Ultimate List of Christmas Activities in Dallas Fort Worth [2022]
It’s that time of the year: the lights are up, the cold weather has finally arrived, and everyone is feeling holly jolly. There are so many fun ways to enjoy the holiday season, and I’ve put together a big ‘ol list of fun Christmas Activities in Dallas / Fort Worth to help you get started.
If you are looking for Christmas Light Displays you can enjoy from the comfort of your car, make sure to check out our list of the Best Drive Thru Christmas Lights in DFW.
Christmas Things To Do in Dallas Fort Worth
- Arts & Crafts Shows – extended North Texas area
- Dallas Arboretum’s 12 Days of Christmas – Dallas, TX
- Enchant Dallas – Dallas, TX
- North Pole Express / Polar Express – Grapevine, TX
- Christmas at Mainstay Farm Park – Cleburne, TX
- YesterLand Farms Christmas Carnival – Canton, TX
- Fort Worth Botanic Gardens Lightscape – Fort Worth, TX
- Christmas & ICE! at Gaylord Texan – Grapevine, TX
- Snowday & Santaland – Dallas, TX
- Texas Wild! Wonderland at Fort Worth Zoo – Fort Worth, TX
- Zoo Lights at Dallas Zoo – Dallas, TX
- Radiance! Frozen in Frisco – Frisco, TX
- North Pole Texas, Christmas at the Anatole – Dallas, TX
- The Immersive Nutcracker – Dallas, TX
- Dallas Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza – Frisco, TX
- Twas the Night Before by Cirque Du Soleil – Dallas, TX
- Palestine Polar Express – Palestine, TX
- Peace Plaza Ice Skating Rink – Grapevine, TX
- Drive-Thru Christmas Lights – extended North Texas area
1. Arts & Crafts Shows
NORTH TEXAS – There are tons of Christmas events and holiday related arts & crafts shows happening nearly every weekend across the extended North Texas area, and they are a GREAT way to get in the holiday spirit. DFW Craft Shows keeps an extensive events calendar for Dallas Fort Worth that you can browse in list, month, week, day, and map formats. We also compile a Weekend Guide every Monday morning with all the upcoming events for that weekend. Not only will you find tons of unique gifts, you also get the opportunity to shop small, and support local artists, crafters, makers, and bakers!
Many of these events support awesome local programs and charities geared at helping our local community. They typically span only a few days and happen just once or twice a year, so check out The Weekend Guide often for the latest and greatest. Also worth mentioning, many of these events have appearances from Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and even The Grinch.
2. Dallas Arboretum’s 12 Days of Christmas
DALLAS, TX – The Dallas Arboretum is well known for their stunning holiday displays throughout the year and Holiday at the Arboretum is no exception. Enjoy their Musical Tree, Christmas Village, and gorgeous 12 Days of Christmas displays. Don’t forget to stop by the historic DeGolyer House which has been elaborately decorated with a new exhibit by Michael Hamilton celebrating the diversity of the holiday season in North Texas. This new seasonal exhibit, The Artistry of Faith & Culture, prominently features the three world holidays most celebrated in North Texas: Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
Holiday at the Arboretum starts up on November 10th and runs through December 31st. Tickets range from $12 to $20 and can be purchased for both daytime and nighttime visits. See their site for more info.
3. Enchant Christmas Dallas
DALLAS, TX – Fair Park is about to get lit for the extravaganza known as Enchant Christmas. This winter wonderland is filled to the bright with spectacle and wonder, including a Christmas light maze, 100ft Christmas tree, ice skating, Christmas village filled with local artisans, Santa, food, live entertainment and more!
Enchant Christmas Dallas is open from November 25th thru January 1st. Tickets start at $34 for adults and $20 for kids. More information and ticketing details are available on their site.
4. North Pole Express Grapevine
GRAPEVINE, TX – If it’s Christmas magic you are looking for, you may certainly find it aboard the North Pole Express Grapevine (also known as the Grapevine Polar Express). Hop aboard Grapevine’s beautifully decorated Vintage Railroad and join Mrs. Claus on her adventure to Santa’s Workshop.
Tickets for the North Pole Express Grapevine sell out quickly, and you may find they have already sold out this year. They do have a waitlist that you can join on their site.
5. Christmas at Mainstay Farm Park
CLEBURNE, TX – There is much to enjoy for Christmas at Mainstay Farm Park including a Christmas Haymarket, choose and cut your own Christmas trees, haymarket, big time climb & play, Texas tubin’ hill slide, Texas big wheel, xoaster, hayrides, mazes and more!
The Christmas at the Mainstay Farm Park opens on November 25th and tickets start at $16.95. Visit their site for more details on dates and pricing.
