An Alpaca Christmas

Texas Alpaca farm transforms into winter wonderland for Holidays on the Ranch

Happy holidays, y'all.

Photo courtesy Black Barn Alpacas

After a dazzling debut earlier this fall, Black Barn Alpaca ranch has transformed from pumpkin patch to winter wonderland just in time for Christmas. Beginning this Saturday, December 10, the farm will host two weekends of holiday fun for the whole family.

Located just under two hours from Austin, the Floresville farm is home to 50 adorable alpacas. For the winter festivities, the 16-acre property invites guests to shop, eat, and play with Santa and his favorite alpacas.

General festivities will take place from noon to 8 pm both Saturdays (December 10 and December 17), and from noon to 5 pm both Sundays (December 11 and December 18). A host of unique craft vendors and local food and beverage purveyors will be on site, as well as plenty of family-friendly activities. Kids will have a chance to decorate their bikes or wagons for a special parade (4 pm on Saturdays and 3 pm on Sundays), and the winner will take home a gift card to a local business.

While the alpacas will of course remain the stars of the show, Santa will visit the ranch both Saturdays at 4:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. Guests can also join a host of carolers both weekends (5:30 pm Saturdays; 2:30 pm Sundays), because as Buddy the Elf says, "the best way to spread holiday cheer is to sing loud for all to hear."

Admission to the event is $10, which can be purchased online or at the gate. Kids aged 2 and under are free, and guests can also feed the alpacas for $5 per feed bag on a first-come, first-serve basis.

family friendly san antonio farm holiday alpaca

WestJet goes South

Canadian airline launches nonstop route between Austin and Vancouver

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

WestJet is offering the route three times a week.

Austin residents eager to visit this country's neighbors to the north will have a new nonstop route to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), beginning May 11, 2025: WestJet, a major Canadian airline, will fly the route three times a week.

A release heralds "significant tourism and economic opportunities in both destinations."'

According to the City of Austin's list of nonstop flights out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), there are already routes to Vancouver offered by Air Canada. This route was launched in 2022. However, they are not currently available to book online.

The WestJet release mentions the airline's summer schedule, but does not specify an end date or whether the route will change seasonally.

Flights will depart Vancouver at 6 pm and arrive in Austin at 12:17 am. In the other direction, they'll depart Austin at 8 am and arrive in Vancouver at 10:38 am.

"As we continue to strengthen our service across Western Canada, we are proud to add new WestJet service between Vancouver and Austin as part of our expanded summer schedule," said Daniel Fajardo, WestJet's Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, in the release.

"This service will provide a valuable connection between the Greater Vancouver Area and Southern U.S.," he continued, "offering guests a convenient and affordable way to explore Austin's thriving music scene and renowned culinary culture, while also providing U.S.-based guests access to one of Canada's most iconic metropolises."

Another WestJet exec also points out Austin's reputation as a music city. The carrier also announced new routes to Boston and Tampa.

Earlier in November, budget carrier Frontier Airlines announced it would double its options by adding four U.S. destinations from AUS, and Delta Airlines announced new nonstop service to Jacksonville, Florida — the only such service currently available.

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