For my family there is something about Christmas lights that makes even an ordinary evening feel a little more special. Which might be driving down a street where every house seems to be competing to see who can hang the most lights. Maybe it’s stopping to look at a Christmas tree taller than your house, listening to Christmas music, or watching children point out their favorite decorations from the back seat.
For our family, some of the best holiday memories have never been about spending a lot of money. They’ve been about getting out, enjoying the season, finding something fun to do together, and making memories along the way. And that’s exactly what I want us to do this Christmas.
Here at Greatful Moments, we’re starting our Christmas Around North Texas coverage to help families find Christmas lights, community tree lightings, holiday parades, trolley rides, bus tours, and other seasonal activities throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
We’re not just looking at Dallas and Fort Worth. We’re including the smaller communities, neighborhood celebrations, and local traditions that make North Texas such a wonderful place to celebrate Christmas. Whether you’re planning a family night out, looking for a free Christmas activity, or hoping to find a way to enjoy the lights without driving all over town, we want to help you find something special.
Christmas Lights and Holiday Displays Around North Texas– One of the things I love about Christmas is that every community celebrates a little differently. Some towns have enormous Christmas trees, some decorate their downtown streets, and others turn entire neighborhoods into holiday destinations.
Here are some places to put on your Christmas outing list for 2026.
North Richland Hills: Holiday Lights on Hawk Avenue– We’re starting close to home!
North Richland Hills is bringing back its Holiday Lights on Hawk Avenue, with thousands of twinkling lights, holiday scenery, and a 46-foot Christmas tree. Which is something new for my family to go see and I can’t wait.
- Dates: November 23, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Hours: Nightly at dusk, approximately 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Hawk Avenue near the NRH Centre and NRH Library
- Admission: Check the city’s event information for current details.
The city’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting will take place Thursday, December 3, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Stormy Plaza, 9010 Grand Avenue. Families can enjoy Santa, children’s crafts, school choirs, a holiday market, and food available for purchase. Official information:
Richland Hills: Christmas Tree Lighting– Our neighbors in Richland Hills are also getting ready for Christmas! The community will gather Friday, December 4, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at City Plaza, 6750 Baker Boulevard.
Families can look forward to:
- Christmas tree lighting
- Free visits with Santa
- Local choir and dance performances
- Holiday crafts for children
- A snow sledding hill
It’s another wonderful opportunity to enjoy a hometown Christmas celebration. Official information:
Dallas: Christmas Lights and Holiday Traditions Dallas is about 30 minutes to a hour from my home and it offers several ways to enjoy the Christmas season, from elaborate holiday displays to neighborhood lights.
Some places to watch for include:
- Holiday at the Dallas Arboretum
- Dallas Zoo Lights
- Highland Park Christmas lights
- University Park holiday decorations
- Downtown Dallas holiday celebrations
Dallas Zoo Lights begins November 13, 2026, with select evenings through January 3, 2027.- The event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets start at $19, with public parking listed at $15. The experience is a walk-through display. Official information:
Fort Worth: Christmas in the Garden– The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is another destination to watch for this Christmas. Christmas in the Garden is scheduled to begin November 20, 2026, and continue through January 3, 2027. Families can enjoy illuminated garden displays and seasonal decorations. Timed-entry tickets are required, so check the official event information before making plans.
Fort Worth: Gift of Lights– If your family enjoys looking at Christmas lights without getting out of the car, put Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway on your list.
- Dates: November 26, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Location: Texas Motor Speedway, 3545 Lone Star Circle, Fort Worth
- Experience: A two-mile drive-through Christmas light display featuring approximately three million lights.
