Christmas in DFW metroplex is full of magic, lights, wonder, and festivity. Our family has lived in the DFW area for 5 years and slowly collected multiple fun family traditions. You will definitely want to add each of these ten events to your holiday activities.
1. Visit Downtown Grapevine
Grapevine holds the title of “Christmas Capital of Texas” and for a reason! Grapevine decks the halls on Main Street with lights, decor and holiday festivities. It’s completely free to walk around downtown. Venture into the Tarrant County Commerce building for more decor and activities.
Grapevine Historical Museum is completely free and offers several kids activities and crafts inside the historical buildings.
As you meander down Main street, you’ll find fun shops and activities. Get in the life-sized snow globe and even write a letter to Santa along the way.
You can even ride the North Pole Express from Main Street. Christmas in DFW starts in Grapevine!
2. Experience ICE at the Gaylord Hotel
Every year the Gaylord Hotel in Grapevine decks all the halls with beautiful scenery. You can walk through the lobby and enjoy a light show or fountain show for free (it does cost to park). Or you can participate in many of their paid activities like ice skating, tubing, Mrs. Claus reading or gingerbread house decorating.
But the biggest event at the Gaylord is called ICE. two million pounds of ice is sculpted into displays to walk through. The temperature is below freezing, but don’t worry, they provide warm coats for the freezing Texans. Watch a sculpture create live. Make a grand exit down and ice slide.
3. Visit Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop
Bass Pro offers a free opportunity to visit Santa. they even provide you will a free photo of your family or little on with Santa (and an option to purchase photo package).
The store also offers Christmas activities such as writing letters to Santa, riding a carousel ride, crafts, and games. And you might be able to get some shopping done as the kids are having fun.
4. Drive Through Prairie Lights
Prairie Lights should be a family tradition every year. With Lights, Santa, shopping, laser show and even carnival rights, you will have a night to remember at Prairie Lights.
Read exactly what to do at Prairie Lights here.
5. Watch the Nutcracker Ballet
Showing my kids professional dancing and music is important to me and I love dressing up and feeling fancy with my family for a night out. With the familiar music and easy-to-understand story of the “Nutcracker”, this is the best way to introduce culture and beauty to the kids.
The Texas Ballet Theater puts on the best performance with a live orchestra at Bass Hall in Fort Worth. The set, costumes, and level of skilled dancing is unbelievable. You will always remember the time spent at the ballet. Snag tickets here. (Use code FLYBY for 10% off)
6. Attend a Local City Tree Lighting Festival
Our local city puts on quite a fun tree lighting festival. These are usually free events that cater to kids’ activities. With lights, decor, and music, you will definitely get in the holiday spirit at a tree lighting event. Find a few of my favorites here.
Comment on other Tree lighting events you love and I’ll add it to the list!
7. Go Ice Skating
You can find Ice skating throughout the DFW Metroplex. Farmer’s Branch has an outdoor rink near their tree and holiday shopping village.
- Skate under the stars at Dallas Star
- The Drive-in Movies in Fort Worth has a small ice skating rink.
- Friday nights or lunchtime skate at the indoor rink at NYTEX in North Richland Hills
- Indoor skating at Ice at the Parks Arlington
I haven’t taken my kids skating yet…But I will this year! I’ll update with a photo later!
8. Wander through the 12 Days of Christmas at the Arboretum
At night, the Dallas Arboretum gardens turn into a magical Christmas land. Throughout the park, you’ll find displays in gazebos that illustrated the 12 Days of Christmas. All the scenes move and have music to enhance your viewing experience.
Since Texas often has pleasant December weather, you can find the perfect evening to wander in wonder at the Arboretum. We enjoyed live Christmas music on our date night in the gardens, but I’m sure our kids would love it, too.
9. Listen to a Musical Performance
Christmas music is special and moving. There are so many choirs, orchestras and symphonies to enjoy during the holiday season. Find one that suits you! I especially enjoy religious performances during the Christmas season. Here are a few I’m looking forward to.
- Millennial Choir and Orchestra Performance: Saturday, December 7th, 5 pm and 8 pm at Allen Performing Arts Center. $18-$33.
- George F. Handel’s The Messiah Sing a Long
December 24, 2019 10:55pm
St Joseph Roman Catholic Parish, Arlington - Sing Noel: Free performance Hurst December 14 &15
- ELF the Musical at the Artisan Theater in Hurst.
Comment on your favorite Music Performance and I’ll add it to my collection.
10. Enjoy the Fort Worth Parade of Lights
To start the season off right, Fort Worth shows a parade of lights. You sit still and the magic moves past you. See the times and details here.
If you missed the parade of lights, you can still experience Christmas in DFW from Fort Worth’s Sundance Square. Santa is there for a visit and photos along with a giant Christmas tree and falling snow.
Leave a comment for what you love doing in the DFW metroplex during the holidays. I am still new to the area, so I’d love to explore more exciting activities!
For more local fun click here
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