Christmas in Dallas–Fort Worth means drive-through light trails, ice skating, Santa brunches with skyline views, German-style markets, and a Western Christmas in the Stockyards. The hard part is choosing, because the metroplex is big and many of the best experiences need timed tickets.
As Dallas residents, we built this guide to help you pick what’s worth your time, what to book ahead, and how to group outings so you aren’t crisscrossing the metroplex.
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Updated October 2026. Confirmed 2026 dates appear below. Where an organizer hasn’t announced its 2026 schedule yet, we say so and share last season’s details as a guide. Check the organizer’s website before buying tickets or traveling.
Quick Picks
- Free: Vitruvian Lights, Klyde Warren Park tree lighting, Fort Worth Parade of Lights (street viewing), Dickens in Downtown Plano, Wassail Fest in Denton, neighborhood light displays.
- With kids: Santa’s North Pole Express, The Trains at NorthPark, Dallas Zoo Lights, Christmas at the Anatole.
- Date night: Holiday at the Arboretum at night, Candlelight Christmas concerts, holiday pop-up bars, Winter Chalets at the Hilton Anatole.
- Indoors: Galleria Dallas tree and rink, The Trains at NorthPark, ICE! at Gaylord Texan (kept below freezing, so bundle up), SNOWDAY, The Nutcracker.
- From your car: Prairie Lights, Gift of Lights, The Light Park.
- Last chance: the Dallas Arboretum’s 12 Days of Christmas gazebos retire after this season.
- Christmas Day: Gift of Lights (open Christmas Day in 2025), Vitruvian Lights, Christmas in the Square and neighborhood lights. The Dallas Arboretum is closed Dec. 25, and Santaland closes Dec. 24.
Classic Holiday Activities This Christmas in Dallas–Fort Worth
1. See America’s Tallest Indoor Christmas Tree at Galleria Dallas
The 95-foot tree in Galleria Dallas‘s center court is billed as the tallest indoor Christmas tree in the United States, lit with more than 200,000 programmable LEDs and topped with a grand star. Pair it with a spin on the mall’s ice rink below.
Location: Galleria Dallas, Dallas
Dates: Nov. 1, 2026–Jan. 4, 2027; most festivities begin Nov. 13
Cost: Free to see the tree; skating and other activities extra
Good to know: Indoors, so it’s a reliable bad-weather option.
2. Watch the Miniature Trains at NorthPark Center
The Trains at NorthPark Center send miniature locomotives along more than 1,000 feet of track past American cityscapes and landmarks. Ticket proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, which supports families of children receiving medical care.
Location: NorthPark Center, Dallas
Dates: Opens Nov. 14, 2026
Best for: Families with young children; indoors
Good to know: Pair it with NorthPark’s free Stories and Songs with Santa (Nov. 28–Dec. 24) and Santa visits (#42).
3. Visit Classic Christmas at Dallas Midtown
Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas combines immersive holiday light displays with seasonal entertainment and outdoor activities. Its 2025 Dallas Midtown edition (the former Valley View Mall site) ran Nov. 21–Dec. 28 with 90,000 square feet of light displays, outdoor ice skating, a snow-tube slide, Santa visits, Christmas karaoke and holiday movie screenings.
2026 status: A 2026 Dallas season has not been announced yet; watch classicchristmas.com for dates.
Cost (2025): Roughly $22–$34 for adults; skating cost extra
Good to know: Much of the experience is outdoors, so dress for the weather.
4. Walk Christmas in the Garden at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Christmas in the Garden is an outdoor, self-guided trail of about a mile with more than 1 million lights and 22 installations. New for 2026 are Neon Gallopers, Nenufars and Snowflakes, alongside the Winter Cathedral, an illuminated Texas flag and a field of glowing bluebonnets. Santa visits nightly through Dec. 24.
Location: Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Dates: Opens Nov. 20, 2026
Cost: Adults $20–$34, children $13–$22 depending on the night; under 2 free; parking extra
Booking: Timed entry; book your Christmas in the Garden tickets ahead
Good to know: Fully outdoors; plan on 60–90 minutes. Paved paths are wheelchair accessible.
5. Spend a Day in Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas
Grapevine packs more than 1,400 holiday events into about 40 days, from the Carol of Lights tree lighting to the North Pole Express, the Peace Plaza ice rink and Main Street Santa. Historic Main Street is walkable, so it’s easy to combine several in one visit.
