Sometimes you just want to spend a few hours appreciating the holiday spirit. Here are some great Christmas experiences you can find in North Texas.
The Dallas Cowboys’ annual Christmas Extravaganza at The Star in Frisco happens every Friday and Saturday night through December 20. It’s the perfect stop after a quick dinner in The Star. The show includes performances by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue, Cowboys Rookie Squad, Rowdy, and Santa Claus. Each evening, a different Cowboys legend and their family will be in attendance to help light The Star’s 67-foot LED Christmas tree. Through December 20, 6 p.m. The Star in Frisco. Get detailshere.
You may have seen activity at the moonscape that was once Valley View Mall, and we have good news and bad news: It’s not development, but it’s a development, specifically, for the next few weeks. Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas is in town with its 90,0000-square-foot immersive holiday event that offers things like the Refreshment Ridge Adventure with Santa and Mrs. Claus, outdoor ice skating, snow glides, light trails, photo ops, and theme nights. Through December 28, LBJ and Preston Road. Learn morehere.
Snowday and its companion experience, Santaland, return to the Galleria Dallas. Both offer immersive experiences full of whimsy and energy. Santaland offers daily “rides” to the North Pole to visit Santa, while Snowday takes visitors through a series of winter wonderland vignettes. Prices vary. Through December 24 for Santaland, and through January 4 for Snowday. 13350 Dallas Pkwy. Get detailshere.
Head downtown and hit the ice at CultureMap’s City Rink, which will also be home to plenty of other festivities, including movie screenings, community events, and immersive experiences. It kicks off with a tree lighting celebration and includes opportunities to skate with Santa, too. The Après Chalet will also offer holiday beverages. November 26 through December 18. Main Street Garden Park.Get details.
Is there anything more fun than a trip on the North Pole Express? The kids in your family would probably argue no, there isn’t. The journey starts at Grapevine Vintage Railroad, and as the locomotive lumbers down the track, guests can join in on sing-alongs, see Christmas characters, take pictures with Santa, and experience a few surprises, too. November 28-December 30. Grapevine Vintage Railroad, 707 S. Main St., Grapevine. Get tickets.
The Dallas Arboretum’s Holiday at the Arboretum highlight is the “12 Days of Christmas” holiday exhibit, which has been a local favorite for years. But there is plenty more to entertain, including the Christmas Village, and new holiday and winter-themed installations throughout the grounds. Go during the day or after dark, when the gardens light up. Going with the grownups? Hit up the Mistletoe Lounge in the DeGolyer House. Through January 4. 8525 Garland Road. Get details and ticketshere.
Every December, Grapevine transforms into the Christmas Capital of Texas, offering everything from ice skating to Broadway-style shows to train rides and more. Walk through the interactive Hometown Christmas display, then stay for the drone show. Throughout December. Downtown Grapevine. Get detailshere.
The Hilton Anatole’s Christmas at the Anatole debuted last year, and the family-friendly indoor Christmas experience is back. The experience includes ice skating, train rides, a bounce house, Santa’s Workshop craft station, and more. November 28 through January 4 on select days. 2201 N. Stemmons Fwy. Get ticketshere.
Ready to see Highland Park’s Christmas lights from a festive double-decker bus? TopView’s North Pole Express Highland Park embarks from Highland Park Village daily, and visitors can check out the sites from the second level, meeting Santa along the way, along with his elf, the Whimsical Conductor, and more. November 28 through January 4. Highland Park Village. Get ticketshere.
The Trains at NorthPark have been a Christmas tradition for more than 30 years. Benefitting Ronald McDonald House Dallas, the event features elaborate train displays with more than 600 trains running along 1,600 feet of track. See scenes from all over the country, including Dallas. Through Jan. 4. NorthPark, level one between across from Kona Grill. Get ticketshere.
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Holiday at the Arboretum Courtesy Dallas Arboretum
One of Dallas’ most popular holiday traditions is Holiday Tea at the French Room in the Adolphus Hotel. Expect elaborate decor, music, and Christmas-inspired menus that offer tea sandwiches, scones with house-made preserves and English double cream, dessert pastries, and sparkling cider or champagne. Through January 11. 1321 Commerce St. Make reservationshere.
It takes more 2 million pounds of ice to create the ICE! exhibit at the Gaylord Texan, and a team of 40 artisans have been working since last month to re-create the beloved holiday movie Elf with frozen water. Grab a complimentary parka and walk through the story, complete with Buddy the Elf, Mrs. Claus, Santa Claus, Mr. Narwhal, and more. Through January 4. 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine. Get tickets here.
Need to entertain your kiddos, out-of-town guests, or grandparents during the day? Head to the library! The Dallas Public Library System has tons of festive events this December across its various branches. You can decorate cookies, make holiday wreaths and ornaments, meet Santa’s reindeer, and more. Through December 29. Various locations. Learn morehere.
The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas will offer family-friendly options for the holidays, including tree lighting on December 6 and weekend movies through December 21. Everything is included in its Santa’s Villa Retreat Holiday package, which also includes a private audience with Santa. Not up for an overnight stay? The movies and tree lighting are open to the public with reservations. Throughout December. Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas. Learn more.
Great Wolf Lodge’s Snowland celebration will offer daily snow showers, visits from Santa, crafts, holiday stories and songs, and a variety of other festive activities for families. Through January 6. 100 Great Wolf Drive, Grapevine. Make reservationshere.
Every Christmas season, Six Flags Over Texas’ Holiday in the Park combines Christmas with an amusement park, and the result is a memorable evening full of sparkly lights, plenty of entertainment, visits with Santa, storytime with Mrs. Claus, and more. Some activities require an additional fee and reservations. Through December 31. 2201 Road to Six Flags East, Arlington. Get ticketshere.
Also check out:
Miracle on 134th Street, November 26 through December 27. 10455 CR 133, Celina. Learn more.
Modern Holiday Tea at Mirador, November 28 through December 27. Mirador, 1608 Elm St. Make reservations.
Christmas on the Square, December 4, 5 p.m., Downtown Garland. Learn more.
Deck the Plaza, December 5, 4:30 p.m., City Hall Plaza, 1500 Marilla St. Learn more.
Highland Park Christmas Lights Celebration and Shopping Stroll, December 10, 4 p.m., Highland Park Village. Learn more.
Holidays at the Heard, December 12-14. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl., McKinney. Get tickets.
Holiday Village: A Return to Candlelight, December 13-14. Old City Park, 1515 S. Harwood St. Learn more.
The Dallas Farmers Market, throughout December. Learn more.
A Very Merry Village, November 28 through December 27. The Village Dallas. Learn more.
Stockyards Rodeo Rink, through January 4. Fort Worth Stockyards. Get tickets.
Christmas in the Garden, through January 4. Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Learn more.
Author
The Holiday Cheer Committee
The Holiday Cheer Committee