Everything’s bigger in Texas, including our holiday spirit. From twinkling light shows to festive ice-skating rinks, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the season in DFW. Here’s your guide to the best holiday lights and festivities across North Texas.
Check individual websites for safety policies, schedule changes, and other updates.
ADDISON
Stroll through Vitruvian Park’s 12 acres to see more than 550 illuminated trees wrapped in 1.5 million sparkling LED lights. The large number of single-color trees gives this display a modern flair. The park’s trail passes by water that reflects the brightly glowing trees, creating additional pizazz.
Details: Through Jan. 1 at Vitruvian Park in Addison. Free. Parking is $15 cash at the Bella Lane and Ponte Avenue parking lots and Alfred J. Loos Sports Complex.
ARLINGTON
Featuring more than 2 million twinkling lights, Six Flags Over Texas has once again transformed into a winter wonderland for its 40th annual Holiday in the Park. Live shows include the Holly Jolly Trolley, the Mistletones, Story Time with Mrs. Claus and the all-new Tinker’s Toy Factory. The park will also offer seasonal food and drinks, holiday shopping and, of course, lots of rides.
Details: Through Dec. 31 at Six Flags in Arlington. Tickets start at $45, free for kids 2 and younger. Parking fees start at $35.
DALLAS
LIGHT UP LAKEWOOD HOLIDAY FESTIVAL + TREE LIGHTING
This beloved annual event at Lakewood Shopping Center and Harrell Park features food and drinks from neighborhood establishments, photos with Santa Claus, live music and holiday pop-up shops from local artisans. The tree lighting ceremony, which includes a performance by the Woodrow Wilson High School band, begins at 7:25 p.m.
Details: Dec. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lakewood Shopping Center in Dallas. Free.
Walk through the zoo’s display of more than 2 million lights, including themed exhibits like “Festive Flamingo Flock-tacular” and “Destination: Dinosaurs.” New this year is the chance to rent your own igloo, with optional food and drink add-ons for even more fun. Other features include musical performances, photo ops with Santa and a range of seasonal activities.
Details: Through Jan. 4. at the Dallas Zoo. General admission starts at $18.
Towering in the middle of the ice-skating rink stands Galleria Dallas’ iconic 95-foot Christmas tree. The mall will offer a range of activations and events throughout the holiday season, including Santaland, Snowday immersive photo experience, Storytime with Mrs. Claus, Operation Kindness pet adoptions and music and dance performances from more than 60 local groups.
Details: Through Jan. 5 at Galleria Dallas. Free; some attractions require a fee.
Stroll through the dazzling “12 Days of Christmas” gazebos, explore the European-inspired Christmas Village and enjoy the elegant Merry Monochromatic décor in the historic DeGolyer House. New for 2025 is Night Glow, an after-dark experience featuring artist-curated light installations.
Details: Through Jan. 4 at the Dallas Arboretum. Admission prices vary depending on time and day; check website for details. $15 for parking.
Each year, the Hilton Anatole transforms into a holiday destination, with offerings for both hotel guests and non-guests. New for 2025 is an outdoor ice-skating rink under twinkle lights, as well as rink-side glass “chalets” where you can sip hot cocoa and watch the skaters go by. Family-friendly activities include holiday train rides, a bounce house, Santa’s Workshop craft station and story time in Mrs. Claus’ Library.
Details: Through Jan. 4 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. Prices vary by event; see website for details.
FORT WORTH
A unique holiday experience that features dazzling light tunnels, giant sparkling displays and an immersive drive-through show, Gift of Lights is designed to spread cheer and spark wonder in all ages. You’ll see sparkling holiday scenes and icons transformed into glowing works of art.
Details: Through Jan. 4 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. $35 per vehicle.
Get ready to giddy up and glide at the Fort Worth Stockyards! Enjoy a 90-minute skating session in the Rodeo Rink, and be on the lookout for Cowboy Santa and the daily cattle drive.
Details: Through Jan. 4 at the Fort Worth Stockyards. Ice skating is $20 for children and $25 for adults.
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s new self-guided trail of light displays and holiday music will include themed installations like Candy Cane Tunnel and Rainbow Path, as well as festive photo ops with life-size cowboy nutcrackers and gingerbread men.
Details: Through Jan. 4 at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. $28-$32 for adults, $18-$22 for ages 3-12, free for 2 and under. On-site parking is $25 in advance.
