Magic has filled the air and entertainment venues across Fort Worth will soon be filled with holiday cheer. Sleigh this holiday season + keep your family entertained with our full list of holiday happenings.
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Lightscape | Friday, Nov. 17-Monday, Jan. 1 | $15+
Get ready for an immersive holiday experience in the garden illuminated with a 1.2-mile-long path featuring millions of lights, artistic installations, and singing trees.
Holiday in the Garden | Saturday, Dec. 9 | Cost of purchase
Celebrate the season by shopping the wares of 50+ artisan vendors hosted by Wandering Roots Markets and enjoy tasty treats from gourmet food trucks.
Bass Performance Hall
“Home for the Holidays” | Friday, Nov. 24-Sunday, Nov. 26 | $36+
Catch a glimpse of old Saint Nick as the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra performs beloved family favorites, complete with magical snowfall and Christmas carols.
“The Nutcracker” | Friday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Dec. 24 | $25+
Watch the magic unfold as Texas Ballet Theater presents the holiday classic about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve. The Nutcracker will also play at Winspear Opera House in Dallas from Friday, Nov. 24 to Sunday, Dec. 3.
Dickies Arena has been nominated for a variety of awards since opening in 2019. | Photo via @arcpointstudios
Dickies Arena
Jingle Ball | Tuesday, Nov. 28 | $33+
106.1 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball will feature a star-studded lineup including Jelly Roll, Flo Rida, Big Time Rush, and Paul Russell.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra | Friday, Dec. 8 | $43+
The progressive rock band is best known for its Capra-esque trilogy of holiday records: “Christmas Eve & Other Stories,” “The Christmas Attic,” and “The Lost Christmas Eve.”
“A Drummer Boy Christmas” | Friday, Dec. 15 | $29+
Grammy award-winning group for King + Country will perform a festive show with stunning visuals, lighting, and stage effects for a high-octane show.
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland | Sunday, Dec. 17 | $25+
The must-see holiday circus blends acrobats, aerialists, and hilarious hi-jinks in an all-new musical journey.
Pentatonix: A Christmas Spectacular | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | $30+
Arlington’s own a cappella group will perform holiday hits alongside folk trio Girl Named Tom, season 21 winners of “The Voice.”
Downtown
Parade of Lights | Sunday, Nov. 19 | $0-$30
Hundreds of floats will make their way through downtown during this annual parade with TCU head coach Sonny Dykes as the Grand Marshal. An opening ceremony will kick off the festive fun at 6 p.m. at Weatherford and Throckmorton Streets.
Christmas Tree Lighting | Wednesday, Dec. 6 | Free
The 56-foot-tall Christmas tree is adorned with 10,000 LEDs and ornaments — it’s the perfect place to take that holiday card picture.
On the first Friday of each month, the Modern and Café Modern will team up for live music. | Photo by The Modern
The Modern Art Museum
Modern Lights | Runs through Thursday, Feb. 4 | Free
The museum will light up with a spectacular illumination of dazzling lights. Guests can enjoy “Dinner with Lights” on Friday evenings and extended hours until 8 p.m.
You won’t look silly. We promise.
Photo courtesy of @theshopsatclearfork
The Shops at Clearfork
Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot | Thursday, Nov. 23 | Donated-based
The annual Thanksgiving race runs along the Clearfork trail with 1K, 5K, and 8K courses. Proceeds support programs at The Y including childcare, water safety lessons, summer camp, and youth sports.
Jingle Bell Run | Saturday, Nov. 25 | Donation-based
Wear your favorite holiday costume and spread good cheer for a great cause. Proceeds will help the Arthritis Foundation develop tools, resources, and opportunities to connect.
Photos with Santa | Friday, Nov. 24-Sunday, Dec. 24 | $22+
Make a reservation in advance or join the walk-up line to take a photo with Santa. Plus, take a stroll through the local stores to get your holiday shopping done.
A Clearfork Christmas | Runs through Sunday, Dec. 24 | Prices vary
Head to The Shops at Clearfork to take photos with the larger-than-life tree and Santa + shop for holiday gifts from local shops and vendors.
Spaceship or theater? We don’t care as long as we can go inside. | Photo by @photogkeith
Casa Mañana
The Pin-Up Girls Christmas | Wednesday, Nov. 8-Saturday, Nov. 18 | $65
The Pin-Up Girls are back with heartfelt holiday classics and some off-the-wall musical surprises. Note: The performance is suitable for most audiences.
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical” | Friday, Nov. 24-Saturday, Dec. 23 | $24+
Based on the best-selling book, the show is a hilarious and heartwarming tale involving the Three Wise Men, a ham, scared shepherds, and six rowdy kids. A sensory-friendly performance will be held on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 11 a.m.
