Discover 40+ winter activities in DFW for families — from Christmas lights and ice skating to cozy indoor fun across Plano, Dallas & Fort Worth.
Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly outings or iconic Texas holiday experiences, here are the best ways to make the most of the season.
Holiday events and Christmas activities in Dallas are plentiful this year. Think ahead to plan the ultimate New Year’s night out too!
Free and Budget-Friendly Winter things to do
If you’re looking for free and cheap things to do, we have a great list of fun options that will get you into the holiday spirit as a family
- Explore Downtown Plano — Walk among twinkling lights, shop local, and enjoy free outdoor concerts and photo ops.
- Check out The Star in Frisco — Free nightly lights and entertainment around Cowboys HQ.
- Explore Downtown Grapevine – The “Christmas Capital of Texas”. A short 30-minute drive from Plano and you can enjoy 1,400 Christmas events in 40 days, millions of lights, animated characters, and more!
- Visit Legacy West’s outdoor spaces — Enjoy window displays, patios, and live music events on weekends.
- Tour the Dallas Farmers Market — Seasonal pop-ups, handmade goods, and family photo spots.
- Go hiking or biking at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve — Get out and hike or bike some peaceful winter trails perfect for cooler days. You can explore Arbor Hills, Oak Point Park, or Russell Creek Park: 3 of our Plano Parks with a Scavenger Hunt Bundle.
- Enjoy a library activity — Plano Public Library branches host free storytimes, crafts, and workshops all season.
- Explore the Interurban Railway Museum in Plano — Free entry and full of local history.
- Find ways to give back – Make cards for your nearest Senior Living Facility or volunteer as a family. Our favorites are Feed My Starving Children in Richardson and Feed the City. Buy a gift for the Salvation Army Angel Tree.
Free Holiday Events around Dallas-Fort Worth
Christmas Tree Lighting
Visitors can watch the Park’s 45-foot Enchanted Christmas Tree come to life with more than 42,000 synchronized lights dancing to music.
Kaleidoscope Park, November 21, 6.30 pm – 9 pm. Free.
Miracle on 134th Street in Celina
- FREE Santa & Mrs. Claus meet & greet
- Carousel, train rides, and bounce house slides
- New Bungee Jumper
- Tons of lights
- Santa’s 8500 square foot workshop
- Lots of lovable characters to meet
- S’more pits
- Mrs.Claus’s Bakery with new, delicious food and drink options
- Face Painting
- Lots of photo opps
10455 Co Rd 133, Celina, November 26 – December 27. Free.
Holiday Tree Lighting
A festive day of activities and entertainment, photos with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, face painting, crafts, games, and a special show at the Nancy Best Fountain. The day celebrates the holidays with a performance of The Nutcracker, music by DJ Richy Smart, a visit from Santa’s friends Frosty and Rudolph, and Klyde Warren Park’s annual lighting of the Mayor’s Tree.
Klyde Warren Park, December 6, 4 pm – 7 pm. Free
Home for the Holidays – a McKinney Christmas
Stroll the 14-block area of McKinney’s 166-year-old commercial historic downtown for family activities, food, and entertainment. Enjoy a uniquely McKinney Christmas celebration with neighbors and visitors from near and far. Beautifully decorated and great for window shopping or grabbing cocoa.
Historic Downtown McKinney, November 28 – 30.
Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m
Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday, 12 – 5 p.m.
Tree lighting: Friday, 6:15 p.m. Free admission
Local Tip: Bookmark our Free Things to Do in DFW guide for even more budget-friendly fun and see many local Christmas lights in Dallas for free too.
What are the best free winter activities for families in DFW?
Visit places like Downtown Plano, Vitruvian Lights, or The Star in Frisco — all free to explore. Many local libraries also host free storytimes and craft events for kids.
Where can I take kids for fun without spending much?
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, Klyde Warren Park, and the Interurban Railway Museum are local favorites that don’t cost a thing.
Festive Holiday Experiences
In Plano, Allen Frisco, North Dallas, McKinney and Collin County
Christmas in the Square
Carriage rides, festive skating rink and Visits with Santa have a fee. Music-synced holiday lights, carriage rides, and a festive outdoor ice-skating rink.
