2024 Holiday Guide
2024 Guide Coming Soon!
Updated 10/18/2024
Step into the holiday magic in Abilene, Kansas, named Best Historic Small Town by USA TODAY!
Mark your calendars for a festive weekend filled with unforgettable events. Experience the Heritage Homes Association’s 47th Annual Homes for the Holidays Tour, revel in the nostalgia of Old-Fashioned Christmas at the Dickinson County Heritage Center, and embrace the spirit of the Wild West at a Cowboy Christmas in Old Abilene Town. Tour the lavishly decorated Historic Seelye Mansion, then hop aboard the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad's Cowtown Santa Express for a holiday ride to remember.
Catch the live production of Plaid Tidings at Great Plains Theatre, take an evening cruise to admire spectacular Christmas lights, and enjoy a dazzling downtown fireworks show. And don't forget—shop small and support local businesses all season long!
For the full schedule of events, visit AbileneKansas.org/Christmas.
Celebrate the magic of the season at Cowtown Christmas in Abilene, Kansas, on December 7 & 8!
Saturday, December 7, 2024
All Day Christmas Tree Lane
Follow Christmas Tree Lane through Abilene on N. Buckeye Ave to NW 3rd Street to see a beautiful assortment of decorated Christmas Trees in residential yards.
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Breakfast with Santa (Tickets must be purchased in advance)
Breakfast at the Abilene High School Football Field Mezzanine will include biscuits and gravy with juice or coffee. There will be a coloring and craft table, storytime, and, of course, your chance to visit Santa Claus. Tickets are $8 and must be purchased by Monday, December 2. Purchase your tickets at the Abilene Community Center or by calling the office (785) 263-7266.
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 49th Annual Abilene Holiday Craft Show
Shop from talented handcrafters throughout Kansas at Sterl Hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find unique gifts and festive treasures perfect for the season!
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Holiday Tours at Historic Seelye Mansion
Built in 1905 for $55,000, the Historic Seelye Mansion is beautiful at any time of year, but especially during the holiday season. Tour the mansion and see beautifully decorated trees in every room, a collection of more than 750 nutcrackers, and hundreds of Poinsettias.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased on the day of your tour. Please park in the parking lot behind the mansion and go to the Seelye Patent Medicine Museum behind the mansion to purchase a ticket. Tip: tours run continuously, but the best time to join a tour is at 10 am and 1 pm.
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sand Springs Venue Country Christmas Open House
Come Enjoy our 7th Annual Christmas Vendor Open House! Santa will be joining us again from Noon to 2. Many different Vendors offering goods for great Christmas Presents. Food and Drinks available for purchase. Tis the Season for all the joy and fun.
10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Abilene CARES Coalition Festival of Trees and Wreaths
Visit Rivendell Book Store from 10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, to place a bid on the silent auction of one of the decorated trees, wreaths, or other Christmas items. Additional viewing times will be announced later. You will also be able to vote for your favorite Christmas item. The voter winner will receive a special one-of-a-kind ornament designed by a local artist.
All proceeds benefit the Abilene Core Community.
2:00 p.m. Plaid Tidings at Great Plains Theatre
Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings is a brand new show that offers the best of Forever Plaid, tied up in a nifty package with a big Christmas bow on top! Filled with Christmas standards that have all been "Plaid-erized," our boys are back to do their Christmas Special. At first, Francis, Jinx, Smudge and Sparky aren't sure why they've returned to Earth for another posthumous performance, but a phone call from the heavenly Rosemary Clooney lets them know that they're needed to put a little harmony into a discordant world. Sprinkled among the Christmas offerings are audience favorites, like their riotous three-minute-and-eleven-second version of The Ed Sullivan Show – this time, featuring the Rockettes, the Chipmunks and The Vienna Boys Choir, as well as a Plaid Caribbean Christmas that puts the "Day-O" in Excelsis! This truly "heaven-sent" holiday treat will lift audiences' spirits and fill them with nostalgia for a bygone era of classic music sung in perfect harmony. This show is rated PG, perfect for the whole family!
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Cowboy Christmas at Old Abilene Town
Gather the whole family for a festive afternoon filled with holiday cheer! Enjoy delicious chili and warm cinnamon rolls, and let the kids dive into fun activities. Don't miss the chance for a "ginchy" photo with the Grinch himself!
Wander through our beautifully decorated Old Abilene Town and get into the holiday spirit.
