DRIPPING SPRINGS — Christmas on Mercer was started in 2005 by a shop owner on Mercer Street in downtown Dripping Springs. Carried on after the first year by the Dripping Springs Lions Club, Christmas on Mercer has grown into a big holiday celebration.
Landing on Dec. 7 this year, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Christmas on Mercer promises to be an event to remember with shopping, food, music and other family-friendly entertainment.
The Lions Club is an international service organization that focuses on bettering their communities.
In 2024, the Dripping Springs Lions Club is celebrating 20 years of Christmas on Mercer. The event kicked off the weekend before — Nov. 30 — with the lighting of the community Christmas tree in the Triangle between US 290, Ranch Road 12 and Mercer Street at the center of Dripping Springs.
The Lions Club partners with the city of Dripping Springs to organize and run Christmas on Mercer; funds received from the event go directly back into the community. With approximately 30 nonprofits supported by the Dripping Springs Lions Club, it strives to make a difference in the Dripping Springs community.
Expecting between 3,000 and 5,000 visitors, depending on the weather, Christmas on Mercer boasts many different vendors for Christmas shopping. With approximately 170 vendors, there are booths run by local businesses, churches and organizations, all offering either gifts for sale, food or experiences. Local church and school choirs will perform, as well as dancers, musicians and entertainers. Santa kicks off the day of Christmas on Mercer, taking up residence in Hudson’s on Mercer for pictures until 3 p.m.
The event is a space where people can see old friends, meet new ones and experience the joy of the holiday season, according to Dripping Springs Lions Club President Sharon Goss and secretary/ treasurer Susan Warwick.
“This is a place where everybody's probably going to know somebody,” said Goss. “We have this one lady that always dresses up as the Grinch; she's almost scary and she's really good.”
The event is also an opportunity for the Dripping Springs Lions to “initiate a grand community tradition” where the club’s visibility within the community and ensure that Dripping Springs maintains a small, family-friendly atmosphere, said Goss and Warwick.
Christmas on Mercer is supported by many sponsors and volunteers, without which, the event would not be possible. The Dripping Springs Lions Club is also always looking for volunteers and new members. Goss encourages people to come to a meeting, held at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month at Dripping Springs Ranch Park.
“We invite people to come help us serve our community,” said Goss.
To learn more about Christmas on Mercer, visit www.cityofdrippingsprings.com/christmasonmercer.
