✨ Experience holiday magic IRL at this historic Dallas hotel
Presented by The Adolphus
Get ready for the merriest and brightest time of year. | Photos courtesy of The Adolphus
Dreaming about a dazzling day trip or a staycation that sleighs?
We have the road map for planning an unforgettable experience all in one place: The Adolphus.
This iconic Dallas destination transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland each year, welcoming back festive traditions and stunning decor designed by Dallas-based Dr. Delphinium. The hotel features elaborate holiday displays, including the city’s tallest live tree — a breathtaking 25-foot Balsam fir from Michigan, adorned with twinkling lights, gold ribbons, and glass ornaments.
But the festive fun doesn’t stop there. Here’s what’s waiting for you:
⛷️ Winter Village
Head to the hotel’s seventh-floor rooftop terrace and be transported to a picturesque après-ski scene complete with cozy chalets, fuzzy blankets, and sophisticated winter cocktails inspired by classic holiday movies. Enjoy the panoramic views of downtown Dallas while indulging in a festive menu blending French-inspired cuisine with Texas favorites. Reservations are encouraged and all cabanas and chalets include a bottle of champagne.
🕯️ Candlelight concert
Let the renowned Listeso String Quartet fill your evening with holiday cheer on Dec. 21 and 22. Each enchanting performance includes beloved classics like selections from “The Nutcracker” and takes place at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Secure your tickets for an unforgettable night of music.
🥂 Festive feasts + merry libations
Otto’s Coffee & Fine Foods | The Adolphus’ in-house Viennese-inspired coffee shop’s new holiday menu features festive beverages + seasonal treats, including: Sugar Cookie Lattes, Caramel Apple Cider, and spirited twists on classics like a Caramel Apple Martini or Apple Old Fashioned.
Holiday Tea | Now through Jan. 5, experience one of the city’s most cherished festive traditions in the beautiful and historic French Room. (Reservations are required.)
Holiday Dining | This season, the charming French Room Bar is transformed into a festive haven, inviting guests to unwind by the roaring fireplace or the stunning black marble bar with two delightful menus: Holiday Brunch and Dinner. (Reservations are encouraged.)
Plan your visit and immerse yourself in the spirit of the season.
Texas Christkindl Market | Monday, Dec. 9-Monday, Dec. 23 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Globe Life Field North Plaza, Arlington | Cost of purchase | Visit the Kathe Wohlfahrt tent to find a gift from the world-renowned German company during this annual holiday market.
Dallas Cowboys | 7:15 p.m. | AT&T Stadium, Arlington | $19+ | Think Joe Burrow will take the Batmobile when the Cincinnati Bengals come to play “America’s Team?”
Tuesday, Dec. 10
“Dutch Art in a Global Age” | Tuesday, Dec. 10-Sunday, Feb. 9 | Times vary | Kimbell Art Museum | $3+ | Peruse works by Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Gerrit Dou, and more in this collaborative exhibition with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s collection.
David Archuleta | 7 p.m. | Arlington Music Hall, Arlington | $26+ | The “American Idol” runner-up will perform holiday classics in this festive concert.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
Yule Ball | 5-6 p.m. | Vivian J. Lincoln Library | Free | Don your fancy dress to paint a dragon egg, make gillyweed slime, and try your hand in the Triwizard tournament at this family-friendly Harry Potter gala.
Gingerbread Build-Off and Holiday Party | 6-8 p.m. | Pella Windows & Doors of Fort Worth | Free | Grab your friends and a gingerbread house kit + construct a prize-winning edible mansion.
Thursday, Dec. 12
Billy Strings | 6:30 p.m. | Dickies Arena | $59.50+ | The GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass artist recently collaborated with the legendary Willie Nelson.
Turnpike Troubadours | Thursday, Dec. 12 | 9 p.m. | Billy Bob’s Texas | $50+ | The country band from Tahlequah, Oklahoma behind “Pay No Rent” will take the stage at the world’s largest honky-tonk.
Friday, Dec. 13
Jurassic Quest | Friday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Dec. 15 | Times vary | Dickies Arena | $27+ | Grab pter-iffic tickets to play with prehistoric animatronic creatures before they go extinct.