Kickoff: 38th Carol of Lights, Mon., Nov. 23, 2026 (free)
Don’t miss: 47th Parade of Lights, Thu., Dec. 3, 2026, 7 p.m. (free, #12)
Best for: A full day out; families and couples
6. Ride Roller Coasters at Six Flags Holiday in the Park
Six Flags Over Texas stays open for Holiday in the Park, where you can ride coasters under Christmas lights, catch holiday shows and warm up with hot cocoa.
Location: Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington
Dates: Select days, Nov. 21–Dec. 30, 2026 (check the park calendar)
Cost: Included with park admission or a season pass
Good to know: Mostly outdoors; not every ride runs in cold or wet weather.
7. Tour ICE! Featuring Harry Potter at Gaylord Texan
For 2026, ICE! at Gaylord Texan Resort carves scenes from the Harry Potter films out of 2 million pounds of ice. You’ll pass through 10 rooms, from Hogsmeade Station to the Great Hall, then race down one of six two-story ice slides. Ice artisans from Harbin, China, carve the exhibit and demonstrate their craft along the way.
Location: Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine
Dates: Lone Star Christmas runs Nov. 13, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027
Cost: Varies by date and activity; bundles available, with discounts for overnight guests
Good to know: The exhibit is kept at about 9°F. Parkas are provided, but bring hats, gloves and closed-toe shoes.
Tip: Make a day of it, or book an overnight stay at Gaylord Texan. The resort’s Lone Star Christmas also includes 2 million lights, a 54-foot tree, ice tubing, ice skating, snowball throwing, gingerbread decorating, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions.
8. Stay for Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge
Snowland turns Great Wolf Lodge into a holiday resort, with daily indoor snow showers in the lobby, Santa visits, holiday crafts, story time and a scavenger hunt. It’s best for families with younger kids who’ll also use the indoor water park.
Location: Great Wolf Lodge, Grapevine
Cost: Included with an overnight stay or a water park day pass
2026 status: Dates not yet posted; Snowland usually starts the week of Thanksgiving and runs into early January.
9. Celebrate a Western Christmas in the Fort Worth Stockyards
The Fort Worth Stockyards give Christmas a Western twist, with a season running Nov. 17, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. The free Stockyards Million Dollar Mile of Lights decorates Cowtown Coliseum, Mule Alley, the Livestock Exchange Building and Exchange Avenue all season, and Cowboy Santa rides in with the longhorn herd.
Stockyards Rodeo Rink: Nov. 17–Jan. 3 on the Exchange Lawns; $25 adults, $20 kids, skate rental included. Skaters can watch the cattle drive pass at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Cowboy Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade: Fri., Nov. 27, 11:30 a.m., with the public tree lighting at 6 p.m. (free)
Christmas in the Stockyards: Sat., Dec. 5, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., with Reindeer Games, Cowboy Santa and a 4 p.m. Christmas parade (free)
Photos with Cowboy Santa: Nov. 27–29 and Dec. 1–24 (ticketed); Mrs. Claus Story Time on select weekends (free)
Hotel Drover guests only: 12 Days of Drover (Dec. 11–24), with Cowboy Santa, live reindeer and fireside s’mores
Good to know: There’s no cattle drive on Christmas Day.
10. Go Ice Skating at a Holiday Rink
These seasonal and year-round rinks are worth a spin:
- Galleria Dallas: indoor rink beneath the giant tree.
- Hilton Anatole, Dallas: the hotel bills it as DFW’s largest outdoor rink; your skate ticket includes the resort’s other holiday activities.
- Stockyards Rodeo Rink, Fort Worth: covered rink, Nov. 17–Jan. 3; $25 adults, $20 kids.
- Peace Plaza, Grapevine: outdoor rink in the historic district, opens Nov. 21; $20 including skate rental.
- Skate the Square, Frisco: real-ice outdoor rink at Christmas in the Square (#20); $25 for an hour with rentals in 2025.
Dress warmer than the forecast suggests; rinks stay cold even on mild days.
Holiday Parades This Christmas in Dallas–Fort Worth
11. Watch the Dallas Holiday Parade
The 39th Dallas Holiday Parade, presented in partnership with The Adolphus, kicks off the season downtown with giant character balloons, marching bands, holiday floats and a finale appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. It is billed as the largest one-day outdoor holiday parade in Texas.
Location: Downtown Dallas
Date: Sat., Dec. 5, 2026, starting at 8:30 a.m.
