Winter’s Eve to host 17 live bands, raffles and more

The annual Winter’s Eve festivities will continue this year, with a few safety-based modifications, from noon until 8 p.m. on December 12.

“This year we have a scaled down event that is going to be spread out from noon until 8 p.m. so people can come all through day and avoid having a large crowd at one time,” Jeanne Cope, president of the Merchants Association, said.

While the staple of pictures with Santa will not happen this year, there will be 17 bands playing all over the Wimberley Square including many local favorites like Marvin Bottera, Heather Wiley and Texas Renegade.

Due to capacity restrictions, there are limits on how many people can be in an individual store at one time.

“But you can hang around and listen to music while you are waiting to get into each shop,” Cope said.

The popular gift basket raffle is back this year. There are 10 big baskets with items donated from 50 local merchants like a two night stay at the Square Inn or a $50 wine tasting gift certificate to the Hill Country Wine Shoppe.

Shoppers at the event can get a map of the square. After getting it stamped by eight shops, the map can be returned to the information booth for a free raffle ticket. Tickets will also be on sale for $2 a ticket or three for $5. You do not have to be present to win.

Winter’s Eve is an annual event hosted by the Wimberley Merchants Association.