🎅Santa Market, Ugly Sweaters, + More New Braunfels Goodness

In Partnership With

Hey there! Your Thursday lineup is stacked with festive chaos (the fun kind). From an ugly-sweater runway that actually has stakes, to a holiday market packed with gifts you’ll pretend are “for someone else,” to a massive flash sale on Zoo Lights that’s basically begging you to go.

Let’s get right into it…

GIVE THE GIFT OF RELAXATION THIS HOLIDAY SEASON 🎁✨

If you’re looking for a Christmas gift that feels thoughtful, personal, and genuinely appreciated, Massage Heights New Braunfels has the perfect offer. Right now, when you buy 3 gift cards, you’ll get a FREE $50 promo card — the ideal excuse to treat yourself while you’re gifting others.

Whether it’s for a spouse, a friend, a teacher, or someone who could use a little calm this season, a massage or facial is a gift that brings real comfort during the holiday rush. And with the bonus promo card, you get to enjoy a little relaxation of your own.

This offer is available for a limited time only, so make sure to grab it now.

This is an advertisement. Looking to partner with The New Braunfels Life? Just reply to this email or click here to learn how we can promote your brand to thousands of interested locals!

Sleigh Hunger Turns Ugly Sweaters Into Holiday Cheer

A festive runway for a good cause

Sleigh Hunger: An Ugly Sweater Runway at Krause’s Café & Biergarten is bringing quirky fashion, community spirit, and a whole lot of laughs to New Braunfels. This brand-new event transforms the classic ugly Christmas sweater into a full runway showcase, complete with audience voting and a raffle stocked with exclusive prizes.

Beyond the fun, the night helps support local families in need, making every silly sweater just a little more meaningful. The event runs from 6–9 PM tonight at Krause’s Café (148 S. Castell Ave.). Tickets are available online for anyone ready to join the cheer.

➡️ Click to learn more

Freiheit Santa Market Delivers Whimsical Holiday Magic

Festive shopping with food, fun, and Santa

The Freiheit Santa Market is transforming Freiheit Country Store into a festive wonderland on Saturday, December 13 from 11 AM–4 PM. Expect a joyful holiday shopping experience complete with unique vendors, handcrafted gifts, warm seasonal eats, and even a visit from Santa himself.

The event is pet-friendly, packed with holiday spirit, and perfect for anyone looking to cross off their gift list in one charming stop. Vendors can still register online, but the market is open to all holiday lovers ready to browse and explore.

Click here for more info.

🎄 STAY SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, NEW BRAUNFELS

Christmas season is officially here — from light displays to parades to packed holiday events, New Braunfels is busier than ever. With more traffic, more pedestrians, and more distractions, it’s important to stay alert while you’re out enjoying the festivities. A little caution goes a long way in keeping your celebrations joyful and accident-free.

This holiday safety reminder is brought to you by The Kyle Law Firm, trusted advocates for Hill Country families for more than 25 years. If an accident or injury does happen, their local team is here to help you through the moments you don’t plan for — so you can get back to the season’s good stuff.

👉 Learn more or schedule a free consultation at kylelawfirm.com or call (830) 620-9402.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND TOWN?

Here are some of the events we’re most excited about over the next few days:

Thursday
🎄 NBCS Christmas Market at Historic Old Town
🎲 Family Game Night at New Braunfels Library
✂️ Teen Time: Stamp Carving at the New Braunfels Public Library
🧥 Sleigh Hunger: An Ugly Sweater Runway at Krause’s Café & Biergarten
🎱 Pool Tournament at Happy Cow Bar
🎙️ Open Mic Night Hosted by Bob Schmueckle at The Phoenix Saloon

Friday
🎮 Video Game Club for Teens & Tweens at New Braunfels Public Library
⚔️ New Braunfels Renaissance Faire at Church Hill Drive
🎤 Tiffiny Dawn at Krause’s Café → 🎵
🎨 A Bright Christmas at Painting With A Twist
🎵 The Isaacs Christmas at The Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre
🎸 Pecos & The Rooftops at Gruene Hall

