Kick Off Your Christmas Season with Dickens on Main in Boerne

Alamo City Moms Blog is thrilled to partner with Dickens on Main to bring you information on their annual holiday event.

As a lifelong Texan, my holiday seasons have often been warm enough for flip flops, and completely lacking in those picturesque qualities that make for a good Lifetime movie. You know, the real Christmas tree next to a crackling fire, loved ones cozied up in their sweaters, and a hefty snow drift just outside the window. My house may not quite resemble It’s a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve, but I have found one place where I am sure to get my holiday fix and kick off the season as soon as possible: Dickens on Main in Boerne.

dickens_2014_-%c2%acmikefarquhar_artgives_-boerne-959-2

From Friday, November 25 through Saturday, November 26, 2016, Main Street in Boerne will be closed off to traffic for the evening hours so that thousands of people can be a part of the two-day holiday extravaganza. From your youngest baby to your oldest Grandpa, everyone in your family will find something special that they love about this event. This year, 2016, marks the 17th year that Boerne will transform their “Hill County Mile” into the quintessential small town Christmas dream, including carolers dressed in vintage attire standing under decorated lampposts.
dom-carolers-2

Your kids will be astounded when they see the 60-foot ice slide and snow on Main Street, so be ready to take pictures of joyous faces. (Where else are you guaranteed snow in Texas in November?!?) This year, they are also featuring a free photo experience that will give you a great looking family picture to share with friends or use on your holiday card.  

domsled-2

My kids love seeing Santa and Mrs. Claus and taking pictures with them. Tons of families bring their little ones is holiday outfits to get their cute Santa photo and save themselves a trip to the mall later. There are also free crafts and activities, a petting zoo, pony rides, and even a trackless train you can take a ride on. The whole family can try something new from the food trucks, or even enjoy horse drawn carriage rides and a live performance of Bah Humbug—Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” 

bah-humbug-2

It’s also a great opportunity to find unique Christmas gifts at the many boutiques and shops on Main Street. Small Business Saturday coincides with the event, so let yourself wander up and down the street looking for treasures. Antiques, jewelry, home decor, even children’s resale clothing and gear—there is a ton of variety in both items and price points. The stores have extended their hours from 10:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. as well. Here is a thorough list of shops in the area with descriptions so you can plan out a route.

There are free parking spots available in the streets surrounding the area, but you will want to be sure to have a stroller for your littlest ones because you will be doing a lot of walking. Extra snacks, jackets, and toys can be helpful. Families often bring dogs (on leash) and kids tend to have the freedom to roam around. With the streets blocked off, Boerne manages to create a space that feels like the opposite of stressful holiday shopping. It is like stepping into a happy Christmas bubble that you know will only last for two days.

0105dickens-on-main-%c2%ac2014-elizabeth-castle-for-artgives-2

You won’t want to miss the tree lighting ceremony and musical and theatrical performances that you just can’t find anyplace else. This year, give your family a time to make memories and get into the Christmas spirit by joining everyone at Dickens on Main!

For a full schedule of the weekend’s events, check out www.dickensonmain.com. Better yet, bring the information with you: download the Hill Country Mile Guidebook app by clicking here. This new app not only gives you a full Dickens schedule, but it allows you to choose specific activities and create your own schedule with reminders so you don’t miss a thing. From great information about the shops and the restaurants you’ll find along the Mile, to events and great deals, you’ll not want to be without this helpful app. 

Katie
Katie is a small town girl raising a family in the big city. She grew up in Abilene surrounded by strong women and one patient father. She met the love of her life at only 17, and they both later graduated from McMurry University and moved to San Antonio in 2004. Katie was part of San Antonio’s inaugural Listen to Your Mother show in 2016 and is a happy working mom of three kids. Katie loves to talk about shoes, podcasts, rescue dogs, and her family of mostly redheads. She is held together daily by espresso and Jesus.