Christmas 2026
Christmas in Dallas
The markets, the lights and the parties — and when each is worth it.
21 days to go16 Nov – 26 Dec · 40 ideas
- 3 nights out
- 2 costume parties
- 23 for families
- 9 free
Don't miss
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Klyde Warren Park's Tree Lighting Celebration
Dallas SantaCon Bar Crawl
Saturday 21 November
CultureMap City Rink Tree Lighting Celebration
Join CultureMap and Fossil for a magical evening as they illuminate the holiday season with a spectacular tree lighting ceremony at the CultureMap City Rink.
FamilyFreeSource: CultureMap City Rink
Thursday 26 November
Thanksgiving Day - Public Holiday
A federal holiday in the United States. Many businesses, government offices, and schools will be closed.
Friday 27 November
2026 Dallas Holiday Market Days
A festive in-person event celebrating local artisans, small businesses, seasonal shopping, and community spirit, with handcrafted gifts, unique products, and holiday treats.
FamilyFree
Day After Thanksgiving - State/Regional Holiday
Observed as a holiday by many state/regional government offices and some businesses, often leading to extended weekend closures.
Friday 4 December
2026 Dallas Holiday Market Days
A festive market at Dallas Farmers Market featuring local artisans, unique gifts, and seasonal treats.
FamilyFree
Saturday 5 December
Klyde Warren Park's Tree Lighting Celebration
An enchanting evening with free activities including photos with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, face painting, live dance, holiday music, and appearances by Frosty and Rudolph, culminating in the lighting of the Mayor's Tree.
FamilyFreeSource: Klyde Warren Park
Harmony & Light: A Holiday Concert for a Cause
A holiday-themed concert celebrating music, arts, and community giving. Features a mixer and silent auction starting at 5:30 PM, followed by the concert at 7:00 PM. Proceeds support local schools, charities, and youth arts programs.
Saturday 12 December
Christmas Party at The Hill
A Christmas party held at The Hill.
Night out
Dallas SantaCon Bar Crawl
The ultimate holiday bar crawl experience, where hundreds of Santas, elves, and reindeer take over Dallas's best bars for a day of festive fun and drink specials. Costume required. Check-in at Trinity Cider.
Night outCostume
Celebrate Christmas! at First Baptist Dallas
An unforgettable Christmas concert and service with powerful music, dynamic storytelling, and a living Nativity that brings the Christmas story to life, featuring musical guests and performances by Ballet Magnificat. Show times: Saturday, December 12 (1 pm & 5 pm), Sunday, December 13 (5 pm).
Sunday 13 December
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Trans-Siberian Orchestra returns to Dallas with two shows of their electrifying holiday rock opera, a spectacular reimagined staging of The Ghosts of Christmas Eve. Showtimes are 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM.
Have a Holly Tamale Christmas - Tamale Weekend
A festive celebration featuring local tamale makers, demonstrations, and sales of traditional Mexican Christmas dishes. Tamales are a significant local Christmas food tradition. Festivities continue on December 20-21 with a more limited variety of vendors.
Family
Thursday 17 December
A Jazzy Christmas Concert
A Christmas concert with a jazzy theme. Performance times: 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
Candlelight: Christmas Classics
A candlelight concert featuring Christmas classics.
Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
A candlelight concert featuring Christmas carols played on strings.
Saturday 19 December
The Christmas Bar Crawl - Dallas
Join the jolliest bar crawl of the year with 2-3 drinks or shots included, no cover at bars, exclusive drink and food specials, and an awesome after party. Participants are encouraged to wear crazy holiday gear.
Night outCostume
Candlelight: Holiday Carols on Strings
A candlelight concert featuring holiday carols performed on strings.
Sunday 20 December
Have a Holly Tamale Christmas - Tamale Weekend (Limited Vendors)
Continuation of the festive tamale celebration at the Dallas Farmers Market, with a more limited variety of vendors.
Family
Thursday 24 December
Christmas Eve - Observed Holiday/Early Closures
Many government offices (including some local Dallas government entities and Travis County offices) and businesses, such as Dallas Market Center, observe Christmas Eve as a holiday or close early.
Friday 25 December
Christmas Day - Public Holiday
A federal holiday in the United States. Most businesses, government offices, and schools will be closed.
All season
Chi Omega Christmas Market
A large annual charity market featuring over 200 merchants with unique gifts, holiday decor, apparel, accessories, and more. Proceeds benefit local nonprofit organizations. Preview Night: Thursday, November 19, 5 pm-9 pm ($125). First Call Shopping: Friday, November 20, 9 am-1 pm ($35). General Admission: Friday, November 20, 1 pm-8 pm; Saturday, November 21, 9 am-5 pm; Sunday, November 22, 10 am-3 pm ($20). Children under 12 are admitted free.
