Christmas is coming to the Big D in a big way! There are many Dallas Christmas events, and local hotels go all out with great holiday packages. It’s easy to take a quick getaway or a special stay-cay for Christmas in Dallas.
Whether you prefer a fancy breakfast with Santa, or seeing the light displays at the Dallas Zoo, there is something to warm every family’s heart. Sugarplums and candy canes and gingerbread houses, oh my! Usher in the holiday season any way you like, just don’t miss out on the best Dallas Christmas events in 2025.
Dallas Christmas Events in 2025
Dallas Christmas Parades and Tree Lightings
The annual Dallas Holiday Parade takes place on Commerce Avenue in downtown Dallas on the morning of December 6, 2025. Ring in the season with a jingle bell and a drum beat as you watch festive floats roll down the street.
The full parade lasts about two hours, but don’t worry, there will be food trucks at Belo Garden and Main Street Garden for lunch after the parade. For a spot on the street, there is no charge and you are allowed to bring your own chairs. However, ticketed stadium seats are also available for purchase.
The Holiday Show & Tree Lighting at Klyde Warren Park is on December 6, 2025. Expect plenty of family-friendly activities including story time with Mrs. Clause, photos with Santa, and live Christmas music during this event from 3-6pm.
The Dallas Arboretum
The incredibly beautiful Holiday at the Dallas Arboretum is truly a one-stop holiday shop full of festive cheer, exquisite decorations, shopping, delicious treats, and kid-friendly fun. It runs from November 12, 2025 – January 4, 2026.
Grab a cup of hot chocolate at the adorable, European-inspired Christmas Village and then stroll through the 12 Days of Christmas exhibit. The exhibit consists of 12 large, Victorian gazebos depicting dynamic scenes inspired by the song. They are gorgeous!
The village is also home to special programming so get ready for some holiday karaoke or bingo throughout the season.
The Arboretum has a Artistry of Faith and Culture exhibit showcasing art that celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. For an extra special celebration, book a Holiday Tea at Restaurant DeGolyer.
New for 2025 is Night Glow, an after-dark, artist-curated light experiencethat adds immersive luminous installations throughout the gardens.
For travel to Dallas any time of year. Here is our list of Top Things to Do in Dallas with Kids.
Christmas Events at the Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Zoo is a kid-favorite venue year round, but it turns up a notch to the celebrate the holiday season. Zoo Lights is open on select nights November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026 from 5:30 – 10:00pm.
Bundle up because it’s back as a walk-thru event this year!
Zoo Lights will bring all your holiday visions to life with one million lights, holiday-themed displays, the ever-popular animal-shaped lanterns, Santa’s Workshop, festive drinks and snacks, crafts, musical performances, and a programmed light show. There will be a sensory friendly night on December 16th.
Advanced purchase tickets are required. Expect this event to sell out early so buy your tickets now!
Looking for more Christmas events nearby? Grapevine, The Christmas Capital of Texas, is less than an hour away. Check out Your Guide to the Christmas Capital of Texas which includes memorable experiences at the Gaylord Texan.
Special Meet & Greets with Santa
Throughout November and December, the American Girl Store in the Dallas Galleria hosts several different Christmas events. Register early as these events frequently sell out.
Take your favorite American Girl Doll fanatic to enjoy holiday cookie decorating, gingerbread cookie house decorating, or a holiday tea with crafting activities. Santa will be in the store on December 11th for a special family brunch, including time with Santa for wishes and photos.
Don’t miss Missile Toes, Dallas Galleria’s famous ice-skating Santa, at the Galleria’s indoor ice-skating rink. He’ll light up the centerpiece of the rink, the country’s tallest indoor Christmas tree, in spectacular fashion on November 28, 2025 at noon. There are also additional shows on Sunday, November 29 and Saturday, December 6.
Santaland is also at the Dallas Galleria from November 14 – December 24, 2025. It’s an immersive, simulated ride aboard the Santaland Express to the North Pole. Through a little bit of Christmas magic, Santa will know every child’s name, what they most want for Christmas, and pose with them for a professional photo.
Combine your visit to Santa’s place with a romp through Snowday to meet the elves for a full afternoon of Christmas cheer. This is an experience with different themed rooms that make for perfect Christmas photo opportunities. It runs at the same time and you can book tickets to combine Santaland and Snowday. Snowday does have extended days this year and runs through January 5, 2025.
The Trains at NorthPark
A beloved Dallas holiday tradition for more than 35 years, The Trains at NorthPark chugs back into town from November 15, 2025 through January 4, 2026. This whimsical exhibit benefits Ronald McDonald House Dallas, and it delights kids and grown-ups alike with over 1,600 feet of track and hundreds of hand-crafted trains and tiny landmarks.
Families can watch model trains wind through miniature versions of New York City, the Grand Canyon, Route 66, and even the Dallas skyline. Special details—like the cotton-snow mountains and twinkling village lights—make it extra enchanting for little ones.
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas
This beloved seasonal event returns to Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington on select dates from November 23 through December 31, 2025. The park is transformed into a twinkling holiday wonderland with rides, roller coasters and festive lights all working together to create an immersive experience.
Holiday shows, seasonal treats, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and themed décor throughout the park are all part of the fun.
Dallas Hotel Christmas Offerings
The Hilton Anatole grounds magically turn into North Pole Texas on weekends November 29 – December 24, 2024. Treat your little ones to a fun-filled winter wonderland.
Explore the Christmas Village, wander through the holiday maze, visit the reindeer stables, write letters to Santa, visit Santa’s workshop, try out the North Pole escape room, watch Santa’s Magical Marionette Theater, and more! This experience is open to hotel guests as well as those not staying on property. Reservations are required.
Of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there presiding over all of the festivities with plenty of good cheer. The hotel also offers Breakfast with Santa.
The Adolphus Hotel’s Holiday Tea is back this year, serving up delicious treats in the elaborately decorated French Room and this year it will run seven days a week through December 31! The hotel’s tree lighting ceremony takes place on December 6 and will include Victorian carolers and plenty of Christmas cookies.
The hotel’s Winter Village takes place Tueday through Sunday November 15, 2024 through January 5, 2025 on the seventh-floor rooftop. It is deisgned to look like an après-ski experience with winter chalets and holiday cuisine.
Christmas in Dallas – Holiday Shows
There’s something magical about getting a little bit dressed up and heading out for a night at the theater with the family. Especially if it becomes an annual tradition that the family eagerly anticipates every holiday season.
If the traditional route speaks to your family, the Dallas Theater Center presents a lovely production of A Christmas Carol November 28 – December 27, 2025, while the Avant Chamber Ballet presents The Nutcracker on the weekend of December 5 – 7, 2025 and Ballet North Texas is performing the Nutcracker December 19 – 21 at Moody Performance Hall.
The Texas Ballet Theater also performs The Nutcracker at the Winspear Opera House and Bass Performance Hall this holiday season. It is in Dallas November 28th – December 7th and Fort Worth December 12th – 28th.
If your little ones aren’t quite ready for those big hitters, try A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Dallas Children’s Theater November 21 – December 21, 2025.
Is there a Dallas Christmas event we missed? Does your business have updated information to share? Email [email protected] and tell us about it!
Find more Christmas events near you! Trekaroo has guides for dozens of cities across the country.
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