It’s not Christmas without a little Christmas light action — who doesn’t love driving around or shopping among the holiday lights in order to get into the holiday spirit? With Christmas Day just around the corner, here are nine different lights shows to be discovered in the area as the countdown to the big day draws near.
One of the best holiday light shows in the area can be found in Grand Prairie at Prairie Lights. From now until January 1, 2017, there are more than four million lights twinkling as visitors drive through this holiday attraction that takes a little under two hours to enjoy. There is also a Holiday Village set up halfway through where guests can get out and enjoy a laser show as well as food, rides and a photo op with Santa.
Where: Start at Lynn Creek Park, 5610 Lake Ridge Parkway, Grand Prairie
Admission: $25-$35 per car depending on day of week, light show and concession is an extra cost.
Ice! And Lone Star Christmas at the Gaylord Texan Resort from now until January 1, 2017, is a must on any list. There are two million twinkling lights, 15,000 ornaments, 2,300 decorated wreaths, a 54-foot-tall Christmas tree, an eight-foot-tall gingerbread house, Santa's Wild Workshop Snow Tubing, Cookies and Milk with Mrs. Claus, and carved ice made from more than two million pounds of ice spread across 125 acres that have magically been transformed into a winter wonderland.
Where: Gaylord Texan Resort, 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine
Admission: Prices vary
The lights at Interlochen in Arlington are twinkling until December 25, 2016, with more than 200 homes decorated with holiday lights. You can visit from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., but be prepared for lots of traffic since this light show has become a local favorite.
Where: Entrance at Westwood Dr. & Randol Mill Rd, Arlington
Admission: Free
Santa Claus loves NorthPark Center, telling his stories about the North Pole and wowing children for several decades now during story time with Santa Claus in his picture-book cottage. Line up to say hello to St. Nick from now until December 23, 2016. While there, you can also enjoy The Trains at NorthPark exhibit. The exhibit is home to more than 1,600 feet of train track, located on level two between Nordstrom and Macy’s.
Where: 8687 N Central Expressway, Dallas
Admission: Free
Enjoy the 12 Days of Christmas at the Dallas Arboretum until January 3, 2017. From Wednesday to Sunday, the Arboretum is open for special lighted nighttime showings with holiday music. A 25-foot-tall Victorian-style gazebo offers displays that coincide with the 12 Days of Christmas. 500,000 holiday lights illuminate the trees throughout. Visit the DeGolyer House on property where there is the “first year ever” exhibit called “The Claus Collection,” featuring Santa figures from around the world from Saint Nicholas to Father Christmas, Sinter Klaas or Papa Noel. There are also free photos with Santa for the kids until December 21, 2016.
Where: 8525 Garland Road, Dallas
Admission: Price varies depending on day of visit
Touring the lights and homes of the City Highland Park has been a tradition for the holiday season for more than 20 years. In this upscale Dallas location, there are more than one million Christmas lights twinkling. While you can drive through the neighborhoods, there is really no better way to see the lights than by a horse-drawn carriage. Carriages can be hired at nearby Highland Park Village from now until December 31, 2016.
Where: Christmas lights can be seen by entering the Highland Park neighborhood at Preston and Mockingbird, Dallas
Admission: Free to see the lights, carriage ride prices vary.
It’s a Texas-sized drive-though Christmas light experience at Texas Motor Speedway until December 30, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Gift of Lights light show features about 150 displays. At the end of the drive, you'll end up in Santa’s Village. In the village there are photos with Santa and a variety of holiday activities including some hot cocoa to get into the spirit.
Where: 3545 Lone Star Circle, Fort Worth
Admission: $25 per car, save $5 at the gate with an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.
Frisco’s Christmas in the Square is on its 12th year with more than 175,000 blinking lights and holiday music to set the mood. The event even has its own radio station — signs will direct you where to tune the radio once there. Whether you want to drive through or walk, the event takes place until January 1, 2017, and will feature an outdoor skating rink, carriage rides on some dates, and additional winter activities.
Where: Frisco Square, Main Street and Coleman Boulevard, Frisco
Admission: Free
Galleria Dallas is celebrating its 35th holiday season this year with the nation’s tallest indoor Christmas tree. The tree is the perfect showcase for a variety of holiday activities like ice skating, Santa Claus Village, and of course, shopping until December 24, 2016.
Where: 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas
Admission: Free, some activities prices vary