Experience Arlington, TX, in all its festive glory this holiday season with a variety of enchanting events that cater to all ages. The Texas Christkindl Market offers a charming, traditional German holiday atmosphere filled with handcrafted ornaments and delicious cuisine. Over at Six Flags Over Texas, Holiday in the Park combines thrilling rides with cookie decorating and a massive Christmas tree made from the park's iconic Oil Derrick tower.
Enchant Christmas invites you into a spectacular world of lights with the world's largest Christmas light maze and an ice skating trail set amidst twinkling displays. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Arlington promises to deliver memorable holiday moments for everyone.
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The Top Christmas Events in Arlington
- Texas Christkindl Market
- Holiday in the Park
- Enchant Christmas
- Interlochen Lights
- Luminova Holidays
- Arlington Holiday Lights Parade
Arlington Holiday Light Displays
Enchant Christmas
What to Expect:
World's largest Christmas light maze
Description:
Enchant Christmas dazzles visitors with its centerpiece: the world's largest Christmas light maze. This sprawling illuminated labyrinth challenges guests to navigate through twinkling pathways and discover hidden treasures. Towering light sculptures create an otherworldly atmosphere, transforming the night into a luminous adventure. You can glide across the ice skating trail, weaving through the brilliant displays. Enchant Christmas originated in Vancouver, Canada in 2016, and has since grown into an international phenomenon, bringing its unique brand of holiday cheer to cities across North America.
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Interlochen Lights
What to Expect:
Neighborhood-wide holiday light display
Description:
Interlochen Lights illuminates an entire Arlington neighborhood, creating a community-wide celebration of holiday spirit. Residents of this close-knit area collaborate to create a cohesive and spectacular light display that spans blocks. Cars slowly cruise through the twinkling streets, taking in the creativity and dedication of each home's unique decorations. Visitors can tune their car radios to a special station playing synchronized holiday music. This tradition began in 1976 with a handful of neighbors and has grown into one of the largest community-driven holiday displays in Texas, showcasing the power of collective effort.
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Luminova Holidays
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and activities
Description:
Luminova Holidays electrifies Globe Life Field with cutting-edge light technology and interactive installations. This modern take on holiday lights encourages visitors to become part of the display. Wander through towering light tunnels that respond to your movements, creating a dynamic and ever-changing environment. You can send your wishes to the North Pole via the event's digital wishing wall. Luminova showcases the versatility of Globe Life Field, which opened in 2020 as the new home of the Texas Rangers, now transformed into a high-tech winter playground.
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Arlington Holiday Markets and Shopping
Texas Christkindl Market
What to Expect:
Authentic German-style Christmas market
Description:
Arlington's Texas Christkindl Market transports visitors to a traditional German holiday celebration. Inspired by the centuries-old Dresden market, this event showcases authentic German crafts, cuisine, and culture. Stroll through rows of wooden stalls adorned with twinkling lights, where artisans offer handcrafted ornaments and gifts. The air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked strudel and spiced glühwein. You can participate in a traditional lantern parade, a cherished German custom that symbolizes hope and community. This market pays homage to Arlington's sister city relationship with Bad Königshofen, Germany, established in 1951.
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Arlington Other Holiday Activities
Holiday in the Park
What to Expect:
Thrilling rides combined with holiday festivities
Description:
Six Flags Over Texas transforms into a winter spectacle during Holiday in the Park. This unique event combines heart-pounding roller coasters with seasonal cheer, offering a twist on traditional celebrations. Brave the chill as you soar through the night sky on illuminated thrill rides. The park's iconic 200-foot Oil Derrick tower becomes a massive Christmas tree, visible for miles. Visitors can decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, a sweet activity that adds a personal touch to the experience. Established in 1961, Six Flags Over Texas holds the distinction of being the first park in the Six Flags chain, now bringing holiday joy to a new generation.
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Arlington Holiday Lights Parade
What to Expect:
Nighttime parade with illuminated floats
Description:
Arlington's Holiday Lights Parade illuminates the city streets with a procession of dazzling floats and performers. This nighttime spectacle features creatively lit vehicles, marching bands with glowing instruments, and costumed characters adorned with twinkling lights. The parade route comes alive with the cheers of spectators and the glow of thousands of lights. You can join in the fun by wearing your own light-up accessories. This event has its roots in Arlington's commitment to community celebration, evolving from small town gatherings to become a major regional attraction that kicks off the holiday season in style.
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Arlington Holiday Lights Parade
Nearby Events
Christmas at the Anatole (Dallas)
What to Expect:
Luxury hotel transformed into holiday destination
Description:
The Hilton Anatole hotel metamorphoses into a holiday haven during Christmas at the Anatole. This upscale event turns the entire hotel into an immersive holiday experience, blending luxury accommodations with seasonal activities. Guests can explore elaborately decorated public spaces, each with its own theme and ambiance. The event features a pop-up ice skating rink where visitors glide beneath the Texas sky. You can indulge in a special holiday afternoon tea service, a nod to refined British traditions. The Anatole, opened in 1979, boasts one of the largest hotel art collections in the US, which is thoughtfully incorporated into the holiday decor.
