Happy Tuesday, Lubbock. In today’s edition: Dog health concerns rise, gingerbread festival, dinner with Santa, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Dog health concerns rise: Lubbock Animal Services reports an uptick in canine respiratory illness and urges vaccinations, highlighting symptoms such as yellow or green eye and nasal discharge, excessive coughing, lethargy, and seizures — see symptoms and vaccine guidance.

Path forward takes shape: County attorneys outlined a to-do list to revive Lubbock’s stalled Expo Center, pushing LCEC to fund a Parkhill design and affirm the North University site, with 2028 as the target — see the proposed steps.

Hub City burger pride: Buns Over Texas was selected to represent Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl Burger Battle on Jan. 1 during Fan Fest, with judging at 10 a.m. on the main stage — get time and event details.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week

• Experience immersive holiday lights at LHUCA
• Celebrate Christmas on MLK with neighbors
• Watch a holiday favorite with Santa
• Celebrate StickerFest at the Science Spectrum
• Explore WTWS watercolors at Buddy Holly Center
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

Holiday plans made easy: Planning ahead for Christmas in Lubbock? EverythingLubbock rounds up who will be open on Christmas Eve and Day. Expect shorter hours on Dec. 24 and widespread closures on Dec. 25. A few spots will be open, including Applebee’s 2 to 8 p.m., Dave & Buster’s 5 p.m. to midnight, and Crush Teriyaki & Wok 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. See who’s open and closed.

Plan a holiday outing: Stella’s in Lubbock will be open on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24, with brunch 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner 4:30 to 9 p.m. They’ll pause service 2:30 to 4:30 to reset. Reservations are encouraged for cozy plates and festive cocktails. Get hours and reservation details.

Big-screen under the stars: Skip the megaplex for a cozy double feature at Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre, a locally owned, family-run spot with radio-tuned audio, trunk-picnic vibes, and a 50s cafe slinging burgers and shakes. Classic Lubbock night out, minus the seat-kickers.

Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🍪 Gingerbread Festival 2025 @ Lubbock Civic Center | Tuesday (12/16) at 4:00pm – Trade doomscrolling for frosting at Lubbock Civic Center’s Gingerbread Festival, with hands-on decorating, local vendors, and a showdown judged by Slaton Bakery pros. Bring the kids or borrow some, snag a Santa photo, eat pancakes, and feel smug that your sweet tooth funds housing help.

🎨 Junk Journal Meetup @ LHUCA Gallery | Tuesday (12/16) at 5:30pm – Bring your washi, stickers, and that ephemera you swear you’ll use, this adult junk journal hang pairs easygoing crafting with a cozy holiday movie. Share ideas, swap supplies, and finally justify that drawer of scraps. Free to join, registration encouraged, ages 16+.

🎸 Allman Betts Family Revival @ Buddy Holly Hall | Thursday (12/18) at 7:30pm – Devon Allman and Duane Betts throw a Southern rock family reunion with the Allman Betts Band, Jimmy Hall, Luther and Cody Dickinson, and Robert Randolph. Expect Last Waltz energy, Brotherhood of Light glow, and unhurried jams that melt stress, refill nostalgia, and justify a sitter.

🍿 Movie Night @ LHUCA Plaza | Friday (12/19) at 6:00pm – Nothing beats a holiday movie under the Lights at LHUCA, especially the one with Santa’s enthusiastic helper and a syrup habit. Bring a chair or blanket, sip hot cocoa from United Supermarkets, visit Santa, then make a card in the CASP Print Lab.

🎅 Dinner with Santa @ Adventure Park | Friday (12/19) at 6:00pm – Call it dinner with Santa at Christmas in the Park, PJs, and zero dishes. The kids get a train ride, pizza, a drink, a s’more kit, a Christmas craft, and face time with the big guy, and you get photos, sugar-fueled bedtime stories, and peace.

This weekend

🍳 Christmas Cooking Camp @ Adventure Park | Saturday (12/20) at 9:30am – Got kids bouncing off the garland? Christmas Cooking Camp has them baking cookies, building gingerbread houses, and launching cocoa bombs with kid-safe tools, take-home treats, and zero cleanup for you, while you savor actual quiet, for once. Ages 6 to 12, spots limited.

📛 StickerFest @ Science Spectrum | Saturday (12/20) at 10:00am – Whether your Trapper Keeper days are long gone or you still peel with pride, the Science Spectrum is hosting a sticker free-for-all with local artists, vendors, art, and merch. Support Lubbock’s creative scene, it’s all under one roof, and yes, entry is free.

⏰ Procrastinator’s Party @ Odds & Ends | Saturday (12/20) at 10:30am – Calling all dawdlers, swing by the Procrastinator’s Party to knock out the last of your shopping without the panic spiral. Think easy browsing, giftable finds, and zero judgment, just efficient errands with a side of cheer. Get in, get gifts, get on with your life.

🎅 Moments with Santa @ Kingsgate Center | Saturday (12/20) at 12:00pm – Skip the mall chaos and catch Santa posted on the sidewalk at Kingsgate South, by La Madeleine. Bring the crew for free cheer, a photo, and a candy cane, then whisper your wish list, and reward yourself with a pastry afterward.

🎶 Josh Wilson @ Southcrest Baptist Church | Sunday (12/21) at 6:00pm – Nothing beats live Christmas music you can actually sing along to. Josh Wilson spins a one-man looping set of originals, carols like Carol of the Bells and What Child Is This, and his radio hits, with JJ Weeks opening. Family night, no babysitter required.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/17 Chris Hudgins @ English Newsom Cellars – 6 pm
• 12/18 Allman Betts Family Revival @ The Buddy Holly Hall – 7:30 pm
• 12/19 Chris Hudgins @ Manhattan 9 – 9 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Travis Turner (Brick & Loft Realty)

Eight-unit turnkey portfolio under market value, set in top-tier Cooper Schools zones and mostly leased. Each home offers 2 to 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a two-car garage.

Open-concept layouts keep traffic flowing, vinyl plank floors handle real life, and select bedrooms soften things with carpet. Quiet curb appeal, low-drama finishes, and well-kept systems make management feel easy. Seven units are already rented, the last is lining up, so income starts now, appreciation can do its thing later. Spreadsheets smile at under market pricing and day one cash flow.

Take a peek inside →