TPWD Calendar
Use the links in the left column to find events by activity, region, site and date. Links are also listed for canceled events and restricted access to sites, as well as special calendars for landowners, state parks and wildlife management areas.
Featured Events
This is a select group of events that feature the best of the new or out-of-the-ordinary events. For all other events, use the links on the left.
November 23, 2007 — Goose Island SP — Karankawa Thanksgiving — In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims of Plymouth Massachusetts were celebrating their new harvest with their Native American friends. What was going on down on the Texas Gulf Coast? Come learn about the native people of the Gulf Coastal Bend and their way of life as we explore the Karankawa Indians. 7 p.m. (361) 729-2858. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Goose Island SP] [Featured Events]
November 24, 2007 — Fanthorp Inn SHS — Twilight-Firelight — Visit the 1850s stagecoach inn bedecked with lanterns, luminaries and decorations. The inn comes to life with dulcimer music, the dulcet tones of Latrelle Lindon, cowboy poetry, living history and period characters! Ride the stagecoach and wagon from the historic Grimes County Courthouse to the inn. Enjoy holiday fare and start the holidays off right. 4:30-7:30 p.m.; fees $6 adults, $4 children 12 and under (936) 873-2633. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Fanthorp Inn SHS] [Featured Events]
November 24, 2007 — Lyndon B. Johnson SP&HS — Holiday Cookie Decorating and German Traditions — Have fun decorating cookies as it was done for a German Christmas tree in the 1900s at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm. Enjoy hearing the legend of St. Nicholas and experience other German holiday activities and traditions such as wreath and candle making on the farm. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (830) 644-2252. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Lyndon B. Johnson SP&HS] [Featured Events]
December 1, 2007 — Brazos Bend SP — Simple Christmas — Escape the hustle and bustle of the season. Enjoy an afternoon and evening of the simple life: making s'mores, Dutch oven cooking, pi atas, hayrides plus a visit from a "Southern Santa." Bring a picnic supper to enjoy while you listen to the sounds of The Brazos River Pickers, an old-time, bluegrass band at the outdoor amphitheater. Refreshments available. 3-7 p.m. (979) 553-5101. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Brazos Bend SP] [Featured Events]
December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 2007 — Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery SHS — Trail of Lights — Enjoy a fantastic quarter-mile trail illuminated with thousands of lights that decorate the Monument Hill and Kreische House portions of our park. Walk a trail overlooking the town of La Grange. Experience the more traditionally decorated 1850s-era German home of H.L. Kreische, bedecked in Christmas splendor, in a Texas-German style. Bring your children to tell secrets to Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and enjoy the genuine seasonal hospitality of the Friends of Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery, who sponsor the event. Get into the Season's spirit with us! 6-8 p.m.; fees $3 adults, $1 children 3-12; reservations required (979) 968-5658. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery SHS] [Featured Events]
December 2007 — McKinney Falls SP — Park Programs — Enjoy all your favorite outdoor activities and learn about new ones. Every weekend, we will have programs on fishing, archery, orienteering and bicycling. Find out more about the great outdoors during nature hikes, field experiments and evening programs. You can also explore Texas' past through historical tours about Thomas F. McKinney, one of Stephen F. Austin's original 300 colonists. Contact the park for specific programs and times. (512) 243-1643. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About McKinney Falls SP] [Featured Events]
December 2007 — Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery SHS — Early German Christmas — Get into the season's spirit with us! Walk along the fantastic quarter-mile trail overlooking the town of La Grange and be delighted by the thousands of lights that illuminate it. Experience the more traditionally decorated 1850s-era German home of H.L. Kreische, bedecked in Christmas splendor, in a Texas-German style. Enjoy the genuine seasonal hospitality of the Friends of Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery, who sponsor the event. Entertainment and refreshments provided. Call for times, dates and more information; fee $12 adults; available by reservation only to groups of 30 or more (979) 968-5658. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery SHS] [Featured Events]
December 8, 2007 — Barrington Living History Farm-Washington-on-the-Brazos SHS — Candlelight Christmas — Come share a traditional Christmas with the Jones family at their annual gathering of friends and neighbors. Enjoy a festive atmosphere with a sampling of 1850s crafts, games, music and dancing. Wassail and cookies will be served. 1-8 p.m.; fees: $2 Texas State Parks Pass members, $6 non-members, $4 students, free for children 6 and under. (936) 878-2213. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [Featured Events]
