25+ Best Dallas Christmas Events for Families

Celebrate the holiday season with loved ones at the best Dallas Christmas events Texas has to offer. There isn’t a lack of Christmas special events in the Dallas and Fort Worth area. Families can find Santa Claus, dazzling light displays, and live entertainment at many popular Dallas attractions.

Gather the entire family and don’t miss out on the holiday fun North Texas has to offer. Plan ahead leading up to the days of Christmas and choose which holiday family attractions you would like to attend. It’s the most wonderful time of year!

As a Texan native, I have attended many of these events year after year. There isn’t a shortage of holiday cheer in North Texas. Even if you have attended one of these attractions in the past, chances are the event organizers have added more holiday magic to make the event even more fabulous for your family.

Check out my Instagram story highlights to see tours of Dallas Christmas events. We are always on the hunt for new events in North Texas. Email us if you know of a top-rated Dallas Holiday event or attraction that should be on this list.

2023 Dallas Christmas Events for Families

To help you determine which Dallas Christmas events are the best fit for your family, I’ve rounded up the top Dallas/Fort Worth holiday events.  Spread holiday cheer and share this list with a friend or two.

Christmas at the Gaylord Texan // Grapevine // Ends December 31

Christmas at the Gaylord is one of our family’s favorite holiday traditions. We visited this magical resort every year! Our favorite Gaylord Texan Resort attractions include:

• Sightseeing inside the resort – Experience a magical winter wonderland on 125 acres of sprawling indoor and outdoor resort gardens featuring over two million twinkling holiday lights, 15,000 ornaments, hundreds of Christmas trees, magical miniature trains, and more! Discover gingerbread house decorating, photos with Santa, holiday escape rooms, scavenger hunts, and character breakfasts along the way.

• ICE! – ICE! returns! Journey through a 17,000-square-foot, 9-degree attraction featuring two million pounds of hand-carved ICE! created by international master artisans and themed after the beloved holiday classic, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

• Live entertainment – enchanting outdoor walkthrough lights attraction as well as holiday-themed cirque shows. 
• Interactive holiday activities – Go inside the resort’s Christmas Village which includes a 6,000-square-foot indoor ice skating rink made with real ice; an eight-lane, two-story tall snow tubing hill made with fresh snow each morning; an antique Christmas carousel; a snowball throwing challenge; and a Christmas retail store filled with thousands of delightful holiday gifts.

2023 Gaylord Texan ICE! coupon – 50% off

Save money by using code MODERN for 50% off ICE! (Offer valid between 11/10-11/23, 11/26-11/30, 12/3-12/7, 12/10-12/14, 12/25-12/31. Offer valid for listed dates only. Not valid with any other discounts or offers. Tickets must be purchased online. Limit of 10 tickets per purchaser. Not retroactive. Other restrictions may apply. Discount based on 50% off GENERAL ADMISSION ticket pricing and valid for all dates mentioned in the promotion. Limited tickets are available, so act fast!) Learn more about the Gaylord Texan ICE coupon here.

Head to Christmas at Gaylord for tickets and more information. The Gaylord Texan is located at 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX 76051.

Miracle on 134th Street // Celina // Ends December 23

Meet and greet with Santa in his 8,500-square-foot workshop and explore this winter wonderland with a peppermint forest, outdoor Christmas lights, train rides, a petting zoo, food trucks and cocoa, gift shops, and many outdoor Christmas lights and holiday photo opportunities.

Get your tickets online and see firsthand the magical experience of Miracle on 134th Street.

Miracle on 134th Street is located at 10455 County Road 133, Celina, TX, 75009.

Fort Worth Parade of Lights // November 19

The GM Financial Parade of Lights begins at 6:00 PM. For complete route information and a full map click here.

The parade is free to attend, but reserved seat seating is available through their website.

Home for the Holidays // McKinney // November 24-26

Ring in the winter holiday cheer at ‘Home for the Holidays… A McKinney Christmas’ in Downtown McKinney. Experience a small-town feel with a big holiday spirit. Be sure to see Christmas lights on the historic homes nearby.

