Celebrate the magic of the season in Arlington with our comprehensive event guide. Whether you're intimately familiar with Arlington or just getting acquainted, our guide maximizes your seasonal enjoyment.
Popular Events: Experience the charm of the Holiday at the Arboretum, showcasing stunning holiday displays amidst beautifully landscaped gardens. The Arlington Holiday Lights Parade lights up the streets with dazzling floats and festive cheer, drawing crowds together for an evening of celebration. And the ICE featuring “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” is something you definitely don't want to miss with its immersive, whimsical attraction. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Arlington
- Holiday at the Arboretum (Dallas)
- ICE featuring “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” (Grapevine)
- Arlington Holiday Lights Parade
- Downtown Grapevine Christmas Events (Grapevine)
- World Ballet Series: Nutcracker
- Dallas Holiday Parade (Dallas)
- Klyde Warren Park's Tree Lighting Celebration (Dallas)
- Lights on the Farm (Plano)
- Hooray for the Holidays
- Christmas in the Stockyards (Fort Worth)
See these and even more events listed below!
Arlington Holiday Light Displays
Holiday at the Arboretum
What to Expect:
Elaborate holiday decorations and exhibits featuring over 600 nutcrackers.
Description:
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden transforms into a holiday spectacle with the 12 Days of Christmas Gazebos, Christmas Village, and the historic DeGolyer House elaborately decorated by renowned designer Michael Hamilton.
Where: Dallas | More Info: Holiday at the Arboretum
Arlington Holiday Lights Parade
What to Expect:
Spectacular parade with over 100 entries and a 65-foot Christmas tree lighting.
Description:
The Arlington Holiday Lights Parade is a vibrant community event featuring festive floats, marching bands, classic cars, and live performances. It culminates in the official tree lighting ceremony, offering a memorable experience for families.
Where: Arlington | More Info: Arlington Holiday Lights Parade
Downtown Grapevine Christmas Events
What to Expect:
Extensive holiday light displays and festive activities.
Description:
Downtown Grapevine transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with over 1,400 events, featuring millions of lights, larger-than-life decorations, animated characters, and numerous photo opportunities.
Where: Grapevine | More Info: Downtown Grapevine Christmas Events
Lights on the Farm
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with over 1 million lights and festive activities.
Description:
Lights on the Farm at Heritage Farmstead Museum features over 1 million dazzling lights and unique holiday elements. Take a quarter-mile stroll through the beautiful farm, meet Santa Claus, and enjoy delicious treats like s'mores, hot cocoa, and popcorn while enjoying festive holiday music.
Where: Plano | More Info: Lights on the Farm
Arlington Holiday Shows and Entertainment
World Ballet Series: Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The World Ballet Series: Nutcracker is a live performance featuring a multinational cast of 50 professional ballet dancers. This family-friendly event brings the beloved holiday tradition to life with Tchaikovsky's timeless score, over 150 hand-sewn costumes, and hand-crafted sets in classic Marius Petipa choreography.
Where: Arlington | More Info: World Ballet Series: Nutcracker
Hooray for the Holidays
What to Expect:
Irving Berlin musical extravaganza.
Description:
A charming crowd-pleaser featuring one glorious Irving Berlin number after another, filled with song and dance, making it a perfect Holiday treat.
Where: Arlington | More Info: Hooray for the Holidays
David Archuleta: The More The Merrier Christmas Tour
What to Expect:
Heartwarming holiday concert with David Archuleta.
Description:
David Archuleta brings holiday classics to life in a heartwarming performance, perfect for the whole family.
Where: Arlington | More Info: David Archuleta: The More The Merrier Christmas Tour
ICE featuring “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!”
What to Expect:
Interactive ice sculptures and slides based on Dr. Seuss' classic tale.
Description:
Explore an icy exhibit featuring Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" with over 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice, immersive scenes, and interactive slides.
Where: Grapevine | More Info: ICE featuring “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!”
Klyde Warren Park's Tree Lighting Celebration
What to Expect:
Live music and festive activities with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Description:
Klyde Warren Park's Tree Lighting Celebration features photos with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, face painting, crafts, and live music from the Emerald City Band. The event culminates with the lighting of The Mayor’s Tree.
Where: Dallas | More Info: Klyde Warren Park's Tree Lighting Celebration
Dallas Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Largest one-day outdoor holiday celebration in Texas.
Description:
The Dallas Holiday Parade is a large-scale outdoor event featuring giant balloons, marching bands, festive floats, and holiday staples. It has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families throughout North Texas and beyond, celebrating its 36th year with over 350 television stations syndicating the event.
Where: Dallas | More Info: Dallas Holiday Parade
Arlington Other Holiday Activities
Ugly Sweater Day & Photos with Santa
What to Expect:
Ugly sweater contest with karaoke and painting activities.
Description:
Join an evening of creativity and fun as you paint, sip, and sing your way through the holiday season. Don your ugliest sweater and get ready to win prizes, sing along to your favorite holiday songs, and enjoy a stress-free, fun-filled evening with local vendors and giveaways.
Where: Arlington | More Info: Ugly Sweater Day & Photos with Santa
Christmas in the Stockyards
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration featuring a holiday ice rink and Cowboy Santa.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Christmas in the Stockyards with activities like a holiday ice rink, sounds of the season, photos with Cowboy Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, reindeer games, and a spectacular Christmas Parade.
Where: Fort Worth | More Info: Christmas in the Stockyards
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Grand Prairie (6 miles)
- Euless (7 miles)
- Bedford (8 miles)
- North Richland Hills (10 miles)
- Irving (11 miles)
- Mansfield (12 miles)
- Fort Worth (12 miles)
- Cedar Hill (13 miles)
- Grapevine (14 miles)
- DeSoto (18 miles)
- Dallas (18 miles)
- Flower Mound (19 miles)
- Carrollton (20 miles)
- Lewisville (22 miles)
- Richardson (26 miles)
- Mesquite (30 miles)
- Garland (30 miles)
- Plano (31 miles)
- Frisco (33 miles)
- Denton (33 miles)
- Rowlett (34 miles)
- Allen (36 miles)
- Wylie (38 miles)
- McKinney (43 miles)