University Park Christmas Events & Things to Do 2025

Experience the magic of the holiday season with a private Christmas lights tour through Dallas' most enchanting neighborhoods, Highland Park and University Park. This customizable excursion offers luxury transportation and the flexibility to include stops for dining and drinks, ensuring a festive and memorable celebration.

Embark on a magical journey with Trains at NorthPark, a cherished holiday tradition in Dallas. This captivating exhibition features an extensive display of miniature trains winding through meticulously crafted scenes of iconic cityscapes. It's a visually stunning experience designed to delight all ages, offering a unique blend of festive fun...

Embark on a magical journey through Highland Park on the Holiday Lights Trolley Ride. This enchanting 1-hour tour offers a comfortable and festive way to experience the dazzling light displays that adorn the neighborhood. Hop aboard a heated, old-time trolley and let their guides lead you through a winter wonderland,...

Embark on a magical holiday journey through Dallas' most dazzling Christmas lights in the prestigious Park Cities. This festive tour showcases the spectacular decorations of Highland Park and University Park, offering a truly enchanting experience. With comfortable minibus transportation and opportunities to capture memorable photos, it's the perfect way to...

Embark on a magical journey to the North Pole with the Santaland Express, a simulated train ride leading to Santa's majestic chalet. Experience the wonder as Santa greets children by name, knowing their deepest wishes. For an extended holiday adventure, combine your visit with SNOWDAY, an immersive wonderland featuring festive...

Galleria Dallas transforms into a winter wonderland, hosting one of the nation's most celebrated holiday events. Visitors can meet Santa at Santaland, experience the immersive SNOWDAY photo attraction, and witness the illumination of a spectacular 95-foot-tall Christmas tree. The festivities include dazzling ice skating shows, live holiday performances by local...

Dallas Zoo Lights transforms the zoo into a winter wonderland with over two million dazzling lights and enchanting lanterns. Visitors can capture festive holiday memories with themed photo opportunities and even meet Santa Claus. This popular holiday event promises a magical experience for all ages.

Experience a vibrant holiday season at Crayola Experience Plano's Colorful Christmas. This attraction transforms into a festive wonderland with hands-on crafts, a seasonal scavenger hunt, and unique character meet-and-greets. Children can write letters to Santa and enjoy stories from holiday characters, all within the colorful and creative environment that Crayola...

Prepare to be enchanted by Coppell Merry and Bright 2, a spectacular drive-through holiday light display. This event transforms the night into a wonderland of synchronized lights set to cheerful holiday music. Visitors can immerse themselves in a magical journey through festive scenes and dazzling decorations, creating unforgettable memories for...

Flower Mound welcomes the holiday season with its annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. This festive event includes a vibrant parade with themed entries, a ceremonial tree lighting, and the Reindeer Run 5K and Grinch Sprint. Participants can enjoy post-run refreshments and photos with Santa and the Grinch, while...

Step into the whimsical world of Buddy the Elf™ at ICE!, a breathtaking attraction featuring over 10 immersive scenes from the beloved holiday film. Marvel at colossal ice sculptures, hand-carved from two million pounds of ice by master artisans. Experience the thrill of two-story ice slides and capture unforgettable photo...

Grapevine, Texas, proudly earns its title as the 'Christmas Capital of Texas®,' offering an unparalleled holiday experience. With over 1,400 festive events spanning 40 days, visitors can immerse themselves in millions of lights, captivating decorations, and animated characters. From the enchanting North Pole Express train ride to lively ice skating...

Step into a magical holiday wonderland at the Grapevine Carol of Lights. This cherished event transforms Historic Main Street into a festive spectacle, adorned with dazzling lights and charming decorations. Experience the joy of the season with live entertainment and community traditions that capture the spirit of Grapevine, the Christmas...

Christmas JoyPark invites visitors to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with a faith-filled, family-friendly experience. Explore a walkable trail of lights, a stunning walkthrough Nativity, and enjoy live entertainment including caroling and a Nativity play. Kids will love the bounce houses, slides, cookie decorating, and face painting, while everyone...

Frisco Square transforms into a winter wonderland for its 20th anniversary Christmas in the Square. Experience North Texas' largest choreographed light and music show, featuring over 180,000 lights and dazzling displays. Enjoy real ice skating at Skate the Square, meet Santa, and take enchanting carriage rides. This free event offers...

Get into the holiday spirit at High Street Antiques & Design's festive open house. Discover unique, one-of-a-kind treasures perfect for your holiday shopping list. Enjoy special sales, complimentary lemonade and cookies, and exciting store gift card giveaways. Visitors are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to support the Plano...

Discover unique, handcrafted gifts and local Texas products at the Grapevine Christmas Market, nestled in the heart of the Christmas Capital of Texas. This charming market, located at the Town Square Gazebo, offers a delightful opportunity to meet artisans and find that perfect, one-of-a-kind present for everyone on your list....

Immerse yourself in the festive spirit at the Texas Christkindl Market, a cherished Arlington tradition. Discover a magical European-style holiday experience with numerous vendors offering handcrafted gifts, collectibles, and exclusive items from Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Enjoy live entertainment and a special visit with Santa.

