16 Must-Try Holiday Season Activities in Dallas
(including 6 FREE things to do this Christmas)
Mark your calendars: these are the Holiday themed attractions you simply cannot miss in the upcoming months!
‘Tis the season of magic and fun!
Christmas in Dallas is something truly special. Holiday events and activities pop up everywhere. Streets and houses light up with the most beautiful and inspiring Christmas decor – Texas folks definitively know how to do it right!
While to get into the Holiday spirit in the DFW area you really just need to step out of the door, some Christmas happenings are once in a lifetime experiences worth of being added to your Holiday Season bucket list!
Here you’ll find a personal selection of 16 must-try Holiday Season events in Dallas and surroundings. Top-rated Christmas activities to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year to the fullest!
Discover the best places to see the Christmas lights in Dallas. The most impressive Christmas Parades in DFW. The top Holiday themed plays and shows. Acclaimed Christmas exhibitions and events taking place in and around the city.
And no need to break the bank!
6 of the recommended Christmas activities and attractions below are free – look for activities marked with this symbol in the post:
It doesn’t matter if you are 4 or 40. Here you’ll find Christmas activities in Dallas suitable for all ages. So, check it out, choose your faves and dive into the Holiday season magic headfirst! And start making your plans now: some of these attractions are very sought after and usually sell out.
If you have guests coming from out of town during the Holidays, take a look into this post for 15 ideas on how to entertain your visitors in Dallas. Dallas must-sees and must-try activities to make anyone fall in love with the city!
Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Dallas
You can find amazing Christmas lights displays almost everywhere in and around Dallas. Nearly every neighborhood or suburb has its own special street or area covered with tons of lights and amazing decor – just ask around your community to find the closest to you.
However, some Christmas lights displays in DFW are especially splendid and deserving of your time.
The places recommended next are among the best to see Christmas lights in Dallas and surroundings:
When: Nov 29, 2019 - January 1, 2020 (5 to 11 pm)
Where: Vitruvian Park, Addison
Every Holiday season the Vitruvian Park in Addison is converted into a Christmas Wonderland, with tons of colored Christmas Lights. A free walk-thru attraction with an impressive and beautiful lighting display of trees.
The Vitruvian park Christmas event also offers other activities such as free photos with Santa, elves, food trucks and live music on selected weekends (check their calendar).
There is free parking on site and no entrance fees!
When: Throughout December
Where: Highland Park, Dallas
Highland Park is one of Dallas’ neighborhoods with the best Christmas lights display. Homeowners go big for Christmas and the Holiday themed decor is pretty impressive!
You can just drive or walk around and experience it for free – check here a suggested self-guided route. Or make it extra magical taking a Christmas Light Tour in a horse-drawn a carriage through Highland Park.
When: Nov 13 - Dec 29, 2019. (Wed - Sun, 6-9 pm)
Where: Dallas Arboretum
During Holiday Season the Arboretum Converts into a Christmas Wonderland, with themed gazebos and a Christmas Village. At night, over 1 million lights make it even more magical. The 12 Days of Christmas at Night at the Dallas Arboretum is one of Dallas best Christmas lights display.
Although the Christmas lights can be enjoyed from mid-November, the best time to visit is after Thanksgiving.
That’s because from November 29 the Holiday at the Arboretum will also feature a Christmas Village. If you have kids in tow consider going on a Wednesday evening, when Santa is around!
When: Nov 29 - Dec 31, 2019 (daily from 6 -10 pm)
Where: Frisco, TX - Downtown Square
Tune into the local radio frequency and watch thousands of Christmas lights dancing to the rhythm of your favorite Holiday songs. Frisco’s Christmas in the Square is the largest choreographed lights and music display in North Texas and one of the most famous suburban light displays in the DFW area.
Walk around, sip some hot cocoa and, for an extra fee, enjoy ice-skating and carriage rides, among other Holiday themed activities.
Best Christmas Shows, Concerts and Plays in Dallas
Dallas cultural scene is filled with amazing Christmas spectacles during the Holiday Season. With tons of options to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed! Which are the ones that worth your attention?
Check on 4 essential and traditional Christmas cultural events in the Dallas area.
The top contenders of each of their own categories that, year after year, enchant and attract the crowds.
Choose your favorites, plan ahead (tickets usually sell out!) and fill your heart with Christmas joy!
