Category Archives: Thanksgiving

Free Holiday Events in Dallas / Fort Worth

DFW, Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas, DFW Holiday Events

It’s hard to believe the holiday season is upon us! Attending holiday events doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, there’s a lot of activities that are free in the area to attend with the entire family. Here is a short list to get you started! Enjoy!

Single Events:

Southlake Annual Tree Lighting
Southlake Town Square
Nov. 22, 2014
Events include tree lighting, photos with Santa, snow tubing, carriage rides, a Frozen Wonderland, letters with Santa, live entertainment and more!

Fort Worth Parade of Lights
Sundance Square
Nov. 28th, 2014
Fort Worth’s annual holiday lights parade.

Parade of Lights
Grapevine, Texas
Dec. 4, 2014
Grapevine’s annual parade of lights and a visit from Santa. This is a great event to visit the Christmas Capital of Texas!

Arlington Parade of Lights
Downtown / University District
Dec. 6, 2014
Arlington’s annual parade of lights.

Christmas in the Stockyards
Stockyard Station, Fort Worth
Dec. 6, 2014
Free family event centered around western heritage activities. Activities include the Fort Worth Herd and cattle drive, pictures with Santa, Stockyard Christmas Parade, pony rides and armadillo races, music, face painting, Stockyards tree lighting and much more!

Holiday Concert – Maxwell Hall Jazz Band
Sundance Square, Fort Worth
Dec. 12, 2014

Holiday Concert – Kids Who Care
Sundance Square, Forth Worth
Dec. 19, 2014

Fort Worth Symphony Brass Ensemble – Deck the Halls
Rose Marine Theatre, Fort Worth
Dec. 21, 2014

Reoccurring Events:

ICE! & Lone Star Christmas
Gaylord Texan Resort
Nov. 13, 2014 – Jan. 3, 2015
ICE! is a ticketed event however exploring the atrium is free of charge. Over 2 million lights, 15,000 ornaments, 54-foot tall Christmas tree, snow tubing, Santa and Mrs. Claus and ICE! featuring Frosty the Snowman.

Santa’s Wonderland
Bass Pro Shops
Nov. 15 – Dec. 24, 2014
Visit Bass Pro for their annual Santa’s Wonderland. Free crafts, activity tables, moving trains and free photo’s with Santa.

12 Days and Nights of Christmas
Dallas Arboreteum
Nov. 16, 2014 – Jan 4, 2015 (see Calendar for specific night dates)
Explore the gardens which are filled with holiday characters, decoration, carolers and lights. (Although this is a ticketed event, be sure to review the discounts for great reduced rates or even free admission.)

Thanksgiving Weekend in the Stockyards
Stockyard Station, Fort Worth
Nov. 28-30, 2014
Free face painting, the famous Stockyards gun fights and pictures with Santa (bring your own camera).

Christmas on Main
Main Street, Grapevine
Nov. 28 – Dec. 21, 2014 (Friday-Sunday Only)
Twinkling lights, horse drawn carriage rides, live entertainment, A Christmas Carol performance and more!

4th Annual Texas ChristKindle Market
Globe Life Park
Nov. 28 – Dec. 21, 2014
Stroll the market celebrating authentic German tradition, food and beer, petting zoo and more. Free admission.
Previous Post: 2nd Annual Christkindl Market

Sparkle! Christmas at the Anatole
Hilton Anatole, Dallas
Nov. 28th, 2014 – Jan. 4, 2015
Millions of lights, ice skating, Santa, storytelling, live entertainment, hilltop slice, food trucks and more!

Granbury, Texas
December 2014
Granbury is booming with decorations and shops to be explored. Great for photo opportunities and a little shopping on the side.

Santa In Sundance
Sundance Square
Dec. 5 – Dec. 21, 2014
Visit with Santa and Fort Worth’s own 58-foot Christmas tree!

Interlochen Christmas Lights
Interlochen Neighborhood, Arlington, TX
Dec. 13-25, 2014
Travel thru the Interlochen neighborhood for a festive display of lights. Be sure to get there early as this is a popular annual event.

For more events and information visit the Dallas Holiday Events Calendar, Grapevine Events Calendar and Fort Worth Events Calendar.

Happy Holiday’s Everyone!

15+ Holiday Events in Dallas-Fort Worth

6 Replies

DFW, Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas, DFW Holiday Events

It’s hard to believe the holiday season is upon us! It’s time to grab a pair of mittens, a cup of hot chocolate and be ready to create new memories and traditions with friends and family! Many of these events a free. Be sure to get out there and enjoy some upcoming events this holiday season! Enjoy!

Single Events:

Fort Worth Parade of Lights
Sundance Square
Nov. 28th, 2014
Fort Worth’s annual holiday lights parade.

Parade of Lights
Grapevine, Texas
Dec. 4, 2014
Grapevine’s annual parade of lights and a visit from Santa. This is a great event to visit the Christmas Capital of Texas!