Step into a winter wonderland at McKinney's 'Home for the Holidays' festival! This beloved event transforms Historic Downtown McKinney into a festive hub with a magical tree lighting ceremony, delightful carousel rides, and cherished visits with Santa Claus. It's the perfect opportunity to embrace the holiday spirit with family-friendly activities...

Discover unique handmade crafts and gifts at the Bobcat Dazzler Holiday Market. This festive event showcases a variety of vendors offering artisanal products perfect for holiday shopping. Explore the market for one-of-a-kind finds and get into the holiday spirit.

Experience the magic of The Nutcracker, a cherished holiday tradition brought to life by Texas Ballet Theater. This enchanting performance features Tchaikovsky's timeless score and captivating choreography, transporting audiences to a world of wonder with swirling snowflakes and dreamlike characters. It's the perfect way to awaken your holiday spirit and...

Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Irving Symphony Orchestra's 'Home for the Holidays' concert. This beloved event features cherished carols performed by talented ISO musicians, alongside renowned tenor Charles Billingsley, Guest Conductor Filippo Ciabatti, and the Irving Chorale. Join in for a heartwarming audience singalong and a...

Experience the magic of the season at the 'Home for the Holidays' concert, a cherished annual tradition. This heartwarming performance features the acclaimed Christian artist Charles Billingsley, known for his extensive career and numerous #1 hits. Joining him are the talented voices of the Plano West Senior High School Choir,...

Experience a beloved North Texas Christmas tradition with 'Scrooge, The Musical,' a vibrant stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol.' This high-quality production features music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and promises a joyous, family-friendly holiday experience. Join them for a captivating performance that has been a sell-out success...

Allen Civic Ballet presents its enchanting annual production of 'The Nutcracker Ballet' in December 2025. This magical holiday favorite transports audiences to the Land of Sweets, featuring Clara's adventure with her Nutcracker, a battle against the Mouse Queen, and delightful dances from characters like the Snow Queen and Arabian Queen....

Lights All Night returns to Dallas for its 15th year, promising an unforgettable New Year's Eve celebration. This premier multi-day dance event transforms Dallas Market Hall into a cyber-futuristic cityscape, pulsating with neon lights and electrifying sound. Experience a diverse lineup of top-tier electronic music artists across three stages, all...

All aboard for a festive holiday journey on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad's Christmas Wine Train! This unique experience offers a delightful escape, combining the charm of a vintage train ride with the sophisticated pleasure of wine tasting. Enjoy the scenic views as you travel through Grapevine, all while savoring a...

Join SMU for their cherished 47th annual Celebration of Lights, a beloved holiday tradition since 1977. Experience the magic as President R. Gerald Turner reads the Christmas Story, enjoy captivating student music performances, and witness the spectacular lighting of the Christmas tree and surrounding landscape on Dallas Hall Lawn. Delight...

Experience the festive spirit at Holidays at Heritage, an event celebrating the holiday season. Immerse yourself in the cheerful atmosphere with beautiful decorations and seasonal displays.

Experience the joy of the season at Richardson's 53rd Annual Christmas Parade! This beloved community tradition features a dazzling procession along Plano Road with floats themed 'Holidays Around the World.' Join residents in celebrating the festive spirit, or consider participating by entering a float and donating toys to a great...

Experience Prestonwood's beloved tradition, 'The Gift of Christmas,' a visually stunning multimedia event that brings the Christmas story to life. This awe-inspiring production features a nearly 1,000-member cast and choir, a live 50-piece orchestra, special effects, flying angels, live animals, and a breathtaking living nativity. With elaborate staging, a massive...

Experience the magic of the holiday season at Carpenter Park Recreation Center's 'Breakfast with Santa.' This cherished annual event transforms the center into a charming winter wonderland, offering a delightful morning filled with festive breakfast treats, engaging holiday crafts, and the highlight of the event – a special visit from...

Get ready for the electrifying Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza, presented by the Dallas Cowboys at The Star in Frisco. This free, highly anticipated holiday event promises to bring festive cheer and magic to the DFW area. While details for the 2025 season are forthcoming, past events have included a vibrant lineup...

The 2025 Arlington Holiday Lights Parade promises a magical evening with thousands gathering for a spectacular display of lights and community spirit. The festivities include indoor and outdoor Reindeer Games, opportunities for photos with Santa, and live entertainment. The highlight is the dazzling parade, culminating in the lighting of a...

Lace up your running shoes and don your festive gear for the Santa Scurry 5K in Keller, TX! This exciting evening race is part of the larger Keller HollyDays celebration, featuring a tree lighting, a light parade, and a laser show. Participants receive a special medal that doubles as a...

Experience the magic of the 26th annual McKinney Rotary Christmas Parade of Lights, themed "Christmas Around the World." This beloved community event brings together local organizations and residents for a festive evening. Enjoy beautifully decorated floats and a vibrant holiday atmosphere in Historic Downtown McKinney. Free trolley service is available...