Best Holiday Season Ballet in Dallas
When: Nov 29 - Dec 29, 2019
Where: Dallas Winspear Opera House (Nov 29 - Dec 8)/ Fort Worth Bass Performance Hall (Dec 13 - 29)
A Holiday classic, The Nutcracker ballet is an American Christmas institution with productions all over the country. A fairy-tale romance that has been enchanting audiences since the 60’s and the most prominent ballet musical in the U.S.
The Nutcracker performance by the Dallas Ballet Theater is the most famous in DFW and a must during the Christmas Season. Tickets usually sell out, so plan in advance.
Best Christmas Play in Dallas
When: Nov 22 - Dec 29, 2019
Where: Wyly Theater, Dallas
Famous play based on one of the most memorable Christmas stories ever, written over 15o years ago by Charles Dickens.
A Christmas Carol is a meaningful and beautiful story that takes place on Christmas Eve. It revolves around the transformation of a cranky and greed man into a kind and generous soul under the light of the Christmas spirit. A holiday tradition to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Best Christmas Concert in Dallas
When: Dec 6 - Dec 15, 2019.
Where: Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas
Dive into the Holiday spirit singing along your favorite Christmas songs with the Dallas Symphony Chorus and Children Chorus of Greater Dallas.
Christmas carols, holiday classics and even Santa himself. It doesn’t get any more Christmas than that!
Best Christmas Show in Dallas
When: Dec 7 - Dec 15, 2019
Where: Worship Center of Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano
A jaw-dropping multimedia Christmas show! Featuring live choir and orchestra, flying angels, camels (!) and a living Nativity, among other attractions and special effects, Prestonwood’s The Gift of Christmas show is a sure way to warm your heart and immerse you into the Christmas real meaning.
An essential Christmas spectacle that will fascinate the whole family.
Best Holiday Parades in Dallas and Surroundings
Make merry and rejoice into the Holidays spirit at DFW area most amazing Christmas free events!
Mark your calendars: these are the 3 most traditional Christmas parades in Dallas and surroundings that should be on your radar this Holiday season:
When: Saturday, Dec 7, 2019 - 10:00 am
Where: Downtown Dallas
In the first Saturday of December, Downtown Dallas streets get filled with crowds and everything Christmas!
Dallas Holiday Parade is the largest outdoor event of the year in Dallas, with over 450.000 people attending and more than 30 years of history.
The parade is free to the public, but premium tickets (with reserved seats and Meet’N Greet with Santa) can be purchased. Check here the Dallas Holiday Parade route for this year.
When: Thursday, Dec 5, 2019 - 7:00 pm
Where: Historic Downtown Grapevine
The self-proclaimed ‘Christmas Capital of Texas’ does it in the Texas way: big! It offers over 1400 Christmas related events in the course of 40 days, and the Grapevine Parade of Lights in one of the highlights.
In its 40th edition this year, the Grapevine Parade of Lights is the largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas. It takes place at Historic Main Street and features marching bands, Santa and over 100 Christmas floats.
The Grapevine Parade of Lights is a free event open to the public. Check the parade route here.
When: Sunday, Nov 24, 2019 - 6:00 pm
Where: Downtown Fort Worth
Featuring music, lights and over 100 Christmas themed floats including Santa’s, Fort Worth Parade of Lights is a must-attend Christmas event in the DFW area.
The event takes place nearby beautiful Sundance Square. Plan to arrive early to take in the Christmas vibe, do some Christmas shopping and sip a hot chocolate there. And maybe ice skate at nearby Panther Island Ice.
This is a free event, but street seats are available for purchase. Check the complete parade route and best viewing areas here.
Best Christmas Exhibitions and Events in Dallas
The quantity and quality of Christmas themed events in and around Dallas during the Holiday season is extraordinary. Tons of fun things to do!
Here are the local favorites. The most notable and traditional Holiday exhibitions and events you can experience in DFW:
When: Nov 15, 2019 - Jan 05, 2020
Where: Christmas Village at Gaylord Texan Resort - 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX
ICE! ™ is the highlight of the Lone Star Christmas, one of the most renowned Holiday Season celebrations in the DFW area, which takes place every year at the Gaylord Texan.
It’s a walk-through art display kept at 9°F/ -12°C, featuring large than life ice carved sculptures.
Put your best winter accessories on (parkas are provided, but don’t forget your gloves, hats and scarfs – it is COLD!) and be amazed by this one-of-a-kind experience.
You can also enjoy other Christmas attractions on site for an extra fee, such as snow tubing, ice skating and gingerbread decorating corner. See activities packages offered here.