Admission to the event is free. For more information on vendors, shopping and activities visit McKinneyChristmas.com

Dallas Holiday Parade // December 3

Head to Downtown Dallas to jumpstart your holiday season. Join the revelers along Commerce Street for the Dallas Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 3, and celebrate a holiday tradition for thousands of families throughout North Texas and coast to coast.

This event is free to attend, but reserved bleacher seating and VIP access are available for purchase here.

Whistle Stop Christmas //Cleburne // Nov 20 – Jan 1

One of the most dazzling holiday displays in the Metroplex comes to life in Cleburne on Monday, November 20^thwith the kickoff of the city’s “Whistle Stop Christmas” and official tree lighting in Hulen Park from 6:30 to 9 p.m.  Millions of lights will twinkle in the park and throughout downtown.  At the tree-lighting ceremony, there will be children’s train rides ($3 per rider), Christmas carols, food and gift vendors, and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. (Children’s train rides are also offered Dec. 1-2, 15-16, and 22 – 23. The light display can be viewed nightly through Jan. 1, 2024.) Get tickets here.

Reliant Lights Your Holidays // Dallas // December 2

Reliant lights up the holiday season at the AT&T Performing Arts Center! Bring your entire family for an evening of holiday magic and music. They will be illuminating the Center’s campus with dazzling LED lights to celebrate the arrival of the holiday season.

This FREE festival includes:

• The Crowley Stage will be headlined by American choral rock legend THE POLYPHONIC SPREE with a special appearance by trailblazing Latin artist VANITA LEO
• Post-show performances from HELLO SHANNON at the Flora Cantina and CAROLINA IMPERIAL on the Community Stage
• Half a million LED lights illuminating Sammons Park in front of the Winspear Opera House
• A holiday-themed DRONE SHOW by world record holder Sky Elements will blast off to fireworks from Pyrotex.
• A wintery snow playground with REAL SNOW!!!
• Kids’ cookie craft area
• Free PHOTOS WITH SANTA sponsored by Lexus
• Free MINIATURE GOLF on the Reliant Putting Green
• Plus expanded food & beverage offerings and other surprises throughout the park you won’t want to miss

Reliant Lights Your Holidays at Sammons Park located at 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201.

Christmas at the Anatole // Dallas // December 8 – 30

Introducing North Pole Texas, featuring an interactive holiday experience, a Christmas light display, and memorable moments with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Hilton Anatole invites guests to experience North Pole Texas and Breakfast with Santa at Christmas at the Anatole.

Begin your Christmas journey at the North Pole Village and walk through the Alpine Village where you can pick up a s’mores kit from the Sweet Shoppe. The Christmas adventure continues at Toyland where you will find holiday games, a marionette show, and more.

Visit their official website for tickets, hotel stay rates, and more!

The Hilton Anatole is located at 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207.

Prairie Lights // Grand Prarie // Ends December 31

Prairie Lights is one of the best holiday light shows in DFW. Be dazzled by this amazing attraction as you drive through 4 million lights set along 2 miles of path. Hundreds of all-new displays in shapes of all kinds line and arch over the roads. Halfway through the drive get out of your car for a stop at Holiday Village where you will find food, gifts, Santa, light walk-through Forest, and a holiday theater spectacular. The finale of the show is the world’s largest light tunnel. Open Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Eve.

Fast Passes and General Admission tickets are available on their website. Tickets are available for cars, limos, vans, or buses.

Prairie Lights in located at Lynn Creek Park at 5610 Lake Ridge Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX 75052.

The Trains at NorthPark // Dallas // Ends January 5

The Trains at Northpark benefiting Ronald McDonald House of Dallas (RMHD), has delighted generations of Dallas families as one of our city’s premier holiday traditions. The display includes 1600 feet of track rolling from coast to coast on a whimsical rail journey across America.

Get tickets on their official website. All proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.

The Trains at North Park is located at North Park mall at 8687 N. Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75225.

Holiday at the Arboretum // Dallas // November 9 – January 5

Holiday at the Arboretum, presented by Reliant, has a new treasure that’s sure to get visitors in the holiday spirit: the Dazzling Musical Tree, a 50-foot-tall tree animated with more than 42,000 lights and merry holiday tunes that play (check website for starting times). The holiday festival, which opens November 10 and runs through December 31, also features The Christmas Village, DeGolyer House with The Artistry of the Nativity, and The 12 Days of Christmas.

