Experience the magic of the holiday season in Fort Worth, TX, with an array of festive events that cater to both locals and visitors. Marvel at the dazzling Sundance Square Christmas Tree Lighting, where city lights and carolers set the perfect holiday ambiance.
Don't miss the spectacular Fort Worth Parade of Lights, showcasing over 100 illuminated entries and marching bands. For a unique Western twist, explore Christmas in the Stockyards, featuring cowboy Santas and holiday-themed cattle drives.
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The Top Christmas Events in Fort Worth
- Sundance Square Christmas Tree Lighting
- Fort Worth Parade of Lights
- Christmas in the Stockyards
- Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway
- Panther Island Ice
Fort Worth Holiday Light Displays
Sundance Square Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Iconic downtown tree lighting ceremony
Description:
Fort Worth's heart beats with holiday spirit as Sundance Square illuminates its towering Christmas tree. This cherished tradition dates back to 1986, marking the unofficial start of the season for locals. Visitors can join in caroling led by local choirs, their voices echoing through the historic district. The square's architecture provides a stunning backdrop, blending modern and 19th-century elements. You'll feel the excitement build as the countdown begins, culminating in a dazzling display of lights that transforms the night sky.
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Sundance Square Christmas Tree Lighting
Fort Worth Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Texas-sized illuminated parade
Description:
Glowing floats roll through downtown Fort Worth, captivating spectators with a river of lights. This Texas-sized spectacle boasts over 100 illuminated entries, making it the largest holiday parade in the state. Marching bands fill the air with festive tunes, adding a lively soundtrack to the visual feast. The parade route winds past historic landmarks, offering a unique perspective on the city's architecture. Families can stake out prime viewing spots along Main Street, where children often catch candy tossed from passing floats.
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Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway
What to Expect:
Drive-through light show on a NASCAR track
Description:
Texas Motor Speedway transforms into a twinkling wonderland, inviting visitors to cruise through millions of LED lights. This unique drive-through experience allows guests to enjoy the spectacle from the comfort of their own vehicles. The 2-mile course winds around the famous racetrack, offering a rare glimpse behind the scenes of this NASCAR venue. Animated displays tell holiday stories as you drive by, creating a cinematic experience. The speedway has hosted this event since 2012, becoming a beloved tradition for many North Texas families.
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Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway
Fort Worth Other Holiday Activities
Christmas in the Stockyards
What to Expect:
Old West-themed holiday celebration
Description:
The Fort Worth Stockyards transport visitors to a frontier Christmas. Cowboy Santas roam the historic district, tipping their hats to passersby. The event pays homage to the area's rich cattle-driving heritage, blending holiday cheer with Western flair. Visitors can try their hand at roping a wooden "reindeer" or watch a holiday-themed cattle drive. The aroma of smoky barbecue wafts through the air, tempting guests with Texas-style holiday fare. This unique celebration has been a staple of Fort Worth's holiday season for over three decades.
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Panther Island Ice
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating with Fort Worth skyline views
Description:
Fort Worth's only outdoor ice skating rink glimmers beneath the city skyline at Panther Island Ice. This seasonal attraction offers a quintessential winter experience in the heart of Texas. Skaters glide across real ice, feeling the crisp air as they take in views of downtown Fort Worth. The rink is part of the larger Panther Island development, a flood control and urban revitalization project. Visitors can warm up with hot cocoa and s'mores at nearby fire pits. This winter oasis has been delighting Fort Worth residents and visitors since 2013.
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Nearby Events
Texas Christkindl Market (Arlington)
What to Expect:
German-inspired outdoor holiday market
Description:
Arlington's Texas Live! district buzzes with Old World charm during the Texas Christkindl Market. This German-inspired bazaar brings European holiday traditions to the Lone Star State. Visitors can browse handcrafted ornaments, nutcrackers, and cuckoo clocks imported from Germany. The air is filled with the sweet scent of roasted almonds and mulled wine. Guests can learn about German holiday customs while enjoying live performances of traditional music and dance. This market, inspired by the 700-year-old Christkindlmarkt in Nuremberg, has been delighting Texans since 2011.
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Prairie Lights (Grand Prairie)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light show with walk-through forest
Description:
Grand Prairie's Lone Star Park sparkles with over four million lights during Prairie Lights. This dazzling display combines a drive-through experience with a unique walk-through forest. Visitors journey through two miles of radiant scenes before reaching the Holiday Village midway point. Here, they can stretch their legs and explore a glowing forest path on foot. The event showcases Texas-themed displays alongside traditional holiday scenes. Prairie Lights has been illuminating North Texas winters since 2005, growing each year in size and spectacle.
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Holiday in the Park (Arlington)
What to Expect:
Theme park transformed into winter playground
Description:
Six Flags Over Texas sheds its summer persona, donning a wintry cloak for Holiday in the Park. Roller coasters zoom through curtains of twinkling lights, offering thrills with a festive twist. Visitors can glide across a real ice skating rink, a rare treat in the Texas climate. The park's holiday transformation includes themed sections, each with its own ambiance and activities. You'll find yourself humming along to holiday tunes performed by roving carolers. This event has been a staple of Arlington's holiday season since 1985, evolving with new attractions each year.
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Enchant Christmas (Arlington)
What to Expect:
Immersive light maze and village
Description:
Fair Park in Dallas becomes a luminous labyrinth during Enchant Christmas. Visitors navigate through the world's largest light maze, solving a holiday mystery as they explore. Towering sculptures crafted from millions of bulbs create an otherworldly atmosphere. Ice skating trails wind through the displays, offering a unique perspective on the glowing artworks. The event also features a European-style Christmas market, where local artisans showcase their wares. Enchant Christmas first dazzled Dallas in 2017 and has since become a highly anticipated annual spectacle.
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Radiance! & Frozen in Frisco (Frisco)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light show with ice tubing
Description:
Frisco's Dr Pepper Ballpark transforms into a winter playground with Radiance! Frozen. This unique event combines a dazzling drive-through light show with exhilarating ice tubing runs. Visitors cruise through a mile of animated light displays before parking to enjoy the frozen attractions. The tubing hill, made with real ice, offers a rare opportunity for winter sports in Texas. You can warm up with gourmet hot chocolate while watching ice carving demonstrations. This innovative event, launched in 2020, quickly became a new holiday tradition for North Texas families.
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Christmas at the Anatole (Dallas)
What to Expect:
Luxury hotel transformed into holiday resort
Description:
The Hilton Anatole in Dallas undergoes a stunning metamorphosis for Christmas at the Anatole. This luxury hotel becomes an all-encompassing holiday resort, offering a range of seasonal activities. Guests can explore the Peppermint Park, an outdoor winter carnival with rides and games. The hotel's grand atrium houses a towering Christmas tree, surrounded by elaborate decorations. You'll find yourself captivated by the life-sized gingerbread house, a confectionery marvel. The Anatole's holiday tradition began in 2016 and has grown to include unique experiences like breakfast with Santa and holiday-themed escape rooms.
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A Very Merry Christmas Celebration (Grapevine)
What to Expect:
Victorian-themed Christmas festival
Description:
Grapevine's historic Main Street steps back in time for A Very Merry Christmas Celebration. This Victorian-themed festival transports visitors to a 19th-century holiday scene. Costumed characters roam the streets, engaging guests in period-appropriate banter. Visitors can ride in a horse-drawn carriage, feeling the gentle clip-clop of hooves on the pavement. The event showcases traditional crafts and games from the era, offering hands-on experiences. Grapevine, known as the Christmas Capital of Texas, has been hosting this celebration for over a decade, refining its historical accuracy each year.
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A Very Merry Christmas Celebration