.png)
LOCAL EVENTS
Sights & Sounds of Christmas, known for its annual multi-week festival, is taking a more intimate approach this year with a one-day event on Dec. 14.
“We’re taking this year to reimagine and refine our festival,” Elva Zdeb, Sights & Sounds of Christmas president, said. “This scaled-down event allows us to focus on community engagement while preparing for a full-scale return in 2025. It’s a celebration of giving, connection and the true spirit of the season.”
The one-day event, themed “Hometown Holiday,” kicks off at 9 a.m. with the popular Jingle Bell 5K Run and Kids Run.
Sights and Sounds, which was founded in 1987, will now be free to attend.
According to the website, attendees can enjoy activities such as an ugly sweater contest, ginger- bread cookie decorating and performances by local elementary school choirs starting at 2 p.m. The evening culminates in a live performance by the high-energy band The Spazmatics, set to take the stage from 7 to 9 p.m. Santa Claus himself will make a special appearance around 5 p.m.
Zdeb said the event highlights the generosity of San Marcos, with nonprofits like the Boy Scouts and other local organizations offering food and activities to support their causes. Visitors can indulge in holiday treats, including hot chocolate, Dutch oven biscuits and other favorites.
Additionally, A Night in Old Bethlehem will bring its annual recreation of the town of Bethlehem to life as part of the Hometown Holiday Celebration.
“Our mission is to bring the Christmas story to life for our community and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Sights & Sounds of Christmas to continue this beloved tradition,” Mike Tessaro, A Night in Old Bethlehem president, said.
According to a press release by a Night in Old Bethlehem, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., visitors can explore a vibrant depiction of the biblical town complete with a live nativity, Roman soldiers, shepherds, wise men and live animals. Children will delight in free craft activities, including candle-making and keepsake toy crafting, while adults can enjoy live pottery demonstrations and the food court’s signature turkey legs.
Both A Night in Old Bethlehem and Sights & Sounds of Christmas are volunteer-driven and rely on community donations to continue their missions. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their thoughts in a festival survey to help shape the 2025 celebration.
For more information about Sights and Sounds or to register for the Jingle Bell Run, visit sights-nsounds. org. For more information about A Night in Old Bethlehem or to donate, visit bethlehemsmtx. org.
