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Gilmer, East Texas celebrate Christmas

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As the dust settles on the wrapping paper and the last of the leftovers find their way into the fridge, Upshur County and the surrounding East Texas region can look back on a Christmas season that was as vibrant as it was traditional.

From the piney woods of Gilmer to the oil derricks of Kilgore, 2025 proved that small-town holiday spirit is alive and well. Here is a look back at how we celebrated.

A Season of Lights and Community

The festivities began long before December 25th, with a heavy emphasis on community gatherings that transformed the local landscape.

  • Gilmer’s Yulefest: The heart of Upshur County’s celebration was undoubtedly the annual Yulefest. The season officially kicked off with the Goudarzi & Young Christmas Tree Lighting at the Civic Center in late November. This was followed by the beloved Yulefest Parade in early December, where locals lined the streets for “Breakfast with Santa” and cheered on festive floats under the crisp night air.

  • Gladewater’s Musical Tribute: Just down the road, the “Antique Capital of East Texas” embraced the theme “The Sounds of Christmas.” The Gladewater Christmas Parade featured everything from classic cars to decorated bicycles, all set to the soundtrack of holiday carols. The community also paused for a somber and beautiful moment on December 13th for Wreaths Across America, laying donor-funded wreaths at local cemeteries to honor fallen service members.

  • A “Hawaiian” Christmas: While many dreamed of a white Christmas, East Texas weather had other plans. Forecasters predicted a “Hawaiian-style” Christmas for the region, with unseasonably warm temperatures that saw families swapping heavy coats for short sleeves during their backyard gatherings and patio dinners.

Regional Highlights

Beyond the county lines, East Texans traveled to take in some of the most spectacular displays in the state:

Event Location Highlight
Wonderland of Lights Marshall The 30th season featured over a million lights and the iconic outdoor ice rink.
A Very Derrick Christmas Kilgore The historic oil derricks were topped with stars, creating a skyline unique to East Texas.
Santa Land Tyler A massive 24-acre drive-thru park that allowed families to see animated displays from the warmth of their cars.
Christmas in the Park Daingerfield A 12th annual drive-thru event at the State Park that featured visits with Santa at the historic pavilion.

Generosity and New Traditions

True to the spirit of the season, 2025 was marked by significant acts of giving. The Gilmer VFW Post hosted a massive free toy giveaway on December 20th to ensure no child in the district went without a gift. Meanwhile, the SPCA of East Texas saw a surge in holiday adoptions, finding “forever homes” for pets like Rafiki, a flame-point Siamese mix who became a local social media star.

In terms of local infrastructure, East Texas received a “gift” that will last long after the decorations come down: Christus Health opened the region’s first pediatric ICU in Tyler on Christmas Day, a milestone for local families.

Looking Ahead

As we transition into 2026, the celebrations aren’t quite over. Many of the region’s light displays, including Santa Land and Piney Park, will remain open through the first week of January. Additionally, residents are already gearing up for New Year’s Eve, with the Rowdy Creek Ranch in Gilmer preparing for a massive fireworks show and celebration.

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