6. YesterLand Farm Christmas Carnival
CANTON, TX – From Christmas light decor to corn maze, wagon rides, amazement rides, farm attractions and more, you will not find a lack of Christmas activities at the YesterLand Farm Christmas Carnival. Don’t forget to browse their selection of pre-cut trees and say hi to Santa while you are there!
Tickets for the YesterLand Farm Christmas Carnival go on sale November 14th. The park opens on November 25th. For more information on tickets, dates, and times, visit their website.
7. Fort Worth Botanic Gardens Lightscape
FORT WORTH, TX – Walk the beautiful Fort Worth Botanical Gardens while enjoying spectacular and artistic light displays setup by Lightscape. Find a variety of light tunnels, a fire garden, undulating waves of bluebonnets, singing trees, and more across a one-mile walking path right here in Fort Worth. Don’t forget to swing by and toast marshmallows over the fire and enjoy a cuppa hot chocolate and other seasonal drinks along the way.
Lightscape in Fort Worth Botanic Gardenas runs from November 18th through January 8th on select nights only. Tickets start at $28 for non members, $18 for kids. Visit their site for more ticketing information and details on dates and times.
8. Christmas & Ice! at Gaylord Texan
GRAPEVINE, TX – Visit Christmas at Gaylord Texan where you can enjoy 2 million sparkling lights, over 15,000 ornaments, and hundreds of Christmas trees all across their indoor atrium. For a truly unique experience, stop by their signature winter land sculpture exhibit, ICE!, featuring over 2 million pounds of colorful ice carved to tell the story of the Polar Express. Don’t forget to take a ride down their slides, which are also made entirely of ice, or visit their 6,000 square ft ice rink.
Christmas at Gaylord Texan runs from November 11th to January 1st, and ticket pricing for ICE! starts at $25 for adults and $16 for children. (Keep out an eye for 50% off coupons in the mail though, they do exist!). Find more info and purchase your tickets on their site.
9. Snowday & Santaland
DALLAS, TX – Snowday & Santaland offer magical, immersive experiences for kids and adults of all ages. Get ready for an explorable adventure through endless imaginative rooms and hundreds of surprises with each experience. The Santaland experience wraps up with a Santa encounter and optional secret wardrobe to travel to the second experience, Snowday. While you are at the Galleria, don’t forget to check out their large-scale Menorah and the LARGEST indoor Christmas Tree in the nation!
Santaland & Snowday open on November 18th. Tickets start at $9 for adults and $17 for children. Discounts available for seniors and active military.
10. Texas Wild! Wonderland at Fort Worth Zoo
FORT WORTH, TX – The Fort Worth Zoo announced the debut of their newest holiday extravaganza, Texas Wild! Wonderland. Their beloved Texas Town is being transformed into a winter wonderland complete with holiday themed shows, photo ops with Santa, falling snow, seasonal food, and more! And, best of news for visitors to the Fort Worth Zoo, you will be able to enjoy access to Texas Wild! Wonderland with the price of your admission.
Texas Wild! Wonderland at the Fort Worth Zoo takes place Saturdays and Sundays starting on November 27th. For tickets to the zoo and more information, visit their website.
11. Zoo Lights at Dallas Zoo
DALLAS, TX – Things are getting festive at the Dallas Zoo with their annual Zoo Lights walk-thru event where you can enjoy over a million lights across the zoo. Visit elaborate displays in ZooNorth and WIlds of Africa and don’t forget to stop by Santa’s Workshop to see the man himself. Festive treats will be available along with nightly musical performances, programmed light shows, crafts, activities, and more!
Zoo Lights at the Dallas Zoo is open select nights from November 17th to January 1st. Tickets start at $21 for adults and $17 for children. For more information on dates, times, and to purchase your tickets, please visit their website.
12. Radiance! Frozen in Frisco
FRISCO, TX – Radiance! Frozen in Frisco is a full winter carnival with over 3 million lights and activities sure to delight the entire family, including ice tubing, snowball toss, ice skating, reindeer rodeo, bumper cars, Christmas carousel, real snowman building, and Santa Claus himself!
Radiance! Frozen in Frisco begins November 18th and runs through December 31st. Tickets are available on their site where they offer a variety of admission options starting at $35. Visit their site for more info.
13. North Pole Texas, Christmas at the Anatole
DALLAS, TX – If you are looking for a lot of fun Christmas things to do in Dallas, North Pole Texas, part of the Christmas at the Anatole celebration, will surely not disappoint. Journey through the North Pole Village and enjoy Santa’s House, sweet shoppes, cookie decorating, the elves’ workshop, a talking Christmas tree, and so much more. Don’t forget to also stop by the Alpine Village and Toyland, with a petting zoo, smores and more fire pit, scavenger hunts, ice fishing, skeeball, escape rooms, hot cocoa… the list goes on and on.
