If you are looking for ways to celebrate Christmas in Dallas, Texas, you are in the right place!
Dallas Christmas events will surely get you in the holiday spirit, offering up loads of holiday cheer!
This list expands beyond just Dallas proper so we can bring you a comprehensive list of fun events in and near Dallas, Texas.
Our list of holiday events covers Dallas, Arlington, Fort Worth, Grapevine, and more! So, no matter where you are in the metroplex, we have you covered!
We have included various holiday events to ensure the entire family can enjoy the festive fun.
Granted, Christmas in Texas isn’t your traditional winter wonderland, but I assure you, the Lone Star State isn’t short on holiday cheer!
Not only that, but we have lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex our entire lives, so you know your holiday season is in good hands with us!
Let’s dive in and explore all of the awesome Dallas Christmas events happening this holiday season!
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Christmas In Dallas: Dallas Christmas Events
Holiday at the Dallas Arboretum
The holiday season sparkles at the Dallas Arboretum when their beautiful gardens are transformed into a winter wonderland.
Holiday at the Dallas Arboretum includes a festive Christmas village, a Dazzling Musical Tree, and 12 Days of Christmas of Christmas gazebos spread throughout the grounds.
While at the Dallas Arboretum, don’t miss the display of nearly 600 nutcrackers!
The Christmas events include over a million lights, cooking classes, live entertainment, activities for children, and more.
This Dallas Christmas celebration begins in mid-November and lasts through the beginning of January.
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Dallas Zoo Lights
Dallas Zoo Lights is another fabulous North Texas holiday event on your list of Christmas things to do in Dallas!
With over one million lights sparkling across the zoo, you know you are in for a holiday treat.
Enjoy the live entertainment performing on stage at the Grove before visiting Santa’s workshop.
Of course, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to take a picture with Santa Claus while visiting Santa’s workshop!
You know, the Christmas decorations at the zoo must align with the theme so that you will see the dinos dressed in their holiday best and the zoo keepers showing off their favorite animals during their chats.
One of our favorite parts of this holiday event includes the festive food and treats and the fun holiday season-themed photo ops throughout the property!
Galleria Dallas
A Dallas Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Galleria Dallas.
The popular shopping mall has treated locals and visitors to holiday festivities for over three decades.
A crowd favorite at the Galleria is the annual Grand Tree lighting ceremony, one of the honored holiday traditions in the city.
The country’s tallest indoor Christmas tree sits in the center of the Galleria Dallas ice skating rink, adding to the unforgettable Christmas experience.
Visitors can enjoy some holiday shopping while visiting the Galleria as well!
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The Shops at Legacy
The Shops at Legacy will put you in the holiday spirit when you visit the fun events planned for the holiday season.
In addition to being all decked out in its holiday best, The Shops at Legacy also hosts an annual event called Lights at Legacy.
Lights at Legacy features appearances from Santa and Mrs. Clause, a live reindeer, and the Sugar Plum Fairy!
To add to the Christmas magic, there are also free train rides, balloon artists, live entertainment, and free food and drink samples from the Shops at Legacy retailers.
For more information, visit the Shops at Legacy’s event page.
Adding this to your list of Christmas things to do in Dallas is a guaranteed good time for all!
Trains at NorthPark
Kids and kids at heart will love the miniature train exhibit at NorthPark Center.
The trains at NorthPark are a holiday tradition in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and have entertained visitors for over 20 years.
This fun exhibit features over 1,600 feet of railroad tracks showing the trains as they journey across the United States.
Kids will love looking for all the items on the scavenger hunt list, and adults will love that the proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Ronald McDonald House.
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North Pole Texas
Head to the Hilton Anatole Hotel for this Dallas Christmas event called North Pole Texas.
This fun, immersive experience will lift your holiday spirit as you go through self-paced activities, including a cookie factory, reindeer stables, an elf academy, and more.
During your time at North Pole Texas, visit Santa’s Workshop before enjoying special holiday treats like their delicious hot chocolate!
Of course, there are also opportunities to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at North Pole Texas!
Dallas Holiday Parade
For a fun and free Dallas holiday event, don’t miss the annual Dallas Holiday Parade.
This North Texas event takes place in Downtown Dallas and features holiday floats, marching bands, dance teams, and festive holiday decorations.
Don’t miss your opportunity to join this Downtown Dallas tradition this Christmas season!
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Dallas Symphony Orchestra
To hear some amazing holiday music, be sure to schedule some time to see the Dallas Symphony Orchestra during the month of December.
The Nutcracker
The annual Christmas display of The Nutcracker is a joy for adults and kids.
The Texas Ballet Theater showcases the annual performance of this holiday ballet in both Dallas and Fort Worth.
The Nutcracker comes to life in Dallas at the Winspear Opera House and in Fort Worth at Bass Performance Hall.
Pocket Sandwich Theatre
One of our favorite local theatres is Pocket Sandwich Theatre.
Adding their annual performance of Ebenezer Scrooge has been delighting audiences since 1982.
