I don't know about you, but from Thanksgiving through New Year's, I feel like I barely have time to think. I try to pack too much stuff in, stress too much over things that don't really matter, and end up just trying to "get through" the holidays instead of enjoying them. But not this year! My daughter is five and in that wonderful stage where Christmas is truly magical, so I'm vowing to spend less time planning and more time having fun with her.
Won't you join me? Instead of getting overwhelmed by how many fun things there are to do this time of year, use our list to find the best options for your family. We rounded up the can't-miss holiday events in Dallas/Ft. Worth and are bringing them to you here.
Our list of holiday events is divided into FIVE categories:
ONE-TIME EVENTS - Get your tickets/put these on your calendar now. Events include parades, breakfasts with Santa, live performances, tree lighting ceremonies, and more.
ONGOING EVENTS - One-of-a-kind events, immersive experiences, ice skating, and more. You'll need to buy tickets for these events, but they are on-going throughout the season.
VISITS WITH SANTA - COVID-safe in-person visits and virtual options.
LIGHTS DISPLAYS - Where to see the best Christmas lights in DFW, including drive-thru lights, decked out neighborhoods, carriage rides, and more.
CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS - Cut down your own tree this year!
There's a ton going on this year, so be sure to check out each category for the full scoop. However you choose to celebrate the 2021 holiday season, be safe and have fun!
Did we miss an event, a great neighborhood for lights, or other holiday fun? Please let us know so that we can add it to the list and let other parents know!
One-Time Holiday Events Near Dallas: Parades, Performances, Christmas Tree Lightings, and more
Home for the Holidays in Downtown McKinney - all day Friday, November 26-Sunday, November 28
Deck the Plaza at Dallas City Hall - drive-thru Saturday, November 27 from 5:30pm-8pm
Visit with Santa at the Dallas Farmers Market - Saturday, November 27 and Saturday, December 11 from 10am-2pm
Rockefeller Christmas at The Majestic in Dallas - presented by The Dallas Conservatory - Sunday, November 28 @ 1pm and 4:30pm
The Nutcracker performed by the North Central Ballet in Grapevine - Friday-Sunday, December 3-5 @ 6pm
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Christmas Pops concert - December 3-12, 3pm & 7:30pm
Dallas Christmas Parade - Saturday, December 4 @ 10am ***tickets available for a seat in the bleachers***
Flower Mound Christmas Parade - Saturday, December 4 @ 6pm
Little Elm Christmas Parade - Saturday, December 4 @ 6pm
Merry Main Street in Frisco parade + activities - Saturday, December 4 from 3:30pm-10pm
Twinkle Light Boat Parade on Lake Grapevine - Saturday, December 4 @ 5:30pm
Christmas in the Park in Mesquite - Saturday and Sunday, December 4 and 5 from 2pm-7pm
Reliant Lights Your Holidays at the Winspear Opera House - Saturday, December 4 @ 5:30pm
Breakfast with Santa in Frisco - Saturday, December 4 @ 8am, 9:30am, and 11am
Rockwall Kiwanis Christmas Parade - Saturday, December 4 @ 9am
Tree Lighting Celebration at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas ***including Nutcracker performance*** - Saturday, December 4 @ 3pm
Christmas Tree Lighting in Farmers Branch - Saturday, December 4 @ 5pm
Christmas at the Cove in Little Elm - Saturday, December 5, 1-5pm ***Indoor waterpark open year-round!***
A Christmas Carol, the Musical at the Repertory Company Theatre in Richardson - December 10-19 @ 7:30pm (2pm on Sundays)
McKinney Christmas Parade - Saturday, December 11 @ 6:30pm
Breakfast with Santa in Flower Mound - Saturday, December 11, 8am-10:30am
A Christmas Carol at Wyly Theater (AT&T Performing Arts Center) - November 24-December 26
The Nutcracker at the Winspear Opera House - November 26-December 5
Candlelight at Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park - Saturday & Sunday, December 11 & 12 from 3pm-9pm
Elf on the Shelf, a Christmas Musical - Winspear Opera House, Saturday, December 11 @ 2pm and 6pm
Movies in the Park presents The Polar Express - Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, Saturday, December 11 @ 5:45pm
The Legacy North Pole at the Shops at Legacy in Plano - Sunday, December 12 from 11am-2pm
Breakfast with Santa at the Downtown Neiman Marcus - Saturday and Sunday December 18 and 19
Ongoing Holiday Events Near Dallas: Unique events, immersive experiences, and more
Radiance! A Holiday Light Spectacular - Four locations: Frisco, Weatherford, Ennis/Waxahachie, and Decatur. November 22-January 1
Enchant Christmas at Fair Park in Dallas - November 26-January 2
The Elf on the Shelf's Magical Holiday Journey - Choctaw Stadium (the old Globe Life Park), November 18-January 2
Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine - November 28-January 5
Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza at The Star in Frisco - every Friday and Saturday @ 6pm November 19-December 18
Christmas at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas - breakfast with Santa, North Pole Texas train ride, and Peppermint Park (you do not have to be a hotel guest) - November 26-December 24
North Pole Express aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad - November 26-December 23 ***Act fast - sells out every year
The Polar Express aboard the Texas State Railroad in Palestine - November 19-December 26
