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Lubbock’s week ahead, Nov. 16-22: Voting machines, Holiday Happening, Christmas lights and a Saturday packed with Santa

By Jerry Rodriquez

The week before Thanksgiving is when Lubbock flips the switch on Christmas. Here’s what to know and where to be from Monday, Nov. 16, through Sunday, Nov. 22.

Planning the weekend? Our Lubbock This Weekend guide for Nov. 20-22 has the full rundown, and our Christmas guide keeps every light show, parade and Santa visit through New Year’s in one place.

All week

  • East 50th Street (FM 835) detour. TxDOT’s bridge demolition just east of Loop 289 means a detour to Buffalo Springs Lake and Ransom Canyon via FM 40 and FM 1729 until late spring 2027, KCBD reported. Give yourself extra time.
  • Adopt a senior. Lubbock Meals on Wheels still had about 150 seniors waiting to be adopted for its holiday gift project as of Friday, and gift wrapping starts this week, KCBD reported. Call the office or stop by near 34th Street and Avenue X during business hours. Here’s how it works.
  • Santa at South Plains Mall. Visits are free in Santa’s Winter Home in Grand Court. Through Friday, Nov. 20, he’s in weekdays from 2 to 7 p.m. Starting Saturday, Nov. 21, hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (break 3 to 4 p.m.) Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, per the mall’s Santa page.

Monday, Nov. 16

  • Commissioners talk voting machines, 9 a.m. Lubbock County Commissioners Court holds a special meeting at the courthouse, 904 Broadway, to canvass the Nov. 3 results and hear a briefing on buying a new voting system, according to the agenda. No purchase vote is scheduled.
  • School boards. Frenship ISD and Lubbock-Cooper ISD (7 p.m.) trustees hold regular meetings, according to the Lubbock Lights meetings calendar.
  • Pet Nights with Santa begin on select nights through Dec. 21 at South Plains Mall. Reservations are encouraged and pets must be leashed or in a carrier, per the mall.
  • Library picks: a genealogy workshop on FamilySearch at Mahon Library, 7 p.m. (ages 18+), and Lubbock Master Gardeners at Groves Branch, 6 p.m., according to the Lubbock Public Library.

Tuesday, Nov. 17

  • Christmas Villages open at the American Windmill Museum, 1701 Canyon Lake Drive, with trains, villages and 200-plus windmills. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through Jan. 2, per the museum.
  • LP&L’s Electric Utility Board meets at 11 a.m. at Citizens Tower, 1314 Avenue K, according to the city calendar.
  • Last day to reserve a seat for Thursday’s free Alzheimer’s symposium (below).

Wednesday, Nov. 18

  • Holiday Happening Sneak Peek. The Junior League of Lubbock’s 46th holiday market, “Making Spirits Bright,” opens at the Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane. Doors at 5 p.m., market hall at 5:30. Tickets are $65, and it’s a stroller-free night, per the Lubbock Cultural District listing.
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage, 7:30 p.m. at The Buddy Holly Hall (details).
  • Texas Tech men vs. LSU New Orleans, 6:30 p.m., United Supermarkets Arena, ESPN+ (schedule).

Thursday, Nov. 19

  • Free Alzheimer’s Awareness Symposium, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Our Lady of Grace Parish Hall, 311 Erskine St. Memory screenings, caregiver info, breakfast and lunch. Reserve by Nov. 17, KCBD reported.
  • Holiday Happening general hours begin, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (tickets).
  • Lady Raiders vs. North Carolina, 5 p.m., in Orlando at the WBCA Showcase (schedule).
  • For kids: Story Ballet with Ballet Lubbock at Mahon Library, 2 p.m. (ages 3-5), and Game On at Patterson Branch, 3:30 p.m. (grades K-12).

Friday, Nov. 20

  • Christmas in the Park opens at Adventure Park, 5110 29th Drive, nightly through Dec. 31, 5 to 8 p.m., with more than 500,000 lights. Tickets are listed at $12.99 with s’mores and the Adventure Towers, plus train rides Friday through Sunday (booking listing).
  • Waitress opens a three-day run at The Buddy Holly Hall, 7:30 p.m. (showtimes).
  • Thanksgiving Get Together for adults 50 and older from every city senior center, 1 to 3 p.m., Lubbock Adult Activity Center, 2001 19th St. (city calendar).

Saturday, Nov. 21

  • Heart for the Holidays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Condra School, 1421 9th St. Free hot meals, a South Plains Food Bank mobile pantry, coats, a kids’ corner and free photos with Santa. No sign-up (details).
  • Festival of Trees, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., YWCA, 6501 University Ave. Santa photos, cocoa and food trucks. $5 at the door, kids 4 and under free; benefits The Rainbow Room (details).
  • Lubbock Coffee Fest, 1 to 9 p.m. on Historic Broadway. Free to attend; Coffee Crawl passes ($45) and soup flights ($32) sold separately (details).
  • Texas Tech football at Baylor in Waco. Kickoff time was still TBD on Baylor’s game page.

Sunday, Nov. 22

  • Last day of Holiday Happening, noon to 5 p.m.
  • Waitress closes with a 1 p.m. matinee.
  • Last call for our giveaway. Entries in Hub City UnCovered’s $200 Black Friday gift card giveaway close at 11:59 p.m. (rules).

Know about something we missed? Send us your event.

Sources

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