Tag Archives: Dallas

Holiday Light Hunting in Highland Park

Friday night, I ventured out to Dallas on a mission… to find the best possible Christmas lights around! The Highland Park area is a wealthy, peaceful neighborhood with elaborate homes just outside of downtown Dallas. (To give you an idea, we drove by a house that had valet for their party.) Driving around looking at these amazing homes is a trip in itself but to have them decorated so beautifully around the holidays is the icing on the cake!

If you happen to be around the Dallas area and are looking for a good spot for lights, this is definitely it. There’s also carriage rides available to take you on a tour down a few streets.

Here are a few of my favorites! I hope you enjoy them too!
(Be sure you scroll all the way to the bottom to see the jackpot of all decorated homes!)

Christmas Lights, Dallas Christmas Lights, DFW Holiday Lights, Holiday Lights, Texas Holiday Lights

I would love to have life-like guards outside my door but I guarantee if I’m storing them in an attic, they’re bound to catch me off guard at another point during the year.

Christmas Lights, Dallas Christmas Lights, DFW Holiday Lights, Holiday Lights, Texas Holiday Lights

Does anyone else think Home Alone when seeing homes like this one?

Christmas Lights, Dallas Christmas Lights, DFW Holiday Lights, Holiday Lights, Texas Holiday Lights

Is your house too big? Well, let’s just decorate all the trees! Christmas Lights, Dallas Christmas Lights, DFW Holiday Lights, Holiday Lights, Texas Holiday Lights

This was my favorite (above). Perfect in every way! Not too big, not too small. Great porch. Feels like home!

Christmas Lights, Dallas Christmas Lights, DFW Holiday Lights, Holiday Lights, Texas Holiday Lights

And the winner is… Christmas Lights, Dallas Christmas Lights, DFW Holiday Lights, Holiday Lights, Texas Holiday Lights

No joke. That Nutcracker is literally the entire first story. The presents are bigger than I am and there’s even more on the lawn that I couldn’t get into the picture.

Which one is your favorite?

Today I’m linking up with Communal Global, Photography Essentials and Create With Joy for {Wordless Wednesday}.

Free Holiday Events in Dallas / Fort Worth

7 Replies

DFW, Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas, DFW Holiday Events

It’s hard to believe the holiday season is upon us! Attending holiday events doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, there’s a lot of activities that are free in the area to attend with the entire family. Here is a short list to get you started! Enjoy!

Single Events:

Southlake Annual Tree Lighting
Southlake Town Square
Nov. 22, 2014
Events include tree lighting, photos with Santa, snow tubing, carriage rides, a Frozen Wonderland, letters with Santa, live entertainment and more!

Fort Worth Parade of Lights
Sundance Square
Nov. 28th, 2014
Fort Worth’s annual holiday lights parade.

Parade of Lights
Grapevine, Texas
Dec. 4, 2014
Grapevine’s annual parade of lights and a visit from Santa. This is a great event to visit the Christmas Capital of Texas!

Arlington Parade of Lights
Downtown / University District
Dec. 6, 2014
Arlington’s annual parade of lights.

Christmas in the Stockyards
Stockyard Station, Fort Worth
Dec. 6, 2014
Free family event centered around western heritage activities. Activities include the Fort Worth Herd and cattle drive, pictures with Santa, Stockyard Christmas Parade, pony rides and armadillo races, music, face painting, Stockyards tree lighting and much more!

Holiday Concert – Maxwell Hall Jazz Band
Sundance Square, Fort Worth
Dec. 12, 2014

Holiday Concert – Kids Who Care
Sundance Square, Forth Worth
Dec. 19, 2014

Fort Worth Symphony Brass Ensemble – Deck the Halls
Rose Marine Theatre, Fort Worth
Dec. 21, 2014

Reoccurring Events:

ICE! & Lone Star Christmas
Gaylord Texan Resort
Nov. 13, 2014 – Jan. 3, 2015
ICE! is a ticketed event however exploring the atrium is free of charge. Over 2 million lights, 15,000 ornaments, 54-foot tall Christmas tree, snow tubing, Santa and Mrs. Claus and ICE! featuring Frosty the Snowman.

Santa’s Wonderland
Bass Pro Shops
Nov. 15 – Dec. 24, 2014
Visit Bass Pro for their annual Santa’s Wonderland. Free crafts, activity tables, moving trains and free photo’s with Santa.

12 Days and Nights of Christmas
Dallas Arboreteum
Nov. 16, 2014 – Jan 4, 2015 (see Calendar for specific night dates)
Explore the gardens which are filled with holiday characters, decoration, carolers and lights. (Although this is a ticketed event, be sure to review the discounts for great reduced rates or even free admission.)

Thanksgiving Weekend in the Stockyards
Stockyard Station, Fort Worth
Nov. 28-30, 2014
Free face painting, the famous Stockyards gun fights and pictures with Santa (bring your own camera).

