Holidays in New Braunfels: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's
Coming home for the holidays? Stay close to family, with your own front door. Everyone gets a good night's sleep, nobody waits in line for the bathroom, and you show up to dinner rested. Downtown New Braunfels lights up for the season, and much of it is a short walk from Comal Inn.
2026 Holidays at a Glance
- Downtown Lighting
- Fri, Nov 20, 10-minute walk
- Weihnachtsmarkt
- Nov 20 to 22, 4-minute walk
- Thanksgiving
- Thu, Nov 26
- Wassailfest
- Thu, Dec 3, 10-minute walk
- Christmas
- Fri, Dec 25
- New Year's Eve
- Thu, Dec 31
In Town to See Family
You love them. You'd also love your own room. Comal Inn puts you minutes from the family table, with a quiet place to go home to at the end of the night. No air mattress, no RV parked in the driveway, and no 25,000 lights stapled to the roof. Downtown already did that part.
- Every unit has a private entrance, free parking and a private patio.
- Self check-in with a door code, so a late arrival after holiday traffic is no problem.
- Bringing a dish? The New Braunfels Room and New Braunfels Cottage have full kitchens. The studio cottages have a mini fridge with a freezer and a microwave, which is plenty for leftovers.
- Bring the whole crew. Book more than one unit and everyone stays together, each in their own space. The property sleeps up to 16.
- Rates never go above each unit's posted range, holidays included, and minimum stays don't change either.
Thanksgiving Week in New Braunfels
Downtown Lighting and Santa’s Arrival
Fri, Nov 20, 6 to 9 p.m. · Main Plaza, about a 10-minute walk
The season kicks off downtown with the lights going on, Santa’s arrival and free photos. Free.
Weihnachtsmarkt
Fri to Sun, Nov 20 to 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. · Civic & Convention Center, a 4-minute walk
A German-style Christmas market with local vendors, gifts and baked goods. It’s the Sophienburg Museum’s big fundraiser. Paid admission.
Gruene Ice Rink
Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027 · Gruene Historic District, a 10-minute drive
An outdoor skating rink in Gruene. Book a time online.
The Wurst Nutcracker
Sat, Nov 21 · Brauntex Theatre, about a 13-minute walk
Ballet Texas puts an Oktoberfest twist on the holiday classic.
Gruene Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving morning, Thu, Nov 26 · Gruene Hall, a 10-minute drive
A 5K and a kids’ turkey chase that benefit local charities. Earn your second helping.
Christmas in New Braunfels and Gruene
Wassailfest
Thu, Dec 3, 6 to 9 p.m. · Downtown around Main Plaza, about a 10-minute walk
The streets close to cars for wassail tastings, holiday lights, choirs and late shop hours. Free in past years.
Gruene Town Lighting and Pony Express Ride
First weekend of December · Gruene Historic District, a 10-minute drive
Pony Express riders deliver holiday greetings in the morning, and Cowboy Kringle rides in on horseback for the evening lighting. Christmas Market Days run the same weekend. Free.
Christmas at the Caverns
Dec 5 to 23 · Natural Bridge Caverns
A trail of lights, caroling inside the cavern, a giant tree and s’mores. Tickets online.
The Nutcracker
Dec 17 to 20 · Brauntex Theatre, about a 13-minute walk
Ballet Texas performs the full holiday classic.
Upcoming at the Brauntex
The next few shows, pulled from the Brauntex calendar and updated hourly.
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
New Year’s Eve at Gruene Hall
Thu, Dec 31 · Gruene Hall, a 10-minute drive
Ring in the new year at Gruene Hall, which calls itself Texas’ oldest continually operating dance hall. Tickets sell out, so buy early.
Hair of the Dog Day
Fri, Jan 1 · Gruene Hall, a 10-minute drive
Free live music all day on New Year’s Day.
Heading out for the night? Take an Uber to Gruene and back, and leave the car parked at Comal Inn.
Upcoming at Gruene Hall
The next few shows, pulled from Gruene Hall's calendar and updated hourly.
- Free
- Free
- Free
- $30
- Free
- Free
- Free
- Free
Holiday Tips and Weather
- Call ahead on the big days. Many restaurants close or keep short hours on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and some stores close early the day before. Stock the fridge ahead of time.
- Pack layers. December in New Braunfels is usually mild, with average highs in the mid 60s and lows in the mid 40s, but a cold front can bring a chilly night.
- The river's still open. The spring-fed Comal stays around 72 degrees year-round, which is warmer than the air on some December mornings. See our river guide.
- Park once. Downtown gets busy on Wassailfest and lighting nights. From Comal Inn, you can leave the car and walk.
Event dates are for 2026 and come from each organizer. Times and prices can change, so check the event link before you go.
Pick Your Holiday Home Base
Couples usually pick a studio cottage with a king bed and a private patio. Families often choose the New Braunfels Cottage, with a private king bedroom, a second king bed and two full bathrooms. Compare all five units.
Check Holiday AvailabilityMore Local Guides
Holiday FAQs
Is Comal Inn open for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s?
Yes. Self check-in works on holidays like any other day, and we’re reachable by website chat, text at (844) 554-5271, phone at (830) 629-6060 or email.
Do your rates go up for the holidays?
Rates vary by date, but they never go above each unit’s posted range, holidays included. Minimum stays don’t change for the holidays either. One-night stays are available Sunday through Thursday, and Friday and Saturday nights have a 2-night minimum.
Can our whole family stay at Comal Inn together?
Yes. Book more than one unit and everyone stays on the same property, each in a private unit with its own entrance. The whole property sleeps up to 16.
When is the New Braunfels downtown Christmas lighting in 2026?
Friday, November 20, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Main Plaza, with Santa’s arrival and free photos. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Comal Inn.
When is Wassailfest 2026?
Thursday, December 3, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. in downtown New Braunfels around Main Plaza. It’s been free in past years and is about a 10-minute walk from Comal Inn.
What is the weather like in New Braunfels in December?
Mild. Average highs are in the mid 60s and lows in the mid 40s, but cold fronts can bring chilly nights, so pack layers.