10 Amazing Holiday Events in North Texas

We started playing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells, so you know the holidays can’t be more than 3-4 months away!  There are so many things to do and see in the few short weeks of December, and it’s never too early to start planning for the events you just can’t miss!

The 12 Days of Christmas at the Dallas Arboretum 5 Golden Rings
The 12 Days of Christmas at the Dallas Arboretum

1.  The Dallas Arboretum presents The 12 Days of Christmas   Stroll the lighted gardens and see the images of the 12 Days of Christmas and their amazing Holiday Village! Really as wonderful during the day as in the evenings, each offers a different experience. We enjoyed dinner on the huge patio at Smoky Rose, right across the street from the Arboretum!

The 12 Days of Christmas at the Dallas Arboretum Holidays at the Arboretum
The 12 Days of Christmas at the Dallas Arboretum
dallas arboretum 12 days of Christmas
The 12 Days of Christmas at the Dallas Arboretum
galleria ice skating

2. Ice Skating 

Grapevine Ice Rink, Grapevine A new addition to the Christmas Capital of Texas this Holiday Season is a huge, outdoor ice rink in Historic Downtown Grapevine! We haven’t been yet, but this will be one of our first things to do when my older kids get home for Christmas break! The 4,500 square foot rink will open on November 18 – January 8!

Skating Rink at the Galleria, Dallas    We absolutely love a visit to the Dallas Galleria each December when the Christmas Tree is lit up and skaters can make their way around the beautiful tree! 

Christmas in the Square at Frisco Square, Frisco   The square is lit with the largest choreographed light show in North Texas, and skaters can skate on the outdoor rink.  Click HERE for more information.

enchant 1

Enchant Christmas Fair Park, Dallas     Enchant returns to Fair Park in Dallas with a new location, closer to the parking lots and bringing back all the fun you love! An amazing walk-thru light spectacle, with so much to do for the entire family! Dallas is one of 9 U.S. cities hosting Enchant this Holiday Season!

fort worth parade of lights

3.  Holiday Parades

Fort Worth Parade of Lights Nov. 20st at 6pm   Arrive early for this fun Christmas parade that lights up Downtown Fort Worth! 

Dallas Holiday Parade Dec. 3rd, 10am  Previously the Dallas Children’s Parade, this is the largest holiday parade in North Texas! 

Parade of Lights, Grapevine Dec. 1st   6:30pm   Grapevine is known as the Christmas Capital of Texas, and the annual parade kicks off the season! Go early and enjoy dinner in Historic Downtown, and browsing the shops! 

Arlington Holiday Lights Parade December 10 6pm   Watch this fun parade with the lighting of the Downtown Christmas tree as a finale, followed by visits with Santa Claus! 

Zoo Lights at the Dallas Zoo

4. Drive Thru Light Displays 

The Light Park, Arlington (Hurricane Harbor) now – Jan. 1. I really enjoy this drive-thru light park where all the lights are synched up to music on your car radio!

Dallas Zoo Lights, Dallas Zoo Not only are there tons of lights, lantern animals, cute winter scenes and of course the dinosaurs, but this year they have a couple of amazing animated light features, too! Stop for refreshments afterwards and to see St. Nick at the Reliant Holiday Village. Runs Nov. 17- Jan. 1 on select nights. Advanced online ticket purchases required.

Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie Texas

Prairie Lights, Grand Prairie  The best of the drive-though Christmas lights exhibits, Prairie Lights dazzles the holiday season! 

Whistle Stop Christmas Cleburne   Take a leisurely stroll around Hulen Park, lit up with 3 1/2 million Christmas lights!   

Santa Land, Tyler  Visitors can choose to drive themselves or take a hayride through the lit-up attractions! 

The Light Park in Arlington at Hurricane Harbor Parking Lot Christmas Display
The Light Park in Arlington
LIghtscape at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden

5. Walk Thru Light Displays

Lightscape at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Opens Nov. 18th I’m so excited that Lightscape is coming to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden this season! While I haven’t seen it yet, it has been extremely popular in other cities, including the San Antonio Botanical Garden, where it is also returning for a second year! Walk through the enchanted trail of lights, artistic installations, lit with color and accompanied with sounds! Also, the wave of bluebonnets, a favorite in San Antonio, will only be in the Texas locations! There will also be hot chocolate and smore stations along the way!

Dallas Heritage Village, Dallas  On Dec. 10th,  enjoy a Candlelight Christmas with strolling carolers, tell St. Nicholas your holiday wishes, and make holiday crafts.

Vitruvian Lights, Addison  Nov. 25 – Jan. 1 Walk among millions of lighted trees and enjoy holiday activities, food and more! 

4D Christmas Tree Farm

6.  Christmas Tree Farms

4D Christmas Tree Farm, Weatherford  This fun Christmas tree farm offers two types of trees, Leyland Cypress and Blue Ice Arizona Cypress!  Enjoy hot apple cider and hay rides on the farm! 

mainstay farm 2

Mainstay Farm, Cleburne  Cut your own Christmas tree, and enjoy fun farm activities for a full day of fun at this big farm south of Fort Worth!  Click HERE for more information.

Yesterland Farms, Canton     Just an hour from Dallas, this farm has trees to cut and pre-cut trees, as well as fun games, rides and much more!  Click HERE for more information.

bethlehem revisited

7. Live Nativities

Bethlehem Revisited, Waxahachie  Held the first two weekends of December, come out to enjoy walking the “streets” of Bethlehem with fun and interactive shop owners who demonstrate their trades of the period, then follow either Mary and Joseph, the 3 Kings or the shepherds as they reach the stable!  Click HERE for more information.

Journey Into Christmas at Grace Bible Church, Dallas  A Walk through Nativity with live camels and a petting zoo. 

Journey to Bethlehem at FUMC, Plano  A fun, drive-through nativity. 

8.  Holiday Shows

Cirque Twas the Night Before in Grand Prairie tells the story of the beloved classic, set to a Cirque du Soleil event! It’s incredible!

The Christmas Carol Experience in Granbury We attended this show last year and just loved it! It’s very interactive and you’re on your feet the entire time, moving around from room to room and outside, but it’s wonderful!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical Nov. 21-22 at Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth

A Christmas Carol, The Musical at Casa Manana, Fort Worth 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Artisan Center Theater, Hurst 

The Nutcracker with Texas Ballet Theater at Winspear Opera House

A Christmas Carol at Dallas Theater Center (a personal favorite of mine!).

Elf the Musical at the Plaza Theater in Cleburne.

9. Holiday Happenings

Christmas at the Hilton Anatole, Dallas   Complimentary to guest of the hotel, Peppermint Park offers breakfast with Santa, train rides around the lit-up park, kids activities and Gepetto’s Marionette Theater. 

Lone Star Christmas at Gaylord Hotel, Grapevine   Spend the night or just enjoy an evening ice skating, snow tubing and much more! 

holiday in the park

10.  Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington  Rides plus holiday shows, lights and even Santa Claus! 

the trains at northpark

11.  Christmas Trains

The Trains at Northpark Mall, Dallas   A family tradition for us, we love watching the trains then heading to watch the FREE puppet show and lunch at La Duni Latin Cafe! 

grapevine vintage railroad 2

The North Pole Express, Grapevine  Take the kids to ride to the North Pole to meet Santa on the Historic Grapevine Railroad!   Click HERE for more information.



Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle

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