Even if Dallas doesn’t experience a white Christmas this year, you can make the holidays a little brighter by attending any of these festive events where you can meet your favorite holiday characters, enjoy annual tree lighting ceremonies or see unique, intricate exhibits and creations.

12 Days of Christmas

Take a step back in time by visiting the Dallas Arboretum where Victorian style gazebos will be decorated uniquely for the holidays. The event takes the well known song “12 Days of Christmas” and presents intricate exhibits of different characters from the song. For example the ‘First day of Christmas’ exhibit includes a revolving pear tree with green mirrors leaves, rhinestone studded branches and gold encrusted pears. A adorned partridge sits at the center of the stage. Each day develops a more ornate creation sponsored by a different local organization. Fortunately, the event is open for much longer than 12 days; you can attend any weekend through Jan. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Irving’s Holiday Extravaganza

On Saturday, City of Irving will host a holiday parade followed by tree lighting and fireworks. At 4 p.m. the community parade, themed “Christmas Tales and Toys”, will move through the Heritage District. Floats, decorated vehicles or walking groups are all welcome to bring their favorite tale or toy to life. At 5 p.m. a stage show will feature live music, community dance groups, a marionette performance and Santa. If you arrive early, you can even enjoy free hot chocolate and kids can participate in craft activities. While festivities occur outside, Irving City Hall will provide an opportunity to meet with representatives from various city departments. The night will end with an official tree lighting at 6:20 p.m. and fireworks from the roof of the Irving City Hall parking garage immediately following.

Coppell Holiday Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting

Coppell will continue its timeless tradition of hosting a night-time parade on Monday from 6:30 to 10 p.m. This year’s theme is a “Storybook holiday” and the floats will go from Samuel Boulevard to Parkway Boulevard, ending at Town Center Plaza. There, the tree lighting Ceremony will take place and residents can enjoy live music by Joel Cross, holiday treats and visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

ICE! Christmas Around the World at Gaylord

The Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center hosts a Lone Star Christmas with nearly 2,000 pounds of colored, white and crystal ice sculptures and ice slides in a 12-lane tubing hill covered with real snow. This magnificent creation took complex planning to come to life. Ice sculptors from China came to Grapevine and worked in a 9-degree freezer to carve a dazzling winter scene from the 36 truckloads of ice shipped from an ice making factory. This family fun event will be open until New Years Day.  The theme is “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town” and features Santa’s story of giving gifts to boys and girls, encouraging children to be nice and not naughty. 

Panther Island Ice

If you have a packed schedule for December and are not able to attend any of the above events, Panther Island Ice will be open seven days a week until Jan. 16, giving you plenty of time to gather some friends and family for a fun ice skating experience. Forth Worth creates a small miracle of an outdoor skating rink in what is predicted to be one of the warmest winters in Texas with below-normal precipitation. After you skate for a few hours, you can enjoy some holiday snacks and drinks at a nearby restaurant.

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