Christmas at the Museum

Christmas at the Museum brings holiday cheer and community giving to Del Rio

By Texas Times Staff
DEL RIO, TX — The spirit of the holiday season was on full display this past Saturday at the Whitehead Memorial Museum during its annual Christmas at the Museum celebration, an event that combined festive activities with a meaningful food and toy drive for local families in need.
Michael Diaz, Director of the Whitehead Memorial Museum, said the event was a great success and expressed his gratitude to the Del Rio community for its continued generosity and support.
“This is our annual food and toy drive where we collect non-perishable food items for the Val Verde County Food Pantry and toys that will be donated to Ruben Chavira Elementary School,” Diaz said. “These toys will be distributed to students in need during the holiday season.”
The family friendly event featured a visit from Santa Claus, who handed out free goodie bags and posed for photos with children. Young attendees also enjoyed free arts and crafts, face painting, and live performances throughout the evening.
Diaz extended special thanks to the student choirs from Lonnie Green Elementary School and Hill Elementary School for their musical performances, as well as the Ballet Folklórico Toko Rico group, which entertained guests with a vibrant cultural dance presentation.
The event was made possible through the support of community sponsors, including Union Pacific, Friends of Val Verde Health and Wellness, The Bargain Box, the City of Del Rio, and Val Verde County.
“Not everyone experiences a great Christmas, and this is a way for the community to come together in one place and give back whether through food or toy donations,” Diaz said.
Approximately 150 toys were collected during the drive, along with a substantial amount of food donations. Diaz thanked all residents who contributed, emphasizing the importance of community involvement during the holiday season.
In addition to the food and toy drive, the museum has launched its annual Christmas Museum Lights, allowing the public to enjoy the museum’s holiday decorations free of charge.
“Over the years, we’ve expanded our decorations and decided to open the museum to the public on select evenings in December so families can enjoy the lights and take holiday photos,” Diaz said.
The museum is open from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on December 15, 19, 20, 21, 23, and 24, inviting families to walk through the decorated grounds, enjoy the festive atmosphere, and take Christmas photos at no cost.
“Families are welcome to bring their own cameras or photographers and capture their holiday memories here,” Diaz added. “It’s a great opportunity to spend quality time together.”
With a full calendar of events throughout the year, Diaz said the museum looks forward to continuing its mission of preserving history while serving the community.
“We truly appreciate the community’s support,” he said. “We’re excited to see what 2026 brings.”
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