New Years Eve Events

New Year's Eve Dance at Turner Hall - 103 W. Travis - 8:30 to 12:30 -music by Bubba Littrell and the Melody Mustangs. Tickets are only on sale in advance at Turner Hall on Wednesday evenings or by calling 830/997-2204 or 830/997-3936 and are $15 per person.

Luckenbach New Year's Eve Dance - Ring in the New Year at the world famous Luckenbach Dance Hall with music by Mike Blakely
and the Whiskey Traders. Please call 830/997-3224 or 888/311-8990 for more information

For the first time ever Riven Rock Ranch in Comfort is having a New Year's Eve celebration with an exceptional gourmet dinner along with live music by The Grateful Geezers. The party will have a New Year's morning complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Cost is $95 per person, plus tax and gratuity and includes dinner and dancing. Reservations are required. Call (830) 995-4045 for more information.

Stonewall New Year's Eve Dance - Dance into the New Year in Stonewall. Please call (830) 644-2735 more information.

Celebrate New Year's Eve with music by the Raggedy Cats at Tin Star Ranch. Doors open at 6 pm, with music from nine to midnight. Cost is $20 for singles or $35 for couples, food not included. Please call (830) 685-3464 for reservations.

For 29 years Hill Top Cafe's New Year's celebration has been memorable to say the least. This year will be no exception. Four courses of the Hill Top culinary heaven and the Texas All-Stars as entertainment. Please call (830) 997-8922 for reservations and seating times.

Celebrate New Year's Eve at the Hanger Hotel Officer's Club. The Bill Smallwood Band will entertain, with appetizers and a champagne toast at midnight. Call (830) 997-9990 for more information.

Ring in the New Year at Pedernales Cellars. Live music begins at 6:00pm. Admission to the party, tours, live music and parking are free. Wine will be for sale by the bottle, case or glass. Cheeses, crackers, chocolates and other gourmet foods will also be available for purchase. Call (830) 644-2037for more information.

Goodbye 2009, hello 2010. Come celebrate New Year's Eve with Crossroads Saloon and Steakhouse, featuring Jay Boy Adams
& the Roadhouse Scholars, as well as dancing, hors d' oeuvres and champagne at midnight. A limited number of tickets will be sold, so do not hesitate to call (830) 997-0485 for reservations.

Auslander Biergarten & Restaurant – 323 E. Main St., Fredericksburg; no cover; 8:00 p.m.; music by The Mighty Orq. Call (830) 997-7714 for details.

Hondo’s on Main – 312 W. Main St., Fredericksburg; no cover; 8:00 p.m.; music by the The Dust Devils. Call (830) 997-1633 for more information.

Inn on Barons Creek – 308 S. Washington St., Fredericksburg; $100 per person; fund-raiser for the Morning Rotary Club; music by the Spare Parts band; enjoy good food, champagne, dancing. 830-456-2735

Pedernales Cellars—2916 Upper Albert Rd off Hwy 290 E, Stonewall; no cover; music by Lonnie Lett; food and wine available for purchase. Call 830-644-2037 for more information.

Silver Creek Beer Garden & Grille —310 E. Main St, Fredericksburg; no cover; music by Josh Dodds and Quincy Harper. Call (830) 990-4949 for more information.

Christmas Miniature Show - 12/1-12/31

Over 100 artists from around the country will display their artwork of exceptional quality at Whistle Pik Gallery. An artists reception will be held on Saturday, December 6 from 6-8 pm, so stop by to meet the artists whose work is in the show. Free and open during regular gallery hours Monday - Saturday 10:00AM - 5:30PM. Please call Whistle Pik Gallery at 830/990-8151 for more information.

Auslander's Winterfest 2009 - Dec 26-30

Enjoy five nights of great music when the Auslander Biergarten and Restaurant, 323 East Main Street, kicks off its Winterfest 2009 Saturday, December 26 through Wednesday, December 30, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are general admission for $10 and $15 and reserved seating is also available. For information, call 830-997-7714.

