2025 Holiday Guide
2025 Guide
Celebrate the holidays in one of America's Best Historic Small Towns, Abilene, on December 5-7, 2025!
Step back in time with the 48th Annual Heritage Homes Association's Homes for the Holidays Tour, an Old-Fashioned Christmas at the Dickinson County Historical Society, and a Cowboy Christmas at Old Abilene Town.
Explore the historic Seelye Mansion, adorned with over 60 dazzling Christmas trees, and take a festive ride on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad's Cowtown Santa Express. Catch a live holiday performance of Holiday Inn at Great Plains Theatre, and cruise through town to marvel at Griswold-style decorations during the Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown.
Plus, don’t forget to shop small and support Abilene’s local businesses all season long!
See a list of activities at www.AbileneKansas.org/Christmas.
Additional details coming soon!
Friday, December 5
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.
T.B.D. — Old Fashioned Christmas at Dickinson County Heritage Center
7:30 p.m. — Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn The Musical at Great Plains Theatre
Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn tells the story of Jim, who leaves the bright lights of show business behind to settle down on his farmhouse in Connecticut... but life just isn't the same without a bit of song and dance. Jim's luck takes a spectacular turn when he meets Linda, a spirited schoolteacher with talent to spare. Together they turn the farmhouse into a fabulous inn with dazzling performances to celebrate each holiday, from Thanksgiving to the Fourth of July. But when Jim's best friend Ted tries to lure Linda to Hollywood to be his new dance partner, will Jim be able to salvage his latest chance at love?
Based on the classic film, this joyous musical features thrilling dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy and a parade of hit Irving Berlin songs, including "Blue Skies," "Easter Parade," "Steppin' Out With My Baby," "Heat Wave," "White Christmas," "Be Careful, It's My Heart," "Cheek to Cheek," "Shaking the Blues Away" and many more! This production is rated G, perfect for the whole family!
Saturday, December 6
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 a.m. - 10 a.m. — Breakfast with Santa
Breakfast will include biscuts and gravy with juice. There will be crafts and story time, and of course your chance to visit with Santa Claus.
Location: Abilene High School Football Field Mezzanine
Tickets must be purchased by Monday, December 2.
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. — 50th Annual Abilene HandCrafters Winter Market
Come out and celebrate 50 yaers of quality hand crafted products. Location: Sterl Hall, 619 N Rogers St.
T.B.D. — Festival of Trees at VFW
Location: 317 N Spruce Street
T.B.D. — Old Fashioned Christmas at Dickinson County Heritage Center
2:00 — Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn The Musical at Great Plains Theatre
Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn tells the story of Jim, who leaves the bright lights of show business behind to settle down on his farmhouse in Connecticut... but life just isn't the same without a bit of song and dance. Jim's luck takes a spectacular turn when he meets Linda, a spirited schoolteacher with talent to spare. Together they turn the farmhouse into a fabulous inn with dazzling performances to celebrate each holiday, from Thanksgiving to the Fourth of July. But when Jim's best friend Ted tries to lure Linda to Hollywood to be his new dance partner, will Jim be able to salvage his latest chance at love?
Based on the classic film, this joyous musical features thrilling dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy and a parade of hit Irving Berlin songs, including "Blue Skies," "Easter Parade," "Steppin' Out With My Baby," "Heat Wave," "White Christmas," "Be Careful, It's My Heart," "Cheek to Cheek," "Shaking the Blues Away" and many more! This production is rated G, perfect for the whole family!
4 p.m. - 8 p.m. — 48th Homes for the Holidays Tour
Deck the Halls: Explore Abilene’s Historic Homes This Holiday Season
Get ready to celebrate the season with a festive journey through Abilene's finest homes and a historic church during the 48th Homes for the Holidays Tour! Join us on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. or Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 1-5 p.m. to experience the warmth and charm of these unique spaces.
From twinkling holiday displays to timeless architectural details, each stop offers its own charm and story.
