Where to See Christmas Lights in Dallas-Fort Worth

’Tis the season for hot chocolate, garland, mistletoe and—of course—all those twinkle lights. We’ve rounded up the best festive displays across the Dallas-Fort Worth where you can not only see the max amount of Christmas lights but also meet Santa, go ice skating and enjoy all sorts of other kid-friendly activities. Gather the family to enjoy these light shows and exhibits below, and find much more holiday events this season on our calendar.

Walk-Thru Christmas Lights

Tianyu Lights Festival

Where: Texas Trust CU Theatre Grounds, Grand Prairie, Texas
When: Nov. 7, 2025–Jan. 18, 2026
What to know: OK, this outdoor exhibition is not specifically Christmas, but thanks to its extra interactive kiddie-activities—a light-up dance floor and a chance to drive glowing, mini cars—and not to mention the acrobatic performances, this is well worth the visit in my book. This year’s larger-than-life Chinese lanterns run the gamut from sea creatures (sharks, sea horses!) to bucolic landscapes of Dutch windmills, scarecrows and sunflowers. Learn more

Holiday at the Arboretum

Where: Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas
When: Nov. 12, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026
What to know: For a more serene experience strolling through the gardens, the arboretum brings back this annual, crowd-favorite exhibition—well, it’s truly multiple exhibitions all in one place. The elegant 12 Days of Christmas gazebos and mini village with a German pyramid at its center—they’ll be set all aglow when the garden stays open late. Plus, new this year, Dallas-based public arts organization Aurora debuts light installations called Night Glow.
When bringing the kids, keep in mind too that the Children’s Adventure Garden is now free with general garden admission but won’t be open after 5pm, so you could go during the daytime for maximum playtime or go at night when you’ll get the maximum Christmas lights experience. Show me

ICE! Featuring Elf

Where: Gaylord Texan Resort, 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, Texas
When: Nov. 14, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026
What to know: In addition to the masses of twinkle lights all around the Gaylord’s grand Atrium, the real showstopper is inside ICE! This seriously cool, seriously cold (9 degrees to be exact) exhibit of Elf movie scenes are carved from colorful blocks of ice. It’s a marvel, if you ask me, made possible by master artisans from Harbin, China. And the way they’re lit up from every angle, you can really see every detail of the ice sculptures.
Before you enter, the Gaylord provides you with a long parka to wear, but you’ll still need to dress for the extreme cold (gloves, hats, all the layers) to wear underneath the provided parka, which you’ll also need for the ice slides. Combo tickets are available for these and much more holiday activities, from decorating gingerbread houses to tossing snowballs like Buddy himself. Show me

Dallas Zoo Lights

Where: Dallas Zoo, 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, Texas
When: Nov. 14, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026
What to know: See your kids’ most beloved zoo animals in the form of glowing silk lanterns and twinkling lights that number in the millions. Now, remember that most of the animals go to bed after dark, so if your kids really want to see the animals too (and of course they do, right?), make the most of your trip by booking a combo ticket, which includes nighttime and daytime admission starting at 2:30pm. Learn more

Coca-Cola Classic Christmas: Alpine Adventure

Where: Dallas Midtown, at LBJ Freeway and Montfort Drive
When: Nov. 21–Dec. 28, 2025
What to know: Lights, cameras, polar bears. The iconic brand plays host to this outdoor lighting festival with all sorts of sparkly photo ops (and yep, a costumed polar bear). This returning exhibition is at a new locale this year and bringing back its outdoor lights maze, ice skating rink and snow tubing lanes. When you’re ready to rest, stop into the Home Depot Craft Corner, mini movie theater or story readings with Mrs. Claus. Show me

RELATED: The Best Places to Go Ice Skating Around Dallas-Fort Worth

Christmas in the Garden

Where: Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas
When: Nov. 21, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026
What to know: Want some really magical photo ops? In the evenings, come take a stroll through illuminated tunnels and along the garden trails for a giant Texas flag display, cowboy nutcrackers, “dancing” LED bluebonnets—then warm up with hot food and drinks, like the hot cocoa frozen custard with toasted marshmallows. Santa Claus will be on hand every evening through Christmas Eve. Show me

Lights on the Farm

Where: Heritage Farmstead Museum, 1900 W. 15th Street, Plano, Texas
When: Nov. 28–Dec. 28, 2025
What to know: This four-acre historic site—with its Victorian farmhouse and loads of farm animals—makes a picturesque place for taking in Christmas lights along the trail. Come meet Santa in the pole barn and more costumed characters, like the Grinch, on themed nights. Visitors are welcome to dress up too, especially on Ugly Sweater Night or Pajama Night, and enjoy warm treats like s’mores over the fire. Show me

Vitruvian Lights

Where: Vitruvian Park, 3875 Ponte Avenue, Addison, Texas
When: Nov. 22, 2025–Jan. 1, 2026
What to know: On opening day, Santa flips the switch to light up, not just a singular Christmas the tree, but exactly 468 trees wrapped in multi-color LEDs across Vitruvian Park’s 12 acres. This grand tree lighting ceremony will be even more of a party with live music by party band Limelight, as well as, free photos with Santa, and live reindeer. Santa and the reindeer will return the next Saturday, November 29, and food trucks will be on-site for the following three Saturdays. Learn more

Merry & Bright Drone Show

Where: Grapevine Main Station & City Hall
When: Mondays December 1 & 8, 2025
What to know: No, it’s not a shooting star but a fleet of drones in the skies over Historic Downtown Grapevine. This is one of the more unique holiday offerings here in the Christmas Capital of Texas. Gather in the plaza below to watch the show as the lighted drones morph into shapes of holiday characters. It’ll be a short show, only 10 minutes long, so don’t be late. so stay afterward to ice-skate the Peace Plaza Skating Rink, open through January 6. Learn more

Drive-Thru Christmas Lights

The Light Park

Where: Hurricane Harbor Arlington, 1800 E Lamar Blvd., Arlington, Texas
Riders Field, 7300 Rough Riders Trail, Frisco, Texas
Little Elm Park, 701 W Eldorado Pkwy., Little Elm, Texas
When: Nov. 7, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026
What to know: OK, this drive-thru lights show is giving “Griswold family Christmas” on the go. Fair warning: You will be sitting in the car for a bit, so either bring snacks for the kids or upgrade to a pre-paid snack package to pick up on-site. It includes items like popcorn, drinks and even 3D glasses to make all the lights shine even brighter. Learn more

Prairie Lights

Where: Lynn Creek Park, 5610 Lake Ridge Parkway, Grand Prairie, Texas
When: Nov. 27–Dec. 31, 2025
What to know: This part drive-thru, part walkable lights trail returns to the Joe Pool Lake shores for its 20th season. Halfway through, hop out of the car and stretch your legs with a stroll through the forest, where Santa and snacks await, and go for a spin on carnival rides. The entry fee is per vehicle, and a fast pass allow you to select your arrival time and skip the line. Learn more

Gift of Lights

Where: Texas Motor Speedway, 3545 Lone Star Circle, Fort Worth, Texas
When: Nov. 27, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026
What to know: If you only have time for a low-key drive-thru (and the kids stay buckled in their seats), head toward this Nascar raceway. You can take it slow and enjoy the ride as your family cruises through Fort Worth’s Gift of Lights, a 2-mile light park with millions (yes, millions) of shining bulbs. Learn more

RELATED: Where to See Santa in DFW