Annual Rockbox Theater Break

Rockbox Theater performers and staff will take their annual break from December 28 and reopen on Friday, January 15.

Lady Bird Johnson Headstone in Place

Russ Whitlock, superintendent for the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, has announced that Mrs. Johnson’s headstone was unveiled during a small ceremony this past weekend at the Johnson Cemetery and is now available for viewing.

Santa Paws is Coming to Town

Have your pet's picture taken with Santa at Trudy Brune Hill Country SPCA, 2981 Highway 16 South, on Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm. Two-legged family members are welcome also. $10 donation gladly accepted. Please call 830/990-9085 for more information.

Texas Gun and Blade Show - Dec 19-20

Five dollars will get you into the Texas Gun and Knife show at Fredericksburg, Texas. Trade show of guns, knives, ammo, holsters, books, and jewelry. Buy, sell, or trade. The Gillespie County Fair Grounds is at 53 Fair Drive, just off Highway 16 South. Call (830) 377-5865 for more information.

Wine Til Nine at Pedernales Cellars - 12/19

Come watch the sun set and the stars come out at Pedernales Cellars, East of Fredericksburg on Highway 290 at 2916 Upper Albert Road, Saturday from 6-9pm. Relax in the overstuffed chairs overlooking the beautiful Hill Country, experiencing the end of the day and sipping their wonderful Estate wines. Bring someone special and enjoy the view and wine til nine. Music by Derek Spence. A great glass of wine and a chance to spend time with someone special. Come and choose from any of their wines, including the Texas Tawny Port. What’s an evening without a glass of port with flavors of black cherry and chocolate to end the day? Entrance & parking are free. Wine tasting is $6 for 5 wines (waived with any bottle purchased. Wine is for sale by the bottle or by the glass. Live entertainment is complimentary. Please call 830/644-2037 for more information.

Christmas Tamales with Fbg Culinary Arts - 12/19

Learn how to make traditional tamales along with a dessert version by attending the Fredericksburg Culinary Arts cooking class Saturday from 3 – 5. at Fischer & Wieser’s Das Peach Haus at 1406 S. Hwy 87 in Fredericksburg. Cost for the class is $49. For information, call 830-997-8396 for more details.

Open House for Health, Hope & Healing Cancer Resource Center - 12/15

Live Christmas music from a hammered dulcimer and a display of dollhouse miniatures will top "Music and Miniatures" open house at the Hill Country Memorial Health, Hope & Healing Cancer Resource Center (CRC), Tuesday from 11 am to 2 pm at 808 Rueben Street. The public is invited to have Christmas cookies and hear guest musician Carole Harrington who has mastered the technique of playing music on the hammered dulcimer, a trapezoidal-shaped instrument that has its origins documented in the 7th Century B.C. Dollhouse miniatures to be exhibited at the open house are from the collections of JoAnne Spencer and CRC Coordinator Donna Lafferty. Also on display will be a tabletop antique German nativity scene. For more information, call (830) 990-6648.

Golden Hub Holiday Open House - 12/12

People of all ages are invited to a Holiday Open House at the Golden Hub Community Center at 1009 North Lincoln on Saturday between 2-4 pm. Refreshments, including homemade holiday baked goods and light appetizers will be served. Punch, coffee, and wine will be offered. Visitors will receive a holiday gift and may also register to win a door prize gift basket from Rustlin’ Robs. The Hub is currently holding its annual fundraiser, “Sponsor a Senior”. Area residents, businesses, and civic organization are encouraged to sponsor a senior through donations ranging from $5 (feeds a senior one day) to $1000 (feeds a senior for one year) with various levels in-between. The Golden Hub is a non-profit organization that serves Gillespie County Seniors. All donations are tax-deductible. The Center is open Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Tana Wheeler Benefit at Becker Vineyards -12/11

Tana is a single mother of two children and a teacher in Johnson City and has been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Becker Vineyards is hosting an evening of wine, food, live music and a silent auction Friday, December 11 from 7:00 – 10:00pm. Entrance fee is by donation. Please call 644-2681 for more information.

