‘Tis the season to grab your smartphone and start adding events to your calendar, because you don’t want to miss what’s buzzing at Hill Country Galleria.
Christmas is bigger and more Christmas-y than ever at Hill Country Galleria with a new and spectacular Santa’s Wonderland like you’ve never seen before. Santa is so smitten that he wants to stay way out west with us because he doesn’t want to leave his cool new digs. We think he’s going to list his North Pole workshop on Airbnb. Any takers?
If you want to get in the Christmas spirit, head over to Hill Country Galleria for photo ops galore, extended shopping hours, a family fun run, a nightly tree show and more.
In addition to the traditional events, HCG is hosting an exclusive photo shoot with Autism Speaks for children with sensory issues.
It’s time to open your calendar app!
Photos with Santa at Santa’s Wonderland
Now through December 24
Open daily, times vary
To continually elevate your experience this holiday season, Hill Country Galleria is introducing Santa’s Wonderland, a magical and immersive indoor experience. The free, interactive space has tons of spots for fun photos and selfies.
While it’s free of charge to enter the Wonderland and visit Santa, this year there will be a professional photo team on-site to capture memories with Santa, with photo package options for purchase so you can leave with a timeless keepsake in hand. You can visit and enjoy Santa’s Wonderland as many times as you wish this season.
Lone Star Holiday Market
Now through December 22, 4pm to 9pm
The Hill Country Galleria is hosting a Holiday Market on the Central Plaza Lawn. Enjoy the holiday season with unique, handcrafted goods from local artisans, a perfect opportunity to pick up gifts for the entire family.
Jingle Bell Run 5K with Bee Cave Chamber
December 1, 8am
The Bee Cave Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 5K Jingle Bell Run with live music, food and beverages, and swag bags. You may join in on the timed 5K, which begins at 8am, or the Kid’s K, which starts at 7:45am. For more information, please visit www.beecavechamberofcommerce.
Santa Cares Event
December 2, 10am-Noon
Individuals with all spectrums of special needs and their families are invited to a private photo session with Santa where extra care is taken to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs to make this a magical holiday experience.
The event is held in partnership with Autism Speaks. There is no admission charge, however, photo packages that capture holiday memories will be available for purchase at the event. For additional information or to make a reservation, visit www.autismspeaks.org/santa.
Holiday Wine Walk
December 13, 5pm-9pm
Wine. Woohoo! You can shop while discovering great wines from all over the world. The Wine Walk starts at Twin Liquors where you pick up a map that is both a guide to the walk and a ticket for each wine walk stop. The first 200 attendees will receive a red HCG shopping bag. This event is free and open to the public.
Movie on the Lawn: Polar Express
December 14, 6pm-8pm
The City of Bee Cave Parks & Recreation will host a movie on the lawn night, featuring the Polar Express. You are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to relax on the lawn of the Hill Country Galleria’s Central Plaza.
There will be complimentary popcorn coupons provided by Cinemark Hill Country Galleria while supplies last. Starting at 4:30pm, there will be a pre-show holiday activity at The Hive, the Bee Cave Arts Foundation’s new community art center, with the movie beginning at 6pm.
Holiday Tree Light Show
Now through January 1, 5pm-10pm
The festive holiday tree at HCG will put you in a magical mood with a light show from 5pm to 10pm every half hour.
New Shops & T-O-Y-S
Oh, did we mention the shopping yet?
Well, we should, because HCG welcomed a bunch of new retailers just in time for the holidays like Elevé Cosmetics pop-up, Avrey Grace, Estilo, Flip N Art Collective, Lululemon, and Backroads 2 Oz.
Local women’s boutique Avrey Grace and home decor gift shop Backroads 2 Oz are now open.
Avrey Grace offers contemporary, boho-chic women’s apparel. The Hill Country Galleria location will be the second boutique for the brand, with the first location in Dripping Springs.
Backroads 2 Oz, a staple merchant at area markets like Round Top Antiques Fair and Vintage Market Days, will open their first brick-and-mortar this year at the Hill Country Galleria. The shop creates handcrafted, metal signs with inspirational messages combined with rustic wood accents.
Also, LT favorite Adorn Boutique has moved and is now located next to Fab’rik and Justice. Gatsby Clothier is now located next to Francesca’s and White House Black Market, making all of your shopping more convenient.
And last, but certainly not least … toys, toys, toys! Swing by Learning Express Toys for all of the hottest toys this season — Beaker Creatures, Sling Stix, sequins Beanie Boos, Auto Moto, LOLs, Reindeer in Here and much more.
Ho, ho, ho!
Image: Giant Noise PR
