Must-Do Holiday Events in DFW

Looking to celebrate the holidays? In the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex we’re lucky to have so many to experience but here’s our shortlist of Must-Do Holiday Events in DFW!

Check back often: This list will update throughout the season. 

Ready for the holidays? Don’t worry, they’re already here, so get ready.

And in the DFW metroplex, from Fort Worth to Dallas, Arlington to Plano, Grand Prairie to Grapevine (and of course everything in between), there are plenty of great ones to choose from every day of the week. However, there are a few events that you need to have on your must-do, must-go, must-see list for the holidays in 2020! (And make sure to look as some of these have giveaways too!) 

1. Holiday at the Arboretum

Nov. 7 – Dec. 31, 2020

Dallas / Arboretum

Tickets: Prices range with activities (some activities included with admission.)

Holiday at the Arboretum features the return of the magnificent The 12 Days of Christmas outdoor exhibit, as well as almost 1 million lights throughout the garden at night, trimming the architecture of the historic homes and lighting the canopies overhead—including a 30-foot-tall tree. But that’s just the beginning! You can snag a kiss under the mistletoe, get a glimpse of Santa and a real reindeer, have tea, and much more. There are activities available both morning and nights, throughout the week and the weekends so make sure to check the schedule to get your favorites. Get the details.

2. Lone Star Christmas  

Nov. 9 – Jan. 3, 2021

Grapevine / Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center

Prices: Rates range based on activities. 

Walk-thru the most iconic scenes from your favorite Christmas movies in our all-new, multi-sensory experience. Interact and capture moments with the characters, sets and moments you know-and-love, with over 13 fully immersive scenes complete with replicas of film props, audio clips, and more. Featuring THE POLAR EXPRESS™, A CHRISTMAS STORY™, ELF™, NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION™, and THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS™. Get the details.

3. Radiance A Holiday Lights Spectacular

Nov. 11 – Jan. 3, 2021

Frisco / Weatherford / Decatur 

Prices: $30 per car / $50 for VIP (special VIP lane, hot chocolate and magical light glasses for the kids.)

Enjoy the wonder of RADIANCE! A Holiday Light Spectacular, at Frisco, Decatur, or Weatherford, or gather your friends and experience all three. Gather the family and sip a cup of  hot chocolate as you marvel at two million lights, animated to the tunes of your favorite holiday classics from the safety and comfort of your car! Get the details.

 

4. The Trains at Northpark (GIVEAWAY)

Nov. 14 – Jan. 3, 2021

The exhibit closes for Christmas and Thanksgiving, also closing early for both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Dallas / Northpark Center 

Prices: Children under 2 free / Children ages 2-12 $5 / Adults $10 / Seniors over 65 $5

For the past 33 years The Trains at NorthPark have been a holiday tradition for many families (you can spot them through the mall sporting their PJs as they head to the exhibit!) Benefiting Ronald McDonald House of Dallas (RMHD) , and presented by Bank of Texas, The Trains at NorthPark features 750 railcars on a 1,600-foot elaborate configuration of tracks and scenes. The largest miniature train track in Texas, the Trains at NorthPark features cityscapes like Dallas, the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and Fair Park; New York with Times Square and Grand Central Terminal; Washington, D.C. with The White House; and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Other highlights include New England’s fall foliage, the Grand Canyon, Garden of the Gods, Mount Rushmore and Route 66. The charming exhibit has been seen by around two million since its original run over 30 years ago.  (As you can see here from 2013, we’re big fans!)  Get the details.

5. SNOWDAY Dallas

Nov. 20 – Jan. 3, 2021

Dallas / Galleria Dallas

Prices: Children under 3 free / Kids ages 4 – 12 $8 / Adults $22   

Self-described as a “holiday dipped and peppermint flipped immersive experience,” SnowDay is back for the 2nd year to Big D. Guests will navigate their way through an imaginative wonderland of festive photo ops, enchanted rooms, interactive spaces, and nostalgic moments with photo booths integrated throughout the exhibit. Get the details.

 

8. Luminova Holidays

Nov. 20 – Jan. 3, 2021

Arlington / Globe Life Field

Prices: $19 for youth / $29 for adults 

Surrounded by millions of dazzling lights, Luminova will brighten up your holidays! Visit with jolly ol’ Saint Nick, glide on a 10,000 sq. ft outdoor ice-skating pond, snap great pictures with family and friends around our larger-than-life light displays, sip on hot cocoa, and enjoy yummy treats. With 270,000 sq. ft. of immersive indoor and outdoor entertainment at the all-new Globe Life Field, there is something to get everyone in the holiday spirit. Get the details.

ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO VIP NIGHT AT LUMINOVA HERE 

(photo credit Luminova)

9. Dallas Zoo Lights

Nov. 20 – Jan. 3, 2021

Dallas / Dallas Zoo

Prices: Member $50 per car / Non-Member $65 per car

After the animals head in for the evening, the Dallas Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland with over one million twinkling lights illuminating the Zoo throughout the holiday season. Discover realistic silk-covered lanterns in the shape of your favorite animals, plus even more light displays and festivities for the entire family! Get the details.