It’s a great option for families who want to stay warm, listen to Christmas music, and enjoy the lights together. Official website:
Grapevine: Christmas Capital of Texas– Grapevine is one of those places that deserves a spot on every North Texas Christmas outing list. With its historic Main Street, seasonal decorations, holiday shopping, and Christmas celebrations, there’s plenty to explore. The 47th Annual Grapevine Parade of Lights is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 7 p.m. along Main Street. This year’s theme is Christmas Miracle on Main Street. Official information:
Christmas Lights by Bus, Trolley, or Train– Now here’s something I particularly want families to know about. You don’t always have to drive yourself around looking at Christmas lights. There are holiday tours and public transportation options worth investigating throughout North Texas. Sometimes the ride itself can become part of the Christmas memory!
Dallas Christmas Lights Bus Tours– Dallas-area operators offer seasonal Christmas lights tours, including trips through Highland Park and University Park, where some of the most elaborate residential decorations can be found.
One option to investigate is Dallas Christmas Tours, which advertises public and private holiday tours. Public tours are listed with evening departure times and approximately 90-minute experiences. Check the operator’s current schedule, prices, and available dates before booking.
The T and Trinity Metro– Families in Fort Worth and surrounding communities may also want to explore Trinity Metro, commonly known as The T. Its buses and transportation connections can help families get around Fort Worth and reach certain holiday activities. We’re keeping an eye out for special Christmas transportation events and seasonal rides as schedules become available.
DART in Dallas– Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) provides another transportation option for families planning a holiday outing. Depending on where you’re going, DART buses and trains can help you reach downtown Dallas, holiday events, and other seasonal destinations. The important thing is to check the route and operating schedule before leaving home. Not every Christmas light display is accessible by public transportation.
Trinity Railway Express– The Trinity Railway Express connects Fort Worth and Dallas, providing another option for families planning an outing between the two cities. Watch for seasonal excursions and special holiday events, including opportunities to make a train ride part of your Christmas celebration.
Please note: Regular transportation service does not necessarily mean there is a special Christmas lights route. We’ll update this guide as operators announce confirmed holiday rides, schedules, and ticket information.
Don’t Forget the Small Town Christmas Celebrations– Some of my favorite holiday outings aren’t necessarily the biggest or most expensive ones. Sometimes it’s a little downtown decorated for Christmas, a community tree lighting, a local parade, or a neighborhood where everyone gets involved. As we continue building our Christmas Around North Texas guide, we’ll be adding activities from:
- Watauga
- Richland Hills
- Haltom City
- Hurst
- Euless
- Bedford
- Keller
- Southlake
- Grapevine
- Roanoke
- Flower Mound
- Arlington
- Grand Prairie
- Burleson
- Cleburne
- Denton
- McKinney
We also want to include the mom-and-pop businesses, local shops, community organizations, and smaller towns that help make Christmas special.
A Few Things to Check Before Heading Out– Before loading everyone into the car or purchasing tickets, take a few minutes to check:
- Dates and times: Some Christmas displays operate nightly, while others are only open on select evenings.
- Admission: Look for free activities and family-friendly prices.
- Parking: Check whether parking is included or costs extra.
- Transportation: If you’re taking a bus or train, confirm the return schedule too.
- Accessibility: Check walking distances, seating, and accessibility information.
- Weather: Texas weather can change quickly, so dress accordingly.
- Reservations: Some tours and special events require advance tickets.
Christmas doesn’t have to be expensive to be special. Sometimes it’s a ride through a neighborhood, a stop to admire a beautiful Christmas tree, a little hot chocolate, or an evening spent together looking at Christmas lights. That’s what I want this guide to be about.
At Greatful Moments, we’re always looking for ways to help families spend time together, discover something new, and appreciate the little moments that become our favorite memories. We’ll continue updating this page as more North Texas communities announce their 2026 Christmas events, holiday transportation schedules, light displays, and special family activities.
If you know of a Christmas light display, tree lighting, holiday bus tour, trolley ride, or community celebration we should include, please reach out through our contact page. We would love to hear about it! Because Christmas isn’t just about what’s underneath the tree. It’s about the people gathered around it.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
Greatful Moments
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