Saturday
🏃 Holidays in Gruene: Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk
🎅 Photos with Cowboy Kringle in Historic Gruene
⚔️ New Braunfels Renaissance Faire at Church Hill Drive
📖 Family Storytime at New Braunfels Public Library
🎄 Freiheit Santa Market at Freiheit Country Store
🎸 Monte Good at Krause’s Café

WELCOME TO OUR NEW PARTNER: MDVIP & DR. JASON NELSON

The New Braunfels Life is excited to welcome MDVIP, a personalized, concierge-style primary care model now available locally through longtime family physician Dr. Jason Nelson. After more than 25 years of caring for New Braunfels families, Dr. Nelson joined MDVIP to offer a deeper, more individualized approach to health—one built on longer visits, same-day or next-day availability, and advanced screenings designed to support long-term wellness.

Dr. Nelson’s MDVIP-affiliated practice focuses on prevention, quality of life, and tackling the root causes of health concerns. His areas of special interest include cardiovascular health, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, nutrition, weight management, hormonal health, sleep quality, and caring for both pediatric and general medicine patients.

Located at 1441 Whispering Woods Trail, his practice gives patients the chance to work closely with a doctor who truly takes the time to understand their goals—whether that means training for a holiday 5K, staying active with grandchildren, or simply improving everyday energy and wellbeing.

We’ll be sharing more about MDVIP and Dr. Nelson’s unique approach to care throughout the coming weeks and months, so stay tuned to learn how this model can transform your health journey.

For more information, visit Dr. Nelson’s site or call 830-402-7454.

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FLASH SALE: Zoo Lights + Wildlife Adventure Up to 64% Off

A winter wonderland at the San Antonio Zoo

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to visit the San Antonio Zoo, this is it. A massive flash sale is offering up to 64% off admission, with options for two, four, or six tickets — and each one includes access to Zoo Lights, the zoo’s dazzling holiday display running nightly through January 4, 2026.

With over 750 species, immersive habitats, and seasonal light shows, the zoo is an unforgettable winter outing for families, couples, or anyone who wants a magical evening without breaking the bank. Kids under 3 get in free, parking is complimentary, and no reservations are needed.

Click here to grab the deal before it’s gone.

DID YOU KNOW?

WEATHER FORECAST 

Thursday: High: 70º | Low: 53º | 5% chance of precipitation

Friday: High: 71º | Low: 59º | 20% chance of precipitation

Saturday: High: 73º | Low: 49º | 25% chance of precipitation

Burn Ban: ON

Water Restrictions: Stage 2 (In Stage 2, watering with a sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed one day per week based on the last digit of your address BEFORE 10:00 a.m. and AFTER 8:00 p.m.)

A COOL WINTER BREAK ADVENTURE JUST AN HOUR AWAY ❄️🧊

If you’re looking for an educational day trip this Winter Break when the kids get out of school, the Science Mill in Johnson City is hosting Wild Arctic Animals from December 20 to January 2 (closed December 24–25 and January 1). Kids can explore how polar creatures survive extreme cold, take part in frosty STEM challenges, and dive into hands-on activities like building Arctic habitats, experimenting with “blubber” insulation, estimating herd sizes like real scientists, and completing an Arctic Explorer field journal as they make their way through the museum.

It’s a fun, interactive way to keep curious minds engaged over the holiday break. Click here for more info.

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A HOLIDAY SHOWSTOPPER

What an absolute beauty. Honestly, is there anything more magical than the Comal County Courthouse at Christmastime? Every year, it transforms into the heart of the season — glowing, grand, and effortlessly charming.

Locals stop in their tracks, visitors pull out their phones, and the whole area feels wrapped in that unmistakable small-town holiday glow. It’s the kind of scene that reminds you why this place has so much soul.

Thanks!

That wraps today’s update! Hope it brought you something fun or useful.

If you liked it, pass it along to someone who’d enjoy a little New Braunfels in their inbox too.

See you in the next one.

— The New Braunfels Life Team