Celebrate Grinchy Claus and friends at Christmas in the Garden!

NOV. 29, 2023 – Put on your favorite ugly Christmas sweater and head to the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden for some Grinchy good fun at this year’s Christmas in the Garden! The family friendly event is Friday, Dec. 1, and this year’s theme is inspired by Dr. Seuss books, which are a favorite in the Storybook Capital of America®.

Christmas in the Garden will feature the costume characters the Grinch, Lorax and Cat in the Hat, games and crafts and food inspired by the world of Dr. Seuss.

Families have two sessions to choose from – 5 to 6:30 p.m. or 6:30 to 8 p.m. The cost is $15 per family.

You can purchase tickets at www.abilenecac.org while spots are available. About 600 people are expected to attend this year.

You will enter the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden from the north side of the Abilene Convention Center. The garden’s storybook sculptures will be decorated with twinkling Christmas lights and new holiday decorations.

Children will have the opportunity to share their wishes with Santy Claus, get a balloon animal, have their face painted and be mystified by the tricks of magician Lonnie Chevrie.  The Grinch himself will read his favorite book, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Seven and One Books will have a pop-up shop as well!

Christmas in the Garden is presented by the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council and is one of several events during the Abilene Downtown Association’s annual City Sidewalks holiday celebration. For a full schedule of holiday events, go to www.abilenedowntown.com.

Christmas in the Garden tickets on sale

ABILENE, TX (Nov. 5, 2019) - How do dinosaurs say Merry Christmas? Find out at this year’s 2nd Annual Christmas in the Garden: A Dino-Mite Christmas Night! Put on your pajamas and celebrate the holidays in the Storybook Capital of America with Santa Claus, train rides, crafts, a snow machine and more.

“Christmas in the Garden” is 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and is part of the week-long City Sidewalks celebration downtown. Last year’s event was sold out with 700 people attending. The cost is $10 per family and $1 for train rides. Buy tickets at www.abilenecac.org.

The fun evening takes place in the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden at the Abilene Convention Center. The garden’s storybook sculptures are decorated with twinkling Christmas lights and festive decorations. We will debut colorful tree canopy lighting at Christmas in the Garden. Be the first to see it!

Take a ride on the Storybook Capital Express for $1. Have your picture taken with costumed characters and make dinosaur-themed crafts. There’s also face painting and dino-bite snacks.

Children will have the opportunity to talk to Santa and share their Christmas wishes. Mrs. Claus will read “How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?” written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Mark Teague, whose original artwork has exhibited in Abilene at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature. Have your photo taken in a special photo op area at the “Good Night Dinosaur” sculpture in the garden based on Teague’s artwork. The Abilene Community Band will play festive music and ACS New Song will perform. Bring a blanket and watch a short, animated holiday movie on the lawn.

This year’s lighting sponsors are Dr. William B. and Sadie L. Adamson Charities Inc., the Texas Commission on the Arts and Lowe’s Home Improvement.