Cost: Free street-side viewing; reserved seating available
Good to know: Streets close early, so rideshare or DART saves a parking headache.
12. See the Grapevine Parade of Lights
The Grapevine Parade of Lights, billed as the largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas, rolls down Historic Main Street with more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands.
Date: 47th annual parade, Thu., Dec. 3, 2026, 7 p.m.
Location: Historic Main Street, Grapevine
Cost: Free
Good to know: Santa rides the final float. Arrive early to claim a curbside spot.
13. Catch the Fort Worth Parade of Lights
The GM Financial Fort Worth Parade of Lights is the city’s signature holiday event, now in its 44th year. Expect giant balloons, more than 100 illuminated floats, marching bands, carolers and Santa at the end.
Location: Downtown Fort Worth
Date: Sun., Nov. 22, 2026, 6–8 p.m.
Cost: Free street viewing; reserved seats from about $16 (kids) and $20 (adults)
14. Celebrate Merry Main Street in Frisco
Merry Main Street is Frisco’s longest-running holiday festival. It opens with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Santa and Friends Parade, followed by elementary school choirs on multiple stages, a holiday market, food vendors and the city tree lighting.
Location: Simpson Plaza, Frisco Square
Date: Sat., Dec. 5, 2026; the Frosty 5K runs that morning
Cost: Free admission
Good to know: In 2025 the parade stepped off at 3 p.m., with choirs performing until about 8 p.m. The city’s Frisco Events app posts the schedule, parking and shuttle details. Frisco’s separate Community Parade (Nov. 14, 2026) is a different, non-holiday event.
Christmas Light Displays in Dallas–Fort Worth
15. Attend the Tree Lighting at Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park‘s free Tree Lighting Celebration ends with the lighting of the Mayor’s 52-foot tree. The afternoon leading up to it has included photos with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, visits from Frosty and Rudolph, face painting, a Nutcracker performance, food trucks and a holiday market.
Location: Klyde Warren Park, downtown Dallas
Date: Sat., Dec. 5, 2026
Cost: Free
Good to know: It’s the same day as the Dallas Holiday Parade, so you can do both.
16. Take a Highland Park Christmas Lights Tour
A guided Highland Park Christmas lights tour lets you see Highland Park and University Park’s famous displays without hunting for parking. Routes typically include Armstrong Parkway, Beverly Drive and Highland Park Village.
Dallas by Chocolate: 1.5-hour tours on a heated bus with panoramic windows, with a midway stop for treats. In 2025 they ran Fri.–Sun., Dec. 5–28, at 6 and 8 p.m., for $35–$45.
I See Dallas: Private 90-minute rides on a light-covered shorty school bus ($450) or van ($400), seating up to about 12.
Good to know: Weekend tours sell out, so book your Highland Park Christmas lights tour early.
17. Say Goodbye to the 12 Days of Christmas at the Dallas Arboretum
This is the last season for the Arboretum’s 12 Days of Christmas: twelve glass-sided Victorian gazebos depicting the carol, on display since 2014. They retire after this season, so expect bigger crowds than usual. Holiday at the Arboretum also includes the European-inspired Christmas Village, with handmade shops styled as a storybook hamlet (including a post office for letters to Santa), and festive décor inside the historic DeGolyer House.
Location: Dallas Arboretum, White Rock Lake
Dates: Nov. 11, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027; closed Christmas Day
Hours: Daytime 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Holiday at Night 5–10 p.m.; discounted Night Owl entry 8:30–10 p.m.
Cost (2025): Daytime about $18–$26; evening $35–$40 general admission. Walk-up evening tickets cost more.
Good to know: The Arboretum is planning a nightly sing-along in the Christmas Village for the gazebos’ farewell season.
Tip: Daytime and evening admission are separate tickets, so a daytime ticket won’t let you stay for the lights. To see both, buy both, or skip the day visit and arrive right at 5 p.m.
18. Drive Through Prairie Lights
Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie is a 2-mile drive-through trail along Joe Pool Lake with about 4 million lights, an animated light tunnel and a midway Holiday Village with carnival rides, concessions, a walk-through forest and Santa photos.
Location: Lynn Creek Park, Grand Prairie
When: Opens Thanksgiving night and runs nightly through New Year’s Eve from 6 p.m. (last entry 10 p.m.)
Cost (2025): $50 per car; Fast Pass with a reserved arrival time from $149
Good to know: Weekend and holiday waits can run long; the Fast Pass skips the line.
