It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Christmas is in full swing in Dallas! From Santa’s sleigh to light displays, we have a wide array of activities to enjoy this Christmas Season. If you’re looking for fun activities to do with your near and dear, we have the perfect list to guide you through the month of December.
The Dallas Arboretum is featuring the return of the magnificent 12 Days of Christmas outdoor exhibit and the Artistry of the Nativity at the DeGolyer House. The display is in a 66-acre garden with twelve elaborate 25-foot-tall Victorian gazebos that feature some of your favorite Christmas costumed characters, animals, and winter scenes from the Christmas Carol.
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
The hotel’s atrium is filled with over 2 million lights, 15,000 ornaments, a towering Christmas tree, life-sized gingerbread houses, and cookies and milk with Mrs. Clause! Two million pounds of ice sculptures are featured in Ice! Along with a two-story ice slide, a parade of toys and Santa’s sleigh, an interactive ice carving station, and a larger-than-life nativity scene. Ice! isn’t just for the kids- there’s also an ice bar just for the grown ups.
The Trains at NorthPark are back with their winding tracks and holiday themed backdrops on the second level of NorthPark Mall. Added bonus- It’s all for charity. The kids can also enjoy a photo-op with Santa and the Scrooge Puppet Theatre. For a full list of NorthPark’s Holiday schedule—visit here.
Dallas Design District Shoppes on Hi Line Holiday Market
The Shoppes on Hi Line Holiday Market is an event where Design District showrooms and neighboring businesses host a family-friendly outdoor market with local flavor and unique homegrown and handmade local wares. Shop for holiday gifts while enjoying the smells and tastes of the holidays, and bring the kids for photos with Santa Claus and shopping at a poinsettia pantry. All of the proceeds go to Vogel Alcove, a charity serving homeless children.
The Hilton is getting in the Christmas spirit by offering their guests classic holiday movies, gingerbread cookie decorating, letter writing, scavenger hunts, face painting, stories at the reindeer barn, and breakfast and photos with Santa.
Drive under Prairie Light’s “tunnel of light” set along a two-mile path to enjoy Christmas lights from the comfort of your vehicle. Halfway through the drive, visitors can get out of their cars at the Holiday Village to find food, gifts, Santa Claus, an all-new indoor laser show, and the Holiday Magic Lighted Walk-Through Forest.
Outdoor Ice Rink: Panther Island
The outdoor ice rink in North Texas that was initially a Texas Miracle has now become a stable in Fort Worth. Panther Island opened a few years ago and continues to bring in tons of visitors to enjoy ice-skating during this holiday season.
Elf at the Music Hall at Fair Park
The famous film Elf might be making a claim to the elusive “holiday movie classic” staple now that it’s been adapted into a successful musical. Catch Elf the musical at the Music Hall at Fair Park December 8-20th.
The Dallas Opera: Becoming Santa Clause
The Dallas Opera premieres Becoming Santa Claus, a story about our favorite jolly bearded fellow that follows his early days as a young prince at the North Pole. When he hears a uproar about a birth in Bethlehem way, the 13-year-old Santa decides to get involved. Catch the production from Dec. 4-12 at the Winspear Opera House.
Every Thursday until Christmas downtown Dallas will turn into a “winter wonderland” with pop-up shops, live music, cocktail specials, and art. Christmas light displays and other holiday decor make it the perfect place for a stroll and some holiday shopping.