Christmas in the Movies | Tuesday, Nov. 28-Saturday, Dec. 16 | $65
Enjoy soundtracks from the classic “White Christmas” to “Elf,” plus “Love Actually,” “The Polar Express,” and “Meet Me in St. Louis.”
Fort Worth Stockyards
Holidays in the Stockyards | December | Free
It’s a Cowboy Christmas tradition with thousands of twinkling lights, a 30-ft tree, carolers, and photos with Santa.
Stockyards Rodeo Rink | Monday, Nov. 20-Sunday, Jan. 7 | $20+
Head to the lawn of the Livestock Exchange Building (121 E. Exchange Ave.) to check out the ice rink, Cowboy Santa’s Winter Wonderland, live music, and family activities.
Legendary Tree Lighting | Friday, Nov. 24 | Must be a hotel guest
Kick off the magical holiday season with the Christmas tree lights at Hotel Drover. Enjoy complimentary festive delights and watch in awe as the magnificent tree illuminates the night.
12 Days of Drover | Wednesday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Dec. 24 | Must be a hotel guest
The signature holiday experience will feature a live reindeer, photos with Cowboy Santa, and holiday-inspired treats.
Will Rogers Memorial Center hosts all kinds of cultural and sporting events.
Photo by @photogkeith
Will Rogers Memorial Center
Funky Finds: A Holiday Shopping Experience | Saturday, Nov. 18 + Sunday, Nov. 19 | Free
This year’s holiday market will feature Santa, opportunities to shop local vendors, a charitable raffle, and pet adoptions.
Handel’s Messiah | Saturday, Dec. 9 | $41+
Performed by Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Handel’s famous oratorio is an annual tradition for orchestras around the world.
Historic Downtown Grapevine
North Pole Express | Friday, Nov. 24-Saturday, Dec. 23 | $6-$40
Experience a magical ride aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad with chocolate chip cookies, Santa’s frosty chocolate milk, and a keepsake memory mug. Bonus: This year’s excursion also includes a ride from Stockyards Station on Thursday, Dec. 7. Note: Tickets are sold out, but you can join a waiting list.
Christmas Wine Train | Thursday, Nov. 30 + Thursday, Dec. 14 | $52-$395
Get in the holiday spirit with a festive adults-only (21+) train ride. A ticket includes hors d’oeuvres, two glasses of Texas wine, a souvenir glass, and a special visit from Santa. Note: Tickets are sold out, but you can join a waiting list.
Peace Plaza Skating Rink | Monday, Nov. 20-Sunday, Jan. 7 | $20
Visitors can skate on a 4,500-sqft outdoor ice rink at Peace Plaza at Grapevine Main Station. It’s also the perfect place to take your holiday pictures next to the 50-ft Christmas tree and larger-than-life ornaments.
Elf Adventure | Friday, Nov. 24-Saturday, Dec. 23 | $3-$10
Step inside Santa’s workshop and create a brass luggage or gift tag, metal tinsel, wooden train ornament, and holiday bookmark.
Holiday Performances and Movies | Friday, Nov. 10-Friday, Dec. 29 | $6-$50
The Historic Palace Theatre will stream holiday classics like “Home Alone,” “Elf,” and “The Santa Clause” along with live performances like the “Nutcracker” and “Reba — The Christmas Tribute.”
Christmas at Gaylord Texan | Friday, Nov. 10-Sunday Dec. 31 | $20+
Step inside a holiday showcase like no other with larger-than-life sculptures of ice from the story of “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” and frozen slides made out of two million pounds of ice.
Drive through a tunnel of lights at Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie.
Photo by @prairielights
Light installations
Tell Family Lights | Runs through Saturday, Dec. 30 | Donation-based
The iconic holiday attraction features synchronized lights with songs playing on 99.9 FM. Bonus: Submit a song for your chance to control the lights.
Sugar Lane Lights | Runs through Saturday, Dec. 30 | $35+
Created by Tell Family Lights, the mile-long journey in Haslet features a 50-ft mega tree and seven different tunnels with 200,000+ lights.
Gift of Lights | Runs through Sunday, Dec. 31 | $35
Drive through the Texas Motor Speedway for a hypnotizing two-mile light park that features millions of lights.
Interlochen Lights | Runs through Monday, Dec. 25 | Free
Located in the Interlochen neighborhood of Arlington, the 45-year tradition includes 200+ homes with festive lights and holiday-themed displays.
Prairie Lights | Runs through Sunday, Dec. 31 | $50
This Grand Prairie tradition features a magical drive-through tunnel of lights and outdoor activities like the holiday village carnival rides.
