Holiday Markets 2026 in Bryan-College Station: Dates, Times, and Where to Shop Local

Local Guide · November 2026 · 6 min read

Holiday markets in Bryan-College Station kick off in earnest this month: the November Vendor Market at Hotel McCoy opens the run on Friday, November 13, 2026, and the busiest stretch lands the weekend before Thanksgiving, with Christmas on Carter Creek (November 19-21), the Main Street Holiday Market at the Brazos County Expo (November 21-22), and the Texas A&M Hotel Holly Jolly Holiday Market (November 22). This guide lays out the 2026 dates, times, and addresses in one place, plus a few practical tips for getting around town during the holiday rush.

2026 Holiday Markets in Bryan-College Station Before Thanksgiving

  • November Vendor Market at Hotel McCoy: Friday, November 13, 6 to 10 p.m., 3702 Highway 6 South, College Station. Free admission, according to Visit College Station.
  • Christmas on Carter Creek: November 19-21 at 1200 Carter Creek Parkway in Bryan, hosted by The Woman's Club of Bryan-College Station, a nonprofit marking seven years of the event. Community Impact lists daytime hours of noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, November 20, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, with $20 tickets. The club also sells preview party tickets and raffle tickets on its website.
  • Main Street Holiday Market: Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, November 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Brazos County Expo, 5827 Leonard Road, Bryan. In past years this juried show has brought in more than 100 vendors selling clothing, gourmet food, jewelry, candles, and holiday decor. Last year admission was $8, or $7 with a canned food donation for The Bridge Ministries; check the organizer, Texas Market Guide, for 2026 pricing before you go.
  • Texas A&M Hotel Holly Jolly Holiday Market (5th annual): Sunday, November 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, 177 Joe Routt Boulevard, College Station. Free to attend, with local vendors selling handmade, vintage, homegrown, and Aggie-themed goods.

That weekend of November 20-22 also overlaps with Lights On! in Historic Downtown Bryan on the evening of Friday, November 20, so it is possible to shop a market in the afternoon and walk Main Street under the lights that night.

Holiday Markets After Thanksgiving: Late November and Early December

If you miss the pre-Thanksgiving weekend, Destination Bryan's 2026 holiday guide lists several more chances to shop local:

  • Out & About BCS Holiday Market at Rountree: Sunday, November 29, noon to 4 p.m., in Bryan.
  • First Friday in Historic Downtown Bryan: Friday, December 4, 5 to 10 p.m., with shops open late along Main Street.
  • 44th Annual Christmas Arts & Crafts Show: Saturday, December 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 3232 Briarcrest Drive in Bryan. Free.
  • Holiday Night Bazaar at Lake Walk: Saturday, December 5, 6 to 10 p.m., at 4107 Lake Atlas Drive in Bryan. Free and open to the public.
  • The Farmers' Market in Brazos County: every Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon, at 206 W. Villa Maria Road in Bryan, a good stop for local honey, baked goods, and edible gifts.

Tips for Shopping Holiday Markets in Aggieland

  • Go early for the best selection. Handmade items and baked goods often sell out by mid-afternoon on Saturdays.
  • Bring a mix of payment options. Most vendors take cards, but a little cash can speed things up at smaller booths.
  • Plan around campus traffic. The Holly Jolly market sits on Joe Routt Boulevard on the Texas A&M campus, so check the Aggie athletics and events calendar before heading over; game days and big campus events change parking and traffic on Wellborn Road, George Bush Drive, and University Drive.
  • Give yourself extra time on Highway 6. Santa's Wonderland opens November 13 on the Highway 6 frontage road south of town, and evening traffic near that stretch picks up through the season.

What Holiday Markets Tell Newcomers About Living in Bryan-College Station

For people thinking about a move to the Brazos Valley, the holiday market calendar says a lot about daily life here. Bryan and College Station feel like one connected community, and most of these events are a 10 to 20 minute drive from each other. The Brazos County Expo on Leonard Road is on the west side of Bryan, an easy drive for anyone living near Highway 47, the RELLIS Campus, or the Traditions area. The Texas A&M Hotel puts you right by campus and Northgate, while Highway 6 venues like Hotel McCoy are convenient for south College Station neighborhoods such as Castlegate, Pebble Creek, and Greens Prairie.

If you are weighing Downtown Bryan's historic homes against newer subdivisions in south College Station, a holiday market weekend is a low-pressure way to see each part of town in action. Organizers can change times because of weather, so check each event page the morning you go.

Plan Your Holiday Season, and Your Next Move, With Rick

The holidays can be a surprisingly good time to look at homes in Bryan-College Station, since some sellers who list in November and December are motivated to move before the new year, and buyers may face less competition than in spring. Results vary by neighborhood and price point, so local guidance matters. If you are thinking about buying, selling, or relocating to Aggieland in 2026 or early 2027, reach out to Rick for a no-pressure conversation about the neighborhoods near the places you love to spend your weekends.

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