19. Drive Through The Light Park
The Light Park is a separate drive-through show with millions of LEDs synchronized to music, glowing tunnels and oversized holiday scenes. It runs at three DFW locations, so pick the one closest to you.
Locations: Hurricane Harbor (Arlington), Riders Field (Frisco), Samuell Farm (Mesquite)
Dates: Opens Fri., Nov. 6, 2026
Cost: Priced per vehicle; presale tickets from $29.99 when bought before Nov. 6
Good to know: Tickets are for timed entry, and weekends sell out. Vehicles over 30 feet aren’t allowed.
20. Tune In to Christmas in the Square in Frisco
Christmas in the Square is a free, choreographed lights-and-music show in Frisco Square with more than 180,000 lights. Tune your car radio to 107.3 FM or listen on the outdoor speakers as you walk. Skate the Square, carriage rides, Santa visits and a Christmas tree lot round it out.
Location: Frisco Square, Main Street and Coleman Boulevard
When: Nightly, 6–10 p.m.; in 2025 it ran Nov. 21–Jan. 5
Cost: Light show free; skating and carriage rides extra
21. Stroll Through Vitruvian Lights in Addison
More than 1.2 million LEDs wrap about 470 trees in Vitruvian Park, making it one of the largest free light displays in North Texas. It’s a self-paced walk along the park’s paths, not a timed show. Special event nights add live music, Santa photos and food trucks.
Location: Vitruvian Park, 3966 Vitruvian Way, Addison
Dates: Nov. 28, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027; lights on nightly 5–11 p.m.
Special nights: Tree lighting with live music Nov. 28 and a second celebration Dec. 5 (6–10 p.m.), plus food-truck Bite Nights in December
Cost: Free admission; $15 cash parking on the Nov. 28 and Dec. 5 event nights
22. Wander Dallas Zoo Lights
Dallas Zoo Lights fills the zoo with more than 2 million lights, animal-shaped lanterns, themed photo areas, musical performances and visits with Santa.
Dates: Select nights, Nov. 13, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027, 5:30–9 p.m.
Cost: From $19; under 3 free; parking extra
Tip: The combo ticket ($10 more) lets you visit the animals in the afternoon (entry from 2:30 p.m. in 2025), leave and come back, then stay for the lights. Most animals go to bed before the lights come on.
23. Drive the Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway
Gift of Lights is a 2-mile, roughly 45-minute drive through Texas Motor Speedway with about 3 million lights, glowing tunnels and animated scenes. Cue up your own holiday playlist.
Location: Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth
When: Organizers have confirmed a 2026 return; in 2025 it ran Thanksgiving night through Jan. 4, from 6 p.m. nightly
Cost (2025): $35 per car, SUV or truck; $60 for buses, limos and RVs
Good to know: It stayed open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in 2025.
24. Celebrate Our Village Glows in Highland Village
Our Village Glows lights a 35-foot tree with a show of 150,000 LEDs synchronized to music. Santa arrives, and kids can decorate cookies, make ornaments and get their faces painted.
Location: The Shops at Highland Village
Date: Sat., Nov. 21, 2026
Cost: Free
25. Tour Neighborhood Light Displays
Some of DFW’s best lights are on residential streets. Favorites include:
- Interlochen (Arlington): 200-plus homes with elaborate displays; best seen by car.
- Ryan Place (Fort Worth): decorated grand historic homes.
- Fairmount (Fort Worth): self-guided Festivus Holiday Light Tour.
- Tanglewood (Fort Worth): elaborate setups along Tanglewood Park and Trail.
- Highland Park (Dallas): upscale homes and famously decorated streets.
- Deloache and Preston Hollow (Dallas): several homes run music-synced light shows.
- Deerfield (Plano): a fan favorite for creative displays.
Please be considerate: drive slowly, don’t block driveways and stay off lawns. See our Best Christmas Lights in Dallas-Fort Worth guide for routes and parking tips.
Best Places to Eat and Drink This Christmas in Dallas–Fort Worth
26. Order a Holiday Cocktail at a Christmas Pop-Up Bar
Each season, several bars go all out with over-the-top décor, holiday cocktails and Christmas music. The best known:
- Miracle on Lowest Greenville and Sippin’ Santa (Dallas): Miracle fills Hide Bar at 1928 Greenville Ave., with Sippin’ Santa’s tropical, tiki-style Christmas bar on the rooftop. No tickets needed; 2025 hours were 3 p.m.–midnight weekdays and 11 a.m.–midnight weekends.