Dates: November 21 – January 5 from 6pm – 10pm. Frisco Square, Main and Coleman. Cost: enjoy the lights for free.
Run or walk the Frisco Frosty 5K & Merry Mile
The Frosty 5K presented by Texas Health Hospital Frisco is a festive, fun run for all ages with a race through Frisco Square and the downtown area. It’s the perfect kickoff to the annual Merry Main Street event!
Date: Saturday, December 6, 8 am. Simpson Plaza.
Head to Allen for the Holly Jolly Celebration & 5K & Fun Run
This longstanding Allen tradition features an annual 5K and fun run, light displays, kid-friendly attractions, gourmet food trucks, festive beverages, holiday photo ops and the lighting of the City of Allen Christmas tree.
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025 4 pm – 8 pm in Downtown Allen. This is a free event.
Plano’s Dickens in Downtown
Family-friendly holiday festival with treats, music, and Santa visits . Bring the whole family for this annual celebration which includes photos with Santa, a snow slide, the Coffee and Cocoa Walk, the Children’s Entrepreneur Market, and a traditional tree lighting with the Plano Mayor and City VIPs. The downtown businesses will stay open late so guests can enjoy food and shopping. Free parking is available at the Plano Municipal Center (1520 K Avenue) and public lots off 14th Street
Date: Saturday, December 6 from 4-9pm in the historic Downtown Plano Arts District. Head to Haggard Park and McCall Plaza in 15th Street.
The Light Park
Enjoy a drive-thru experience of the holiday light displays, which are programmed in time with music. Pro-tip: Weekdays are less crowded. Pet Friendly, one ticket per car.
Dates: Nov 7 – Jan 4: Open Daily. Sundays – Thursdays: 5:30 – 10:00pm. Fridays & Saturdays: 5:30 – 11:00pm. The park will stay open until 11 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and nightly beginning December 19. Locations: Frisco Riders Field, 7300 Rough Riders Trail
Frisco, TX 75034 and Little Elm Park, 701 W Eldorado Pkwy. Cost from $39.99.
The Gift of Christmas at Prestonwood Baptist Church Plano
This visually stunning multimedia event is complete with special effects, a nearly 1,000-member cast and choir, live orchestra, flying angels and much more!
Dates: December 5 – 14, this one sells out, buy tickets now!
Holiday at the Heard Museum
Walk among glowing dinosaurs and forest trails. Bundle up your family, get out of the house, and experience the most unique family-friendly holiday event in North Texas. Holiday lights and décor will accentuate a lovely half-mile Heard nature trail. Your family will be enchanted by this nighttime hike through the woods. Also, you’ll get a glimpse of the Dinosaurs Live! exhibit along the trail. Please note that the dinosaurs will not be animated during the event.
Visit Dinosaurs Live! Life-size Animatronic Dinosaurs at the Heard Museum which will be open until March 1, 2026. This dinosaur exhibit at Heard Museum always gives families and friends a fun, educational activity to enjoy together. See the dinosaurs move and hear them roar! Photo op and play area dinosaurs will be available as well. This year, the exhibit also features an outdoor fossil dig. Dinosaurs Live! is included in general admission and free for Heard Museum members. This is a seasonal, annual exhibit. When it is open, it is available during regular hours of operation.
Dates: December 12 – 14, 6 pm – 9 pm. Location: Heard Museum McKinney. Tickets are $17 for adults & seniors and $14 for kids 3-12 (children 2 and under are free). Heard Museum Members are only $5 per person.
Choose a Real Christmas Tree
Pick your own to take home with you!
Visit and take photos with Santa
Fairview Town Center – All visits are by appointment only, which means no long lines!
Dates: November 29 to December 23. Location: 102 Fairview Station Parkway, Fairview, TX, 75069.
Santa Sightings at The Shops at Legacy – Get festive photos without long mall lines.
Dates: November 23, 2025 from 4 pm – 7 pm at Shops at Legacy, 5741 Legacy Dr, Plano, TX 75024.
Eat Breakfast with Santa at The Grove at Frisco Commons
Gather your family and friends for a delicious breakfast with St. Nick! Make special holiday memories that include a visit and picture with Santa, crafts, hot cocoa bar, and a special take home favor.