The Lone Star Christmas is open to the public – you don’t need to be a hotel guest to enjoy it. But there are special overnight packages available, in case you’re coming from out of town or looking for a staycation in December.
When: Nov 29 - Dec 23, 2019
Where: Hilton Anatole - 2201 N Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX
Put your best winter clothes on, head to the Peppermint Park at Hilton Anatole and enjoy a gourmet hot cocoa and s’more while kids rejoice on Christmas magic!
Peppermint Park is the perfect Holiday destination for families with little kids. An outdoor Holiday festival featuring everything Christmas – Christmas lights and shows, Holiday train and games, Elves workshops and more.
For more info and tickets purchase visit Hilton’s Anatole Peppermint Park official page.
INSIDER TIP: the Hilton Anatole is only 15 minutes away from Highland Park. After leaving the Peppermint Park, consider driving around to see the famous Highland Park Christmas Lights.
When: Nov 16, 2019 - Jan 05, 2020 (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
Where: NorthPark Center - 8687 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX
The Trains at North Park is the perfect Christmas attraction in Dallas for little ones and train aficionados. A local Christmas tradition that has been going on for over 30 years and benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.
Travel America and its gorgeous landscapes from coast to coast through over 1600 feet of train tracks, displayed in a beautiful U.S. themed exhibition.
There are also several other Christmas related events and activities going on at the NorthPark mall during the Holiday Season. Check their calendar here. Some highlights are the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert (Wednesday, December 18 at 7:00 pm) and Breakfast with Santa Spectacular (Sunday, Dec 8 at 9:30 am).
When: Nov 29 - Dec 23, 2019
Where: Grapevine Vintage Railroad - 707 S Main St, Grapevine, TX
This Holiday thematic train ride is a unique way to experience the magic of Christmas.
With the ‘golden tickets’ in hands and pajamas on, little ones embark on a dreamy train ride to the North Pole, to visit Santa’s workshop and get to know the Old Man and his elves.
The North Pole Express is a sought after Christmas experience in Dallas. Tickets sell out fast and months in advance, grab yours before they are gone…. (and mark your calendars for future reference: sales usually start late September).
…and if you don’t have kids in tow or needs a break for parenthood, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad also offers adults-only Holiday train rides, the Christmas Wine Train, where grown-ups wishes also come true lol – they serve complimentary wine and appetizers during the ride!
When: Dec 8, 21 & 22, 2019
Where: Neiman Marcus Zodiac Room - 1618 Main Street, 6th Floor, Downtown Dallas, TX
Last but not least, a Christmas bucket list wouldn’t be complete without a face to face activity with the Christmas Old Man himself!
There are several places you can take the kids to see Santa – think almost every mall, Christmas related event or downtown square around. But if you want to give your child a once in a lifetime experience, treat them with a breakfast with Santa.
This is a popular Christmas tradition offered in several places in Dallas and surrounding suburbs. But if you want to go really fancy, book your kiddos the Breakfast with Santa at Neiman Marcus. Unforgettable!
Summing Up
May your Holiday season be full of love and joy!
Dallas at Christmas is simply AMAZING. There are tons of incredible Christmas related activities to enjoy around. In this post you found a selection of the ones you cannot miss.
For the best Christmas Lights, try the Vitruvian Lights, Highland Park Christmas Lights Tour, the 12 Days of Christmas at Night in the Dallas Arboretum or Christmas on the Square in Frisco.
For the most traditional and unforgettable Christmas spectacles in the DFW area, choose among The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, Dallas Symphony Christmas Pops and The Gift of Christmas.
The Holiday Parades not to be missed this Christmas season are the huge Dallas Holiday Parade, the Fort Worth Parade of Lights and the Grapevine Parade of Lights.
And make sure to include in your Christmas bucket list also this unique exhibitions and events: ICE™ at Gaylord Texan, the Trains at NorthPark, Peppermint Park at Hilton Anatole, Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s North Pole Express and Neiman Marcus’ Breakfast with Santa.
Christmas on a budget? 6 of the activities recommended here are totally free, look for this symbol throughout the post:
Now make your plans and have fun. Have in mind that the most popular Christmas activities and attractions in Dallas usually sell out, so buy your tickets now (links in the post) and have a blast this Holiday season!
Which Christmas activities in Dallas are you planning to try in 2019? Which are your favorites to date? Does your family have any Dallas Christmas tradition that has been going on for years? Leave a comment bellow.
Holiday cheers and may you be surrounded by ho’s this Christmas season!
