Weinachten Lichter (Christmas Lights) Parade and Fireworks Display Continue to Draw Visitors to Comfort’s Annual Holiday Event
COMFORT, TEXAS…Christmas in Comfort, one of the area’s most popular holiday events, will draw visitors to the Texas Hill Country for holiday shopping and family fun on November 25, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Centered in the Comfort Historic District, the event is expanding down 8th Street, to offer visitors even more opportunities for shopping and entertainment.
Started with a handful of local residents manning a few booths, the event is in its 32nd year and offers more than 125 vendors and a full day of holiday activities from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sponsored by the Comfort Chamber of Commerce, the event captures the spirit of the holidays with small town ambiance as merchants attract shoppers with festive holiday decor and holiday lights throughout the historic district.
Traditionally, shoppers arrive at Christmas in Comfort early to begin visiting local stores and the many merchants at booths in the downtown area and on Highway 87. The Comfort Public Library joins the festivities with a gently-used book sale.
Kids can get their photo taken with Santa from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and his elves will be on hand to visit with them throughout the day and give out candy canes. Other family activities include a petting zoo and face painting.
Also at Christmas in Comfort, a food court offers tasty treats for busy shoppers from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a variety of live musical entertainment from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The highlight of Christmas in Comfort is the Weinachten Lichter (Christmas Lights) parade, now in its 27th year. The idea for the parade was initially conceived and implemented by Janis and Garry Schwab. It quickly became their passion and the parade grew from an initial eight to ten floats to more than 100 floats today. Janis and Garry worked with the chamber to expand the event into a night parade with beautifully lot floats. Beginning in 1998, the Schwabs constructed a special Santa Claus float, which each year is the final float in the parade. The parade is their passion and the Schwabs nurture it with tender loving care.
Visitors gather on High Street at 6 p.m. for the lighting of the Christmas tree. Then, the lighted night parade begins at 7 p.m. as more than 100 entries roll through the downtown area. The best parade seating is in the Historic District, and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Located just 30 minutes from San Antonio, Comfort provides the perfect setting for a small town Christmas. With a population of 2,500 and a rich history, Comfort brims with character and charm. The star of the German-pioneered Texas Hill Country, Comfort has nearly 100 pre-1910 buildings within walking distance of the town center and a large part of Comfort has been designated a National Historic District. Amid this historic setting, Comfort offers great shopping, antiques, wineries, restaurants, and unique bed and breakfasts and other types of lodging.
There is no admission fee for Christmas in Comfort. Because of the popularity of the event and the growth in the number of people attending, event organizers ask the public to leave pets at home for their own comfort and safety. For more information, visit our Web site, www.comfortchamber.com, or visit us on Facebook at The Comfort Chamber of Commerce, or phone 830-995-3131.