Best Dallas Christmas Events and Activities

Whether you live in the area or plan on visiting Dallas during the holiday season, one thing is true – there is no shortage of Dallas Christmas events!

From shopping at a Christkindl German market to a ride aboard the North Pole Express®, there’s something for everyone, especially in one suburb which has been nicknamed the Christmas Capital of Texas.

So to help you with your planning, I’m bringing you the best Dallas Christmas events and activities.

Best Dallas Christmas Events and Activities

The Trains at NorthPark

While there are many Dallas Christmas events every year, there is one perhaps more special than the rest – The Trains at NorthPark.

For thirty years, this seasonal Dallas event, held inside a much-loved Dallas mall, has benefitted the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, raising more than 13 Million dollars to help local families. The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas just opened up a new wing, so they now serve more than double the amount of families, so our help is needed even more. Time to visit The Trains at NorthPark.

This is an event both children and adults adore and you’ll often spy many generations. Why? Over 1600 feet of track to watch as trains travel from coast to coast in an American themed exhibit. The trains travel through different parts of the country in gorgeous miniature sets. Past cityscapes I’ve adored include San Francisco with an incredible Golden Gate Bridge, New York City, and of course Dallas, Texas!

Located at NorthPark Center, the 2019-2020 exhibit runs from November 16, 2019 – January 5, 2020.

ICE! and Lone Star Christmas at the Gaylord Texan Resort

One simply cannot visit Dallas during the holidays and not head just a few minutes north of the Dallas/Ft Worth International Airport, to what is known as the Christmas Capital of Texas – Grapevine! Historic Downtown Grapevine provides a unique Christmas experience with parades, shopping and more, but you’ll want to look beyond Main Street to the most magical of holiday events.

It’s at the Gaylord Texan Resort where you’ll find magic at every turn. No need to stay at the resort to enjoy the festivities, though I dare say it makes it that much more fun (I’ve done it both ways).

If you’ve never been to the Gaylord Texan Resort, it is massive with the hotel surrounding a large atrium, filled with incredible restaurants, Texas-themed locations, and photo-opps. It is here where you’ll be transported to the merriest place around.

You’ll spy 2 million twinkling lights, 15,000 ornaments, an incredible 54-foot-tall Christmas tree. We’ve enjoyed character breakfasts and decorated gingerbread cookies. Don’t forget the outdoor ice skating rink, a scavenger hunt, themed escape room, and cookies with Mrs. Claus. Each year brings a new set of activities that will keep you entertained for hours and hours and hours.

But there’s more…

Each year, the Gaylord Texan hosts ICE!, a walk-through attraction kept at a chilly 9 degrees. The attraction features two million pounds of ice sculptures hand-carved by artisans from Harbin, China.

Coats are provided for this winter-y activity and it’s what brings travelers everywhere to Grapevine each holiday season. Each year is themed and the different Gaylord Resorts around the country rotate the themes. One fun year was “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” as you see above. This year, it’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas”.

It is not to be missed! Trust me, it will be a highlight of your holiday!

Read my Gaylord Texan Christmas – 11 Must-Do Activities post!

Located inside the Gaylord Texan Resort, the 2019-2020 exhibit runs from November 15, 2019 – January 5, 2020.

UPDATE: To Grab the new coupon for the year (50% off) check out my Gaylord Texan ICE Coupon post.

TIP: Book a room (many have ICE tickets included in the hotel room price, which makes it less expensive) for an overnight stay because there’s so much fun to be had!

TIP: Find out how I get Gaylord Texan ICE Free Parking.

Texas Christkindl Market

I’ve only dreamed about visiting the Christkindl markets in Germany, but you can now enjoy a similar experience right here in Texas.

You’ll want to head to Arlington, Texas. The Christkindl market features the most amazing traditional German foods (oh, the strudel), authentic shopping, and entertainment for kids and adults.

We’ve attended twice, and though it might be chilly outside, hot German mulled cider will warm you right up!

Read more about the Texas ChristKindl Market!

Free market admission, Ice rink admission: $16 

Located again this year at a different venue, the new The Plaza at Texas LIVE!, the 2019 exhibit runs from November 29-December 22, 2019.

Texas Motor Speedway Gift of Lights

Heading out on the west side of the Dallas/Ft Worth area, you’ll want to make a nighttime stop at the Texas Motor Speedway. No, you won’t find racing cars here.

The Gift of Lights will be heading into an even bigger season with almost 1 million more lights than ever before. Santa’s Village is worth a stop with activities and of course, a visit with Santa Claus, but it’s the drive that you will enjoy most here. You’ll drive your own car through the speedway through the most spectacular display of lights.

Check out our previous Texas Motor Speedway Gift of Lights experience!

