Rudolph, Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Grinch—no matter which holiday character your kid may currently be obsessed with this year, you’re likely to see them out and about during all the festivities this holiday. See below for our Christmas festivals, performances, lights displays and more family events this season around Dallas-Fort Worth.
Merry & Bright Drone Show
Grapevine Main Station & City Hall
Saturdays December 2, 9 & 16
The drone fleet is even larger this year with 200 drones taking shape in the skies. On these Saturdays at 8pm sharp and the show lasts under 10 minutes, so don’t be late or you’ll miss it! FREE Of course there’s much more fun to be had on Main Street at the Christmas Capital of Texas. Come early to get some time on the Peace Plaza Skating Rink, open through January 7. $20, includes ice skate rentals. Get details
RELATED: The Best Places to Go Ice Skating Around Dallas-Fort Worth
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Dallas Children’s Theater
Through December 23
DCT’s 40th anniversary season goes retro with this production starring the Peanuts gang and Snoopy too. This play recreates the story and spirit of the original 1965 TV special, but did you know that Charlie Brown’s famously puny tree was inspired by The Fir-Tree, a little-known fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen? Best for 5 and up. Show me
Story Time with Mrs. Claus
Galleria Dallas
Through December 23
Saving all the dollars you can until the big day? On Saturday mornings, take the kids up to the third floor Children’s Play Place (be sure to take a look at the country’s tallest indoor Christmas tree at the ice rink, first) for this free story reading with Santa’s other half. FREE (Have room in the budget for more fun? The SNOWDAY immersive attraction next to Santaland runs through January 7.) Show me
RELATED: Where to See Santa in Dallas-Fort Worth
Lights on the Farm
Heritage Farmstead Museum, Plano
Through December 30
Visit with Santa Claus and make your own s’mores at this historic farm’s annual holiday fest—made more festive with themed nights every Saturday. Expect to see lots of princesses and princes, for example, on December 16 and the Grinch on December 23. Show me
RELATED: Where to See Christmas Lights in DFW
ICE! Featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Gaylord Texan, Grapevine
Through December 31
I’d like to see the Grinch try stuffing this into his Santa bag: two million pounds of colorful ice carved into elaborate sculptures—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Come explore the two dozen or so winter fun activities and entertainment including real-ice slides worthy of Whoville cheer. Pricing varies by activity. Show me
Christmas Puppet Shows
NorthPark Center, Dallas
Through January 1
Scrooge Puppet Theater and The Tale of the Yeti’s Christmas Spaghetti are the perfect length for short attention spans, and they recur regularly throughout the day on level one near Dillard’s. Scrooge and Yeti perform through Christmas Eve, and the 28-foot-tall, Bavarian-style Twelve Days of Christmas Clock chimes through New Year’s Day. FREE See schedule
The Trains at NorthPark
NorthPark Center, Dallas
Through January 5
While you’re there at shopping center, See if your kids can recognize any of the local landmark buildings in this 25th annual mini train exhibit (the largest in Texas), now at new spot: on level one near Santa. Children under 2 free. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. Show me
Holiday at the Arboretum
Dallas Arboretum
Through January 5
The arboretum brings back its gorgeous exhibition of German-style Christmas Village with custom Christmas Pyramid, and the 12 Days of Christmas gazebos. Come during the daytime, or for maximum Christmas sparkle, go after dark to see all the attractions set aglow. Show me
Find more family fun events this Christmas at dfwchild.com/calendar.
Top photo of Lights on the Farm courtesy of Heritage Farmstead Museum
