#Snitchlist Guide to Holiday Lights and Events

The magic of the holidays is upon, my Snitches! And what better way to start your yuletide cheer than with a drive through millions of twinkling little lights? A better answer still…. you have family in town or a houseful of guests and you need a good 2-3 hour activity that gets everyone into the holiday spirit. So pack up the fam, get in the car, turn up radio to the Christmas Music channel and great ready to be dazzled. I’ve also included some single day events if you’re interested in checking out parades or tree lightings in the area.

#Snitchlist Guide to Holiday Lights and Events in DFW

Prairie Lights – Grand Prairie

Thanksgiving Night Nov 24 – Jan 1

Costs: $25-$35 per vehicle depending on day (check website for details)

Prairie Lights is located at Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie, Texas. You will be dazzled with 4 million lights set along 2 miles of path with hundreds of ALL-NEW displays in shapes of all kinds that line and arch over the roads. Half way through the drive get out of your car for a stop at Holiday Village and the Holiday Magic Lighted Walk-Through Forest. Once back in your vehicle, the second half of the drive ends with the very animated light tunnel – the perfect finale to a night you will never forget! At the Holiday Village – you can find concessions including hot cocoa, apple cider, coffee, and a variety of seasonal food like funnel cakes, kettle corn and more. For an additional charge have your picture taken with Santa or get tickets to the Cosmic Holiday, an indoor Holiday laser show, and the Holiday Magic Walk-Through Lighted Forest. Typically it takes 45 minutes to drive straight through with light traffic. With a stop in Holiday Village, plan on 1.5 hours total. **Due to the high volume of cars on weekends, please allow for an extra hour to get through the park.

Sunday – Thursday 6 – 9 p.m.

Friday – Saturday 6 – 10 p.m.

Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day 6-10 p.m.

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Deerfield Neighborhood – West Plano

Dec 1 – Dec 30 7pm-11pm

Deerfield is located in Northwest Plano between Preston Rd. and Coit Rd. Enter from Legacy on Colonnade or Archgate, noting one-way and restricted-turn signs along Old Pond Dr. and Hallmark Dr. Watch all signs, drive carefully and enjoy the holiday lights! They are usually on between the hours of 7pm-11pm during the entire month of December.

RED and BLUE routes on the map on this page are suggested main thoroughfares; be sure to visit side streets and cul-de-sacs along these routes! Use Quincy Ln. or Legacy Dr. to connect both routes. If you decide to walk the neighborhood, then park North of the Clubhouse on a less busy street. Streets you won’t want to miss: Old Pond, Staten Island, Jenkins, and Penbrook.

Holiday Carriage Rides – 50-55 minutes, must be reserved through their website and provided by North Star Carriages. Costs range from $145- $250 www.dfwcarriages.com

Holiday Segway Tours – McKinney Segway Tours will start the tours on December 4th and run them Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until Christmas. Reservations are strongly suggested www.mckinneysegwaytours.com The tours will cost $30 per person and will include training on the Segways and helmets.

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12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS at the Dallas Arboretum

Nov 6 – Jan 9

Dallas’ favorite holiday tradition just got brighter! Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with Holiday at the Arboretum, featuring the return of the magnificent The 12 Days of Christmas outdoor exhibit, open every weekend for the first time ever. Experience the magic of 500,000 lights throughout the garden 25′ Victorian style gazebos filled charming, costumed characters, whimsical animals and music my famous be the classic carol. A variety of holiday music is provided throughout the garden. Seasonal sweet and savory treats and hot beverages for children and adults are available for purchase.

Details of the event.

Highland Park Neighborhood Lights

Nov 25 – Dec 31

Make this is a magical holiday season to remember! Tour the beautiful lights and homes of Highland Park. You can start your driving tour at Armstrong and Preston – and you’ll wind through the neighborhood – don’t miss Beverly Drive where you’ll see some amazing displays. After the trip, check out the Highland Park Village for high end shopping and the wonderful lighted trees. Enjoy the lights and the wonder with a horse-drawn carriage ride with your family and friends. There are several services that offer this amazing experience.

◊ Brazos Carriage Rides

◊ Threejay Carriages DFW

◊ Northstar Carriage

◊ Vintage Carriage

◊ White Haven Carriage

◊ Carriage Booking.com

Lights at Legacy @ Shops at Legacy

Nov 20

Great family event that starts with a 2pm movie with Santa Claus at The Angelika Film Center. Ticket purchases will be available early November. If you get there by 4pm, the first 200 guests who visit The Shops at Legacy booth will get an exclusive swag bag with a surprise gift card! The #LightsAtLegacy will begin at 4pm and run until 7pm. Santa Photos will be available, you can ride the Children’s Health Train and enjoy live entertainment, craft activities with Mrs. Claus, balloon animals, face painting, caricature artists, magic with Mr. Scrooge, plus the lighting of the sixty five foot tree!