- Miracle at Live! (Arlington): inside Miller Tavern at Texas Live!, a short walk from the Christkindl Market.
- Leela’s Holiday House (Dallas): Leela’s Wine Bar turns its Lower Greenville space into a themed holiday house.
- Hotel Drover and Proper (Fort Worth): both have dressed up for the holidays in past seasons.
Good to know: These pop-ups usually open the week before Thanksgiving and run through December. Weekend waits can be long, so go early.
27. Book a Holiday Afternoon Tea
Several hotels and historic homes serve festive afternoon tea:
- The French Room at The Adolphus: Dallas’s best-known holiday tea, with three courses, two teas from local purveyor Zatki and a glass of Champagne. In 2025 it ran Nov. 6–Jan. 11 for $85 adults and $35 kids under 12, and Resy reservations opened in early October. It fills fast.
- Holiday Tea at the Dallas Arboretum: served in the historic DeGolyer House, and easy to pair with the 12 Days of Christmas.
- Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek and Hotel Crescent Court: elegant alternatives in Uptown.
Tip: For a twist, Tea Around Town Dallas pairs afternoon tea with a sightseeing tour on a pink double-decker bus.
Music and Live Performances This Christmas in Dallas–Fort Worth
28. Hear the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Concerts
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra fills the Meyerson Symphony Center with holiday concerts every December. The 2026 lineup:
- Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert: Dec. 4–6, with the film’s score played live to the movie.
- Holidays with the DSO: the orchestra’s signature Christmas show, Dec. 11–20.
- Family Holidays with the DSO: a one-hour, kid-friendly concert with a sing-along and a visit from Santa, Sat., Dec. 12, 11 a.m.
- Brassy Holidays: brass, percussion and the Lay Family Concert Organ, Tue., Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m.
In Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s Home for the Holidays plays Bass Performance Hall Nov. 27–28, 2026.
29. Choose Your Nutcracker
Several companies stage The Nutcracker across DFW, each with its own style:
| Production | Company | Venue | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Nutcracker | Texas Ballet Theater | Winspear Opera House, Dallas; Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth | Dallas: weekends Nov. 27–Dec. 6. Fort Worth: Dec. 11–23 |
| The Nutcracker with Live Orchestra | Avant Chamber Ballet, with the Dallas Chamber Symphony | Moody Performance Hall, Dallas | Nov. 28–Dec. 6 |
| Espresso Nutcracker | Dallas Black Dance Academy (Dallas Black Dance Theatre) | Majestic Theatre, Dallas | Sat., Dec. 12, 7 p.m.; streaming Dec. 12–20 |
| The Nutcracker | Ballet North Texas | Moody Performance Hall, Dallas | Dec. 19–20, including a sensory-friendly matinee |
Don’t miss: Espresso Nutcracker is a narrated, hour-long production danced by Dallas Black Dance Academy students. Its soundtrack pairs Tchaikovsky with Duke Ellington’s jazz take on the score, which makes it a great first ballet for kids.
30. Go to a Candlelight Christmas Concert
Fever’s Candlelight Christmas concerts set holiday classics, played by string quartets, in venues lit by thousands of candles. A Dallas date is scheduled for Dec. 17, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, with tickets from $30; concerts run about 60 minutes.
Holiday Markets This Christmas in Dallas–Fort Worth
31. Shop the Holiday Markets
DFW’s holiday markets are good for one-of-a-kind gifts, local crafts and seasonal snacks.
Texas Christkindl Market (Arlington)
The Texas Christkindl Market is a German-style market, now in its 16th year, with handcrafted gifts, nutcrackers, Käthe Wohlfahrt ornaments, German food and live entertainment.
Location: North Plaza at Globe Life Field, 1650 E. Randol Mill Road, Arlington (an open-air market beside the stadium, not inside it)
Dates: Nov. 20–22 and Nov. 27–Dec. 23, 2026, with a tree lighting on Black Friday
Hours: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. daily in past seasons
Cost: Free admission; free parking in Lot B except on Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium event days
Grapevine Christmas Market
At the Grapevine Christmas Market, local artisans and vendors sell handcrafted gifts and holiday décor on Historic Main Street throughout the Christmas Capital of Texas season, and families can meet Santa at the market’s General Store.
