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Over the years, the combined of growth of Dallas and Fort Worth has given rise to Texas’ largest metropolitan area, these days offering plenty to do for locals and tourists alike.
Visitors come all year for the flash, glamor, and fast-paced lifestyle of this larger-than-life Texas hub.
And as December nears, the bustling Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex becomes a Christmas destination full of holiday fun for everyone.
If you’re planning to spend Christmas in Dallas-Fort Worth this year, check out these 10 things to do for a Texas Christmas you won’t forget!
Looking for more Texas travel inspiration?
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1. Christmas in the Stockyards
A visit to Fort Worth’s Stockyards National Historic District is a must anytime of the year. Visitors can experience quintessential Texas cowboy culture on full blast with live cattle drives, rodeos, the world’s largest honky-tonk, saloons and shopping, and the occasional wild west gunfight.
Over the holidays, the Stockyards embrace the Christmas spirit Texas-style with Christmas in the Stockyards. Visitors can meet Cowboy Santa, see the holiday parade, experience cattle drives twice-daily, and enjoy other holiday festivities.
In addition, the Stockyards provide a Christmas shopping destination for holiday gifts fit for any Texan at heart. Shops abound with tourists purchasing authentic cowboy hats, bolo ties, boots, cowhides, western wear, and other souvenirs each year.
2. Texas Christkindl Market
The Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Arlington hosts the Texas Christkindl Market each holiday season, a must-see European-style holiday experience full of shopping, food, and culture that draws thousands each year.
In addition to shopping for handcrafted goods and tasty foods unique to Germany, you’ll want to make sure to see St. Nikolaus and stay for ice skating and live entertainment. The wonderful smells of warm wassail and freshly-made strudel should keep you around as well!
For more information, you’ll want to check out our complete guide to the Texas Christkindl Market so you can experience all that this wonderful local holiday treasure has to offer!
3. Dallas By Chocolate Christmas Tours
Looking for something more unique for your Christmas in Dallas-Fort Worth visit? Consider Dallas By Chocolate Christmas tours for an experience of tasty treats, sightseeing, and spectacular Christmas light viewing for a festive night on the town.
Guests are taken to some of Dallas’ most-visited neighborhoods famous for their Christmas lights, while stopping along the way at several popular local dessert shops for some fabulous chocolates and other desserts. A relaxing and scrumptious holiday evening awaits!
4. Panther Island Ice Skating
A popular Fort Worth tradition, locals and tourists come to the Coyote Drive-In each holiday season to visit the Panther Island Ice Rink. Visitors can do what most Texans normally can’t each Christmas season–go ice skating outdoors.
This family friendly activity is open throughout the holiday season, including Christmas Day. Once you’re worn out from all the ice skating, be sure to stay for a drive-in holiday movie and enjoy some festive food and drink at the Coyote Canteen.
5. Eclectic Holiday Shopping at the Bishop Arts District
Known as Dallas’ most independent neighborhood, the popular Bishop Arts District brings visitors some small-town charm right in the city. This revitalized neighborhood provides over 60 locally-owned shops, restaurants, art galleries, and coffee houses to explore.
Famous for its variety of funky and unique finds, the Bishop Arts District should be on your list for quirky and eclectic Christmas shopping or a fun holiday dinner or date night.
I recommend grabbing a warm holiday drink and enjoying a nice sidewalk stroll to soak in the festive ambience.
6. The Christmas Capital of Texas
The Texas State Senate officially dubbed Grapevine, TX, a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb, the Christmas Capital of Texas in 2009. Each holiday season, the city lives up to its name with 40 days of festivities and over 1,400 events (which the city proudly boasts).
You’ll want to check out the Christmas Light Show Spectacular, hop aboard the Christmas Wine Train, and visit early for the annual Main Street lighting.
Holiday shopping enthusiasts will love exploring the city’s downtown shops (over 80 of them) known for their festive window displays.
I recommend staying at the famous Gaylord Texan Resort for your visit. This hotel is also full of fun holiday festivities to experience, even if you’re not staying there!
7. Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington (the first-ever Six Flags amusement park) provides thrills to millions of visitors each year with its theme park rides and entertainment. My favorite roller coaster by far in the park is the historic Texas Giant!
As the holidays near, the amusement park turns into a winter wonderland of Christmas festivities with its Holiday in the Park celebration of the season. In addition to all the year round rides guests love, there are loads of activities providing holiday fun for the whole family:
- Merry Marketplace holiday shopping
- Live holiday shows and performances
- Visits with Santa at Santa’s Outpost
- Tree of Trees Light Spectacular
- Scottish and Hawaiian Christmas celebrations
- Fire pits and s’mores stations
- Frosty Snow Hill
8. The Trains at NorthPark
A holiday tradition for over 30 years, the Trains at NorthPark is Texas’ largest miniature train exhibit, drawing generations of kids and kids at heart to see these ornate trains traverse through charming Christmas scenes and landscapes.
Located at the NorthPark Mall, guests can see over 700 miniature railcars chugging along over 1,600 feet of train track, guaranteed to produce awe and wonder on kids’ faces!
All proceeds from ticket sales to see the trains directly benefit a local Dallas non-profit. There’s nothing better than enjoying a beloved local Christmas tradition while supporting a good cause!
9. Klyde Warren Park’s Christmas Tree Lighting
You’ll find one of the more unique city parks around in Klyde Warren Park, located in the heart of Dallas. This beautiful park actually stretches out above a bustling city highway below!
To welcome the holiday season each year, Klyde Warren Park hosts its Christmas Tree Lighting celebration and holiday show, full of free family-friendly festivities enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
Visitors can enjoy face painting, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, games, food and drink, and some excellent views of downtown. The event culminates with the welcoming of Santa Claus, the lighting of the giant Christmas tree, and live holiday entertainment to celebrate the season.
10. Holiday at the Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden fully embraces the Christmas spirit each year with Holiday at the Arboretum. Christmas festivities abound at this holiday extravaganza, where you can find something for everyone.
Famous for its 25-foot-tall Victorian-style gazebos, the Arboretum transforms these landmarks into a 12 Days of Christmas exhibit. Each gazebo is elaborately decorated to represent each day of Christmas from the classic Christmas carol.
In addition, you’ll want to see the Christmas Village, an immersive experience that will remind you of picturesque European holiday markets and villages. Stay into the evening to enjoy over 1 million Christmas lights throughout the Arboretum’s grounds.
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Did we miss any of your favorite things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth at Christmas?
Let us know in the comments so we can add more to the list!