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We've Sighted Santa on 237. Holidays with a Side of Country: Your Guide to Celebrating the Season Round Top Style Catherine D. Anspon and Candice Cowin round up the good cheer. FA-LA-LA AND MISTLETOE 34 T urn up the Mariah Carey, saddle up your sled, and head to Round Top and its environs, where charming attractions, festive events, and artisan shopping keep spirits joyful and bright. Here are our picks for how to get in a merry, merry mood. A-SHOPPING WE WILL GO Heralding the season, Paul Michael Company Holiday House at Market Hill returns, serving up Noel magic with a 30,000-square-foot emporium packed with festive finds. Peruse designer collections boasting Tinsel-Tastic themes, from Candy Christmas and Holly Jolly to Pink Champagne and Tartan Traditions. Word's out Santa may make a personal appearance; open daily through December; @paulmichaelcompany, paulmichaelcompany.com … Also returning is Round Top's second annual Christkindlmarkt at The Compound. The European-inspired holiday market boasts the unique and handmade, from holiday decor to fashion, giftable finds, delicious seasonal bites, cozy libations, and more. Watch for a PA by Mr. Claus and the fireworks finale. A portion of sales benefits Round Top Carmine Education Foundation; Friday – Sunday, December 5 – 7, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, roundtopcompound.com, @thecompound_ roundtop … Jingle bells rock at the historic Zapp Hall's Christmas Show. Shop a selection of dealers while grazing, savoring tunes, and more. Glen Templeton and Matt Caldwell perform in the beer garden Saturday, December 6; Friday – Sunday, December 5 – 7, open daily; @zapphall. MORE MERRY Get your Yule on at these merry events: Christmas Experience at Milk and Honey Ranch stars an interactive nativity, family photos, petting zoo, Christmas concert, snow machine, carnival, pony rides, and Christmas market with pop-up vendors, Friday – Sunday, December 5 – 7, 5 – 9 pm; $50 entry fee, additional $10 per person for groups greater than four, tickets at milkandhoneyranch.com … The Round Top Family Library hosts Christmas in the Library. Pictures with Santa and Christmas crafts Saturday, December 6, 10 am – noon; ilovetoread.org … Support the art scene by shopping at ARTS The Holiday Show at the Ross Gallery in Fayetteville. Discover local talents gifted in all media, opening reception Saturday, December 13, 4 – 6 pm; through January 10, 2026; artsforruraltexas.org. OLD-TIMEY PARADES Round Top is known for its old-fashioned parades, including the beloved Round Top Lighted Christmas Parade with an illuminated float brigade starring Santa that begins at 6:45 pm, following an afternoon of festive food, libations, shopping, and photos with St. Nick spun around the town square; Saturday, December 6, 3 – 8 pm; exploreroundtop.com … Festivities continue with the 28th Annual Fayetteville Country Christmas Celebration and Lighted Parade, featuring all-day merriment. Shop and dine in the historic square, check out arts and crafts booths, take the home tour, and wrap it all up with the parade Saturday, December 13, 11 am – 10 pm; greaterfayettevillechamber.org. YULE-TIME HOME TOUR + DATE WITH THE PAST A celebrated home tour benefits an important historical cause. Round Top Area Historical Society 28th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes showcases six houses decked for the season, Saturday, December 6, 11 am – 5 pm; limited number of tickets, $25, at Round Top Real Estate, online rtahs.com, or day of tour from 10 am at Historical Society campus, 397 E. Mill St.; info, Jeannette Burger, 281.610.8274, jburger@cvctx.com. HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING + NUTCRACKER MAGIC A visit to Festival Hill is always part of the holiday canon. Round Top's renowned music conservatory offers two December classics. Sounds of the Season concert by Blinn College District Wind Symphony and Choirs unfurls Saturday, December 6, 3 – 5 pm; tickets $10, festivalhill.org … The Nutcracker Ballet marks its 17th annual performance by the Ovation Ballet Company of Austin, staging Tchaikovsky's holiday masterpiece, Saturday, December 13, 4 – 6 pm; tickets $40, festivalhill.org. Find more holiday happenings at roundtop.com. Round Top Lighted Christmas Parade 2024 KOLTON KING