‘Tis the season for Christmas at the Creek!

4 min read

As Parks and Recreation staff members prepare Wolf Pen Creek Park for Christmas at the Creek, we frequently run across families, workout enthusiasts and others who ask the same question:

“What’s new this year?”

We’ve been busy stringing lights in trees, making room for a synthetic ice rink and dry-cleaning Santa’s clothes, but we know that the long days and nights in the cold rain will be worth it when we see the kids’ delight in the colorful lights as they rush from one display to the next. We take personal joy in offering residents of the Brazos Valley a holiday experience that doesn’t seem to rewrite the classic song to say “it’s beginning to cost a lot like Christmas…”

Join us at Wolf Pen Creek Park as we bring you the sights and sounds of the holidays. Here’s a quick look at what’s in store:

Thursday, Nov. 28 – When I was a kid growing up in Bryan-College Station, the holiday season didn’t officially kick-off until I saw the giant Christmas tree light up the sky over Stephen C. Beachy Central Park. “Mom, can we go see the lights?” became a frequent phrase in my car. Now, other kids can experience the same joy as more than 1 million lights will decorate the beautiful 47-acre park. The lights will be displayed from 6-11 p.m. each day through Jan. 1.

Friday, Dec. 6 – The opening night of Christmas at the Creek at Wolf Pen Creek Park starts at 6 p.m. and includes a movie and three performances of a special musical. Local playwright Mark Taylor wrote the musical just for this event. In conjunction with Movies in the Park, “The Santa Clause” will start at 8:30 p.m. We guarantee the screen won’t fly over like last year — mainly because there is no screen!

Saturday, Dec. 7 — Santa will be making a stop at the Lincoln Recreation Center from 9 a.m.-noon. You can enjoy a free hot breakfast with Santa, face painting, arts and crafts, coloring activities, entertainment and more. Kids ages 15 and under who have made Santa’s “good list” will receive a free gift from the jolly man himself.

Saturday, Dec. 7 — The final day of Christmas at the Creek will be from 2- 10 p.m. New items this year include a synthetic ice rink, a 30-foot tall Log Jammer Extreme slide, Lowe’s Christmas Crafts Corner and a live zebra and baby lemur — my personal favorites! While your kids are at the petting zoo, you can find perfect holiday gifts from 40 unique vendors in the Holiday Vendor Village. Be sure to stay for the holiday concert with live entertainment by Marcia Ball and other local dance and gospel performances.

Sunday, Dec. 8 – About 200 runners will hit the streets at 2:15 p.m. for the Jingle Bell Fun Run to kick-off the B/CS Parade. The musical 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. Dogs are welcome, running is optional and we’ll even shuttle you back to your car. Late registration is underway and will continue through Friday, Nov. 29. The fee is $20 but shirts are not guaranteed. I know, that means you may be unable to prove you actually ran.

Wednesday, Dec. 11 – Senior adults are invited to get together for some holiday cheer at the Holiday Open House from 10 a.m.-noon at the Southwood Community Center. Enjoy refreshments, live entertainment, door prizes, photos with Santa and learn about the senior activities we offer. Reservations are not required, and no IDs will be checked!

Thursday, Dec. 12 – “Dance and be Merry” will be the theme at the Senior Holiday Dance from 7-9 p.m. at the Southwood Community Center. Shine your shoes for an evening of dancing with DJ Tom Byer while enjoying light refreshments and door prizes. Admission is free and reservations are not required.

For more information, visit cstx.gov/events, call 979.764.3486 or email parks@cstx.gov.