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!
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!
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 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!
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!
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, 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!
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!
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, 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.
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!
10. Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington Rides plus holiday shows, lights and even Santa Claus!
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!
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
Having Fun in the TEXAS Sun is on PINTEREST! Use it as a quick resource to find activities in different Texas towns! Click HERE!
© Having Fun in the Texas Sun, 2022. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Having Fun in the Texas Sun with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