Details of the Event

Santa and his Elves at 470 Feet

Dec 17 – Dec 24 12:00pm – 3:00pm

Visit Santa and his elves at the Reunion Tower GeO-Deck! Get a photo with Santa, get a festive balloon from the balloon artist and tasty treats from Cloud Nine Café! Santa will visit the GeO-Deck every Saturday, starting November 26 to December 24 from 12 PM – 3 PM.

Details of Event

Celebration of Lights – SMU

Nov 28 7pm

Celebration of Lights is a time where students and the community can relax and enjoy the holiday spirit before everyone leaves for winter break. The entire SMU and surrounding communities gather for this joyous occasion to watch the famous Dallas Hall be lit with thousands of lights in all its wonder. The program begins with hot cocoa and cider accompanied by warm cookies to comfort everyone amidst the cold December of Dallas. People proceed to gather on Dallas Hall Lawn and listen to carols performed by SMU students. Upon the conclusion of the Christmas Story, Silent Night ends the program with the lighting of SMU’s stunning Dallas Hall and its surrounding trees.

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Home for the Holidays…A McKinney Christmas

Nov 25 6:15pm

One of the best ways to start your Christmas celebration. The weekend after Thanksgiving in Historic Downtown McKinney features non-stop family activities, entertainment, food galore, a chance to finish your Christmas shopping and much more.

Christmas Tree Lighting and Candlelight Shopping

Watch faces light up at the tree lighting on Friday, Nov. 25 at 6:15 p.m. and start (or finish) your Christmas shopping with Candlelight Shopping until 8 p.m. at all the unique shops on the square. Candlelight Shopping will continue periodically throughout the holiday season.

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Texas Christkindl Market – Arlington

Nov 25 – Dec 23 FREE

Inspired by the cherished German holiday tradition, the Texas Christkindl Market in Arlington, Texas is rated as one of the Top 10 German Outdoor Christmas Market events in the U.S. Nestled next to Globe Life Park (Road to Six Flags and Nolan Ryan Expressway), this family-friendly market features a unique shopping experience for holiday gifts, decoration and traditional goods.

Celebrate the holidays in the Warming Haus with friends or corporate parties, catch a glimpse of the Christkindl Angel or take holiday photos at the Santa Haus. Guests can also purchase other traditional handcrafted gifts and collectibles, taste authentic German cuisine and holiday beverages, and enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities, and much more!



Event Hours:

Opening Day, Nov. 25: 5 pm – 8 pm

Monday-Friday: Noon – 8 pm

Saturday: 10 am – 10 pm

Sunday: Noon – 7 pm

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Dallas Children’s Health Holiday Parade

Dec 3 10am

29th Annual Parade is one of the largest holiday parades in the country – you’ll be joined by at least 400,000 of your fellow holiday friends. It’s a free event ad you can purchase tickets for the bleachers here. The parade lasts a little over an hour and travels the streets of downtown Dallas.

Details of the Event

Christmas in the Square – Frisco Square

Nov 25 – Jan 1 6pm – 10pm

8874 Coleman Blvd, Frisco TX

In its 12th year, this is one of the largest choreographed holiday lights and music show in North Texas! This amazing event has over 175,000 lights and coordinated with holiday music on 107.3FM. Experience a true winter wonderland with snow machines and create fluffy snow flurries every 15 minutes on Fridays and Saturdays. Skate the Square opens on Friday, Nov 25 and check out carriage rides for the family! Check their event calendar here for all the times for seeing Santa, Train Rides and Ice Skating.

Details of Event

Sundance Square Christmas Tree Lighting

Nov 19

Celebrate the start of the holiday season by lighting the a HUGE, LIVE, 57′-foot tall Christmas Tree. See beautitful holiday decorations, join the chorus of holiday carols and enjoy a hot chocolate before Santa makes his appearance!

Details of Event

Fort Worth Parade of Lights

Nov 20 6pm

Celebrate the 34th year of the Parade of Lights! This year’s theme is “The Melodies of Christmas.” The parade includes floats and giant illuminated balloons, bands, clowns and holiday surprises! Check here to see if Reserved street seats are still available. The parade starts at Belknap and Throckmorton.

Details of Event

Galleria Dallas – Ice Skating

Make some fun holiday memories while you’re getting your holiday shop on! The Ice Rink at the Galleria is legendary – so if you can, make plans to head down there and skate a bit.