North Pole Texas runs from November 18th until December 24th, weekends mostly, but during the week of Christmas as well. Tickets are $43 for adults and $36 for children. For tickets and more information on dates and times, visit their website.
14. The Immersive Nutcracker
DALLAS, TX – Become part of the story at The Immersive Nutcracker, coming to Dallas this November! Explore 500,000 cubic feet of this interactive beauty as you relive Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker.”
The Immersive Nutcracker opens November 19th and runs through December 31st. Tickets start at $27. For more details on pricing and availability, please visit their site.
15. Dallas Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza
FRISCO, TX – The Dallas Cowboys are having their Christmas Extravaganza again this year, and it is an experience like no other. Enjoy an electrifying 20 minute show that begins with lighting their 67 foot Christmas tree, quickly followed by a holiday performance by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleads, Rhythm and Blue Dancers and Rookie Squad, Drumline, mascot, Santa, and special Dallas Cowboys guest appearances.
Dallas Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza starts on November 18th and runs through December 17th every Friday and Saturday evening at 6PM. This event is free and open to the public. Parking is also free and available onsite. Please verify event information and find more details on their site.
16. Twas the Night Before, Cirque Du Soleil
DALLAS, TX – Cirque Du Soleil is known for their unique performances and this modern twist on a holiday classic is no exception! Their performance is sure to leave you in the holiday spirit after taking a festive journey filled with friendship and warmth.
Cirque Du Soleil will be performing Twas the Night Before from November 25th to December 11th. Tickets start at about $44 and go up from there. Please visit their website for full event details and ticketing info.
17. Palestine Polar Express
PALESTINE, TX – Jump aboard the Polar Express in Palestine for a truly unique ride from the Palestine Depot to the North Pole. Enjoy a live musical performance happening in each coach as you are served hot chocolate and cookies. Purchase your own copy of The Polar Express to follow along with their performances.
The Polar Express in Palestine operates on special dates and times throughout November and December. For ticketing and more information on dates and times, please visit their site.
18. Peace Plaza Ice Rink
GRAPEVINE, TX – We all know Grapevine is the Christmas Capitol of Texas. The Christmas tree, the lights, the parades, and the activities–They do the holidays bigger than life, and their ice skating rink is no exception! The Peace Plaza Ice Rink is over 4,500 sq ft and is the largest outdoor ice skating rink in North Texas.
The Peace Plaza Ice Rink operates from November 18th to January 8th, though dates and times vary. Tickets are $20 per person, skate rental included. To reserve your spot or for more info on dates and times, check out their website.
Drive Thru Christmas Lights
If you are wondering where all the must-see Drive-Thru Christmas Lights are in this list, fret not! There were so many fun Christmas activities in Dallas (and beyond), I decided to make a dedicated post for each. Cruise right over to the Best Drive Thru Christmas Lights in DFW for details on all the most awesome Christmas Light displays that you can enjoy right from the comfort and warmth of your own car.
Share your favorites!
I did my best to include Christmas activities in Dallas, Fort Worth, and all over the metroplex, but I would LOVE to know of any other festive fun that I’ve missed! Please drop down in the comments and let me know YOUR favorites, and I will keep adding to the list. Happy Holidays!
Looking for other fun holiday activities around North Texas?
Every week, I compile a list of upcoming arts & crafts shows, fairs, festivals, and classes happening around the extended Dallas / Fort Worth metroplex. Check out The Weekend Guide for a number of pop up shops and fun Fort Worth / Dallas Christmas event opportunities to discover new artists, shop small businesses, support your local community, and have fun.
Originally posted on November 13, 2022.
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Hi, I'm Tania!
Thanks for stopping by DFW Craft Shows! Our blog is home to tons of creative inspiration, gift guides, tutorials, featured artists, and tips for small businesses trying to make their mark in the arts & crafts world.
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Check out our vendor directory
Find tons of talented artisans without ever leaving home. Our online Vendor Directory is full of artists and crafters who would love to earn your business. Shop small and find a truly unique gift for every occasion.
This is such an amazing list of holiday happenings in Dallas area. My husband and I love planning Christmas themed vacations and always like trying new places. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Debbie! Have a great holiday season!
These are great ideas!
Wow, take me to Dallas for Christmas, look at all the beautiful displays! Adding this amazing place to my Christmas bucket list trips – you could be busy all month!
It’s true, and I haven’t even finished the drive thru lights post yet! 😅
What a great list of activities with incredible pictures too to make it look even more fun. Looks like Dallas really knows how to set the holiday spirit in motion. This is great, thanks for sharing! The winter carnvials look so fun!
I know, right? Everything looks so magical, I can hardly wait!
These look amazing places for Christmas and haven’t been to some of them.