Christmas in Historic Montgomery is a festive and memorable holiday event for the whole family! Each year in December, The Montgomery Historical Society hosts Christmas in Historic Montgomery to showcase the magnificent history and heritage of this wonderful town.
The day begins with the Christmas Parade in the morning. In 2023, the city focused on the “Twelve Days of Christmas”. Citizens made colorful floats, marching bands played jubilant music, and many local people, groups, and students participated.
The Montgomery Historical Society hosts the holiday marketplace, annual cookie walk, and candlelight tour throughout the day.
The holiday marketplace features 70 venders who display unique and commemorative arts and crafts. It is a great place to do some holiday shopping and find one-of-a-kind gifts!
The Monarch chapter of the National Charity League hosts the Annual Cookie Walk. Mothers and daughters bake delicious homemade and ornamentally-decorated cookies for months to prepare for this special day. The Cookie Walk is held in the community center. Local residents and visitors wait in a long line in anticipation to get to be among the first to enter this festive cookie wonderland!
While patrons wait for the long-anticipated Cookie Walk to open, they are serenaded by Montgomery’s top talent, The Madrigals. The Madrigals are students who beautifully sing classic Christmas songs, carols and other holiday music. Their beautiful voices fill the air and waft across the entire event throughout the morning and early afternoon.
Visitors can enjoy hearty Texan-Southern fare at The Old Montgomery Steakhouse. Portions are generous and the food is very flavorful. They have culinary options for all kinds of palates. We enjoyed chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and green beans, a delicious Cobb salad, Texas-sized onion rings, and having a glimpse into the watering hole of the community as we dined.
During the day, we learned about the intriguing and impactful history of Montgomery from Dr. Robin Montgomery, one of the area’s leading scholars and a humble yet prominent connection to the rich legacy of the Montgomery family through the years. Ms. Montgomery is very devoted to history as well. They both have a twinkle in their eye. Dr. Montgomery hosted guests that evening at the day’s crowning event, the Historic Homes Candlelight Tour.
Residents open their historic homes which feature layers and layers of fascinating history. Locals volunteer and help history come alive by wearing historic attire and sharing captivating stories about the enduring history of Montgomery, Texas, the birthplace of the Texas flag!
The Magnolia House has a very rich history. Sam Houston stayed there often when he was in town. The current owner has preserved the integrity of the house as well as many of its substantial furnishings – which were shopped from New York to Galveston in the 1800s and then carried by wagon to Montgomery, Texas. Yes, the owner, Mr. Willis, purchased an entire household of furniture in New York and had it shipped.
He was a mercantile trader. He played an instrumental role by establishing Montgomery as a trading post. Montgomery is also the birthplace of the Texas Flag.
December 2023 marked the 46th year of the Candelight Tour and the 33rd year of the Cookie Walk.
We especially enjoyed visiting Montgomery, Texas because life here reminded us of a nostalgic era of times gone by when people took time to stop and talk to one another, enjoy their community, friends, and work with more depth while at the same time having a more relaxed pace, less stress, but still leading a highly successful and productive life. In short, we really enjoyed the pace of life and the candor of the people of Montgomery. And if you are looking to buy gifts for loved ones this holiday season, Montgomery has antique stores, clothing stores, and giftware in addition to great people!
We highly recommend a visit to Montgomery, Texas during the Historic Christmas in Montgomery or any time throughout the year, really. We are thankful for the volunteers and many others who make this day a day to remember!
Montgomery, Texas is only a 1-hour drive from Houston, Texas and makes a great day trip or staycation!
Rating: 5 Stars! Best of the best!
Find out more at https://www.mhs-tx.org.