Family
12 Days of Christmas at the Dallas Arboretum
An immersive holiday exhibit across the arboretum's 66-acre garden featuring 12 elaborately decorated gazebos bringing the classic song to life. Timed tickets are required.
FamilySource: Dallas Arboretum
Highland Park Christmas Lights
Famous for elegant, professionally lit homes, especially around Armstrong Parkway, Lakeside Drive, and Beverly Drive. Visitors can drive through or take carriage tours. Lights are typically on from late November through early January.
Family
Christmas at the Anatole Ice Skating Rink
Dallas' largest outdoor ice skating rink, set beneath twinkling lights at the Hilton Anatole resort. The event transforms the resort into a magical winter destination with additional attractions like holiday train rides, bounce houses, and Winter Chalets.
FamilySource: Hilton Anatole
Texas Christkindl Market
A German-style Christmas market featuring traditional food (schnitzel, bratwurst, glühwein), artisan crafts, and entertainment. Closed on Christmas Day. Located outside Dallas in Arlington, but a popular regional destination for Dallas locals and visitors seeking a traditional German market experience.
FamilyFreeSource: Texas Christkindl Market
CultureMap City Rink
A festive outdoor ice rink transforming Main Street Garden into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights and special events. Open Mon-Fri 4-10 pm, Sat 10 am-10 pm, Sun 10 am-8 pm. Expanded hours during school holidays.
Texas Ballet Theatre - The Nutcracker
A cherished family tradition featuring spectacular sets, iconic choreography, and moments of wonder. Performance times vary: Nov 27 (8 pm), Nov 28 (2 pm, 8 pm), Nov 29 (2 pm), Dec 3 (7 pm), Dec 4 (8 pm), Dec 5 (2 pm, 8 pm), Dec 6 (2 pm).
Dallas Zoo Lights
The Dallas Zoo transforms into a walk-through holiday experience with light-wrapped trees, glowing animal-inspired lanterns, and visits with Santa.
Family
Extended Holiday Shopping Hours
Major retail centers and malls in Dallas typically offer extended hours for Christmas shopping from mid-November through December, especially on weekends and leading up to Christmas Eve. Specific hours vary by individual store and mall. Dallas Farmers Market's indoor food hall is open daily 10 am-7 pm, and its outdoor market is open Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-5 pm, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Mexican Christmas Food Traditions
Mexican dishes like tamales, pozole, menudo, sopapillas, and tres leches are popular Christmas traditions in DFW, reflecting the region's strong Mexican heritage. Tamales are particularly central to many family celebrations.
Galleria Dallas Christmas Tree
Features the nation's tallest indoor Christmas tree, a major holiday attraction throughout the season.
FamilyFree
Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center
An indoor ice skating rink at Galleria Dallas, offering public skating sessions. Group rates may not be available on certain high-demand dates.
Family
Oak Lawn United Methodist Church Migrant Nativity Scene
An outdoor nativity scene that controversially depicts the Holy Family as modern-day immigrants or in a detention center to highlight issues of immigration, incarceration, and homelessness. It is an annual display designed to spark reflection.
Prairie Lights
One of the largest drive-through Christmas light displays in the Dallas area, featuring roughly 4 million lights and a walk-through village with concessions and holiday activities.
FamilySource: Prairie Lights
Vitruvian Lights
Millions of colorful lights illuminate hundreds of trees at Vitruvian Park. A popular free Christmas light display in North Texas, typically lit from Thanksgiving through the holiday season.
FamilyFreeSource: Town of Addison
Avant Chamber Ballet - The Nutcracker with Live Orchestra
The only Nutcracker in the Dallas Arts District with live music, featuring the Dallas Chamber Symphony. Performance times: Nov 28 (2 pm, 7 pm), Nov 29 (2 pm), Dec 6 (2 pm).
Texas Lottery Christmas Scratch-Offs Available
The Texas Lottery releases holiday-themed scratch-off tickets annually, which are popular for gifting and personal play throughout the Christmas season.
SNOWDAY Winter Pop-Up at Galleria Dallas
Holiday-themed rooms designed as unique photo backdrops for social media influencers and families.
Family
Swiss Avenue Christmas Lights
Historic homes in East Dallas radiate classic Christmas charm with creative and modern light displays.
FamilyFree
Kessler Park Christmas Lights
A light-filled neighborhood in the Oak Cliff area, known for its grand homes and festive decorations.
FamilyFree
Times and prices change, so check with the organiser before you go. Updated 26 Oct