Date: December 6. Breakfast times: 8 – 9 a.m., 9:30 – 10:30 a.m, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Get in early, this one sells out FAST.
Here are more great places to Get your Santa photos!
Shop a Holiday Market
Neath the Wreath Holiday Gift Market – The four-day holiday gift market hosts over 13,000 shoppers and over 125 merchants each year from throughout Texas and beyond. The market features the best in unique holiday and home décor, ladies clothing, accessories, gifts, jewelry, children’s items, gourmet food, and more.
Dates: November 6-9, 2025
Stop by the Plano Holiday Market – Plano Holiday Market is a fun and free event that showcases unique handcrafted holiday gifts. Exhibitors have jewelry, handmade wood items, candles and soaps. There will also be a wonderful selection of tamales, brownies, cupcakes, jams, nuts and dips or gifts for holiday parties.
Dates: 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday, Nov. 22 and 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday, Nov. 23. Carpenter Park Recreation Center.
In Dallas, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Grapevine and Richardson
ICE! at Gaylord Texan Resort
A DFW holiday favorite featuring larger-than-life ice sculptures and indoor snow fun. This is an iconic winter attraction with themed displays and ice slides. . Step into the whimsical world of Buddy the Elf™ at ICE!, the signature holiday attraction. Journey through iconic scenes from the beloved film Elf™, brought to life in magnificent, hand-carved sculptures from more than 2 million pounds of ice. Capture epic photos, race down exhilarating, two-story ice slides, and immerse yourself in the holiday spirit, just like Buddy!
Dates: November 14 – January 4 at the Gaylord Texan Hotel, Grapevine. Fees vary for each attraction. Parking fees also apply.
Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s North Pole Express
Magical train rides through the “Christmas Capital of Texas.” Buy tickets early, this sells out FAST! Climb aboard Santa’s North Pole Express, where Christmas dreams come to life and joyful memories are made! Begin your merry adventure in the heart of Grapevine, where the Historic Cotton Belt District is transformed into the Grapevine Christmas Village!
Once aboard the train, you’ll be wrapped in the warmth of holiday cheer, surrounded by Classic Christmas decorations, cozy vintage coaches and friendly elves. The Santa’s North Pole Express ticket includes Christmas singalongs, special moments with Santa on board and Mrs. Claus before boarding the train, along with their favorite Christmas treats: Mrs. Claus’ Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie and Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk in a souvenir memory mug.
Your ticket includes a single 4×6 photo with Santa per family at the General Store. You can go take your photo before or after your excursion. Additional photos are available for purchase.
Dates: November 28 – December 30.
North Pole Texas at The Anatole Dallas
Celebrate the magic of the season at Christmas at the Anatole, Dallas’ premier holiday destination. Glide across the sparkling outdoor ice-skating rink, cozy up in a private Winter Glass Chalet, or sip seasonal cocktails at The Lodge. Families can delight in a festive ride on the holiday train, enjoy a cheerful breakfast with Santa, and discover even more holiday surprises throughout the iconic Hilton Anatole. From twinkling lights to joyful moments, it’s the holiday tradition your family will treasure year after year.
Dates: November 28 – January 4, 2026.
See a performance of The Nutcracker at Eisemann Center, Richardson
Dates: November 28 – 30, Chamberlain Ballet performers will be featured. December 20 – 21 you’ll see it performed by members of the Tuzer Ballet
Texas Christkindl Market in Arlington
Visitors will discover handcrafted gifts and collectibles, including exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt merchandise and designs from the iconic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village.
Dates: November 21 – 23 and November 28 – December 23.
The Trains at NorthPark
This unique, beloved, and visually stunning holiday exhibition featuring a fascinating array of miniature trains rolling across 1,600 feet of track on a journey through Dallas and America’s most iconic cityscapes. Your visit will also do good – proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.
Dates: opens November 15 until January 4, 2026.
Where: NorthPark Center Level 1 (across from Kona Grill).