Tickets will be available starting fall 2025 at West's Plaza Country Mart (1900 N. Buckeye Ave), Abilene Downtown Antiques / Mud Creek Antiques (313 & 319 N. Buckeye Ave), and online at www.LittleTownofMansions.com.
Celebrate the magic of the season with us and discover the stories and history behind these stunning homes and landmarks on this festive holiday tour.
Proceeds from the Homes for the Holidays Tour support the Heritage Homes Association’s bronze plaque program.
4:30 p.m. — Christmas Cruise for Food
Donate a canned food item to the Abilene Area Food Bank and join the Christmas Cruise to vote on the best-decorated “Griswold-style” holiday lights in the Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown. Families and friends will love the friendly competition and festive displays!
7:30 p.m. — Turn in Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown Ballots
Location: Amanda's Bakery & Bistro, 302 N Broadway
7:30 — Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn The Musical at Great Plains Theatre
Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn tells the story of Jim, who leaves the bright lights of show business behind to settle down on his farmhouse in Connecticut... but life just isn't the same without a bit of song and dance. Jim's luck takes a spectacular turn when he meets Linda, a spirited schoolteacher with talent to spare. Together they turn the farmhouse into a fabulous inn with dazzling performances to celebrate each holiday, from Thanksgiving to the Fourth of July. But when Jim's best friend Ted tries to lure Linda to Hollywood to be his new dance partner, will Jim be able to salvage his latest chance at love?
Based on the classic film, this joyous musical features thrilling dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy and a parade of hit Irving Berlin songs, including "Blue Skies," "Easter Parade," "Steppin' Out With My Baby," "Heat Wave," "White Christmas," "Be Careful, It's My Heart," "Cheek to Cheek," "Shaking the Blues Away" and many more! This production is rated G, perfect for the whole family!
8:00 p.m. — *NEW* Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown Winner Announcement
Cowtowtown Christmas Light Showdown winners will be announced on site between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Tune in to the Abilene Parks & Recreation Department's Facebook Page to watch LIVE announcements from the winning homes!
- 1st Place - $2,000 — West's Plaza Country Mart & AC Westside Market
- 2nd Place - $1,000 — ______________
- 3rd Place - $500 — _______________
- Mayor's Choice (3) $100 — City of Abilene
Sunday, December 7
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.
1 p.m. - 5 p.m. — 48th Homes for the Holidays Tour
Deck the Halls: Explore Abilene’s Historic Homes This Holiday Season
Get ready to celebrate the season with a festive journey through Abilene's finest homes and a historic church during the 48th Homes for the Holidays Tour! Join us on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. or Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 1-5 p.m. to experience the warmth and charm of these unique spaces.
From twinkling holiday displays to timeless architectural details, each stop offers its own charm and story.
Tickets will be available starting fall 2025 at West's Plaza Country Mart (1900 N. Buckeye Ave), Abilene Downtown Antiques / Mud Creek Antiques (313 & 319 N. Buckeye Ave), and online at www.LittleTownofMansions.com.
Celebrate the magic of the season with us and discover the stories and history behind these stunning homes and landmarks on this festive holiday tour.
Proceeds from the Homes for the Holidays Tour support the Heritage Homes Association’s bronze plaque program.
2 p.m. — Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn The Musical at Great Plains Theatre
Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn tells the story of Jim, who leaves the bright lights of show business behind to settle down on his farmhouse in Connecticut... but life just isn't the same without a bit of song and dance. Jim's luck takes a spectacular turn when he meets Linda, a spirited schoolteacher with talent to spare. Together they turn the farmhouse into a fabulous inn with dazzling performances to celebrate each holiday, from Thanksgiving to the Fourth of July. But when Jim's best friend Ted tries to lure Linda to Hollywood to be his new dance partner, will Jim be able to salvage his latest chance at love?
Based on the classic film, this joyous musical features thrilling dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy and a parade of hit Irving Berlin songs, including "Blue Skies," "Easter Parade," "Steppin' Out With My Baby," "Heat Wave," "White Christmas," "Be Careful, It's My Heart," "Cheek to Cheek," "Shaking the Blues Away" and many more! This production is rated G, perfect for the whole family!