Happy Tuesday, Lubbock. In today’s edition: Christmas lights map, Holiday Wonderland, Christmas on Broadway, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Upcoming transit pricing changes: Effective January 1, 2026, Citibus will implement updated Paratransit and On-Demand fares based on distance and proximity to fixed routes. Fixed route fares remain unchanged at $1 — see the new fare tiers.

Guide to local cheer: EverythingLubbock.com has mapped viewer-suggested Christmas light displays across Lubbock, from Tech Terrace to the outskirts, with tips on hot cocoa hotspots and the merriest Santa photo spots for holiday outings — explore the lights map.

Step back in time: Silent Wings Museum hosts Holidays on the Home Front, a WWII-style celebration December 13 from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring ornament crafting, snowman sock dolls, and the CG-4A Glider — get all the details.

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.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Discover 37 artists’ juried watercolors
• Gingerbread competition and auction benefit Lubbock children
• Shop local at Christmas on Broadway
• Experience free family science at Holiday Wonderland
• Celebrate a candlelit frontier Christmas
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

From lab to loving homes: Texas Tech’s Canine Olfaction Lab hosts its annual dog adoption event on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Department of Animal & Food Sciences Livestock Arena, 1308 Indiana Ave. Seven professionally trained scent-detection dogs will be on site to meet, with staff guiding the adoption process. Get the event details.

Holiday magic for families: Santa Land returns to Mackenzie Park Dec. 8 to 21, open nightly 6 to 10 p.m. Opening night kicks off at 6 p.m. with Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will be there for photos every night. Heads up: enter via Canyon Lake Dr from E Broadway as the park bridge is under construction. Get event details and directions.

Burritos worth the detour: Craving a burrito that hugs back? Jimenez y Friends Barbecue y Taqueria rolls flour burritos from breakfast through lunch, adds smoky barbecue, and sneaks in family pastries, all to-go from a longtime Lubbock crew, plus a USA Today Restaurants of the Year nod.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 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

🩰 Tutu Storytime @ Groves Branch Library | Thursday (12/4) at 12:30pm – Little movers get the spotlight at this tutu-friendly storytime with Tutu School Lubbock, packed with stories, music, and plenty of wiggles. Kids ages 18 months to 8 can twirl, tiptoe, or just cuddle up and listen—tutus encouraged but totally optional.

🎅 Santa’s Workshop Gift Market @ Odds & Ends | Thursday (12/4) at 4:30pm – Whether you wrapped gifts in October or plan to panic later, this pop-up at Odds & Ends on 82nd has you covered. Knock out the list in a civilized lap, shop local makers, leather goods, and farm finds, then reward yourself with make-and-take gingerbread cookies.

✂️ Ribbon Cutting – Lights Kick Off @ LHUCA | Thursday (12/4) at 4:30pm – Swing by LHUCA as they cut the ribbon, count us down, and flip the switch on the first ever Lights at LHUCA. The plaza will glow, your inner 10-year-old will cheer, and you can call it culture, community, and a perfectly good excuse to linger.

❄️ The North Pole Experience @ Mahon Library | Friday (12/5) at 10:30am – Skip the mall chaos and let the little ones meet Santa at Mahon Library, with stories from Mrs. Claus and zero upcharges for smiles. Snap a photo, make a festive craft, and call it a win. Best for kids 9 and under.

🎉 Store Grand Opening! @ Heavenly Sola Designs | Friday (12/5) at 12:00pm – Grand opening weekend for Lubbock’s first wood flower florist, because these bouquets survive a West Texas summer. Swing by for complimentary food and drinks, giveaways, and a ribbon cutting. RSVP if you like surprises, and line up early, first 25 snag a free gift.

This weekend

🎄 Holiday Wonderland @ Science Spectrum | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Science Spectrum turns into a free Holiday Wonderland, with Santa photos (BYOC), hands-on winter science, and enough cocoa and cookies to power a sleigh. The kids craft, meet critters, and hunt an elf named Atom, you savor the model trains, the nostalgia, and your sanity.

🥂 Merry Market & Mimosas @ Haus of Lux | Saturday (12/6) at 12:00pm – Skip the mall madness, swing by Haus of Lux for Merry Market & Mimosas to shop local, sip bubbly, and call it “errands.” Boutique finds, baked goods, gifts for them, a little something for you, and zero parking lot rage.

🎭 Christmas on Broadway| Saturday (12/6) at 4:00pm – Ready to stroll the brick streets on Broadway with cocoa, run into half your address book, and actually finish some shopping. It’s free, packed with locally made gifts, Santa making rounds, bells at every doorway, and just enough small town magic to make you linger.

🍪 9th Annual Cookies & Carols @ McPherson Cellars Winery | Saturday (12/6) at 6:00pm – Sip, snack, and sing your way into the season as McPherson Cellars pairs holiday cheer with seriously good tunes from the Jenni Dale Lord Band. Expect a tasty blend of Texas country, rock, and blues, plus plenty of cookies to keep those carols fueled.

🍷 Christmas @ Adelphos Cellars | Sunday (12/7) from 12:00pm – Spend your Sunday sipping award-winning Texas wine while you knock out your holiday shopping in one seriously festive spot. Stroll through local vendors for unique, not-from-Amazon gifts, then refuel at the food trucks between rounds of browsing.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/3 Crazy and the Brains and more @ Jake’s Backroom – 8 pm
• 12/4 Chris Hudgins @ Cotton Court Hotel – 7 pm
• 12/5 Upon A Burning Body and more @ Soggy Dog – 6:30 pm
• 12/5 Silverada @ Blue Light – 10:30 pm
• 12/6 Hunter Hicks @ Kitalou Gin – 4 pm
• 12/6 Kate Watson and more @ Blue Light – 7 pm
• 12/6 Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas @ Cactus Theater – 7:30 pm
• 12/6 Chris Hudgins @ Manhattan 9 – 9 pm
• 12/6 Kirko Bangz @ Level – 9 pm
• 12/8 Distant and more @ Jake’s – 7 pm