Dallas Farmers Market
The Dallas Farmers Market hosts holiday shopping, live music and seasonal treats throughout December.
The Clearfork Holiday Market (Fort Worth)
The Clearfork Holiday Market is a one-day market at The Shops at Clearfork on Sat., Dec. 5, 2026, with dozens of local farmers and artisans under one of Cowtown’s biggest Christmas trees, plus live music and Santa. Free admission.
Special Events This Christmas in Dallas–Fort Worth
32. Step Back in Time at Dickens in Downtown Plano
This free, family-friendly evening, Dickens in Downtown Plano, turns the Downtown Plano Arts District into an old-fashioned holiday street fair with photos with Santa, a snow slide, a coffee and cocoa walk, kids’ crafts, a tree lighting and food from local vendors.
Location: Haggard Park, McCall Plaza and 15th Street, Downtown Plano
When: Usually the first Saturday of December, 4–9 p.m. (Dec. 6 in 2025)
Cost: Free; free parking at the Plano Municipal Center, 1520 K Ave.
33. Sample Wassail at Wassail Fest in Denton
At Wassail Fest, downtown Denton merchants serve free samples of their own wassail, a hot spiced punch made with cider, wine or ale. Walk shop to shop, vote for your favorite and catch live music along the way.
Location: Downtown Denton Square
When: The first weekend of December, alongside the Denton Holiday Lighting Festival (Fri., Dec. 5, 6–9 p.m. in 2025)
Cost: Free
34. Celebrate the Christmas Extravaganza at The Star in Frisco
The Dallas Cowboys’ Christmas Extravaganza is a free, 20-minute show on Tostitos Championship Plaza. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform, a Cowboys legend lights The Star’s 67-foot LED tree, and the tree’s light show syncs to Christmas music with pyrotechnics. Santa makes an appearance too.
Location: The Star, Frisco
When: Fridays and Saturdays at 6 p.m. from late November to the weekend before Christmas (Nov. 21–Dec. 20 in 2025)
Cost: Free, with free on-site parking
35. Book a Holiday Hotel Stay
Several DFW hotels go all-in on Christmas décor and on-site activities.
For families: Gaylord Texan (ICE!), Great Wolf Lodge (Snowland) and the Hilton Anatole. Christmas at the Anatole returns for 2026 with:
- An outdoor ice rink the hotel bills as the largest in DFW
- Private Winter Chalets with champagne and seasonal bites, overlooking the rink
- Unlimited holiday train rides, bounce houses and an inflatable maze
- Crafts and Mrs. Claus’ Library with stories and movies
- Packages such as Skate & Stay and the Santa Suite
Your skating ticket includes the resort’s other holiday activities, so you can visit without staying overnight.
For a grown-up staycation: Omni Dallas, The Adolphus, The Joule, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Thompson Dallas or The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, for décor plus spa and dining.
See our Exciting Christmas Events in Dallas guide for each hotel’s event calendar.
Unique Experiences This Christmas in Dallas–Fort Worth
36. Explore SNOWDAY at Galleria Dallas
SNOWDAY is an indoor, walk-through winter experience with more than 20 themed rooms, light tunnels, an illusion room and built-in photo stations. It changes every season, takes about an hour, and is a good weatherproof pick for kids and photo lovers.
Location: Level One, Galleria Dallas
Dates: Returns with Holidays at Galleria Dallas, whose festivities begin Nov. 13, 2026; it ran into early January in 2025
Tip: Book the SNOWDAY and Santaland combo ticket (#40).
For more interactive fun, check out our Immersive Experiences in Dallas guide.
37. Warm Up in a Holiday Igloo
Private igloos, bubbles and chalets are a cozy way to enjoy festive drinks and holiday lights with a small group. Options include:
- Dallas Zoo Lights Holiday Igloos: 90-minute private igloos for up to six, with hot cocoa and optional charcuterie (an add-on to Zoo Lights admission in 2025).
- Winter Chalets at the Hilton Anatole: private chalets overlooking the ice rink, with champagne and seasonal bites (confirmed for 2026).
- The Adolphus Winter Village: igloos and cabins on the hotel’s downtown rooftop in past seasons.
- Hotel Vin Bubbles, Grapevine: heated igloos with fondue and wine packages in past seasons, booked through Resy.
Good to know: Most require reservations and have time limits or minimum spends, and they sell out on December weekends.
