Am I the only one who feels like Thanksgiving was yesterday? Between the late holiday and the ice storm that kept many of us from viewing some of the beautiful light displays around the Metroplex, it seems we’re getting a later start this year. So, now that we all have power again and are ready to get into the Christmas spirit, check out these light displays around Dallas-Fort Worth.
COLLIN COUNTY
Celebration of Lights at Watters Creek – An interactive light show complete with reindeer and a sleigh at the Watters Creek shopping and dining area entertains for three-minute shows every Monday through Saturday each half hour from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Celebration of Lights continues until Dec. 31 and is free.
Christmas in the Square Light Extravaganza – A Frisco native choreographed the 175,000-light show going on in downtown Frisco, set to holiday tunes. The light “extravaganza” goes on from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every evening until Jan. 4, 2014, and it’s free.
Deerfield Holiday Lights – Some festive folks involved in Northwest Plano’s Deerfield neighborhood association put together fantastic displays each year. Check out the lights every night until Dec. 31, except for Christmas Day.
Heard Museum Holiday Trail of Lights - Take in the sights and sounds of nature at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary's Holiday Trail of Lights. Music is synchronized to favorite Christmas tunes along Heard's nature trail, and live music acts will entertain. The event is on Dec. 14, 20 and 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and costs $9 for adults and seniors, and $6 for kids 3-12.
McKinney Parade of Lights – The Rotary Club is putting together a parade that will go through downtown McKinney on Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Themed the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” Santa will make an appearance for all McKinney families to enjoy.
DALLAS COUNTY
Highland Park Lights – Ride a carriage or just drive through the neighborhood to view some of the beautiful displays in the Park Cities. The best place to enter is at Armstrong Parkway and Preston Road, and the lights on Beverly Drive are pretty spectacular.
Vitruvian Lights – Head to Addison to see millions of LED lights illuminate Vitruvian Park. It’s happening every night until Jan. 1, 2014 and is free.
Take a gander down the historic Lakewood and Swiss Avenue areas, as well, for some beautiful displays.
ELLIS COUNTY
Prairie Lights – Two straight miles of family fun and food, as well as 4 million lights make Prairie Lights a must-see for the holiday season. Open now through Dec. 31.
TARRANT COUNTY
Fort Worth Annual Holiday Lights Tour – Head out to the Fort Worth Stockyards to grab a bite to eat before boarding a bus that will take you through several neighborhoods lit up for Christmas. It’s $5 per person (unless you’re under five and it’s free), which includes live music, refreshments and kids activities. Plus, Santa will pose for pictures. The Holiday Lights Tour is Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
ICE! At Gaylord Texan – Two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures and slides inspired by “The Nutcracker” fill this exhibit. The ice and lights inside the Gaylord are truly a sight to behold, but it’s absolutely frigid. Ice! featuring The Nutcracker runs until January 4, 2014.
Grapevine Parade of Lights – This parade is the largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas, including more than 100 floated lights. The Parade of Lights had be rescheduled because of the ice storm, so it’s now at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16. There’s a surprise at the end of the parade (hint: he wears red and has a beard!), and it’s free.
The Lights at Interlochen – Interlochen neighbors always go all out for their holiday lighting. The fun starts Saturday, Dec. 14 from 7 to 11 p.m. Click the hyperlink to see where to enter the Christmas light tour.