Round Top Christmas Parade 2026
The first Saturday in December, Round Top's town square turns into a small-town holiday scene — beef stew and hot chocolate, Santa at the gazebo, live music, and a Lighted Christmas Parade winding through town after dark. It's hosted by the Round Top Area Chamber of Commerce, the same folks behind Wine + Whiskey Weekend.
Date
Saturday, Dec 5
Parade time
6:15–7:30 PM
Day starts
10:00 AM shopping
Admission
Free to watch
A Full Day Before the Parade
The parade is the finale, not the whole event. Round Top's shops open early for holiday shopping, a historical homes tour runs most of the afternoon, and by 3 PM the town square has turned into Old Time Christmas on the Square — beef stew, hot chocolate, cookies, a book walk for kids, and Santa parked at the gazebo for photos.
Live entertainment picks up mid-afternoon — the Guitar Men, the Round Top-Carmine High School Band, and a Christmas Brass Band all play between 3:45 and 5:15 PM. Then, once it's dark, the Lighted Christmas Parade steps off at 6:15 PM and winds through town for about an hour.
Parade Route Map
Floats and parade participants check in near the Round Top Inn, at S. White St. and Bauer Rummel. From there the parade heads to S./N. Washington St. (TX-237) and travels the length of it through the heart of town, then loops around the town square block via Mill St. before finishing back at the square — right where the Old Time Christmas festivities are already going.
Route as published by the Round Top Area Chamber of Commerce. Confirm current-year street closures with organizers if you're driving in.
Turn-by-Turn
- Check-in near the Round Top Inn, at S. White St. and Bauer Rummel.
- Onto S. Washington St. (TX-237), heading northeast through town.
- The full length of N. Washington St., passing the coffee shop and cafes along the way.
- Loops around the town square block via Mill St., past Royer's Round Top Cafe.
- Finish at the town square — Old Time Christmas on the Square, Santa at the gazebo.
Round Top Town Square · Round Top, TX 78954 · Parade finish, Santa, and Old Time Christmas festivities
What the Full Day Looks Like
Holiday shopping around town
Round Top's shops and boutiques open for the day, many staying open late for the parade crowd.
Historical homes tour
A guided tour through several of Round Top's historic homes. $25 per ticket — a nice, slower-paced activity to fill the afternoon before the square fills up.
Old Time Christmas on the Square begins
Beef stew, hot chocolate, and cookies at the square, plus a kids' book walk and Santa set up at the gazebo for photos.
Live entertainment
The Guitar Men, the Round Top-Carmine High School Band, and a Christmas Brass Band all take turns on the square.
Lighted Christmas Parade
Floats decorated in Christmas lights wind from the check-in near the Round Top Inn, up Washington St., and around the square to finish where the festivities are.
Entering a Float
Local businesses and organizations can register a float or sponsor the parade through the Round Top Area Chamber of Commerce. Contact them directly for current-year entry details, deadlines, and any fees.
Round Top Area Chamber of Commerce · 979.505.2223 · info@exploreroundtop.com
Practical Info
| Date | Saturday, December 5, 2026 |
| Parade time | 6:15–7:30 PM |
| Check-in / start | Near the Round Top Inn, S. White St. & Bauer Rummel |
| Finish | Round Top Town Square — Old Time Christmas on the Square |
| Admission | Free to watch the parade and Old Time Christmas on the Square. Historical homes tour is $25/ticket. |
| Parking | Limited — Round Top is a very small town, and part of Washington St. closes for the route. Arrive early and plan to walk to the square. |
| What to bring | It's an evening December parade in Texas — layers. A folding chair or blanket for the square, and cash for food stands. |
| Organizer | Round Top Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Contact | 979.505.2223 · info@exploreroundtop.com 203 N. Washington St., Round Top, TX 78954 |
| From Houston | 90 miles, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours via US-290 W to FM2714. |
| From Austin | 80 miles, approximately 1.5 hours via US-290 E to FM2714. |
Make a Weekend of It
An evening parade means an easy weekend trip — spend the day shopping and touring homes, catch the parade after dark, and stay over instead of driving back late. Round Top's lodging is limited for a town this size, so book ahead for the first Saturday in December.
Where to stay
B&Bs, historic inns, and farmhouse rentals within walking distance or a short drive of the square.
Browse lodging →Where to eat
Royer's, the coffee shops and cafes right along the parade route, and the rest of the corridor.
See dining guide →Year-round Round Top
Shops, galleries, and things to do outside of antique show season.
Explore year-round →Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Round Top Christmas Parade in 2026?
Saturday, December 5, 2026 — the first Saturday in December. The Lighted Christmas Parade itself runs 6:15–7:30 PM, capping off a full day of holiday events organized by the Round Top Area Chamber of Commerce.
What time does the parade start?
The parade steps off at 6:15 PM and runs until about 7:30 PM. It's a lighted evening parade, so floats are decorated with Christmas lights — arrive a little before 6:15 to find a spot.
What is the parade route?
Floats and participants check in near the Round Top Inn at S. White St. and Bauer Rummel, then the parade heads to and up S./N. Washington St. (TX-237) through the heart of town before looping around the town square via Mill St. and finishing at the square, where the Old Time Christmas festivities are already underway.
What else happens on Christmas Parade day?
The full day starts at 10 AM with holiday shopping around town. A historical homes tour runs 11 AM–5 PM ($25/ticket). Old Time Christmas on the Square kicks off at 3 PM with beef stew, hot chocolate, cookies, a book walk, and Santa at the gazebo. Live entertainment runs 3:45–5:15 PM before the parade at 6:15 PM.
Is the parade free to watch?
Yes. Watching the parade and the Old Time Christmas on the Square festivities is free. The historical homes tour is the one ticketed activity, at $25 per person.
Where's the best spot to watch?
The town square is the best all-around spot — you get the tail end of Old Time Christmas on the Square festivities, Santa at the gazebo, and the parade finishing right there. Anywhere along N./S. Washington St. (TX-237) through town also gets you a good view as the parade passes.
Can my business or organization enter a float?
Yes — float and sponsor registration is handled by the Round Top Area Chamber of Commerce. Contact them at (979) 505-2223 or info@exploreroundtop.com for current-year entry details.
Is there parking for the Christmas Parade?
Round Top is a very small town, so parking is limited, especially with the parade route closing part of Washington St. Arrive early, park where you can along side streets, and plan to walk to the square.
Who organizes the Round Top Christmas Parade?
The Round Top Area Chamber of Commerce organizes the parade and the full day of Christmas events, including the historical homes tour and Old Time Christmas on the Square.
How far is Round Top from Houston and Austin?
Round Top is about 90 miles from Houston (roughly 1.5–2 hours) and 80 miles from Austin (roughly 1.5 hours) — an easy day trip or short overnight for the parade.
Planning a Trip to Round Top?
Round Top Finder is the most complete guide to the antique show and the town — venues, vendors, dining, lodging, and the show schedule all in one place.