1599 – A Spanish expedition led by Juan de Oňates introduces First Nations to Christmas near El Paso.
1693 – Spanish soldiers under Juan Domínguez de Mendoza cross the Rio del Norte, now called the Rio Grande, on Christmas Day and holds a Mass on Texas soil.
1692 – LaSalle’s crew celebrates Christmas off the coast of Texas.
1700’s – Spanish establish missions throughout Texas, introducing Christmas traditions to First Nation tribes.
1810 – Governor Manuel María de Salcedo of San Antonio issues a proclamation organizing Christmas celebrations and limiting drinking to certain times of the day.
1820 – Moses Austin arrives in San Antonio during Christmas week to propose to Governor Martinez his plan for the immigration of three hundred families to Texas. Austin meets an old friend, Baron de Bastrop, who intercedes on his behalf with the Governor.
1821 – Under desolate conditions on December 21, Jane Long gives birth to a baby girl at Bolivar Point, while waiting for her husband’s return from Goliad.
1821 – On December 25, a portion of Austin’s three hundred families establishes a camp in Limestone County near a stream, naming it Christmas Creek.
1826 – A group of Fredonians returning from Nacogdoches camps near a stream in eastern San Augustine County. After drinking eggnog in honor of the season names the stream Egg-Nog Branch.
1834 – First legal Protestant services in Texas are held after Daniel Parker discovers a loophole in Mexican Law.
1835 – General Sam Houston establishes headquarters of the Texas Army at Washington-on-the-Brazos.
1836 – Houston and the Texas Army celebrates the first Christmas of the newly independent Republic of Texas at Washington-on-the-Brazos.
1936 – While working on an essay to be delivered to the United States President, Stephen F. Austin develops pneumonia and dies on December 27.
1837 – Rumors of a Mexican invasion dampens holiday celebrations.
1840 – On December 25, French and American flags fly over the Texas capital for the first time, as both nations recognize the new Nation.
1860 – General Lee arrives at Fort Mason on December 23.
1865 – Major General George Armstrong Custer and his wife celebrate Christmas at his new duty station in Austin, Texas.
1914 – The state capital of Austin displays its first outdoor Christmas Tree.
Timeline based on materials found in “Christmas in Texas” by Elizabeth Silverthorne. Published by Texas A&M University Press, 1990.