38. See Holiday Lights from the Grandscape Wheel
The Grandscape Wheel in The Colony gives you an aerial view of the lights. Grandscape’s free holiday programming has included a Holiday Kickoff with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live performances and a vendor market, plus a Grinch day with a movie screening and free hot chocolate.
Location: Grandscape, The Colony
When: Holiday events typically start the weekend before Thanksgiving (the Holiday Kickoff was Nov. 22 in 2025)
Good to know: Nearby, The Colony Christmas Spectacular runs a free light show set to music on 99.9 FM.
Check out our detailed Grandscape Wheel review and travel guide.
39. Take a Christmas Lights Cruise on Joe Pool Lake
The Wave Party Boat at Lynn Creek Marina in Grand Prairie runs a 60-minute Christmas Light Cruise on Joe Pool Lake, with views of the Prairie Lights display from the water. The two-story boat is decked out in lights and holiday music, with heaters, hot chocolate and cookies on board. It’s BYOB, and alcohol is allowed.
Location: Lynn Creek Marina, 5700 Lake Ridge Pkwy., Grand Prairie
When: Two sailings on scheduled nights through the Prairie Lights season
Cost: $25 adults and $10 kids 13 and under in recent seasons; private charters for 25–75 people
Santa Experiences This Christmas in Dallas–Fort Worth
40. Ride the Train to Santaland
At Santaland, next to SNOWDAY at Galleria Dallas, you board a simulated train to the North Pole, walk a moonlit forest path past polar bears, and arrive at Santa’s chalet for a private visit.
When: Opens with the Galleria’s holiday season in mid-November; Santaland closes on Christmas Eve
Tip: Reserve a time slot and book the SNOWDAY + Santaland combo to save.
41. Have a Character Breakfast at Gaylord Texan
Gaylord Texan’s Lone Star Christmas includes character breakfasts (past themes include Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Breakfast and Breakfast with Charlie Brown), plus two other ticketed Santa experiences:
- Photos with Santa: Nov. 13–Dec. 24, 2026, booked in 15-minute slots, with several photo packages.
- Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions: a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, carols, and fresh-baked cookies with milk, Nov. 13–Dec. 30, 2026.
Good to know: Book breakfasts and Santa slots early; weekend times go first.
42. Visit Santa at NorthPark Center
NorthPark Center offers one of the most polished Santa photo experiences in Dallas. Each reserved visit includes a private conversation with Santa, a photo session and a commemorative photo, and proceeds benefit Children’s Health.
When: Santa takes up residence Nov. 28, 2026, through Christmas Eve; reservations required
Free option: Stories and Songs with Santa, daily Nov. 28–Dec. 24 in NorthCourt
Tip: Pair it with The Trains at NorthPark (#2).
43. Ride Santa’s North Pole Express
The Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s Santa’s North Pole Express takes families aboard 1920s-era coaches to meet Santa at the “North Pole,” with elves, Christmas sing-alongs, cookies, a souvenir mug and a photo.
Location: Grapevine Vintage Railroad depot
Dates: Nov. 27–Dec. 30, 2026
Cost: From $90 for a two-person bench seat; lap children under 2, $6
Booking: Tickets went on sale Oct. 1 and sell out fast; book as soon as you can.
44. Eat Breakfast with Santa at the Hilton Anatole
The Hilton Anatole hosts Breakfast with Santa at SER Steak + Spirits on select dates. Expect breakfast with Dallas skyline views and a commemorative photo with Santa.
Booking: Reserve through OpenTable; dates are limited.
Tip: Add skating or the resort’s holiday activities (#35) the same day.
45. Have Brunch with Santa at Crown Block
Crown Block sits atop Reunion Tower, with 360-degree views of the Dallas skyline. Its Brunch with Santa adds Santa visits and photos to the restaurant’s Sunday brunch buffet, which in 2025 included a carving station, seafood and sushi, holiday pastries, a hot cocoa bar and mimosas.
When: One Sunday in mid-December (Dec. 14 in 2025), with seatings from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost (2025): $125 adults, $60 children; book through OpenTable
46. Meet Main Street Santa in Grapevine
At Main Street Santa, you can enjoy photo sessions and story time with Santa in historic downtown Grapevine throughout the season. It pairs easily with the Peace Plaza rink and the Grapevine Christmas Market.
