The holiday season is upon us! And there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Christmas and winter in Fort Worth, Arlington, and around Tarrant County.
This section has details on all the best kid-friendly celebrations, holiday parades, and season-long holiday events. Check back often as events are added throughout the season.
And be sure to view our entire guide to help you find Santa, tree farms, Christmas light displays and more!
For even more festivities around the metroplex, visit our local guides for the Dallas and Collin County areas:
November 25 – February 5
Stockyards Rodeo Rink
Giddy up & glide! Fort Worth Stockyards launched the first annual Stockyards Rodeo Rink this holiday season. The 4,000-square-foot professional ice-skating rink is open daily on the lawn of the Livestock Exchange Building with a winter wonderland that includes the ice rink, Avoca Cocoa & Coffee Corral, holiday lights, Cowboy Santa, live music, rodeos, and a 40-foot Christmas tree (to name a few). Tickets are available now — purchase at the link!
November 12 – January 2
Christmas at Gaylord Texan
Discover a winter wonderland at Gaylord Texan Resort and be dazzled by four-and-a-half acres of magical indoor gardens decorated with millions of twinkling holiday lights, 25-foot-tall nutcrackers, magical miniature train sets, and a 54-foot Christmas tree — just to name a few! Delight in all the festive activities including a TWO-MILLION-pound, hand-carved ice attraction themed after The Polar Express. Explore it all with a Texas-sized vacation for the whole family to enjoy!
Offer valid between 12/11 – 12/15, 12/26 – 1/1. Offer valid for listed dates only. Not valid with any other discounts or offers. Tickets must be purchased online. Limit of 10 tickets per purchaser. Not retroactive. Other restrictions may apply. Discount based on 50% off GENERAL ADMISSION ticket pricing and valid for all dates mentioned in the promotion. Limited number of tickets available on select dates.
Fossil Creek Tree Farm
Fossil Creek Tree Farm is family-owned and conveniently located in north Fort Worth. Freshly cut pine trees fill the greenhouses beneath twinkling lights — it’s a magical experience!
You can also write a letter to Santa and drop it in the big red mailbox, make an ornament to take home, and browse The Haven (Fort Worth’s best kept secret!) for unique Christmas gifts. Follow on social for holiday events like Christmas PJs + Story Time!
Be sure to check ahead for changes or cancellations.
ONE-TIME EVENTS
November 19
Home for the Holidays Tree Lighting
Southlake Town Square | 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.
You’ll find carolers, crafts, carriage rides, snow tubing, live music, ice sculpting, Santa photos, and more in Southlake Town Square this evening. Tree lighting at 6:00 p.m. followed by a one-minute fireworks show. Admission and all activities are free!
November 21
Carol of Lights
Historic Downtown Grapevine | 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
This holiday season kick-off features live performances, dazzling dance numbers, light shows, and fireworks. Family-friendly fun and food vendors will be there starting at 4:00 p.m.; the light shows are at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Free!
November 30 – December 3
Hometown Holidays
Mansfield
Enjoy Santa visits, midway rides, carnival games, an ice slide, food vendors, and more. There are special highlights to each day like the parade, tree lighting and fireworks, drone show, and dance spectacular. See link for specifics and info on purchasing ride tickets in advance. Admission and parking are free!
December 1 – 3
Experience Bethlehem {SOLD OUT}
Fort Worth
This is a hot ticket. If you didn’t get one in time, you can still stop by to see some of the animals, enjoy refreshments, and meet a few characters outside of Bethlehem. Be sure to set a reminder in your phone for 2023. Free!
December 2
Denton Holiday Lighting Festival
Downtown Denton | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Come out for an evening of arts and crafts, food, live music and performances, and lots of holiday cheer. Check the link for details on wristbands that get you access to Santa Claus photos, horse-drawn carriage rides, the snow hill slopes, and the trackless train. Admission is free! (Wristbands from $10.)
December 3
Christmas on the Square
Weatherford | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Start the fun in Historic Downtown Weatherford with holiday vendors and festivities on the square (theme: Christmas Candyland), then grab a spot for the Weatherford Lights the Night Parade at 6:30 p.m. Free!
December 3
Christmas in the Stockyards
Fort Worth | 10:00 a.m. –– 8:00 p.m.
