The annual Weihnachtsmarkt to support the Sophienburg Museum and Archives opens Friday at the New Braunfels Civic Convention Center for three days of shopping, events and fun.
Celebrating 21 years this year, Weihnachtsmarkt is patterned after the German tradition of setting up a village marketplace for the holidays. There will be food, music, and Santa will be available for photos all three days.
From Friday to Sunday, more than 65 vendors will offer boutique clothing , jewelry, antiques, food, wine and specialty gifts in a sprawling display at the Convention Center, now completely decked out for the holidays.
Entry is $6 for a one-day ticket and $10 for all three days. Proceeds support the Sophienburg Museum and Archives.
“It’s great,” said Carol Duliban of New Braunfels. “Women love it because there is such a variety of vendors.”
Duliban was busy Wednesday setting up the booth sponsored by A Shop Around the Corner and said many shoppers come back again and again all weekend.
“It gets me motivated to buy for the holiday season,” said Courtney Spradling, who operates a booth at Weihnachtsmarkt for her Princess Be shop in New Braunfels.
“I love the people who come to it,” said Eileen Conley, owner of Memory Lane Antiques in Buda and a veteran vendor of 18 years. “It’s just a wonderful crowd.”
Special events include a preview gala on Thursday evening, Wine and Cheese Night on Friday, sponsored by the New Braunfels Smokehouse and the Dry Comal Creek Vineyards ($15 entry at the door) and Breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning with children’s activities and photo ops — $12, RSVP to (830) 629-1572.
Other Festtage
(holiday) events
in New Braunfels
Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting. 6 p.m., Nov. 20, on the Plaza.
Schlitterbahn’s Hill Country Christmas. Nov. 20 through Jan. 3. For information, call (830) 625-2351 or visit www.schlitterbahn.com.
Old Gruene Market Days. Nov. 21 and 22. Market hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Gruene Historic District. Admission is free. For information, call (830) 832-1721 or visit www.gruenemarketdays.com.
Christmas Showcase of Arts and Crafts. Nov. 28 and 29. Begins at 10 a.m. at the New Braunfels Civic Convention Center. (210) 698-0811.
Wassailfest, Dec. 3. Sample different types of wassail and enjoy entertainment, 6 to 9 p.m. Call (830) 221-4090.
Visit with St. Nicholas, Dec. 5. Visit with the traditional German Santa at the Sophienburg Museum, 401 W. Coll, at 5 p.m. Call (830) 629-1572 for reservations.
Christmas Along the Corridor (Pony Express Run), Dec. 5. Gruene Historic District will receive a Pony Express rider from the Comal County Sheriff’s Posse at 10 a.m. For information, call (830) 629-5077.
Gruene Town Lighting, Dec. 5. Begins at 6 p.m. Call (830) 629-5077.
16th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes, Dec. 5. The 16th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes features five New Braunfels homes, open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 on tour day. Children ages 2 and younger will be admitted free. Call (830) 624-1307 or (830) 832-8815.
Old Gruene Christmas Market Days Festival, Dec. 5 and 6. Market hours are from 10 am. to 5 p.m. Visit www.gruenemarketdays.com.
Christmas Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist, Dec. 13. Make reservations early for this New Orleans-style gospel brunch. Musical guests include Bret Graham and The Gospel Silvertones. Tickets are $25 for adults and $12.50 for children. Visit www.gruenehall.com.
Caroling on the Plaza, Dec. 17. The New Braunfels Arts Council sponsors a community get-together at 6:30 p.m. at the downtown Plaza. Call (830) 625-4248.
