🎅 Jingle Jolly Festival + New Entertainment Hub in New Braunfels!

November 21, 2025

Happy Friday, New Braunfels! Did you get any of that rain last night? Our lawns are so happy!

The weekend is here, and this is a big one. We have the holiday season officially kicking off with the tree lighting and Santa’s arrival tonight, but there’s so much more happening all around town, too. Keep reading for all the details.

WE WANT YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS…

We’ve got a new idea… limited edition, custom Texan ice cube kits from The New Braunfels Life in partnership with our friends at Roks. We created a protype to see how it looked, and we gotta say, we love it! You just drop in the Texas-themed design inserts, fill the trays with water, freeze them, and the next thing you know you have custom Texas-style cocktail ice cubes like you see in the pictures above! Great for parties or just for adding some style to your favorite cocktail or drink of choice.

So what do you think? Are y’all interested? It would be just in time for Christmas! Let us know your thoughts, and if y’all approve, we’ll get to work!

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Get ready for snow, music, and holiday fun for the whole family!

The beloved Jingle Jolly Christmas Festival returns to the Comal County Fairgrounds on Saturday, November 22, from 12 pm to 6 pm, transforming New Braunfels into a winter wonderland. Families can enjoy snow flurries, live music from local choirs, and a towering Christmas tree perfect for holiday photos.

Explore the Elves’ Shopping Village with over 150 vendors, visit the Snow Zone, and take part in fun contests like the Ho-Ho-Ho Contest and Best Elf Contest. Don’t miss the Kid’s Craft Station, Pictures with Santa, and festive food and drinks available throughout the grounds. A Toy Donation Box is on-site, encouraging the spirit of giving this season.

Pickleball, padel, food, and community fun all under one roof.

We touched on it briefly earlier this week, but The Courthouse in Creekside is officially open at 350 Dragoon Xing, offering a 25,000-square-foot space designed for activity, connection, and entertainment. Inside, six indoor pickleball courts and four outdoor padel courts provide top-tier facilities for beginners and competitive players alike, along with clinics, lessons, leagues, and rentals.

Even if sports aren’t your thing, the venue’s chef-driven restaurant and bar are worth the visit, serving globally inspired dishes, craft cocktails, and over 16 draft beers in a family-friendly atmosphere. Guests can enjoy live music, trivia, family movie nights, yoga sessions, and plenty of events designed to bring the community together.

Whether you want to play, dine, or simply hang out with friends and family, The Courthouse is shaping up to be a central hub for New Braunfels residents of all ages.

SNEAK PEEK AT THIS WEEKEND👀

As we head into a busy weekend of travel, gatherings, and celebrations, a little planning goes a long way. Whether you’re hitting the road, hosting family, or checking out local holiday events, take an extra moment to stay alert, drive safely, and look out for one another.

This holiday safety reminder is brought to you by The Kyle Law Firm, trusted local advocates who’ve been helping Hill Country families through unexpected accidents and injuries for more than 25 years. If something does go wrong, they’re right here in New Braunfels when you need them.

FRIDAY
🔥 9th Annual BBQ Showdown at Traders Village
🎄 Weihnachtsmarkt at the New Braunfels Civic and Convention Center
🎵 Lunchtime Live with Tony Taylor at The Phoenix Saloon
🍹 Friday Afternoon Club at Gruene Hall
📸 Pictures with Krause Klaus at Krause’s Cafe
✨ Downtown Lighting & Santa’s Arrival at Main Plaza

SATURDAY
🛍️ River Road Market Days at Mountain Breeze Camp
🤠 Photos with Cowboy Kringle in Historic Gruene
📚 Family Storytime at New Braunfels Public Library
🎤 Kayla Jane at Gruene Hall
🎶 Michelle Kay at Krause’s Cafe
🎅 Jingle Jolly Christmas Festival 2025 at the Comal County Fairgrounds
🎄 Weihnachtsmarkt at the New Braunfels Civic and Convention Center

SUNDAY
🎸 Songwriter Showcase: Benefiting SIMS at Gruene Hall
🎹 Bill Caisse at Krause’s Cafe
🖌️ Family Time – Choose Your Christmas Llama at Painting With A Twist
☕ Holiday Tea at Weihnachtsmarkt
🛍️ River Road Market Days at Mountain Breeze Camp
🤠 Photos with Cowboy Kringle in Historic Gruene
🎄 Weihnachtsmarkt at the New Braunfels Civic and Convention Center

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Looking for something fun (and educational!) to do while the kids are out of school? The Science Mill in Johnson City is kicking off a full week of hands-on STEM adventures starting tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 22 — and it’s perfect for families. This month’s theme, Wild at Risk, dives into extinct and endangered animals through interactive activities like bird-beak biomimicry challenges, wildlife population games, real fur investigations under the microscope, and a special Wild Impressions casting workshop on Nov. 29.

