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.