Tickets are available online and range in pricing depending on dates and times. Both members and non-members are required to reserve tickets in advance.

Head to the Dallas Arboretum located at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218 to see this one-of-a-kind Christmas attraction.

Family Christmas Pops // Dallas // Select dates

Christmas Pops is a special one-hour-long family-friendly concert featuring the Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus. Guests can enjoy a variety of pre-concert activities for the kids.

Buy tickets online.

Family Christmas Pops is located at 2301 Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201

Snowday x Santaland // Dallas // ends January 7

Snowday and Santaland return to Galleria Dallas. This immersive photo experience features unique photo opportunities for guests to have fun, strike a pose, and snap a picture. Extra-special photo moments with integrated cameras and studio lighting allow attendees to capture high-quality life-long memories with their friends and family.

SNOWDAY takes guests on an explorable adventure through endless imaginative rooms and hundreds of surprises for all ages over the course of about an hour.

Imagine the moment your child meets Santa and he greets them by name and already knows what they want for Christmas! Magic! Santaland uses special wishlist technology to create this incredible moment. When you purchase your tickets you will fill out all the important details and just like that Santa will have all he needs when the child arrives!

Tickets are available for both Snowday and Santaland on their website. Combo tickets offer discount offers.

Both Galleria Dallas attractions are located at the Galleria Dallas at Level 1 (Ground Level) right next door to the Banana Republic. 13350 Dallas Pkwy Suite #1020 Dallas, TX 75240

The Light Park // Arlington // November 4 – January 1

The Light Park in Arlington, TX features a quarter-mile of synchronized tunnels along with a FOUR-STORY Christmas Tree and hundreds of light displays! ALL synchronized to your favorite hit Christmas music!

General admission tickets and skip-the-line passes are available online.

The Light Park has moved to Arlington and is in the Hurrican Harbor parking lot located at 1800 E. Lamar St, Arlington, TX 76006.

Radiance! at the Ranch // Weatherford // November 18 – December 31

Gather the family, grab a hot chocolate, and stroll through Radiance, a holiday wonderland of almost 3 million dazzling, dancing lights and one-of-a-kind holiday social media moments!

Gather the family and sip a cup of hot chocolate as you marvel at a cavalcade of sparking lights animated to the tunes of your favorite holiday classics from the comfort of your vehicle! We’ve added new, exciting scenes, more lights, and a VIP option that includes shorter wait access on busy nights, hot chocolate, magic light glasses for the kids, and popcorn for everyone!

Tickets are available online.

Radiance! at the Ranch is located at 2251 Mineral Wells Hwy. Weatherford, Texas

Main Stay Farm // Cleburne // November 24 -December 23 (Select Dates)

Get ready for visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, NEW Big Time Climb & Play, Christmas House, Tasty Treats, Choose & Cut Trees, Farm Animals, Wine Terrace, 30+ attractions & so much more!

Get tickets to Main Stay Farm on their official website.

Main Stay Farm is located at 1004 W. Bethesda Road, Cleburne, TX, 76031 US

Texas Christkindl Market // Arlington // November 24 – December 23

The Texas Christkindl Market is one of the largest open ­air holiday markets in the Southwest.

Inspired by the cherished German tradition, the Texas Christkindl Market is a free, family­-friendly market featuring a unique shopping experience for holiday gifts, decorations, and unique one-­of-­a-­kind finds.

Guests can shop for traditional handcrafted gifts and collectibles straight from Germany including exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt merchandise and designs from the iconic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village.

Texas Christkindl Market is located at the North Plaza at Globe Life Field at 734 Stadium Dr, Arlington, TX 76011.

Christmas at the Galleria // Dallas //

Enjoy holiday performances, view the nation’s tallest indoor Christmas tree, and more, all while getting some holiday shopping done at the Galleria Dallas.

Head to the Galleria Dallas Holiday website to see all the holiday activities and extended holiday shopping hours.

Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza // Frisco // November 17 – December 16

This free event is one of a kind! One of my favorite Dallas Christmas events is back! Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza powered by Reliant is a must-see 20-minute show that electrifies The Star with a powerful mix of game-day excitement and Christmas cheer on Tostitos Championship Plaza. Kicking off with the lighting of The Star’s 67-foot Christmas tree by a Dallas Cowboys alumni, the Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza then leads into a holiday performance showcasing the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue Dancers and Drumline, Cowboys Rookie Squad, mascot Rowdy, Santa Claus, and special appearances from Dallas Cowboys Football heroes.

This event is free and open to the public. Parking is free and available onsite.

The Star District is located at 9 Cowboys Way, Frisco, TX 75034.

Vitruvian Lights // Addison // November 18 – January 1

Vitruvian Park transforms into a magical holiday wonderland during Vitruvian Lights. The most dazzling and spectacular time of the year is here!  Vitruvian Park transforms into a magical holiday wonderland during Vitruvian Lights.

Admission is free.

Vitruvian Lights is located at 3875 Ponte Ave, Addison, TX 75001.

Christmas in the Square // Frisco // November 18 – January 8

The Holiday lights and music will run daily 6-10 PM. Tune in to 107.3 FM on the radio for synced music and lights. The Christmas in the Square light show features over 180,000 lights, 200 dancing snowflakes, 10 miles of wiring, and 8 miles of extension cords.

In its 10th year at Frisco Square, the Park Place Plano Skate the Square is the area’s only real ice outdoor ice rink! Guests can also enjoy visits with Santa, horse carriage rides, and more!

This show is free to the public. Fees apply for holiday activities. Learn more about this event here.

Christmas in the Square is located at 8843 Coleman Blvd. Frisco, Texas 75034.

North Pole Express // Grapevine // November 21 – December 23

Every Dallas/Fort Worth family needs to experience the North Pole Express at least once. Experience the magic of Christmas onboard Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s North Pole Express®. join Mrs. Claus on a holiday adventure to Santa’s Workshop in the Christmas Capital of Texas®. All guests receive a delicious chocolate chip cookie baked in Mrs. Claus’ North Pole kitchens and a taste of Santa’s Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a keepsake Memory Mug. Children will also receive a beautiful “We Believe” bell.

Unfortunately, tickets are already sold out. Join the waitlist for next year’s event.

The North Pole Express is located at the Grapevine Christmas Village inside the Cotton Belt Railroad Historic District (705 S. Main St., Grapevine, TX  76051).

Dallas Zoo Lights // Dallas // November 17 – January 2

Don’t miss one of the best Dallas Christmas events happening this year! Dallas Zoo returns as a walk-thru event featuring new larger-than-life animal lanterns. Featuring one million twinkling lights, elaborate holiday-themed displays, larger-than-life sculptures, and animal lanterns from the comfort of your own vehicle. It’s so much fun to go to a zoo at night time. We loved taking photos in front of their dazzling 3D lighted sculptures.

Get all the details and tickets at DallasZoo.com/ZooLights

Great Wolf Lodge Snowland // Grapevine // November 18 – January 2

As the temperature drops, escape to the warmth of Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge. If you love snow and classic holiday family fun, you’ll find plenty of it at our warm and cozy lodge. Find all the wonders of a Great Wolf getaway with the comfort of our heated indoor activities and 84-degree water park. Guests can enjoy visits with Santa, Snowland games, scavenger hunt and more!

Add a Snowland Package to your Great Wolf stay. Hotel guests can take advantage of all the holiday fun!

Great Wolf Lodge in located at 100 Great Wolf Drive, Grapevine TX 76051.

Holiday in the Park // Arlington // Select days November 19 – December 31

Holiday in the Park is back and is always included on our must-go Dallas Christmas events list. Six Flags over Texas is open select days from November to January. Holiday in the Park features a breathtaking winter wonderland feature a variety of delightful and interactive activities to help capture the holiday spirit.

Get tickets and learn more at their official website.

Holiday in the Park is located at 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington, TX 76011.

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Get an inside look at many of these holiday festivities on my Instagram stories and highlight named holidays! We host giveaways to many of these local events. Which Dallas Christmas events are you most excited to attend with your family? Did I miss your favorite event? Let me know in the comment section or find me on social.