Dallas Zoo Lights Activities:

• Holiday Light Show
• Santa meet-and-greet
• Nature ornament-making activity
• Nightly musical performances throughout Zoo
• North Rainbow Arch
• Whimsical African watering hole at Lantern Ridge
• Santa’s Sleigh photo op
• Elves’ Workshop at the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo with Animal Encounters every 30 minutes
• S’mores, specialty donuts, funnel cakes, and hot chocolate.  

10. Holiday in the Park

Nov. 21-Jan. 3, 2021

Arlington / Six Flags Over Texas 

Tickets vary.

If you’re looking for holiday thrills you’ll find them at Holiday in the Park at Six Flags over Texas. Discover a winter wonderland filled with more than 1 million lights holiday attractions including a snow hill, visits with Santa, sing-a-longs, holiday shows and don’t forget the treats (s’mores!)  At the Merry Marketplace grab a few holiday gifts filled with holiday treats, shopping, and photo opportunities. Get the details.

 

11. GM Financial Parade of Lights

Nov. 22

Fort Worth / Sundance Square

Prices: Free Broadcast

It’s typically a day filled with exciting things to do throughout Downtown, from taking care of your holiday shopping to dining out in some of the finest restaurants in Fort Worth, all while enjoying the holiday spirit of the country’s top holiday parade; however, this year’s parade will be different, and reimagined! We’ll be bringing you the entire parade broadcast from the Fort Worth Convention Center, on local network television and online, ONLY.

Get the details.

(Photo credit GM Financial Fort Worth Parade of Lights)

 

12. Prairie Lights 

Nov. 26 – Dec. 27, 2020 Thanksgiving – New Year’s Eve (hours vary) 

Grand Prairie / Joe Pool Lake

Prices start at $30 per car

Long one of my favorite of displays in DFW, Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie is well worth the time and money! There is such much even beyond two miles of lit paths and four million lights, it’s a whole night of fun for the kid in all of us. The  Holiday Village is unavailable this year.  Get the details.

 

13. Gift of Lights 

Nov. 26 – Jan. 6, 2021

Fort Worth / Texas Motor Speedway

Prices: Tickets start at $30

Head to Texas Motor Speedway for the Gift of Lights.  There you will see a fantastic light show, travel to Santa’s Village where you will meet Santa and experience what Christmas is like at the North Pole. First responders and military also get a special gift with a free 5 x 7 photo in Santa’s Village. Get the details. 

 

14. Texas Christkindl Market ONLINE

Nov. 27 – Dec. 23, 2020

Arlington / Social Media

Prices: Free 

It’s a German Christmas at the Texas Christkindl Market and even though there will not be a physical location this year, please enjoy the website and social media channels. You’ll discover holiday cheer, decorations, recipes, and one-­of-­a-­kind finds and gifts from your favorite vendors through our vendor listings. You’ll see how to create German holiday treats with authentic recipes and video demonstrations. Live performances from local choirs and dancers will be broadcast through our social media channels, and children (and adults alike) will get surprise messages from St. Nick throughout the duration of the Market. Get the details.

 

15. Vitruvian Lights 

Nov. 27 – Jan. 1, 2021

Addison / Vitruvian Park 

Free 

The most dazzling and spectacular time of the year is here!  Vitruvian Park transforms into a magical holiday wonderland during Vitruvian Lights. Walk through the park to view the lights, gourmet food trucks, sweet treats, FREE photos with Santa, classic holiday characters, elf balloon artist, and Metrocrest Services Donation Drive plus live music! Get the details.

(Photo credit: Visit Addison Facebook)

 

16. Christmas at the Anatole

Nov. 28 – Dec. 23, 2020

Dallas / Hilton Anatole

Rates and prices range based on activities.

When it comes to having some real face-time with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Christmas at the Anatole is the perfect place. The legendary hotel transforms into a winter wonderland complete with festive décor, Santa fun, holiday movies and even live reindeer. But waking up with Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus might be the icing on the Christmas cookies! Make a weekend of it with a stay at the hotel which includes a holiday movie night or try to snag one of the select opportunities for Breakfast with Santa only. Either way, you’ll make some great memories! Get the details.

 

17. Dallas Holiday Parade

Dec. 5

Dallas / Downtown

Prices: Free 

COMING SOON 

 

18. Daystar Christmas

Dec. 6 – Dec. 21, 2020

Bedford / Daystar

Free admission

I can’t believe for so many years I didn’t know about this event, but I’m so glad we do now! A beautiful, intimate way to spend the holidays together looking at lights and the life-size nativity scene, Daystar Christmas is even adding a massive drive-thru tunnel stretching 950 ft. with more than 11,000 Lights. There’s amazing backdrops for photos, there are visits with Santa and there’s even a coffee shop that you can visit with sweets, cocoa and more.  Get the details.

 

19. Arlington Holiday Lights Parade

December 12, 2020

Arlington / Downtown

Free

COMING SOON (We hope!)

 

 

Check back often: This list will update throughout the season.