Cost: $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for children (ages 2 – 12), $7.00 for senior citizens (age 65 and older), Children under 2 are admitted free. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
Snowday at Galleria
Come discover what magic awaits you on the other side of the where the elves play! An always-changing immersive holiday photo experience. SNOWDAY takes guests on an exploratory adventure through endless imaginative rooms and hundreds of surprises for all ages over the course of about an hour. Created to be a fully immersive and truly amazing journey, SNOWDAY features unique photo opportunities for guests to have fun, strike a pose, and snap a picture – including 6 extra-special photo moments with integrated cameras and professional lighting.
Dates: November 14 through January 4. Dallas Galleria.
Dallas Symphony Holiday Concert
A must-see tradition for music lovers. Families gather and celebrate the holidays with music when guest conductor Lawrence Loh, along with two popular vocalists, soprano Jasmine Habersham and baritone Reginald Smith, Jr., return to sing seasonal favorites for the holidays. Making things even more festive are the Dallas Symphony Chorus and Children’s Chorus. And, of course, what would Christmas Pops be without an audience sing-along and an appearance by that Jolly Old Elf, aka Santa Claus!
Dates: December 12 – 21. Where: Meyerson Symphony Center, Downtown Dallas.
Dallas Theater Center Holiday Performances
Watch A Christmas Carol!
Dates: Nov 28 – Dec 27, 2025 at the Dee & Charles Wyly Theatre, Dallas.
Six Flags Over Texas: Holiday in the Park
Rides, shows, and lights through New Year’s.
Local Tip: Visit our full Christmas Lights in Dallas & Collin County guide for the biggest displays and map.
FAQs
Where can families see Holiday Lights near Plano?
Check out Deerfield Plano, Heritage Farmstead Museum, Vitruvian Lights in Addison, The Light Park in Frisco and Frisco’s Christmas in the Square — all among DFW’s most popular spots.
What holiday events are best for young kids?
The Dallas Arboretum’s 12 Days of Christmas, Lights on the Farm at Heritage Farmstead Museum, Plano’s Dickens in Downtown, and the North Pole Express in Grapevine are magical for little ones.
Are there any free Christmas light shows in DFW?
Yes! Vitruvian Lights, Deerfield Plano, and Addison’s city park displays are all free to enjoy.
Indoor Play & Museum Days
Warm up with hands-on fun, creative play, and cultural adventures.
Kidzania at Stonebriar Centre Frisco
A kid-run city where little ones can try out real-world jobs at Kidzania.
Play Street Museum
Indoor pretend play for preschoolers.
The Dallas Museum of Art
Free admission, kids’ workshops, and art-making activities at the Dallas Museum of Art in Downtown Dallas.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Dinosaurs, gems, and interactive science exhibits at Perot Museum in Downtown Dallas.
The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary
Indoor exhibits and nature trails at Heard Museum in McKinney.
Frontiers of Flight Museum
Great for airplane lovers — and warm all winter long at Frontiers of Flight Museum!
Kid Mania
Burn off energy indoors on chilly days.
Bowlero or Pinstack Plano
Family bowling, arcade games, and dinner under one roof.
The Escape Game Plano
Team up at this Escape Room for indoor adventures – perfect for tweens and teens.
Local Tip: Don’t miss our Best Indoor Play Places list for rainy or cold-weather days.
FAQs
What are the best indoor activities for families during winter in DFW?
Try KidZania Frisco, or the Perot Museum for hands-on fun. For little ones, Play Street Museum and indoor playgrounds are great warm-up spots.
Are there educational indoor spots that kids love?
The Heard Museum and Dallas Museum of Art offer creative learning experiences in comfortable settings.
Where can teens go for indoor fun around Plano?
The Escape Game Plano, Pinstack, and KidZania all have activities older kids and teens will love.
Outdoor Adventures & Lights: Winter Things to do
Embrace the crisp air — and twinkling nights!
Watch a Holiday Parade
The Plano Holiday Parade is on Saturday, December 13 at 2 pm. Where: Downtown Plano – It will start at 18th Street at M Avenue, head west on 18th Street, turn south on Municipal Avenue, east on 15th Street, north on M Avenue, and end at the Bird Educational Center.
