Hill Country Christmas Lighting Trail turns on millions of colorful lights to sparkle across water, shine from the hills, and beckon to travelers in Blanco, Burnet, Dripping Springs, Goldthwaite, Fredericksburg, Johnson City, Llano, Marble Falls, and Round Mountain through Jan. 1. For a detailed brochure, call 830/997-8515.

Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Fair at the Bastrop Opera House offers lots of handmade gift ideas, Nov. 27-28. 512/303-6283.

Coming up …

Dickens on the Strand in Galveston turns the waterfront into a Victorian-era holiday village with continuous entertainment and food, Dec. 5-6. 800/351-4237.

This article appears in November 27 • 1998 and November 27 • 1998 (Cover).

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Gerald E. McLeod joined the Chronicle staff in November 1980 as a graphic designer. In April 1991 he began writing the “Day Trips” column. Besides the weekly travel column, he contributed “101 Swimming Holes,” “Guide to Central Texas Barbecue,” and “Guide to the Texas Hill Country.” His first 200 columns have been published in Day Trips Vol. I and Day Trips Vol. II.