Christmas Adventure at Mainstay Farm Park in Cleburne - weekends November 26-December 18
Christmas on the Farm at Team Family Farms in Aubrey - weekends November 26-December 12
Lights on the Farm at Heritage Farmstead Museum - weekends only November 26-December 26 from 6pm-10pm
SNOWDAY at the Galleria Dallas – holiday photo experience, November 25 - January 17 ***stay for ice skating, ***combine with Santaland Express (see below)
The Trains at NorthPark in Dallas - it's a display, not actually trains to ride. November 13-January 2
Christmas at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine - November 12-January 2
Holiday at the Dallas Arboretum - November 10-December 31
Christmas Carnival at Yesterland Farm in Canton - weekends November 26-December 19
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags over Texas - November 19-January 2
Skating under the Stars at Children's Health StarCenter Farmers Branch - November 27-January 9
Ice Skating at Panther Island Ice at the Coyote Drive-in in Fort Worth - November 19-January 17
Pictures and Visits with Santa Near Dallas: COVID-safe in-person visits and virtual visits
Santa's Club Virtual Visit - {VIRTUAL} November 13-December 24
NorthPark Center - {VIRTUAL} November 21-December 23
Santaland Express at the Galleria Dallas - Reservations required. November 23-December 24 ***stay for ice skating, combine with SNOWDAY (see above)
Santa at the Star in Frisco - Reservations recommended, but walk-ins welcome subject to availability. Various days November 26-Decemer 24 (closed on select M, T, and W)
Santa's Winter Woods in Fairview - Reservations required. November 20-December 24
Watters Creek in Allen – Walk-ins available as space allows. November 26-December 24
Santa’s Village in Southlake - No reservations required; paging system in place. November 21-December 24
The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano – Reservations required, other than December 22-24. Near Macy's. November 12-Decemer 24
Stonebriar Center in Frisco - Reservations encouraged. Lower level near Macy's. November 23-December 21 (pets allowed on certain days)
Cabela’s/Bass Pro Shop in Allen, Garland, and Grapevine - Reservations required. November 7-December 24
Grapevine Mills - Reservations required. Near Entry 4. November 18-December 24
Holiday Lights Displays Near Dallas: Drive-thru lights, decked out neighborhoods, carriage rides, and more
Dallas Zoo Lights - drive-thru, November 19-January 2 from 6-9:30pm
Vitruvian Lights in Addison - November 26-January 2
Daystar Christmas in Bedford - November 25-January 2
The Light Park at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie - drive-thru, November 21-January 2
Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway - drive-thru, November 25-January 3
Christmas in the Square at Frisco Square - November 19-January 3
The Magic of Lights at The Lakefront in Little Elm - drive-thru November 20-January 2, walk-thru December 4
Historic Grapevine Christmas Spectacular, including the City Hall Light Show Spectacular – November 22-January 10
Let it Glow Holiday Spectacular at the Shops at Highland Village - November 22-Janaury 3
The Colony Christmas Spectacular Light Show at the Central Fire Station - December 4-January 2
Highland Park Neighborhood in Dallas - bordered by the Tollway on the West and Preston Rd. on the East, in between Mockingbird and Armstrong. Don't miss Highland Park Village for beautiful lights, coffee shops, and restaurants. Book a carriage ride with Three Jays, Vintage Carriage, Brazos Carriage, or DFW Carriages.
Interlochen Neighborhood in Arlington – entrance at Westwood Dr. & Randol Mill Rd. in Arlington
Deerfield Neighborhood in Plano – located in Northwest Plano between Preston Rd. and Coit Rd. Pro tip: Entrances off Legacy have the longest lines. Try starting near the back of the neighborhood off of Quincy. Book a carriage ride with DFW Carriages.
The Browne Family Holiday Light Show - light show synchronized to music at 2701 Dublin Park Dr. in Parker. This home is also an official drop off location for Toys for Tots (new, unwrapped gifts only).
Tell Family Lights - light show synchronized to music at 5016 Keating St. in Fort Worth. You can even control the holiday music playlist!
Burkman Holiday Home of Frisco - light show synchronized to music at 3809 Hazelhurst Dr. in Frisco
Lights on Trail Creek - light show synchronized to music at 4941 Trail Creek Dr. in Fort Worth
'Twas the Night Before Christmas, a Glenbrook Christmas in Bedford - Brookside Dr. & Cummings Dr. in Bedford
The "Red Tree" in Colleyville - giant tree decked out in red lights. On Montclair Drive between W Glade Rd and Hall-Johnson Rd
Christmas Tree Farms Near Dallas *** Call first to check availability - they may sell out!
4D Farm in Weatherford - open Saturdays and Sundays beginning 11/27
Bois d’arc Christmas Tree Farm in Ivanhoe (NE of McKinney) - open Friday-Sunday beginning 11/26
Team Family Farms in Aubrey - open Friday-Sunday beginning 11/26
Elves Christmas Tree Farm in Denison - open 7 days/week beginning 11/26, limited hours M-F
Kadee Farm in Greenville - open 7 days/week beginning 11/26, limited hours M-F
Mainstay Farm Park in Cleburne - tree sales Wednesday-Sunday beginning 11/26, limited hours
Yesterland Farm in Canton - open Saturdays and Sundays beginning 11/26
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