If you're looking to keep the kids engaged, curious, and entertained during Thanksgiving break, this is one of the best day trips you can take.

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Step inside this beautiful 4-bedroom, 3-bath, 2,155 sqft home built in 2016 on a spacious 6,460 sq ft corner lot. The main floor offers three bedrooms and two full baths, while upstairs features a large flexible space with a bathroom—perfect for an office, media room, or extra bedroom. The inviting porch is ideal for relaxing or entertaining.

Located close to Gruene, you can hop on your golf cart to enjoy local restaurants, live music, and the vibrant community, all while being just minutes from Creekside, downtown, and Landa Park. Modern amenities include a double oven, granite counters, kitchen island, central air with two units, recessed lighting, walk-in closets, and more.

WEATHER FORECAST 

Today’s weather section is sponsored by our friend Penn Mallery.

Open enrollment is here, and Penn believes health insurance shouldn’t be complicated or limiting. If you’re frustrated by rising premiums or stuck in a plan that doesn’t really fit, he can help. As a local health insurance expert, Penn builds custom PPO plans with nationwide coverage, dental and vision options, and no enrollment windows, so you can switch when it actually makes sense for you.

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Here’s a look at the weekend weather forecast:

Friday: High: 79º | Low: 62º | 95% chance of precipitation

Saturday: High: 78º | Low: 59º | 15% chance of precipitation

Sunday: High: 75º | Low: 68º | 25% chance of precipitation

Burn Ban: ON

Water Restrictions: Stage 2

Fall is crunch time for businesses, and there’s no better partner than ClearView Bookkeeping to help you get caught up and confident before year-end. Their Strategic Financial Advisory Sessions give you more than just clean books: they give you clarity, structured support, and actionable roadmap for growth.

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BUZZ AROUND TOWN

A major new senior living community is on the way to Veramendi, and early residents can already reserve their spot. The Oscar at Veramendi — a luxury, resort-style community for adults 62+ — is set to open in Spring 2026 with independent living, assisted living, memory care, and standout amenities like three on-site restaurants, an indoor heated pool, a movie theater, and two medical clinics.

Founding Members get first pick of apartments, special pricing, and a two-year rate lock. Click here for more info.

🏛️ Comal County Eyes $310M Project for New Court Facilities
Comal County commissioners approved a feasibility report for a major project to build a new courts building, renovate two annexes, and plan for future expansion. The project, expected to cost $310.6 million, will serve the county’s growing population, projected to reach over 417,000 by 2045. The new 246,000-square-foot facility will connect directly to the Comal County Jail and house district courts, the law library, and key offices.

🦫 Vote for the Baby Capybara Names at Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo
The zoo has narrowed down the finalists for their baby capybaras’ names, and now it’s your turn to pick the winners! Cast your vote at awsfzoo.com/vote and help name these adorable new arrivals.

🧱 Celebrate Wurstfest History with a Personalized Brick
Mark 65 years of Wurstfest by ordering a personalized brick to be included in the festival grounds for 2026. Space is limited, so reserve your spot now and become part of Wurstfest history. Learn more here.

📣 Share Your Thoughts: Comal County Fair & Rodeo Survey
The Comal County Fair & Rodeo wants your feedback! Help them make next year’s event even better by completing a short survey. Your input ensures this beloved community tradition keeps growing. Take the survey here.

☕ Lucky Brew Bottle Lattes Now Available
Stock up on Lucky Brew’s customizable bottle lattes in one trip! Perfect for work events, parties, or gifts, these fresh-made drinks are ready the same day and easy to take home. #LuckyBrewCoffee #BottleLattes #SupportLocal

⚔️ Volunteer for the New Braunfels Renaissance Faire
The Renaissance Faire is back at Heritage Village, and volunteers are needed to bring the event to life! Roles include greeters, guides, kids’ activity assistants, and more. Volunteers enjoy behind-the-scenes access, complimentary admission, and snacks. Sign up here.

🎄 Kinnor Coffee Hosts First Christmas Lighting Celebration
Join Kinnor Coffee on November 23 for their first Christmas house lighting! Enjoy live music, holiday drinks, and festive cheer starting at 6 PM. Celebrate this family tradition and the start of the magical season with local friends and community.

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Thanks!

That’s a wrap for today! Thanks for joining us—we’ll be back soon with more stories, events, and updates that keep you connected to everything that makes New Braunfels a fantastic place to live.

Don’t forget that you can become a Plus member and get tomorrow morning’s exclusive Bonus edition with exclusive stories you won’t find elsewhere.

Until next time,

— The New Braunfels Life Team