Christmas in the Park

2025 Season

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

Christmas in the Park began in 1984 when a local family funded a couple of light panels. Nearly four decades later, the collection has become a holiday mainstay, with more than one million colorful lights.

Behind the scenes, our Parks and Recreation crew spends about eight weeks transforming the park into a lighted winter wonderland while managing daily operations. They work through heat, cold, and rain to ensure a festive glow when the lights switch on Thanksgiving Day.

The centerpiece is the Tower of Power, a 90-foot Christmas tree with 14,000 lights. Drive through 60 strands of lights along Santa’s Lane, walk among 36 snowflakes in Snowflake Forest, take photos in front of the 36-foot lighted paddleboat, and explore the back trail tunnel.

The long-standing tradition of holiday lights at Beachy Central Park offers something for everyone to enjoy.

Lights On ● Nov. 27-Jan. 1, 6–11 p.m.

Enjoy a dazzling display of more than one million Christmas lights at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park. Lights will be on Nov. 27–Jan. 1 each night from 6–11 p.m.

As you stroll or drive through the park, tune in to Willy 97.7 FM for Christmas music provided by Bryan Broadcasting. Admission is free, and parking is available within the park.

Don’t forget to bring your wish list for Santa. Letters can be dropped in the North Pole Mailbox outside the Central Park Office. Drop them off by Christmas Eve to ensure delivery.

>> Downloadable Santa Letter Template

The only night the park is closed to vehicles is Dec. 6 as we prepare for the Christmas in the Park event. The drive-thru closes at 7 a.m. to keep everyone safe during setup for Santa visits, hayrides, and treats like cookies and hot cocoa.

Jingle Bell Fun Run ● Dec. 6, 3 p.m.

For 35 years, the Jingle Bell Fun Run has been a lighthearted way to kick off the holiday season in College Station. This year, the event features a new 1.5-mile route with a merry twist.

The untimed run is set for Saturday, Dec. 6, before the College Station Christmas Parade and follows the same route. Walkers and strollers are welcome, but dogs are not allowed. The line-up starts at 3 p.m. at 810 Holleman Drive East near Post Oak Mall. The run begins at 3:30, followed by the parade at 4.

The course ends at the entrance to Christmas in the Park at 1000 Krenek Tap Road, where the evening’s festivities continue from 6–10 p.m.

The early entry fee is $15 and includes a shirt and jingle bells if you register by Nov. 17. The late registration fee is $20 during the Nov. 18–30 period. Jingle bells are included, but a shirt is not guaranteed. Kids 3 and under are free.

>> Register for the Run

Packet pickup is 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Dec. 3–4 and 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Central Park Office. Race-day parking is available at Post Oak Mall (old Macy’s side), and shuttles run from 3 p.m.–midnight between the mall and Central Park.

Event ● Dec. 6, 6–10 p.m.

Celebrate the season at Christmas in the Park event on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 6–10 p.m. at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park.

Enjoy old-fashioned hayrides, cookies, hot cocoa, live entertainment, an ice sculpture performance, photos with Santa and more. Admission is free, and food trucks will be on-site with food and drinks available for purchase.

Free wristbands are required to participate in activities. To receive a wristband, complete the waiver in advance and bring a digital or printed copy to the information booth. Waivers can also be filled out on-site. A professional photographer won’t be provided for photos with Santa, but visitors are encouraged to use the Texas Size Selfie photo station to have photos sent directly to them on-site.

>> Complete the Waiver

Recreation Drive will be closed from 7 a.m. to midnight, and visitors will not be able to drive through the park. Shuttles will run from 3 p.m. to midnight between Post Oak Mall (old Macy’s side) and the park. Handicap parking will be available at the Stephen C. Beachy Central Park softball complex, accessible from State Highway 6.

>> View Parking and Shuttle Map