St. Joseph's Halle Craft Sale - 12/12

Local arts and crafts show held annually at St. Joseph's Halle, 212 West San Antonio Street, in Fredericksburg, Texas. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm.

Book signing at Berkman Books - 12/11

Llano author Laurie Wagner Buyer will read from and sign copies of her newest release, Infinite Possibilities: A Haiku Journal on Thursday, December 10 at Berkman Books at 416 E. Main St. in Fredericksburg. In addition, Buyer will have a general workshop for poets interested in developing their skills and in finding a publisher. For information, call 830-997-1535.

Holiday Wine Trail

Visit Texas Winery Trail wineries dressed for the season and filled with wines for gifts, parties and special dinners. With your registration confirmed and ticket in hand, you will collect a dated ornament, specially chosen and often handcrafted, at each Trail Winery. Add each one to the grapevine wreath you will receive with the ticket purchased and you will have fond memories for years to come. Call (866) 621-9463 for more information.

Preservation Weekend - 12/11-12

The moment has finally arrived when nine local homeowners open their doors to their exclusive homes for public viewing during the Fredericksburg Holiday Home Tour, this Saturday, Dec 12, from noon until 6 p.m. Sponsored by the Gillespie County Historical Society, this year’s tour offers nine never-before-viewed properties decorated for the season.

Tickets for the tours are available right up to the day of the event. Home Tour tickets are $25 per person. The Candlelight Tour is $15 per person.

Tickets may be purchased:

Online - www.pioneermuseum.net

By phone - 830-997-2835

By mail - GCHS, 312 West San Antonio Street, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

By email - info@pioneermuseum.net

In person - Pioneer Museum, Vereins Kirche, Historical Society office, Gastehaus Schmidt, Journey Lane Scrapbooking, Crenwelge Motors (Kerrville)

Unique architectural elements include converted fachwerk buildings, restored barns and cabins, 19th century limestone houses, wraparound porches, and many antiques and one-of-a-kind decor items.

This year also marks the return of the Candlelight Tour, to be held on Saturday, Dec 12, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Candlelight Tour opens all buildings on the grounds of the Pioneer Museum, plus three historic homes.

They are the Krieger-Geyer Home, built for the original German colonists, and an example of the fachwerk type of construction; the Tatsch Home, with a 13-foot wide fireplace, walls two feet thick, and original beams; and the Schandua House, the only remaining pioneer home in Fredericksburg with no electricity or plumbing. Carolers will sing at the Pioneer Museum while volunteers serve hot cider and traditional German cookies.

The public can still buy tickets to win one of three unique $2500 prizes offered by the Gillespie County Historical Society: a new motor scooter from Scootique, VISA ift card, or a custom painted gun. The winner’s name will be drawn the night of the Tannenbaum Ball.

Preservation Weekend is the largest fundraiser or the Gillespie County Historical Society, whose mission is to preserve and tell the story of Fredericksburg’s unique cultural heritage.

Christmas at the Theatre - 12/11-12

The family holiday tradition continues as the Fredericksburg Theater Company presents Christmas at the Theater – a festive variety program with all the warmth of the Christmas message and some magic thrown in for the children. Show times at the Steve W. Shepherd Theater at 1668 Hwy 87 S. are Thursday, December 10 through Saturday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 13 at 2:00 p.m. For ticket pricing, call 830-997-3588 or 888-669-7114.

Artisans 5th Annual Holiday Celebration of Art - 12/11

Closing out 2009 and thanking the Fredericksburg community, along with our traveling visitors, Artisans at Rocky Hill, 234 W. Main Street, hosts its 5th Annual Celebration of Art and Holiday Open House on Friday, December 11th from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Anne and Barry Bradley, along with our artists, invite everyone to Artisans for a wonderful evening of art, food, libation and friendship. Most resident artists will be in attendance and anxious to meet and thank the many collectors who have supported their work and the gallery over the years.

