Christmas in Dallas: 2023 Events & Activities for Families

Stephanie W. said:  Six Flags has so many activities for your holiday season, including all of their already existing attractions! Join them for the Merry Marketplace, seasonal entertainment, live performances and meet and greets with Santa!

Stephanie W. said:  Offering over 20 attractions including, the Dipsy Doodle Coaster and Texas Tubin' Hill Slide, Mainstay's Christmas Adventure lets you play, visit Santa (and take pictures with him for free!), and find the perfect Christmas tree! You can cut your own Christmas tree or pick a pre-cut variety.

Stephanie W. said:  The classic holiday story of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol comes to life at the Wyly Theatre this Christmas season. Follow the grouchy Scrooge, as he learns the true meaning of Christmas. You'll be fully immersed in this re-imagined production, with ghosts flying above your head and popping out of the floor, and snow falling from the sky. The production is filled with traditional Christmas music as well as new music, plus joyful, fun choreography!

Kristy Pepping said:  From the Grammy–winning musician, Harry Connick, Jr.... this jazz musical is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Stephanie W. said:  Families are encouraged to arrive in their PJs for a train ride they'll never forget! Enjoy an hour-long, round-trip journey to the North Pole. Tickets include hot chocolate and cookies served by chefs, a reading of the classic children’s book, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg, and all will get to meet Santa when they arrive at the North Pole!

$50+/adult, $30+/child

Kristy Pepping said:  Come on down to Bass Performance Hall to catch a glimpse of jolly old St. Nick while the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra entertains with Christmas carols.

Stephanie W. said:  All aboard the North Pole Express for a festive journey featuring traditional Christmas sing-alongs, Christmas characters and photos and interaction with Santa! Guests will love the sounds of the season and the exquisitely decorated coaches.

Stephanie W. said:  At Yesterland Farm, you'll find a Christmas-themed corn maze, a wagon train ride around the farm, pictures with Santa and other Christmas photo ops, a petting zoo, and more!

12pm-8:30pm

Stephanie W. said:  A great way to start December at the center of downtown Dallas, Klyde Warren Park's tree lighting will have you ready for Christmas! Activities include photos with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, face painting, games and crafts. Then, enjoy a live holiday show, visits from Frosty and Rudolph and, of course, the annual tree lighting

3pm-6pm

Stephanie W. said:  Great Wolf Lodge, known as one of DFW's best indoor water parks, has an amazing event each year called Snowland! Nightly family dance parties, visits with Santa, and so much more! Every evening, the lobby will have Snowflake Story Time, holiday songs, as well as a Snowfall Celebration, with snow falling from the lobby ceiling!

Stephanie W. said:  Celebrate the holidays at the Christmas Capital of Texas by stepping back in time to the Victorian era! You'll see what it was like to celebrate Christmas on a farm in the late 1800s by touring the historic barn at Nash Farm. Gather at the Pole Barn before taking a tour through the barn and around to the farmhouse ending at the campfire with cider and cookies.

3pm-5:30pm

Stephanie W. said:  Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza is an exhilarating 20-minute show full of game day excitement and Christmas cheer! The event kicks off with the lighting of The Star’s 67-foot Christmas tree by a Dallas Cowboys alumni, followed by performances from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue, Cowboys Rookie Squad, Rowdy, and a special appearance by Santa Claus.

6pm

Stephanie W. said:  Join Santa at his Country Christmas in Seagoville! You'll drive in your own car through over 2.5 million lights with different holiday themes. The drive takes about 40 minutes to complete- and your kids will be in awe the entire ride!

6pm-10pm

Stephanie W. said:  Dallas Zoo Lights features more than a million lights twinkling across most of the Zoo, new larger-than-life animal lanterns, elaborate holiday-themed displays, visits to Santa’s Workshop, more than a dozen lighted photo ops. dazzling 3D lighted sculptures, and festive holiday drinks and snacks for adults and kids.

5:30pm-10pm

Select nights

Stephanie W. said:  You'll have more than one opportunity to see The Nutcracker in DFW this year, with the Texas Ballet Theater performing at both the Winspear Opera House and Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth! Featuring dazzling choreography and exquisite sets, The Nutcracker celebrates the season with enchantment, snowflakes, and sweets.

Stephanie W. said:  Experience the music of Christmas with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in a special one-hour, family-friendly performance! You'll hear carols and can sing along with the Dallas Symphony Chorus. There will be pre-concert activities for the kids.

11am

Stephanie W. said:  American Girl has so many fun holiday events taking place this Christmas season! You can join them for Holiday Cookie Decorating, Santa Brunch, and Holiday Teatime. Events range in cost and length.

Reservations required

Stephanie W. said:  From the iconic 95-foot-tall Christmas tree to SNOWDAY, an immersive photo experience, the holiday celebration at Galleria Dallas is spectacular. Festivities span the season with live entertainment, holiday skate shows, and daily snow.

Stephanie W. said:   Dancing along side the full international professional cast in this version of The Nutcracker are local Dallas children!

Kristy Pepping said:  Casa Mañana presents a new, fresh twist on a classic Dickens tale that will have children ages 4 to 100 laughing alike. Christmas Carol: A New Musical Comedy features a contemporary pop score and current pop culture references that we guarantee are sure to have you dancing in the aisles.

Stephanie W. said:  Get in to the holiday spirit at Fort Worth's Parade of Lights! The parade will travel through downtown, with over 100 floats lit up in the Christmas spirit. Santa will bring up the end of the parade, in a float made especially for him!

6pm

Stephanie W. said:  Four million lights in two miles. Can you imagine?! You'll see hundreds of displays as you drive through this winter wonderland! Halfway through the drive, you'll find carnival rides, concessions, photos with Santa, the magical walk-thru forest, and more! The rest of your drive finishes with an animated light tunnel that will amaze your kids, and you, too!

6pm-10pm

Stephanie W. said:  There are plenty of places to snap a photo with Santa this time of year, but Nebraska Furniture Mart is offering a special treat- the chance to take a selfie with The Grinch himself! Put on your grinchiest smile and get ready for your heart to grow three sizes!

10am-2pm

Stephanie W. said:  Families looking for snow and ice fun near Dallas should visit Christmas at Gaylord Texan - a signature attraction and annual event! Themes change yearly, and over 2 million pounds of colored ice are used to create sculptures and scenes, as well as two-story tall ice slides!

Stephanie W. said:  Santa's Village is set up like a real village, but on a child-size scale, you'll find little "dwellings" like Santa's Fire Station, Santa's Symphony Hall, Mrs. Claus's Bakery, and many more! Holiday themed performances from local choirs, dance groups, and musicians will take place on Prancer's Stage each night.

6pm-9pm

Stephanie W. said:   Join the city in this outdoor celebration while watching marching bands, floats, and musical performances. You'll love watching local kids and adults alike as they come together for this parade that's a great tradition for the whole family to enjoy!

10am