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Prairie Lights (Grand Prairie)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light experience with walk-through finale
Description:
Prairie Lights illuminates Lynn Creek Park with a unique two-part holiday experience. Visitors begin their journey with a drive-through light show, winding through two miles of dazzling displays along the shores of Joe Pool Lake. The grand finale invites guests to step out of their vehicles and into the Holiday Village, where the celebration continues on foot. Here, you can warm up with hot chocolate while enjoying live entertainment on the stage. This event cleverly utilizes the natural beauty of the park, which was created in 1990 when the Joe Pool Lake reservoir was filled, blending nature and holiday spectacle.
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Dallas Holiday Parade (Dallas)
What to Expect:
One of the largest holiday parades in America
Description:
The Dallas Holiday Parade marches through downtown, bringing together an impressive array of floats, balloons, and performers. As one of the largest holiday parades in America, this event draws spectators from across the region to witness its grand scale and pageantry. Towering helium balloons float above the crowd, while elaborately decorated floats showcase local and national talent. You can secure a spot along the route to catch candy tossed by parade participants. This parade has a rich history dating back to 1988, when it was created to revitalize downtown Dallas during the holiday season.
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Vitruvian Lights (Addison)
What to Expect:
Futuristic park transformed by LED light display
Description:
Vitruvian Lights transforms the modern Vitruvian Park into a futuristic holiday spectacle. Over 1.5 million LED lights wrap around hundreds of trees, creating a mesmerizing canopy of color that reflects off the park's water features. The event's design emphasizes the park's contemporary architecture and landscaping, offering a unique blend of nature and technology. Visitors can stroll through the illuminated pathways, enjoying the ever-changing light patterns. You can participate in weekend activities like photos with Santa or outdoor movie screenings. Vitruvian Park, named after Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, opened in 2006 as part of a forward-thinking urban development project.
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Grapevine Vintage Railroad North Pole Express (Grapevine)
What to Expect:
Historic train ride to Santa's workshop
Description:
The Grapevine Vintage Railroad North Pole Express whisks passengers away on a journey through time and holiday fantasy. Aboard meticulously restored 1920s Victorian coaches, travelers embark on a magical trip to Santa's workshop. The vintage locomotives chug along, their whistles echoing through the crisp winter air. During the ride, you can sip on signature Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a souvenir mug. This unique experience combines the nostalgia of early 20th-century rail travel with the excitement of holiday traditions, showcasing Grapevine's rich railroad history that dates back to 1888.
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Grapevine Vintage Railroad North Pole Express
ICE! at Gaylord Texan (Grapevine)
What to Expect:
Massive indoor ice sculpture exhibition
Description:
ICE! at Gaylord Texan chills visitors with its awe-inspiring display of hand-carved ice sculptures. This frigid wonderland features two million pounds of ice, transformed into intricate scenes and interactive elements. Bundled in provided parkas, guests explore a 9-degree Fahrenheit environment filled with colorful ice creations. You can zoom down ice slides, marveling at the frozen artistry surrounding you. The event showcases the talents of 40 master ice carvers from Harbin, China, home to the world's largest ice festival, bringing a piece of their centuries-old tradition to Texas.
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Christmas Capitol of Texas Events (Grapevine)
What to Expect:
Over 1,400 holiday events in 40 days
Description:
Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas, bursts with holiday spirit through its 1,400+ events packed into just 40 days. This ambitious celebration blankets the entire city in yuletide cheer, offering an unparalleled variety of activities. From wine tastings to gospel brunches, the events cater to every interest and age group. You can ride the Christmas Wine Train, a unique blend of oenophilia and holiday festivities. Grapevine earned its Christmas Capital title through a resolution in the Texas Senate in 2009, recognizing the city's commitment to creating an all-encompassing holiday experience.
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Christmas Capitol of Texas Events
Dallas Zoo Lights (Dallas)
What to Expect:
Zoo transformed into holiday light safari
Description:
Dallas Zoo Lights reimagines the wildlife park as a luminous holiday safari. After dark, the zoo comes alive with over one million twinkling lights, creating a nocturnal wonderland where illuminated animal sculptures stand in for their living counterparts. Visitors can wander through themed areas, each offering a unique light display and holiday atmosphere. You can decorate cookies in Santa's workshop or take a ride on the illuminated mini-train. This event not only celebrates the holiday season but also supports the Dallas Zoo's conservation efforts, which date back to its founding in 1888, making it the oldest zoo in Texas.