The National Ranching Heritage Center will celebrate its 40th Annual Candlelight at the Ranch from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8. Visitors will experience Christmas as it might have been on the open prairie in frontier days. Although Candlelight will have more lights and sparkle than ever before, holiday scenes created in the center’s historic structures will be lit as much as possible with only lanterns, fireplaces and campfires. More than 4,000 luminarias that will line the paths of the historic park, and pathways will be wheelchair and stroller accessible as visitors pass cowboys brewing coffee over a chuck wagon fire. With the help of more than 150 volunteers each night—many dressed in period clothing—holiday scenes will be recreated in 14 historic structures and Santa will be available to visit with children in the Pitchfork Pavilion.
In cooperation with the NRHC, the International Cultural Center (ICC) at Texas Tech will host a celebration of German Christmas traditions from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7. The ICC and NRHC are located within easy walking distance of each other, and both events are free and open to the public. The NRHC is located at 3121 Fourth Street and the ICC is at 601 Indiana Ave.