Visitors can enjoy a fabulous performance in an intimate setting when you visit the Pocket Sandwich Theatre, making this one of the best Christmas things to do in Dallas!
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Breakfast with Santa Claus
Kids will definitely want to visit the Hilton Anatole during the holiday season to enjoy a special breakfast with Santa!
When you book the Anatole’s special R&R package, kids are joined by Santa and Mrs. Clause for a morning full of delicious food and fun activities.
Kids can listen to Christmas stories while sipping hot cocoa before enjoying Christmas art stations.
Christmas Events in Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas
It’s no secret that Grapevine, Texas, is the Christmas Capital of Texas. From fabulous light displays to nightly musical performances, colorful ice, and an amazing train ride, Grapevine truly has something for everyone!
Ride the North Pole Express
The North Pole Express is a Christmas tradition in North Texas.
Every November and December, kids board the festive train to embark on an incredible holiday journey.
The train ride features Christmas lights, Christmas sing-alongs, and Christmas characters in elaborately decorated coaches.
This is one of the Christmas things in Dallas that you can’t miss, but act fast, as tickets sell out far in advance.
The Gaylord Texan Resort
One of my favorite holiday events in Dallas is ICE! at the Gaylord Texan Resort.
ICE! features an amazing 17,ooo-square-foot immersive walk through winter wonderland of beautifully carved ice sculptures all centered around a holiday theme.
The 2023 ICE! theme is Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”
ICE! is’t the only holiday event taking place at the Gaylord Texan this holiday season.
Visitors can also enjoy a 6,000-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink, a Christmas carousel, a holiday escape room, Cirque: the Spirit of Christmas show, a huge Christmas tree, photos with Santa Claus, and millions of twinkling lights at their #LIT Light Show.
The Gaylord’s Christmas Village includes loads of festive attractions as well. The Christmas Village is a winter wonderland including a Snowball build and blast, a Snow Flow Mountain, and more Christmas lights.
When you’re ready to pamper yourself, you can enjoy a holiday brunch complete with festive food and hot chocolate before enjoying a spa experience at the hotel’s Relache spa.
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Snowland at the Great Wolf Lodge
Families will love visiting the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine during the holiday season thanks to their annual Snowland celebration.
A visit during Snowland treats families to loads of special activities and decorations.
In addition to a huge Christmas tree in the hotel, visitors can also enjoy Snowland-themed suites, a life-sized gingerbread house, and over a million lights making the hotel feel like a holiday village come to life!
Texas Star Dinner Theatre
For a unique holiday show with a Texas twist, make your way to Grapevine’s Texas Star Dinner Theatre for their holiday show “Unseasonable Greedings.”
This fun murder-mystery will have everyone guessing who done it as they enjoy an evening for great food and fun theater!
Christmas on Main Street
Grapevine’s Christmas on Main Street is one of the many festive events taking place throughout the holiday season.
The season opens with Grapevine’s annual Carol of Lights show where the city officially lights up Main Street and the city Christmas tree for the 2023 holiday season.
In addition to the Carol of Lights, visitors can also enjoy the outdoor ice skating rink at Peace Plaza before enjoying live Christmas music, and seeing the many Christmas trees and decorations lining Main Street.
This fun outdoor winter carnival-style celebration is full of twinkling lights, an animated light tunnel, Santa visits, and more.
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Christmas Things to Do Near Dallas
Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie
One of the premier light displays in the Dallas area takes place in Grand Prairie at Prairie Lights.
The drive-through Christmas lights at Prairie Lights will delight adults and children as they make their way through Lynn Creek Park.
In addition to the drive-through display, Prairie Lights also includes a Holiday Village complete with a walk-thru lighted forest, carnival rides, holiday shopping, and more.
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Vitruvian Lights in Addison
The holiday lights at Vitruvian Lights in Addison, Texas, transform Vitruvian Park into a magical wonderland for all to enjoy.
Stroll through the park before grabbing something to eat at one of the many Addison restaurants.
Holiday Lights at Daystar
Daystar Television Studios welcome visitors every year with their dazzling holiday lights at Daystar.
This fun, interactive light display allows families to enjoy some fabulous photo opportunities in their beautiful light displays.
See who can master the Christmas Light Maze before enjoying a cup of hot cocoa from the on site Scratch Cafe.
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Claudia Gonzales
Friday 8th of December 2023
Is Radiance! and Frozen in Frisco not an event this year? The link takes you to Radiance but in Weatherford and it does not have the Frozen activities.
texasonly
Wednesday 13th of December 2023
Hi Claudia. We apologize for that. I meant to remove it for this year. Unfortunately, they did not come back to Frisco this year. :(
Annie
Monday 27th of November 2023
Enchant is not in Dallas for 2023.
texasonly
Monday 27th of November 2023
Thank you, Annie. You are correct. They decided not to return. I have updated the post.
Beth
Sunday 19th of November 2023
Thanks for the tips. I just moved back to the area and was looking for Christmas Events. Perfect timing!
texasonly
Monday 27th of November 2023
Thanks so great! Welcome back!