December 8, 2007 — Stephen F. Austin SP — Christmas Caroling Hayride — Enjoy caroling through the park on a hayride, then share cookies and hot chocolate afterwards. 6-8 p.m.; admission is one canned good per person (979) 885-3613. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Stephen F. Austin SP] [Featured Events]
December 8, 2007 — Stephen F. Austin SP — Pancake Breakfast with Santa — Join Santa for a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee and let him know all your dreams for this Christmas. 8-10 a.m.; fee $4 per person (979) 885-3613. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Stephen F. Austin SP] [Featured Events]
December 15, 2007 — Martin Dies, Jr. SP — Holiday Celebration — Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of activities and music. At 2 p.m. we will hold our Annual Gingerbread House Design and Construction Marathon,with the Friends of Martin Dies, Jr. State Park supplying all supplies to create truly unique creations. At 4 p.m. we will have a festive sing-along live-band concert of seasonal songs and hymns. All activities held in the Dining Hall. 2-5 p.m.; call for more information (409) 384-5231. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Martin Dies, Jr. SP] [Featured Events]
December 15, 2007 — Sheldon Lake SP — Holidays with Nature — Celebrate the holidays the wild(life) way! Join us in creating wildlife tree ornaments that can be taken home or put in a tree at park. Along with hot cocoa and apple cider, children can enjoy coloring and writing letters to Santa to receive a post card from Ole Saint Nick himself! 1-4 p.m. (281) 456-2800. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Sheldon Lake SP] [Featured Events]
December 15–January 1, 2007/2008 — Canceled — Big Spring SP — Poinsettias in the Park — Visit the park and see three large metal poinsettias (each one 20 feet wide and 8 feet tall) wrapped in Christmas lights. These lights will be placed on the edge of the 200-foot bluff at the northern limit of the Edwards Plateau in the park. This is in conjunction with the Festival of Lights at the neighboring Comanche Trail Park with more than 900,000 Christmas lights. Dark-10 p.m. (432) 263-4931. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Big Spring SP] [Featured Events]
December 16, 2007 — Lyndon B. Johnson SP&HS — 38th Annual Tree Lighting — Come join the Texas Hill Country community in this special tradition started 38 years ago by President and Mrs. Johnson. Enjoy carolers, a live nativity, Santa Claus, refreshments and of course, the spectacular tree lighting. Then step back in time to the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm for cookies amid glowing lanterns and a traditional candlelit German Christmas tree. LBJ Park Bookstore and Gift Shop will be open and many other things to help you get into the holiday spirit. 6 p.m. (830) 644-2252. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Lyndon B. Johnson SP&HS] [Featured Events]
December 17, 2007 — Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center — Christmas on the Border — Join our staff and volunteers in celebrating the holiday season in West Texas border fashion. Local community performers will provide the entertainment. Refreshments and treats will be served and Santa Claus will visit with the children. 6:30-9 p.m. (432) 424-3327. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center] [Featured Events]
December 22, 2007 — Battleship Texas SHS — Santa Swingin 40s Christmas — Visit the Battleship Texas and enjoy the spirit of the holidays. Write and mail letters to Santa, see dancing to swing music performed live onboard, enjoy hot wassail, meet and have your picture taken with Santa and much, much more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; fees free for Texas State Parks Pass members, $10 non-members, $5 senior citizens, free for children 12 and under (281) 479-2431. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Battleship Texas SHS] [Featured Events]
December 22, 2007 — Goose Island SP — Campfire Program — Join us at the island picnic area for an evening of food and fun as we get ready for Christmas with an old-fashioned campfire gathering. Bring your s'mores fixin's and enjoy hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows as we share our favorite Goose Island holiday stories. 7-8 p.m. (361) 729-2858. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Goose Island SP] [Featured Events]
December 29, 2007 — Landmark Inn SHS — Holiday Dinner — A special candle-lit dinner served in a festive holiday atmosphere, catered by one of Castroville's gourmet dining establishments. Seating is limited to 40 for this fundraising event, proceeds benefiting Friends of the Landmark Inn. 6:30-8:30 p.m.; fee $25 per person; reservations required, deadline December 22, 2007 (830) 931-2133. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Landmark Inn SHS] [Featured Events]
January 2008 — McKinney Falls SP — Park Programs — Enjoy all your favorite outdoor activities and learn about new ones. Every weekend, we will have programs on fishing, archery, orienteering and bicycling. Find out more about the great outdoors during nature hikes, field experiments and evening programs. You can also explore Texas' past through historical tours about Thomas F. McKinney, one of Stephen F. Austin's original 300 colonists. Contact the park for specific programs and times. (512) 243-1643. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About McKinney Falls SP] [Featured Events]
