals in a petting zoo, and take a trip down a real snow slide. Adults can get their holiday shopping done at the Holiday Vendor Village where people are eager to serve you with a variety of crafts including jewelry, artwork, and other handmade items available for purchase. Guests are welcome to bring their own beverages; however, alcohol and glass containers are not allowed. Pets are also not allowed at the event.
However, dogs are welcome in the Jingle Bell Fun Run! Following the BCS Christmas Parade on the 6th is the College Station Parks & Recreation Department’s 26th Annual Jingle Bell Fun Run at 1:15pm. This two-mile run starts at the corner of University Drive and South College Avenue and ends at the corner of Texas Avenue and Villa Maria. So dress your canine warmly for the run or even in holiday-themed sweaters that will make the on-lookers squeal from the cuteness overload.
Although Christmas in the Park only lasts for three days, the holiday fun doesn’t end on the 6th! All through the New Year’s season, visit Stephen C. Beachy Central Park from 6pm – 11pm to view more than one million lights decorating the park’s 47 acres. Spend time with your family walking through the park and taking silly photos, or make it a date night under twinkling lights. Either way, the sparkling lights wrapped around bridges, trees, and pathways will captivate you.
For more information concerning these events, visit the City of College Station website.