Grand Opening of George H. W. Bush Gallery - 12/7

Grand Opening of the George H.W. Bush Gallery at The National Museum of the Pacific War -- Fredericksburg, Texas

President George H.W. Bush, Governor Rick Perry, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, and General James T. Conway, USMC, Marine Corps Commandant, will be honored guests at the grand opening on Monday, December 7 (Pearl Harbor Day) of the expanded George H.W. Bush Gallery of the National Museum of the Pacific War, located at 311 East Austin Street in Fredericksburg, Texas. Events begin at 9:30 a.m. with a precision parachute jump by the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army Parachute Team; immediately followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony. The conclusion of the ceremony will be marked by a flyover of World War II aircraft and with a performance of the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.

From noon to 9:00 p.m. the public will be invited to take free timed tours of the new $15.3 million, 33,000-square-foot gallery. For a complete schedule of weekend activities in Fredericksburg relating to the grand opening of the gallery or to request times tour tickets for December 7, visit www.nationalmuseumpacificwar.org.

The National Museum of the Pacific War is a project of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and the Texas Historical Commission.

St. Nikolaus Markt - 12/4-5

St. Nikolaus Markt– A fun-filled festival highlighting this city’s German heritage with plenty of Gemütlichkeit, German treats, music, and beer! At St. Nikolaus Markt, over 40 booths will provide visitors with the opportunity to shop early, with wares ranging from Christmas ornaments, nutcrackers, mugs, clothing and accessories, to traditional German clothing, German jellies and jams; candles and jewelry. Traditional German foods will be served, including sausage, schnitzel, warm pumpernickel rolls, sauerkraut, stuffed meat puffs, and more. Sweet lovers will marvel at the variety of cakes, cookies and candies. And don’t forget the beer! Along with soft drinks and local wines – including the warm, spiced Glühwein – the festival will serve a variety of German beers, further emphasizing the German theme of this event. Entertainment on Saturday night will headline the popular band, the Sauerkrauts, on stage from 6:00 - 9:00pm. Throughout the day on Saturday, visitors will enjoy the sounds of traditional German accordionist as well as Fredericksburg High School carolers. And a mention of Christmas cannot go without the mention of children. Dancers from the Fredericksburg Youth Ballet Ensemble will perform the holiday classic, the Nutcracker Suite, at 8:00pm immediately following the Fredericksburg Community Parade on Friday, which begins at 6:30pm. Gates to the St. Nikolaus Markt open on Friday at 4:00pm and remain open to welcome visitors until 10:00pm. On Saturday, gates are open from 10:00am - 9:00pm. There’s no admission charge on Friday, while tickets on Saturday are $5 for adults and free for children age 12 and younger. Adult admission is one dollar off on Saturday for individuals with active military ID and seniors age 65 an older.

Holy Ghost Lutheran Church Nativity - 12/4-6

Enjoy this display of over 200 individually owned creches from various cultures and countries, at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, 109 E. San Antonio Street. Hours are Friday 6:00 - 9:00pm, Saturday 5:00 - 8:00pm and Sunday 9:00am - 1:00pm.

Holiday Cookies Around the World Cooking Class - 12/5

"Holiday Cookies Around the World” will be the theme of the Fredericksburg Culinary Arts’ upcoming cooking class to be held on Saturday, December 5 at Fischer & Wieser’s Das Peach Haus at 1406 S. Hwy 87. The class costs $49 and runs from 3–5 p.m. For more information, call 830-997-8396.

Christmas Parade Entry deadline

The Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce would like to invite everyone to participate in the 2009 Night Parade on Friday, December 4 at 6:30pm. Entry forms and rules are available for pick-up at the Visitor Information Center, located at 302 E. Austin Street. Light up your entry and enjoy the Christmas spirit. Deadline for registering is December 2nd at 5pm.