Bring the whole family for a memorable Cowboy Christmas!
3:30 p.m. Cowtown Santa Express
The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad’s “Cowtown Santa Express” is a wonderful way to create magical holiday memories for your family in 2024! Riding a heated train decked out in holiday lights, meeting Santa, enjoying cookies and hot chocolate, and experiencing the glowing ambiance of Old Abilene Town truly make for a special Christmas outing.
Make advanced reservations to secure your spot on this festive journey departing from Abilene’s historic Rock Island Depot at 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. It’s sure to be a memorable experience for kids and adults alike!
4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Heritage Homes Association’s 47th Annual Homes for the Holidays Tour
You won’t want to miss the Heritage Homes Association’s 47th Homes for the Holidays Tour! Tickets are $10 and are available in advance at West’s Plaza Country Mart and Abilene Downtown Antique/Mud Creek Malls, and online at www.LittleTownofMansions.com.
4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Old Fashioned Christmas at Dickinson County Heritage Center
You will feel the spirit of the season at the Old-Fashioned Christmas held on December 7 and 8 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Dickinson County Heritage Center, 412 S. Campbell, Abilene. Admission is $5.00 per person and free for children under the age of 5.
Additional details pending.
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Christmas Cruise for Food - Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown
Drop off food or monetary donations to the Abilene Area Food Bank, 409 NW 3rd Street, next to the Sunflower Hotel. Please use the eastbound lane that is designated for dropoffs, and volunteers from the Food Bank and Neighbor to Neighbor will be waiting to accept your donations.
Then, you will receive a ballot and map for the Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown. Cruise through Abilene, admiring all of the holiday decorations. Ballots must be turned in by 7:30 p.m. at Amanda's Bakery & Bistro, 302 N. Broadway Ave.
The winners from the Cowtown Christman Light Showdown will be announced at 8:00 p.m. at Little Ike Park.
Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown Sponsors: 1st Place - West's Plaza Country Mart and AC Westside Market; 2nd Place - Shelly Crane - Almost Home Realty; 3rd Place - Patterson Health Care Pharmacy - Abilene; and Mayor's Choice - City of Abilene
Feel free to decorate your ride and come enjoy a great Christmas Cruise!
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Judging for Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown
5:30 p.m. Cowtown Santa Express
The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad’s “Cowtown Santa Express” is a wonderful way to create magical holiday memories for your family in 2024! Riding a heated train decked out in holiday lights, meeting Santa, enjoying cookies and hot chocolate, and experiencing the glowing ambiance of Old Abilene Town truly make for a special Christmas outing.
Make advanced reservations to secure your spot on this festive journey departing from Abilene’s historic Rock Island Depot at 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. It’s sure to be a memorable experience for kids and adults alike!
7:00 p.m. Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting
An annual tradition, visit Little Ike Park for the lighting of the Mayor’s Holiday Tree.
7:05 p.m. Santa Visits
Visit Santa Claus at Little Ike Park, and make sure to tell him what’s on your list! Visitors will enjoy free goodie bags from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
7:30 p.m. All Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown ballots must be turned in front of Amanda’s Bakery and Bistro
7:30 p.m. AHS Singers perform at Little Ike Park
7:30 p.m. Plaid Tidings at Great Plains Theatre
Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings is a brand new show that offers the best of Forever Plaid, tied up in a nifty package with a big Christmas bow on top! Filled with Christmas standards that have all been "Plaid-erized," our boys are back to do their Christmas Special. At first, Francis, Jinx, Smudge and Sparky aren't sure why they've returned to Earth for another posthumous performance, but a phone call from the heavenly Rosemary Clooney lets them know that they're needed to put a little harmony into a discordant world. Sprinkled among the Christmas offerings are audience favorites, like their riotous three-minute-and-eleven-second version of The Ed Sullivan Show – this time, featuring the Rockettes, the Chipmunks and The Vienna Boys Choir, as well as a Plaid Caribbean Christmas that puts the "Day-O" in Excelsis! This truly "heaven-sent" holiday treat will lift audiences' spirits and fill them with nostalgia for a bygone era of classic music sung in perfect harmony. This show is rated PG, perfect for the whole family!
7:30 p.m. Cowtown Santa Express
The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad’s “Cowtown Santa Express” is a wonderful way to create magical holiday memories for your family in 2024! Riding a heated train decked out in holiday lights, meeting Santa, enjoying cookies and hot chocolate, and experiencing the glowing ambiance of Old Abilene Town truly make for a special Christmas outing.