Plan Your Christmas Outings by Area
DFW is spread out, so group two or three stops in the same area. These are planning clusters, not promises that every stop is a short drive from the next.
| Area | Pair these | Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas | Galleria tree and SNOWDAY, NorthPark trains and Santa, Arboretum, Highland Park lights, Klyde Warren, Hilton Anatole, Zoo Lights | 1, 2, 10, 15–17, 22, 35–36, 40, 42, 44 |
| Addison | Vitruvian Lights plus dinner nearby | 21 |
| Grapevine | Main Street, North Pole Express, Peace Plaza rink, ICE!, Great Wolf Lodge | 5, 7–8, 12, 43, 46 |
| Arlington and Grand Prairie | Christkindl Market, Six Flags, The Light Park, Prairie Lights, lights cruise | 6, 18–19, 31, 39 |
| Frisco, Plano and The Colony | Merry Main Street, Christmas in the Square, The Star, Dickens, Grandscape Wheel | 14, 20, 32, 34, 38 |
| Fort Worth | Stockyards, Christmas in the Garden, Parade of Lights, Gift of Lights | 4, 9, 13, 23 |
| Denton County | Wassail Fest, Our Village Glows | 24, 33 |
Insider Tips for Christmas in Dallas–Fort Worth
Book Early
Popular timed-entry events sell out weeks ahead, especially weekends and school-break dates. Book the North Pole Express, Christmas in the Garden and the Arboretum first; 2026 is the gazebos’ final year.
Pick the Right Days
The first two weeks of December balance holiday atmosphere with manageable crowds. Tuesday through Thursday evenings are usually quietest. The week between Christmas and New Year’s is the busiest, with longer waits and more sell-outs.
Dress for DFW Weather
December highs and lows typically range from the mid-30s to mid-60s °F, and cold fronts can bring freezing temperatures fast. Wear layers you can shed indoors, and add a hat and gloves for long outdoor events like light trails, skating and parades. Pack a light rain jacket, and wear comfortable closed-toe shoes for walking.
Plan for Traffic and Parking
Use rideshare or DART for big parades and downtown festivals, and for neighborhoods with tight parking like Highland Park. Check whether parking is extra: Christmas in the Garden charges for it, and Vitruvian Lights charges on special event nights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you do for Christmas in DFW for free?
Vitruvian Lights, the Klyde Warren Park tree lighting, Our Village Glows, Grapevine’s Carol of Lights and Parade of Lights, Frisco’s Merry Main Street, Dickens in Downtown Plano, Wassail Fest, the Stockyards’ Christmas events and Mile of Lights, street viewing at the parades and neighborhood light displays all have free admission. Some charge for parking.
Which Christmas attractions are indoors?
The Galleria Dallas tree, rink, SNOWDAY and Santaland; The Trains at NorthPark; ICE! at Gaylord Texan (kept around 9°F); Great Wolf Lodge; and the theater performances. Christmas in the Garden is fully outdoors, and much of Classic Christmas is outdoors.
Which experiences need advance reservations?
Book ahead for the North Pole Express, Christmas in the Garden, Holiday at the Arboretum, ICE!, Santa breakfasts and brunches, Christmas lights tours, igloos, The Light Park and Nutcracker performances.
Can you visit Gaylord Texan’s Christmas attractions without staying overnight?
Yes. ICE! tickets are sold to day visitors, and overnight guests get discounts on bundles.
Can you skate at the Hilton Anatole without staying there?
Yes. Skating tickets are sold separately and include the resort’s other holiday activities.
What’s open on Christmas Day?
Most outdoor light displays run nightly through the holidays, including Vitruvian Lights, Christmas in the Square, Prairie Lights and neighborhood displays, and Gift of Lights stayed open on Christmas Day in 2025. The Dallas Arboretum is closed Dec. 25, Santaland closes Dec. 24, and the Stockyards cattle drive doesn’t run. Hotel Drover’s 97 West serves a Christmas Day brunch ($75) and dinner ($115).
Which activities work well together?
See Plan Your Christmas Outings by Area above for groupings.
Final Thoughts
Pick two or three experiences in the same part of DFW, reserve anything with timed admission, and leave room for a spontaneous lights stop or hot chocolate break. You don’t need to tackle the whole metroplex to have a memorable Christmas outing. And if the Arboretum’s 12 Days of Christmas is on your list, this is the year to go.
Enjoy!
More Fun Things to Do in Winter in Dallas–Fort Worth
The fun doesn’t end at Christmas. See our guide to Fun Things to Do in Winter in Dallas.
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