Schlitterbahn To Be Open For The Holidays For New Christmas Event

New Braunfels, TX -- World famous Schlitterbahn waterpark will turn water into snow during the upcoming holiday season for a special event – Schlitterbahn's Hill Country Christmas.

Beginning November 28 and continuing through January 4, 2009, the original Schlitterbahn waterpark will transform into a holiday wonderland with more than one-million lights, amazing attractions, dazzling shows, festive food, unique shopping and the chance to meet with Santa himself.

Attractions planned for Schlitterbahn's Hill Country Christmas include a real outdoor ice skating rink where guests will skate under the starry Texas sky.

Instead of tubing down the park's famous tube chutes, the park will instead produce snow to create a sled run. Hop on a toboggan and ride down the snowy hill.

For those looking for snow Schatze's Winter Wonderland will have plenty of it to play in and be the place to meet Schlitterbahn's mascot, Schatze, who will be dressed for the occasion.

Santa Claus himself will be visiting Schlitterbahn through December 23 and children of all ages can meet him.

The park also plans to have a life-size lit nativity, Candy Cane Lane Light Tunnel with lights synched to lively music, and a traditional model train display.

Three live shows Scrooge's Haus, Christmas Reflections: A River of Lights Spectacular, and Holiday Illuminations will be presented nightly. There will also be Christmas carolers, street performers and bands throughout the park.

Keeping with the park's tradition of being a waterpark, one of the park's large outdoor hot tubs will be open for all to enjoy. Adult beverages will also be available.

For guests who like to shop the Christmas Shoppe located in the beautifully restored 150-year-old Hill Country home will feature three floors of unique, designer collectibles elaborately displayed throughout holiday-themed rooms. Crafter Village will be a collection of shops featuring handcrafted items.

"We're excited to create a new family tradition this holiday season," explained Darren Hill, general manager for Schlitterbahn New Braunfels. "This new event truly captures the magic of Christmas morning every night. Visiting families will be thrilled with the variety of holiday attractions, shopping, food and shows that can all be enjoyed in one evening together."

Schlitterbahn hopes this new Holiday event will become the next must-see holiday family tradition.

Schlitterbahn's Hill Country Christmas event opens for weekend operation (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) on November 28. The event is open daily December 18 through January 4, 2009 (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The park will open at 5:00 pm and closing times will vary.

Tickets are on-sale at schlitterbahnchristmas.com for $14.99 (plus tax) and $12.99 (plus tax) for children, ages 3 − 11 and seniors 55 years or older. Parking is free.

Related see: Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, www.schlitterbahn.com/nb/