Make advanced reservations to secure your spot on this festive journey departing from Abilene’s historic Rock Island Depot at 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. It’s sure to be a memorable experience for kids and adults alike!
8:00 p.m. Winners of Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown announced
- 1st Place - West's Plaza Country Mart and AC Westside Market
- 2nd - Shelly Crane - Almost Home Realty
- 3rd Place - Patterson Health Care Pharmacy - Abilene
- Mayor's Choice - City of Abilene
8:00 p.m. Fireworks* Sponsored by Almost Home Realty
*Weather permitting, fireworks will be set off from the east end of the Civic Center Parking Lot.
Sunday, December 8, 2024
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Holiday Tours at Historic Seelye Mansion
Built in 1905 for $55,000, the Historic Seelye Mansion is beautiful anytime, especially during the holiday season. Tour the mansion and see beautifully decorated trees in every room, a collection of more than 750 nutcrackers, and hundreds of Poinsettias.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased on the day of your tour. Please park in the parking lot behind the mansion and go to the Seelye Patent Medicine Museum behind the mansion to purchase a ticket. Tip: Tours run continuously, but the best times to join a tour are 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Heritage Homes Association’s 46th Annual Homes for the Holidays Tour
You won’t want to miss the Heritage Homes Association’s 46th Homes for the Holidays Tour! Tickets are $10 and are available in advance at West’s Plaza Country Mart and Abilene Downtown Antique/Mud Creek Malls, and online at www.LittleTownofMansions.com.
2:00 p.m. Plaid Tidings at Great Plains Theatre
Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings is a brand new show that offers the best of Forever Plaid, tied up in a nifty package with a big Christmas bow on top! Filled with Christmas standards that have all been "Plaid-erized," our boys are back to do their Christmas Special. At first, Francis, Jinx, Smudge and Sparky aren't sure why they've returned to Earth for another posthumous performance, but a phone call from the heavenly Rosemary Clooney lets them know that they're needed to put a little harmony into a discordant world. Sprinkled among the Christmas offerings are audience favorites, like their riotous three-minute-and-eleven-second version of The Ed Sullivan Show – this time, featuring the Rockettes, the Chipmunks and The Vienna Boys Choir, as well as a Plaid Caribbean Christmas that puts the "Day-O" in Excelsis! This truly "heaven-sent" holiday treat will lift audiences' spirits and fill them with nostalgia for a bygone era of classic music sung in perfect harmony. This show is rated PG, perfect for the whole family!
2:00 p.m. Abilene Municipal Band Christmas Concert
Join us as we perform our annual Christmas concert with traditional and beloved holiday tunes! We are excited to be back at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum's Visitors Center this year and cannot wait to see you!
Bonus: Take advantage of a special 20% shopping discount in the gift shop!
4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Old Fashioned Christmas at Dickinson County Heritage Center
You will feel the spirit of the season at the Old-Fashioned Christmas held on December 7 and 8 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Dickinson County Heritage Center, 412 S. Campbell, Abilene. Admission is $5.00 per person and free for children under the age of 5.
Additional details pending.
5:30 p.m. Cowtown Santa Express
The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad’s “Cowtown Santa Express” is a wonderful way to create magical holiday memories for your family in 2024! Riding a heated train decked out in holiday lights, meeting Santa, enjoying cookies and hot chocolate, and experiencing the glowing ambiance of Old Abilene Town truly make for a special Christmas outing.
Make advanced reservations to secure your spot on this festive journey departing from Abilene’s historic Rock Island Depot at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. It’s sure to be a memorable experience for kids and adults alike!
7:30 p.m. Cowtown Santa Express
The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad’s “Cowtown Santa Express” is a wonderful way to create magical holiday memories for your family in 2024! Riding a heated train decked out in holiday lights, meeting Santa, enjoying cookies and hot chocolate, and experiencing the glowing ambiance of Old Abilene Town truly make for a special Christmas outing.
Make advanced reservations to secure your spot on this festive journey departing from Abilene’s historic Rock Island Depot at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. It’s sure to be a memorable experience for kids and adults alike!
And remember to Shop Small, All Season Long, at Abilene’s small businesses!
Thank you to the Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation for compiling this great list of sales and special events!
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