Breckenridge Texan

Downtown Breckenridge is decorated for the holidays with Christmas lights adorning many of the shops on Walker Street and the community Christmas tree set up in Foundation Park. The festivities will continue next week with the Christmas Parade scheduled for Dec. 9.

The Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce and the City of Breckenridge held the annual tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 17 during the Chamber’s Mingle & Jingle shopping event. (Scroll down to see more photos from the tree lighting and Mingle & Jingle.)

The Breckenridge High School Jazz Band provided Christmas music, and the children from DarDar’s Building Blocks daycare center sang holiday songs. At 6 p.m., the crowd gathered in the park joined Chamber Executive Director Yuri Huntington in a count-down to turning on the lights on the tree and the downtown buildings.

LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE

Breckenridge’s holiday activities will continue with the annual lighted Christmas parade through downtown Breckenridge on Saturday, Dec. 9, beginning at 6 p.m.

This year’s parade theme is “A Candy Land Christmas Parade.”

The Chamber is accepting applications from local organizations, businesses and individuals to have floats in the parade. If you’re interested in being in the parade, you can pick up a form at the Chamber office, 100 E. Elm St., or send an email request to chamber@breckenridgetexas.com to have a copy of the application form emailed to you. Click here for a copy of the parade rules.

For more information about the parade, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 254-559-2301 or at 100 E. Elm St.

OTHER UPCOMING HOLIDAY EVENTS

Through Friday, Dec. 1
Christmas Tree Fundraiser
The Stephens Memorial Hospital Gift Shop is hosting its second annual Christmas Tree Auction/Fundraiser with 14 decorated tabletop trees on display in the hospital’s business office lobby. The Christmas trees have been decorated by various hospital departments and can be seen in-person at the business office, 207 S. Geneva St., across from the hospital’s main entrance, or on the hospital’s Facebook page. Anyone who would like to buy one of the trees may place a bid on the Facebook page or in person at the business office. To make a bid on Facebook, click on the individual photos of the decorated trees and comment with your bid. The hospital is posting the latest, highest big in each comment section. You may bid as many times as you like, on as many trees as you like. Bidding will end promptly at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Proceeds will benefit the Stephens Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, which uses the money to help the hospital with a variety of projects.

Saturday, Dec. 9
Pooches’ Pics with Santa
The Stephens County Humane Society will offer Pooches’ Pics with Santa as a fundraiser from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Breckenridge City Park pavilion in conjunction with the Wags and Whiskers 5K and Furry Fun Run event (see the Breckenridge Texan’s Calendar of Events for more details on the race). Pictures will cost $10 for one 4×6 print. Additional prints will be available for an extra fee. All proceeds will benefit the Stephens County Humane Society.

Saturday, Dec. 9
Pancakes with Santa
East Elementary School will host Pancakes with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. More details to come.

Thursday, Dec. 14
Band Concert
The Breckenridge Junior High School bands and the Breckenridge High School Jazz Band will have their Christmas concert on Thursday, Dec. 14, at Bailey Auditorium, starting at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16
Danny Wright Concert
The Friends of Historic Breckenridge will host pianist Danny Wright in concert at the National Theatre, located at 116 E. Walker St. in downtown Breckenridge on Saturday, Dec. 16. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the concert beginning at 7 p.m. The concert is being presented by Blackhorse Mercantile & Cafe, which will also be serving wine and beer in the theater’s bar area (must be 21 to drink, valid ID required). General admission tickets cost $20 each online for adults (age 18 and older) and $10 each for students (age 17 and younger). Click here to order tickets.

Saturday, Dec. 16
Christmas Program
Eolian Community Church will host their annual Christmas program, Saturday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m. The program, “The Symbols of Christmas,” will feature the Christian meanings of the many decorations and traditions of the season with special music and scripture readings. The community is invited to attend the service and stay for a potluck supper afterward. Food will be provided by the members of the ECC. The church is located at 7162 CR 292, southwest of Breckenridge, off of FM 576 West.

Dec. 22-Jan. 7
BISD Christmas Break
Breckenridge schools’ last day before the holidays will be Thursday, Dec. 21, and they will be on Christmas Break, officially, through Friday, Jan. 5. Classes will resume on Monday, Jan. 8.

Monday, Dec. 25
Christmas Day
Monday, Dec. 25, will be Christmas Day. Many businesses and government offices will be closed as the local community joins others around the world in celebrating the holiday.

More PHOTOS FROM MINGLE & JINGLE AND CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

Members of the Breckenridge High School band performed Christmas music at the annual tree-lighting ceremony in downtown Breckenridge on Nov. 17. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

City of Breckenridge Public Services Director Stacy Harrison and his wife, Leslie, pose for a picture in front of the community Christmas tree following the annual lighting ceremony on Nov. 17. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cara Sims flips the switch to turn on the lights on the community Christmas tree in downtown Breckenridge. Stacy Harrison, public services director for the City of Breckenridge, assisted with the lighting. (Courtesy Photo)

Kids from DarDar’s Building Blocks daycare center performed holiday songs before the community Christmas tree’s lights were turned on. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Family and friends took photos of the BHS band members after the concert. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Santa attended the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce’s Mingle and Jingle event on Nov. 17 to pose for pictures and listen to wish lists in advance of Christmas. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Members of the Breckenridge Junior Forum served cookies and hot cocoa during Mingle and Jingle. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: The community Christmas tree in downtown Breckenridge was lit up during a special ceremony at the start of the Chamber of Commerce’s Mingle and Jingle holiday shopping event on Friday, Nov. 17. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)