The Modern’s trees are sparkling with brilliant lights to celebrate the holiday season. Take in this beloved tradition while enjoying happy hour or dinner at Café Modern, or go see the lights during one of the ‘First Fridays’ of the season and listen to live music.
Details: Through Feb. 15 at Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Free.
FRISCO
The largest choreographed holiday lights and music show in North Texas, Christmas in the Square returns for a 20th season with more fun surprises. The light show features over 180,000 lights, 200 dancing snowflakes, 10 miles of wiring and 8 miles of extension cords.
Details: Through Jan. 5 at Frisco Square. Free; some attractions require a fee.
GRAND PRAIRIE
This North Texas holiday destination features millions of lights arranged in festive scenes along a stunning two-mile drive, as well as the Holiday Village out-of-car experience. Popular Prairie Lights attractions include the animated LED-light tunnel and the enchanting walk-through forest.
Details: Through Dec. 31 at Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie. $50 per vehicle.
GRAPEVINE
Designated the official Christmas Capital of Texas by the Texas State Senate in 2009, Grapevine earns its title by welcoming more than 2 million visitors every year with more than 1,400 festive Christmas events over 40 days. Local favorites include rides on Santa’s North Pole Express, shopping at Grapevine Christmas Market, skating at Peace Plaza Ice Rink and screening classic Christmas films at the Palace Theatre. Perhaps the most famous of Grapevine’s holiday attractions is the Gaylord Texan, which transforms its grounds each season with 2 million lights, 15,000 ornaments, ice tubing, snowball building, and, of course, 2 million pounds of ice for its signature ICE! walk-through installation.
Details: Dates, times and prices vary by event; see website for full schedule of holiday events.
HIGHLAND PARK
HIGHLAND PARK VILLAGE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CELEBRATION AND SHOPPING STROLL
Stroll under this luxurious, alfresco shopping center’s 1.5 million-plus lights all season long, while visiting top-tier stores and experiencing the magic of the most wonderful time of the year. But, on one special day and night, celebrate the season at the annual Christmas Lights Celebration and Shopping Stroll, with Christmas carolers, face painting, balloon art and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus (sponsored by Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty). Nearly 40 Highland Park Village brands — including some of its newest additions, like La DoubleJ, Miu Miu and TWP — will offer exclusive promotions, gifts with purchase, festive treats, refreshments and more.
Details: Dec. 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Highland Park Village
IRVING
This holiday lights display is an opportunity for a leisurely stroll through Centennial Park, one of the jewels of Irving’s Heritage District. The park is decorated with 100,000 lights on the bridge, fences and trees, and walkways are lit on each side to keep pathways visible for visitors after dark.
Details: Through Jan. 4 at Centennial Park in Irving. Free.
PLANO
Get ready to dive into the holiday spirit at the 5th annual Lights on the Farm. With over 1 million sparkling lights and enchanting holiday displays, this festive event invites you to take a scenic quarter-mile stroll through the beautiful Heritage Farmstead Museum. Capture the perfect holiday photo, meet Santa Claus and indulge in treats like s’mores, hot cocoa, donuts, popcorn and more, all while enjoying festive music.
Details: Through Dec. 28 at the Heritage Farmstead Museum in Plano. $15-$18 for adults, $10 for seniors 65 and older, $10-$12 for children 3-12, free for children 2 and younger.
RICHARDSON
Between December 12 and 20, CityLine Plaza will come alive with holiday spirit. You’ll find a mix of free and ticketed events, including Merry Market, Hot Cocoa Crawl and North Pole in the Plaza.
Details: Dec. 12-20 at CityLine Plaza in Richardson. Prices vary by event; see website for details.
SOUTHLAKE
Christmastime in Southlake Town Square means horse-drawn carriage rides, Holiday of Lights at McPherson Park, Santa’s Village in Rustin Pavilion and more.
Details: Holiday of Lights open through Jan. 4; see website for details and dates of other events.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS IN DFW
Who needs the icy North Pole when you can cruise through millions of dazzling lights, synced perfectly to the rhythm of DJ Polar Ice. This drive-through holiday light display has returned to Hurricane Harbor in Arlington and Riders Field in Frisco, as well as added a new location for 2025: Little Elm Park in Little Elm.
Details: Through Jan. 4 at Hurricane Harbor in Arlington, Riders Field in Frisco and Little Elm Park in Little Elm. Prices start at $39.99 per vehicle.
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