Dates for the new 2019 season begin Thanksgiving Day, November 28th, 2019 – December 30th, 2019.

Christmas at the Anatole, featuring Peppermint Park

Near the downtown area is an upscale hotel you’ll want to visit – the Hilton Anatole.

Highlights of a holiday stay can include a beloved Breakfast with Santa and entrance to Peppermint Park where you’ll discover a mini escape room, cookie decorating, and more holiday fun! Just a walk around the Anatole presents incredible photo opportunities for the whole family. We love seeing our favorite reindeer (above) each year.

But there’s more…

Geppetto’s Theatre

Geppetto’s Theatre is one event we love year-round, but it’s extra fun during the holidays. It’s a small theatre now built into the Anatole hotel, with all the charm you can imagine.

We literally just visited for a birthday party and saw “The Little Mermaid”, but this holiday season, kids will delight in watching the performance of “Winter Wonderland” (from Dec 7-22 only).

Winter Wonderland features a cast of over 60 hand-carved marionettes, including the Winter Wizard, the North Pole dancing elves, the magic toys of Santa’s workshop and favorites like Rudolph and Frosty. The last time we went even Elsa made an appearance!

Be sure to check out our visit in years past to Christmas at the Anatole.

TIP: Book a room now for an incredible experience.

Located at the Hilton Anatole hotel in Dallas, the 2019 season of Peppermint Park runs select dates: November 29, 30 and December 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Holiday at the Arboretum – Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

The Arboretum, known for its incredible fall pumpkin patch, is not to be missed in December either.

Holiday at the Arboretum is enjoyable for kids and adults, both for different reasons.

Kids will love the appearance of sweet treats, animals and holiday fun.

Adults will love brunch and walking through the famed DeGolyer House, which last year was decorated with an unbelievable amount of Santa Claus items! Little ones might not be ideal for this portion of the Arboretum, as there are plenty of breakables, but it is breathtaking. This year adds the world premiere of The Pauline and Austin Neuhoff Christmas Village, which features “features 12 picturesque shops based on Christkindlmarkets, charming by day and glowing at night!”

12 Days of Christmas

Everyone will adore the return of the much-loved 12 Days  of Christmas, “a collection  of 25-foot Victorian style gazebos filled with the charming costumed characters, whimsical animals and music made famous by the beloved Christmas carol.” Breathtaking and something you must see in person. Both daytime and nighttime experiences are incredible.

Yes, and last year there were real reindeer too! With holiday tea and cooking classes, there’s something for everyone.

Located at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the 2019 event runs from November 9, 2019 -December 31, 2019.

Galleria Tree Lighting

The Galleria Mall hosts an annual tree lighting event that the city comes inside to see.

The extra large Christmas tree is situated in the middle of their famous ice skating rink. The ceremony has some fun surprises and one recent year we went included children skaters and famed Olympic skater Johnny Weir. This year has tree lighting events on many days and each includes a special appearance by an Olympic skater too.

For 2019, the first of the tree lightings is set for Friday, November 29th at 12pm.

North Pole Express

Also located in the heart of Grapevine, Texas (aka the Christmas Capital of Texas), is one spot which holds perhaps one of my favorite Christmas-time memories – the North Pole Express.

Many kids wear their pajamas as they board the train with their families. It’s as if you’ve stepped right into The Polar Express movie, complete with hot chocolate, Christmas carols, and a silver jingle bell. Yes, a bell. Just like in the movie. You see, guests ride the North Pole Express to the North Pole and meet Santa Claus, who gives them the special bell.

For lovers of the best-selling story, this is one event you cannot miss. Grab tickets early for this one.

Train departs on various dates for the 2019 season:

Play Street Museum

On a smaller scale, Play Street Museum is must if you have younger kids. With 10 Dallas/Fort Worth  locations and growing quickly (to other Texas cities and states too), they throughout the year focus on providing younger children with quality play and educational experiences in I dare say the cutest environments ever. I happen to know the owners incredibly well, and can hands down recommend Play Street Museum!

During the holidays they happen to step it up a notch. How? Special events throughout the season. While the events aren’t yet posted for the upcoming season, I have no doubt they will be impressive. You’ll want to RSVP as soon as possible as these events are kept small and intimate.

In the past, we’ve attended a special event with none other than Santa Claus! He read the kids ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas, the kids made an ornament and enjoyed treats. The highlight though, was Santa Claus himself presenting a very special gift, unique to each child. The magic of Play Street Museum!

Each location has a specific theme year-round: Frisco (Town Square); McKinney (The Farm); Plano (Great Outdoors); Allen (On the Go). Check out all their locations and events here.

Do you have any Dallas Christmas Events that you would add to this list?

Leave them in the comments below!