Candlelight at the Ranch

The holiday season is right around the corner! The National Ranching Heritage Center will be dressed in all its holiday finery for the 46th Annual Candlelight at the Ranch.  Join the tradition on Friday, December 13 & Saturday, December 14 from 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock.

The event is FREE (suggested donation of $5) and does not require a ticket.

Want to make an extra-special evening of it? A VIP Experience Pass may be just what you are looking for.

VIP Experience Passes include –

  • Reserved parking space for 1 vehicle
  • Early entry for you and 6 guests (7 people total) from 6 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Holiday snacks and refreshments

VIP Experience Passes are $100.

Passes will go on sale November 8. Ranching Heritage Association members can enjoy early access to purchase passes on November 1.

Purchase 1 VIP Pass for each parking spot needed, not for each person.

** Please note, the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center area will be CLOSED on the evenings of Candlelight. We hope you’ll come back during normal business hours to explore Hank’s ranch!

There will be a free shuttle service for attendees parking in the event’s satellite lot starting at 6:15 pm.  This parking area, located at UMC Medical Center at the southwest corner of Fourth Street and Indiana Avenue, will be serviced by Citibus.  The buses will deliver visitors to the front door of the National Ranching Heritage Center and loop back to the UMC parking lot throughout each evening. Click HERE to view the shuttle service map.

Holiday scenes will be recreated in 15 historic structures such as the 1838 El Capote Log Cabin, 1886 XIT Ranch headquarters, 1888 Matador Half-Dugout and 1909 Queen-Anne style Barton House. Visitors will have maps pointing the way to each structure.

Volunteers bring the ranch to life in each structure, play live music, sell hot cocoa, make kettle corn, help Santa with his visitors, serve meals to the volunteers, keep pathways safe, sing Christmas carols, oversee the parking lot and much more.

The lighted pathways are wheelchair and stroller accessible as visitors pass cowboys camped out near their horses and brewing coffee over a campfire. Visitors can purchase refreshments in the decorated 6666 Barn and on the Campbell patio while they listen Christmas music with a Texas swing.

We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you at the Ranch!