Sights & Sounds Of Christmas Approaches With New Surprises

“Sleigh Bells ring, are you listening? In the lane, snow is glistening. A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight. Walking in a winter wonderland.”

by, Terra Rivers, Managing Editor

Okay, so some might argue it’s a little early for Christmas music, but Thanksgiving is just around the corner. And there are always those few people who start spreading holiday cheer with decorations by Black Friday.

Sights & Sounds of Christmas is putting the final touches on this year’s holiday festival.

The nonprofit organization and festival was founded on Dec. 1, 1987. It was brought back in 2010 and has served the San Marcos community since by spreading “Christmas Joy.”

Originally a four-day event, Sights & Sounds announced in September the festival would run for eight days this year with new activities for the community to enjoy. Presenting sponsors for this year’s event include Central Texas Medical Center, San Marcos Toyota and Trace Texas.

The festival will run from Wednesday thru Saturday the week of Nov. 29 and the week of Dec. 6. The 2017 festival will see new events including the addition of food trucks and a petting zoo.    

The annual Sights & Sounds of Christmas 5k and Kids K Jingle Bell Run will return on the last day of the festival, Dec. 9. The runs are two of the events, whose proceeds go to fund the festival. The 5k is the largest in all of Hays and the only 5k that runs through downtown San Marcos.

A “unique Santa trophy” will be offered to the top finishers of the races in each of the different age groups, and the 1k Jingle Bell participants, who finish the course, will receive their own Santa trophy as well. Registration information for either race can be found here.

Sights & Sounds will open from 5 PM to 11 PM nightly. Visitors can buy nightly passes for $5 or eight day passes for $15. Children’s admission is free.