Featuring festive activities such as the NEW holiday ice rink, photos with Cowboy Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, reindeer games, strolling Dicken’s carolers, cowboy poetry, and a spectacular Christmas parade.
December 3
BTX-MAS
Burleson | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Don’t miss a holiday kick-off evening at Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza. There’s a parade of lights followed by entertainment on stage, a tree lighting, and a drone show to end the evening. Heads-up: The 34-foot tree has an interactive Santa’s cabin at the base, creating a perfect backdrop for festive photos. Free!
Note: Burleson has quite a few smaller holiday events on the schedule, from Christmas crafts at Russel Farm Art Center to breakfast with Santa and an outdoor screening of Elf. Check the link for all the dates and details.
December 3 – 4
Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place
Fort Worth
After a long absence, this beloved event is back and better than ever. See five historical homes, recently renovated in stunning fashion. Bring the family for Santa, the Polar Express kid’s train, musical groups, pop-up shops, and more. Tour details at the link. Saturday: 12:00 – 9:00 p.m. Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Tickets from $20; kids 12 and under are free.
December 10
Holidays at the Hearth
Fort Worth | 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Get old fashioned with your festivities at Log Cabin Village! Explore the village, visit and take photos with Santa, make ornaments and crafts, play games, and learn about historic traditions. Tickets on sale soon. See link to purchase.
December 10
Old-Fashioned Christmas
Springtown | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Step back in time for an old-fashioned holiday celebration on the town square. There will be live entertainment, Santa photos, vendors, lots of children’s activities and inflatables, and a new ice-skating rink. Free!
December 10
Justin Old-Town Christmas
Justin | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
So many opportunities for small-town, old-fashioned celebrations this weekend. This one features balloon twisters and face painters, ice skating, live entertainment, photos with Santa and Mrs. Clause, a snow field, s’mores station, parade, market, and more. See the link for details on the parade and competition entries (gingerbread house decorating, desserts, and chili cook-off). Free!
December 10
Holiday Lights Parade
Downtown Arlington | 6:00 p.m.
This parade route changes a bit each year — we’re waiting for the 2022 map to drop. Pre-show entertainment begins at 2:00 p.m. See a complete schedule of events at the link. You can take your own photos with Santa at the library before the parade or after the tree lighting at the Founders Plaza. Free!
ALL SEASON LONG
November 12 – January 2
Christmas at Gaylord Texan
Grapevine
Kids absolutely love the Gaylord at Christmastime, and you will, too! The grand atrium is decked out with millions of lights, and you’ll find immersive walk-through experiences, a Christmas carousel, snow tubing, arts and crafts, Charlie Brown and friends, Cirque performances, Santa photos, and more. Lots of details on the many activities and ticket packages at the site.
November 18 – January 4
Snowland
Great Wolf Lodge
Did you know Great Wolf Lodge gets in the holiday spirit, too? Explore the magic of winter in an 84-degree water park — from visits with Santa and kid-friendly themed activities. Make hotel reservations at the link.
November 19 – January 2 (select dates)
Holiday in the Park
Arlington
As always, Six Flags gets festive with sparkling lights, holiday decorations, seasonal treats, and lots of special activities, rides, and heartwarming shows. See more about specific holiday fun at the link.
November 21 – December 23 (select dates)
North Pole Express
Grapevine Vintage Railroad
Travel to the “North Pole” aboard a festively decorated train and enjoy a Broadway-style show, cookies, a visit from Mrs. Claus, and more. Tickets from $35.
Y’all, every single ride on this Christmas train is SOLD OUT by early November each year. That’s how popular it is. This is your cue to set a reminder on your phone to get tickets early next year! Note: They’ve added a waitlist for 2022. Might get lucky there??
November 21 – January 8
Christmas Capital of Texas
Grapevine
Grapevine is the “Christmas Capital of Texas,” which means you’ll find myriad Christmas events and activities scheduled throughout the month. We’ve included many of the major events in our guide but be sure to browse the link for lots more ideas.
November 25 – December 23
Texas Christkindl Market
Arlington | 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily
Each year, the North Plaza at Globe Life Field transforms into a German-style Christmas market where you can shop handcrafted gifts and collectibles, including exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt merchandise and designs from the iconic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village in Germany.
Thank you to the Fort Worth Stockyards for sponsoring this guide.
