Winterfest kicks off tonight at 5:30 p.m. with "Home Alone" being shown on the downtown square

Winterfest celebrations begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, with an outdoor showing of “Home Alone” in the downtown square.

Festivities continue Saturday, Dec. 5 the Gonzales Noon Lions Club Chili, Bean, Stew and Bloody Marys Cook-off starts check-in from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Turn in times will be: 12:30 p.m. for Bloody Marys, 1 p.m. for beans, 1:30 p.m. for chili and 2 p.m. for stew.

The Rotary Club's Breakfast with Santa drive thru pancake breakfast has been cancelled.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Gonzales Historical Commission will be offering an architecture tour of the 1885 Gonzales County Jail, 1888 J.R. Randle Building, 1896 Gonzales County Courthouse, 1897 Randle-Rather Building, and 1937 Gonzales Memorial Museum. The tour package for all five locations can be purchased for $35 at the Jail Museum, while tours for individual buildings will be $10 at the door.

Several local businesses will be participating in Santa’s Local Market from 10 a.m. to close.

Local food trucks will be there, such as Baker Boys, Reyna’s, Texpresso, Pink Food Truck, La Bella Tavola and Sweets on the Streets. Arts and Craft vendors such as Purple Cactus Potteri will be offering come and go ornament painting, a cookie decorating contest, Jump-n-Fun Games, a photo booth, face painting and more.

A live music performance will be given by Ty Dillon from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Carriage rides will also be given by the Buggy Barn Museum from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Studio E will be having the first of its Christmas performances from 5:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the downtown square.

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Pioneer Village Living History Center will offer its annual “Stars in the Village” programming, with campfire popcorn, cookies, Wassail, hot chocolate, candle and ornament making, as well as a visit with Santa. Admission is $5 for ages 5-12, and $8 for adults.

The Lighted Christmas Parade will pass through downtown historic Gonzales from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by a Tree Lighting ceremony. The next Miss Gonzales County and Royal Court will also be announced at this time.

From 8 p.m. until close, there will be an opportunity for families to have pictures taken with Santa.

Given that there are still active cases of coronavirus in Gonzales County, Gonzales Main Street encourages continued extended cleanliness measures such as hand washing, staying home when sick, social distancing.

Thank you both.