January 2, 2008 — World Birding Center - Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley SP — Anzalduas/Bentsen Christmas Bird Count — Join Bentsen staff and volunteers as they participate in the 107th year of this nationwide tradition, tallying as many birds as possible with a 15-mile-diameter circle that includes the park. Participants, working in teams, may opt for a few hours' counting, an all-day marathon or anything in between. A potluck dinner and "countdown" wraps up the action. 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; fee $5 per participant helps the National Audubon Society analyze the results; reservations required (956) 584-9156. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About World Birding Center - Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley SP] [Featured Events]
January 19, 2008 — M.O. Neasloney WMA — Prescribed Burn Workshop — This workshop is designed to give landowners and managers a basic understanding of the use and application of prescribed fire in a wildlife and/or grazing management program. Topics will include: historical perspectives on fire, the role of fire in vegetation management, fire weather and safety, planning the burn, fire line preparation, suppression equipment and smoke management. Participants will conduct a burn if conditions permit. Those attending the field day will need to bring their own lunch and drinks and will also need to bring leather gloves, leather boots and cotton outerwear. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; reservations required, deadline January 16, 2008 (830) 424-3407. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About M.O. Neasloney WMA] [Featured Events] [More About WMAs]
January 26, 2008 — Eisenhower SP — Texoma Tie In — Join the fly fishing and fly tying craze and learn from the experts! Geared toward families and anyone who has ever wanted to tie and fish their own flies. Fly tying equipment available or bring your own. Held inside the heated recreation hall. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (903) 465-1956. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Eisenhower SP] [Featured Events]
January 26, 2008 — Lockhart SP — Introduction to Wildlife Management Property Tax Valuation — Landowners with current agricultural valuation on their property are invited to learn about converting to wildlife management. Landowners will receive information about the process and the requirements. 6-8 p.m. (512) 398-3479. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Lockhart SP] [Featured Events]
February 2008 — McKinney Falls SP — Park Programs — Enjoy all your favorite outdoor activities and learn about new ones. Every weekend, we will have programs on fishing, archery, orienteering and bicycling. Find out more about the great outdoors during nature hikes, field experiments and evening programs. You can also explore Texas' past through historical tours about Thomas F. McKinney, one of Stephen F. Austin's original 300 colonists. Contact the park for specific programs and times. (512) 243-1643. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About McKinney Falls SP] [Featured Events]
February 2, 2008 — Lockhart SP — Landscaping for Wildlife — Attend this hands-on workshop and learn about the use of native, drought-tolerant plants for your gardens and their benefits to wildlife. Participants will receive some native wildflower seeds and information on "Wildscape" Certification. 1-3 p.m. (512) 398-3479. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Lockhart SP] [Featured Events]
February 9, 2008 — Lake Texana SP — Valentine Crafts — Come to the Nature Center to make a unique, nature-inspired valentine to give to someone special. 2-3 p.m. (361) 782-5718. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Lake Texana SP] [Featured Events]
February 9, 2008 — Seminole Canyon SP&HS — Seminole Canyon Archeolympics — Test your ancient hunting and survival skills at this first-ever event. Individual contestants and teams will compete throwing atlatl darts, rabbit sticks and race to be the fastest to start a friction fire using a hand drill. 1-4 p.m.; e-mail jack.johnson@tpwd.state.tx.us for more information, competition rules and registration. (432) 292-4464. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About Seminole Canyon SP&HS] [Featured Events]
February 15–18, 2008 — World Birding Center - Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley SP — Great Backyard Bird Count — Join Bentsen staff and volunteers as they participate in this nationwide four-day exercise in citizen science. Accompany the official park bird walk, or go your own way; count birds in the park and turn your results over to the staff, or pick up forms to bring home and count birds in your own backyard, entering the results via the Internet into an on-line database. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (956) 584-9156. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [Similar Activities] [More About World Birding Center - Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley SP] [Featured Events]
Updated 2007-11-19 05:00:41
This calendar lists items sponsored by TPWD or in which TPWD is a participant.
Symbols and Abbreviations
= Featured Event
- SP = State Park
- SHS = State Historic Site
- SP&HS = State Park and Historic Site
- SFH = State Fish Hatchery
- SNA = State Natural Area
- WMA = Wildlife Management Area
Calendars on Other Sites