Christmas on Main
Main Street, Grapevine
Nov. 28 – Dec. 21, 2014 (Friday-Sunday Only)
Twinkling lights, horse drawn carriage rides, live entertainment, A Christmas Carol performance and more!

4th Annual Texas ChristKindle Market
Globe Life Park
Nov. 28 – Dec. 21, 2014
Stroll the market celebrating authentic German tradition, food and beer, petting zoo and more. Free admission.
Previous Post: 2nd Annual Christkindl Market

Sparkle! Christmas at the Anatole
Hilton Anatole, Dallas
Nov. 28th, 2014 – Jan. 4, 2015
Millions of lights, ice skating, Santa, storytelling, live entertainment, hilltop slice, food trucks and more!

Granbury, Texas
December 2014
Granbury is booming with decorations and shops to be explored. Great for photo opportunities and a little shopping on the side.

Santa In Sundance
Sundance Square
Dec. 5 – Dec. 21, 2014
Visit with Santa and Fort Worth’s own 58-foot Christmas tree!

Interlochen Christmas Lights
Interlochen Neighborhood, Arlington, TX
Dec. 13-25, 2014
Travel thru the Interlochen neighborhood for a festive display of lights. Be sure to get there early as this is a popular annual event.

For more events and information visit the Dallas Holiday Events Calendar, Grapevine Events Calendar and Fort Worth Events Calendar.

Happy Holiday’s Everyone!

15+ Holiday Events in Dallas-Fort Worth

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DFW, Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas, DFW Holiday Events

It’s hard to believe the holiday season is upon us! It’s time to grab a pair of mittens, a cup of hot chocolate and be ready to create new memories and traditions with friends and family! Many of these events a free. Be sure to get out there and enjoy some upcoming events this holiday season! Enjoy!

Single Events:

Fort Worth Parade of Lights
Sundance Square
Nov. 28th, 2014
Fort Worth’s annual holiday lights parade.

Parade of Lights
Grapevine, Texas
Dec. 4, 2014
Grapevine’s annual parade of lights and a visit from Santa. This is a great event to visit the Christmas Capital of Texas!

Arlington Parade of Lights
Downtown / University District
Dec. 6, 2014
Arlington’s annual parade of lights.

Reoccurring Events:

ICE! & Lone Star Christmas
Gaylord Texan Resort
Nov. 13, 2014 – Jan. 3, 2015
Over 2 million lights, 15,000 ornaments, 54-foot tall Christmas tree, snow tubing, Santa and Mrs. Claus and ICE! featuring Frosty the Snowman. Great for the entire family. Highly recommend buying tickets in advance and bringing hats and mittens.
Previous Post: ICE! 2011 Shrek the Halls

Panther Island Ice
Panther Island Pavilion
Nov. 21 – Jan. 19, 2015
Public ice skating, holiday music and fun for all ages!

A Christmas Carol
AT&T Performing Arts Center
Nov. 25 – Dec. 27, 2014
This holiday Dicken’s classic comes to life for the entire family. Be sure to get your tickets early as tickets are apt to sell out.

Gift of Lights
Texas Motor Speedway
Nov. 26, 2014 – Jan. 1, 2015
Drive thru over 600 LED light displays in the park followed by a visit in Santa’s Village. A portion of the sales is donated to local charities including the Ronald McDonald House, Boy Scouts of America and Speedways Children’s Charities.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra – Home for the Holidays
Bass Hall
Nov. 27-28, 2014
What better way than to begin the holiday season with favorite holiday carols and guaranteed snow flurries!

North Pole Express
Grapevine Cotton Belt Depot
Nov. 28 – Dec. 23, 2014 (Friday – Sunday Only)
Take your child(ren) on a magical ride to the North Pole. Visitors include Mrs. Claus providing each child a “We Believe” bell, Santa and Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk. This will leave memories for years!

Santa In Sundance
Sundance Square
Dec. 5 – Dec. 21, 2014
Visit with Santa and Fort Worth’s own 58-foot Christmas tree!

Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer, The Musical
Bass Hall
Dec. 5-7, 2014
AT&T Performing Arts Center
Dec. 16-21, 2014
All of our favorites from the TV classic come off-screen to a stage near us! This is great for every age and will sure to be a family tradition for years to come.

Christmas Wine Train
Grapevine Depot
Dec. 11th and 18th, 2014
The annual holiday event featuring local wineries and hor d’ouveres. Buy your tickets early, this event sells out! Must be 21+ to attend.
Previous Post: Christmas Wine Train

Texas Ballet Theatre – The Nutcracker
Bass Hall
Dec. 12 – 21, 2014
A classic holiday tradition and journey to The Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets for all ages.

For more events and information visit the Dallas Holiday Events Calendar, Grapevine Events Calendar and Fort Worth Events Calendar.

Happy Holiday’s Everyone!