Details of Event

Magic of Christmas Light Show – Grapevine

Nov 22 – Jan 8 6-11pm

See millions of twinkling holiday lights each and every night! This brilliantly-choreographed show runs continuously nightly starting November 22. Location is intersection of Main and Dallas streets.

Details of Event

Twinkle Light Boat Parade at Lake Grapevine

Dec 3 6 – 9 pm

If you’re missing boating season – make one last trek to the lake and check out this Christmas boat parade! This is one of the most unique Christmas parades with water crafts decorated in twinkling. This festival begins at Twin Coves Marina The parade is visible from the shores of Lake Grapevine.

Details of Event

Parade of Lights – Historic Downtown Grapevine

Dec 1

Bring the entire family to the Parade of Lights, the largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas. This Grapevine tradition features more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands. Look for Santa Claus on the last float! Come early to claim your spot along Historic Main Street to watch this exciting holiday event. This event is free.

Details of Event

Christmas on Main in Grapevine

Nov 25, 26, 27 & 28

Dec 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18

Enjoy a step back to a historical Christmas in Grapevine on Main Street! Take in the scene with their Victorian-style buildings decked in holiday style with ribbons, bows and wreaths and thousands of twinkling light. Make it a family adventure and take a tractor-drawn wagon with the proceeds benefiting the historic preservation of Nash Farm.

Details of Event

Interlochen – North Arlington

Dec 16 – Dec 25 7-11pm

This is the 41st Anniversary of the Interlochen Neighborhood Lights! The neighbors go all out and even award prizes for most artistic, best theme, the Griswald award and more! Entrance at Westwood Drive and Randol Mill Road.

Details of Event

Holiday in the Park – Six Flags over Texas in Arlington

Nov 19 – Jan 1

Enjoy some Six Flags adventure during this holiday season. They have some amazing snow covered hills for sledding, festive decorations, and magical lights all around the park. Check out SantaLand with its own locomotive and Santa himself! Great food awaits including Smores, Gingerbread cookies, Hot Cocoa and more!

Details of Event

Christmas Tour of Lights – Farmers Branch

Nov 25 – Dec 30 6:30 – 9:30pm

This is a cool drive through of lights and with over half a million flashing lights, it is one of North Texas’ longest animated shows. Tours start at I-35 and Valley View Lane

Details of Event

Vitruvian Lights – Addison

Nov 25 – Jan 1

Vitruvian Park becomes a lighted wonderland with millions of super colored LED lights adorning all the trees in the park. A beautiful photo op for the family and an amazing site!

Details of Event

Texas Motorspeedway

Nov 24 – Dec 30 6pm – 10pm, 7 days a week

HUGE drive-through light display on the largest speedway in Texas. It’s about 1.5 miles of lights with over 500 light displays. After completing the drive through millions of twinkling lights, check out Santa’s Village for pictures with Santa and cool crafts and gifts. Gift of Lights is located at the Texas Motor Speedway at 3545 Lone Star Circle, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

Details of Event

Prestonwood Baptist Church – The Gift of Christmas

Dec 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

This amazing show is a must-see – it’s visually stunning and features your favorite Christmas songs with elaborate staging and lights, a live orchestra and a nearly 1000 member cast! If that’s not enough to excite the audience, they also have flying angels, live animals, a living Nativity and much much more!

Details of Event



Garland Christmas on the Square

Dec 1 – Jan 1 5-10pm

Light Display runs nightly on the Garland town square. Enjoy millions of lights and shops the cute stores along the block.

Details of Event

Gaylord Texan ICE

Nov 10 – Jan 1

If you haven’t been to ICE! You totally have to check it out. It’s an amazing walk-through wonderland that is completely made of ice! It’s cold – 9 degrees – so be sure to dress warmly under the coats they let you borrow. It’s 2 million pounds of ice that is sculpted into hand-carved sculptures, and they have 5 2-story tall ice slides that you can slide down.

Details of Event

Gaylord Texan Lone Star Christmas

Nov 10 – Jan 1

Check out the huge Gaylord Texan for a festive holiday getaway. You and the family can enjoy ICE! And then enjoy some great activities including Rudolph’s Holly Jolly™ Breakfast, The Elf on the Shelf® Scavenger Hunt, Build-A-Bear Workshop®, Santa’s Wild Workshop Snow Tubing, Glacier Glide Ice Skating, Gingerbread Decorating Corner, Santa’s Snowball Throwing Workshop, Cookies and Milk with Mrs. Claus and Photos with Santa!

Details of Event

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