Arlington Parade of Lights
Downtown / University District
Dec. 6, 2014
Arlington’s annual parade of lights.

Reoccurring Events:

ICE! & Lone Star Christmas
Gaylord Texan Resort
Nov. 13, 2014 – Jan. 3, 2015
Over 2 million lights, 15,000 ornaments, 54-foot tall Christmas tree, snow tubing, Santa and Mrs. Claus and ICE! featuring Frosty the Snowman. Great for the entire family. Highly recommend buying tickets in advance and bringing hats and mittens.
Previous Post: ICE! 2011 Shrek the Halls

Panther Island Ice
Panther Island Pavilion
Nov. 21 – Jan. 19, 2015
Public ice skating, holiday music and fun for all ages!

A Christmas Carol
AT&T Performing Arts Center
Nov. 25 – Dec. 27, 2014
This holiday Dicken’s classic comes to life for the entire family. Be sure to get your tickets early as tickets are apt to sell out.

Gift of Lights
Texas Motor Speedway
Nov. 26, 2014 – Jan. 1, 2015
Drive thru over 600 LED light displays in the park followed by a visit in Santa’s Village. A portion of the sales is donated to local charities including the Ronald McDonald House, Boy Scouts of America and Speedways Children’s Charities.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra – Home for the Holidays
Bass Hall
Nov. 27-28, 2014
What better way than to begin the holiday season with favorite holiday carols and guaranteed snow flurries!

North Pole Express
Grapevine Cotton Belt Depot
Nov. 28 – Dec. 23, 2014 (Friday – Sunday Only)
Take your child(ren) on a magical ride to the North Pole. Visitors include Mrs. Claus providing each child a “We Believe” bell, Santa and Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk. This will leave memories for years!

Santa In Sundance
Sundance Square
Dec. 5 – Dec. 21, 2014
Visit with Santa and Fort Worth’s own 58-foot Christmas tree!

Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer, The Musical
Bass Hall
Dec. 5-7, 2014
AT&T Performing Arts Center
Dec. 16-21, 2014
All of our favorites from the TV classic come off-screen to a stage near us! This is great for every age and will sure to be a family tradition for years to come.

Christmas Wine Train
Grapevine Depot
Dec. 11th and 18th, 2014
The annual holiday event featuring local wineries and hor d’ouveres. Buy your tickets early, this event sells out! Must be 21+ to attend.
Previous Post: Christmas Wine Train

Texas Ballet Theatre – The Nutcracker
Bass Hall
Dec. 12 – 21, 2014
A classic holiday tradition and journey to The Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets for all ages.

For more events and information visit the Dallas Holiday Events Calendar, Grapevine Events Calendar and Fort Worth Events Calendar.

Happy Holiday’s Everyone!

2013 Giving Thanks

1 Reply

Everyday, I try to look back on the things that I am thankful. We lived in an extraordinary world and it’s easy to forget how blessed we truly are. Today, I’d like to take a moment to look back over the last year on what I am thankful for…

My health. I am able to run, enjoy yoga and continue to live an active, healthy lifestyle.

My family, which I was lucky enough to have add a new member earlier this year – Miss Audrey, my niece. They are an incredible support system, build me up when I’m feeling low, and always have a way of bringing happy tears. I’m blessed to have an amazing Memere, who I miss daily and has taught me many things in life.

Friends. Near and Far. When we get together it’s like a beat was never missed. Let’s talk about an incredible support system. Wow. Honesty, craziness, laughing until there’s tears and comfort. To new friends, connections and experiences. Forever thankful.

Opportunities. Where to start. An extremely large company purchased the use of a photo, shadowing and pursuing a photography “hobby”, trips to incredible places, randomly coming across beautiful places, doors open when you least expect them. Walk with one foot in front of the other, keep going no matter how difficult the road is. Keep going.

Music. Yes, you get your own category. I can never put into words what music does for me, nor the feeling of coming across musicians that completely blow me away. I’ve had the opportunity to attend many shows this year and it’s really helped to bring me to where I am. Nothing can replace the feeling.

My job, my car, my home. Never should these be overlooked, even if the job can be difficult at times. I am thankful.

Life events. Wow. 29 really surrounds you with life events. Marriages. Babies – my niece among many others who have brought a new beautiful life into this world and those who are on their way. We really are growing up folks.

Parts of the past twelve months have been pretty difficult. I know I’ve been pretty difficult. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your support, laughs, new friendships, honesty, experiences, opportunities and everything that goes with it. I will never be able to repay those who have been my constant support. I love you all from the very bottom of my heart.

Let’s all make a little toast, raise your glass to the trains that we’ve missed, the ones that we’ll make and to remember to be thankful for those around us daily. We never know when they may not be here. Don’t let moments pass.

What are you thankful for this season?