Disney’s “Frozen” | Friday, Dec. 13-Saturday, Dec. 14 | Times vary | Will Rogers Memorial Center | $46+ | The snow never bothered the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra anyway.
The NCAA college football bowl games were announced yesterday + multiple Texas teams will be on the gridiron again this season. TCU will take on Louisiana in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 28 in Albuquerque. Check out WFAA Sports for the full list.
Development
Centurion American Development Group is set to start construction on 4,000 homes in north Fort Worth early next year. The 1,825-acre development known as Alpha Ranch is located off TX-114 and will be constructed in two phases, the first of which will include ~1,300 homes. (The Dallas Morning News)
Mansion Monday
Live your dude ranch dreams — a 586-acre ranch resort hit the market ~1 hour west of Cowtown in Mineral Wells. K6 Ranch features a 7,200-sqft newly constructed main house, infinity pool, guest quarters, 12 ponds, five freshwater wells, 126 acres of hay fields, and 100 acres of native pasture.
Featured
Two TCU alum were included on Forbes 30 under 30 list. Austin Patry and Sophia Karbowski, who met in an entrepreneurship course their senior year, launched Rollin’ n Bowlin’, a food truck serving acai bowls at the TCU student union. Now, the pair runs Realsy, a healthy snack company available throughout the US.
Eat
The new HG Sply Co. in Alliance reopened last week after a fire. The restaurant originally opened in November, but caught fire four days later and was forced to close for renovation. Head to Texas Sage Trail for the restaurant’s signature guacamole-filled vegan cashew queso.
Seasonal
Want to countdown to Christmas Cowtown-style? Head to the Honkytonk Holidays Pop-up Bar in the Stockyards to sip festive cocktails at the “Have a Willie Merry Christmas,” “Have a Holly Dolly Christmas,” or “Cowboy Christmas” themed experiences. Grab tickets in advance + to bring your camera to snap some holiday pics.
Number
$590,000. That’s how much money M2G Ventures raised for depression research during its Art of the Mind gala last month. This was the fifth year the company — which funded multiple Stockyards developments — has partnered with UT Southwestern’s Center for Depression Research & Clinical Care in Tarrant County.
Arts
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art has selected four local artists to assist in planning and leading museum and community experiences for 2025. Artists Kristin Boyer, LaShonda Cooks, Dizzy Orbit, and Javier Sandoval will collaborate with the museum’s education staff to create art opportunities for all ages.
Feel Good
Ten-year-old Fort Worthian Makenzie Chapa was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy prize from the Association of Fundraising Professionals for raising $40,000 for Cook Children’s. Makenzie was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis in 2022, but teamed up with friends and family to fundraise through The Blast 5K program. (Fort Worth Report)
Listen
Cowboys offensive lineman and Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Zack Martin is out for the season for ankle surgery. How will this impact tonight’s game against the Bengals? Find out on Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Try This
Kick off the holidays during Second Thursdays at the Carter, returning this Thursday, Dec. 12 for Jazz and Jingles. Enjoy jazzy holiday tunes, make paper snowflakes, sip on a specialty cocktail, and embark on a tour during this can’t-miss event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Save your spot.*
Home
Did you know new windows could lead to lower energy bills? Read: Modern windows have better insulation. Renewal by Andersen is offering $400 off per window and $850 per door, so you can start the new year by saving on style upgrades for your home. Get your free quote.*
The Buy
The Buy
Slippers that are warm, cozy, and able to be worn indoors and outdoors (so you can run errands in your slippers — score). Try these faux fur-lined houseshoes on Amazon or go for the UGG Tasman slipper that started the trend.
Already watched all the cheesy Hallmark movies you can stand? Trade the “big city girl goes home to Sunshine Falls and meets a moody but misunderstood Christmas tree salesman” for something a little more dazzling. “The Great Christmas Light Fight” features four families — two of which are in DFW — working to out-wow each other with their sparking holiday displays and over-the-top decorations. Check it out on Hulu.
Answered
Answered
What kind of Christmas tree are you getting this year?
Last week, we shared 8 places to cut or pick your holiday tree + asked you what kind you were getting. Turns out Fort Worthians are busy folks and convenience is key when it comes to the holidays.
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