The Dallas Holiday Parade is on Saturday, December 6. Grab tickets now for bleacher seating, this one sells out! Where: The parade route begins at Commerce and Houston Streets downtown. DART is the best way to get to Downtown Dallas for the Dallas Holiday Parade.
See some Holiday Lights
Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden
Beautiful even in winter, with seasonal blooms and kids’ play areas. Dates: From Nov. 12 – Jan. 4. Holiday at the Arboretum transforms the Dallas Arboretum into a festive wonderland, blending cherished traditions with new experiences. Guests can stroll through the dazzling 12 Days of Christmas gazebos, shop and celebrate in our European-inspired Christmas Village, and admire the elegant Merry Monochromatic décor inside the historic DeGolyer House. New for 2025 they’re introducing Night Glow, powered by AURORA. This one-of-a-kind, after-dark experience illuminates the gardens with radiant, artist-curated light installations blending botanical beauty with luminous creativity for a truly unforgettable holiday experience.
Highland Park Lights
The best way to enjoy these lights are in horse-drawn carriage. For Brazos Carriages, head to the Transwestern Building, 3811 Turtle Creek Blvd. Dallas TX 75219. Reservations are a must! Park in the parking garage in the visitor’s area. For Highland Park Carriages, you’ll pick up at 4200 Oak Lawn Ave, Highland Park TX.
Deerfield Plano Lights
Drive or walk through holiday neighborhoods glowing with cheer. The Deerfield neighborhood in Plano, 75024. Enter on a street at the far north part of Deerfield, off Quincy Lane. Tweedsgate Drive is a good option. You can walk or book carriage rides through NorthStar Carriage.
Vitruvian Lights
The most dazzling and spectacular time of the year is here! Vitruvian Park transforms into a magical holiday wonderland during Vitruvian Lights.
Dates: November 22 – January 1, 2026. Free entry.
Lights on the Farm
Visit for winter tours and family farm days at the Heritage Farmstead Museum. Get ready to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit at the 5th annual Lights on the Farm. With over 1 million dazzling lights and unique holiday elements. Stroll through the beautiful Heritage Farmstead Museum’s 4-acre site and capture the perfect holiday photo. Indulge in delicious s’mores, hot cocoa, donuts, popcorn and more while enjoying the festive holiday music. Great for little and big kids.
Dates: November 28 – December 28. 6 pm – 9.30 pm.
Downtown Grapevine’s Carol of Lights
The “Christmas Capital of Texas” truly shines! Park and walk along the main street and enjoy the sparkling lights with displays dotted around en route.
Prairie Lights
This is a unique experience where you get to drive and walk. Prairie Lights is the premier holiday light park in Texas, located at Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie, Texas. It will feature a state-of-the-art light tunnel, a REIMAGINED magical walk-thru forest, CAPTIVATING animated light displays, carnival rides, photos with Santa, holiday shopping, and more!
Dates: Open every night from November 27 until December 31 from 6 pm
Dallas Zoo Lights
Enjoy over two million lights after the animals head in for the evening. NEW THIS YEAR: Experience double the magic with the NEW Dallas Zoo Lights Combo Ticket. Visit the animals in the afternoon, then stay to wander through a sparkling holiday wonderland — all in one ticket!
Nov. 15 – Jan. 4, 5.30 pm – 9 pm. Ticket prices for general admission start at $18, – NEW Combo Ticket: General admission + $10, – Dual-Passport Members: Starting at $15, – Patron and above Members: FREE.
Join a Christmas Lights, Chocolate & Sips Tour with Dallas by Chocolate Food Tours from December 1 – 30.
Local Tip: Check our DFW Parks & Trails Guide for easy winter hikes with kids.
Only-in-DFW Experiences
Unique attractions and annual events you can’t find anywhere else.
- Dallas Mavericks or Texas Legends Basketball Games — Family fun indoors with fast-paced energy.
- Stockyards Championship Rodeo in Fort Worth — Experience Texas culture at its best.
- The Texas Pool in Plano (Polar Plunge) — Plano’s most famous icy dip!
Local Tip: Check our Plano Events Calendar for updates on special pop-ups, shows, and new seasonal attractions.
And when school is out, Winter Camps are in!
