The winter holiday season is a beautiful time of year to visit Texas. The warm and friendly atmosphere and the crisp cool nights make Texas a state many people put on their winter vacation list. If you are looking for family fun in Texas this holiday and through winter, continue reading for a list of Holiday Activities In and Around Fort Worth.
Updated information for 2020
Holiday Activities In and Around Fort Worth
There may be snow, there may not be snow, but there’s one thing for sure; the Dallas/Fort Worth area is celebrating the holidays! You never know what the weather will be like on any given day, so if you’re heading to Texas, pack a coat just in case. Oh, and we don’t all wear cowboy boots and a cowboy hat. Nor do we all ride a horse!! But we do have fun.
Holiday In The Park at Six Flags Over Texas – Arlington
There is nothing better than experiencing this amusement park with the family when it’s cold outside. Whether you live in Texas or are traveling here this winter, Six Flags’ Winter schedule is now only on weekends through the end of the year. Check the schedule before you go, and this year, you must buy your tickets online in advance. Six Flag is definitely one of the best family activities in North Texas. On Nov 21 through Jan 4, 2021, enjoy all the winter festivities at Six Flags. Get your tickets online.
Luminova Holidays – Arlington *New Event*
A new holiday event is coming to Arlington for 2020 – Luminova Holidays, an outrageously fun and immersive experience that is guaranteed to be the bright spot of the holidays. Luminova Holidays take place from November 20, 2020, through January 3, 2021.
Pro Tip: They do not allow bags, purses, clutches of any kind. Only diaper bags. Don’t get in line with your purse, you will not get in. This happened to me.
Activities at Luminova Holiday in Arlington
- 2.7 million lights
- More than 270,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor space
- 10,000 sq. ft. outdoor ice-skating rink
- 65 ft. Christmas tree
- Photo ops galore
- Interactive activities including light-up hopscotch
- Train rides for the kids
- Strolling holiday entertainers
- Old Saint Nick and his elves
- Booths with food and special mementos to bring the holiday magic home
Candy Cane Lane – American Airline Center
*NEW* A multi-level drive-thru November 27th and runs through December 26, 2020 (on select days. Candy Cane Lane in Dallas
Texas Star Dinner Theater – Grapevine
Dismay In A Manager playing until December 27, 2020, on select days. $60 + tax. https://texasstardinnertheater.com
There are sounds of the holiday season dancing upon the evening air, Christmas carols being sung by a choir, sleigh bells ringing on the horses passing by, and fighting in the town square. What!? Oh no, there is dismay in the manger at the annual Christmas Pageant rehearsal.
Ice Skating
Panther Island is Fort Worth’s only outdoor skating rink. Opened every day at Coyote Drive-In. Not an expensive activity at all. Enjoy winter wonderland at it’s finest (in Texas, that is). Crossing my fingers, this is a go! It’s a go and is open through January 21, 2021. Skate $10-13.
Galleria Dallas Ice Skating – skate for $12 and $5 skate rental.
Ice at the Parks, Arlington – Parks Mall – Skate $9-11, skate rental $4
Fort Worth Coyote Drive-in
Fort Worth drive-in movies now opened at Panther Island. See what movies are showing at the Coyote Drive-in.
11th Annual Funky Finds Holiday Shopping
One of the best handmade vintage markets in Fort Worth. On November 21 & 22, 2020, come out to the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Keep up-to-date on their FB page – https://www.facebook.com/funkyfinds.
Farmer’s Markets
Though some farmer’s markets are closed during the winter months, few are opened during the holidays, mostly on weekends, and fewer vendors. Call before you go. See Farmers Markets in the DFW that are opened in spring/summer. Below are two to check out.
Fort Worth Cowtown Farmers Market – opened every Saturday year-around at 3821 Southwest Blvd.
Grapevine Farmers Market – this one is a storefront on Main Street that is opened year-round.
Grapevine will have a Christmas Farmer’s Market at the Old Town Gazebo starting the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Daystar Christmas in Bedford – No Updates for 2020
My mom, son, and I had the pleasure of visiting in 2018. It will be a shame if Daystar Christmas won’t be held this year – it was such a joyous time, and that’s what we will all need right now.
Fall Activities in Fort Worth and Beyond – Update 2020
A Mowtown Christmas at the Casa Manana
A Mowtown Christmas Musical at Casa Manana. From Dec. 1-12, 2020, enjoy the music from the past casamanana.org.
Christmas Capital of Texas Grapevine 2020
You can expect holiday happenings in Grapevine this year. There’s no doubt Santa will be among the gang! Gather the family and head to Grapevine for some magical memories. I wrote a nice article on this for TravelAwaits. Find it here >>> 8 Fabulous Reasons To Visit Grapevine, TX During The Holidays.
Related: Gaylord Texan 2020 I Love Christmas Movies(Opens in a new browser tab)
Gift Of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway
It’s a go! Starting November 26, 2020, through January 3, 2021, come out and enjoy the Lights. Load the car up with family and friends! Tickets are on sale now and are cheaper than they will be later in the year. This year they are bringing out food trucks on some Saturdays. It doesn’t look like they are going to do the Santa thing indoors. http://giftoflightstexas.com/tickets/
Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie – It’s A Go For 2020!
Radiance! A Holiday Light Spectacular – 3 Cities In North Texas *New Event*
Radiance! A Holiday Light Spectacular will debut in Frisco, Weatherford, and Decatur from Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, to Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. Tickets are on sale now at RadianceChristmas.com
Radiance! A Holiday Light Spectacular is more than a mile long and will take about 20 to 30 minutes to drive through the entire experience. A special Radiance! Radio station frequency will be provided for guests to enjoy iconic holiday tunes as they experience the wonder, which includes 160 feet of animated RGB light tunnels. Food and beverages and special items, including hot chocolate, cookies, unique holiday treats, LED balloons, glow stick cotton candy, and more, will be available for purchase from the comfort of the car.
General admission tickets are $30 per vehicle. A VIP admission ticket for $50 per vehicle includes hot chocolate for each guest in the car, special Magic Light Glasses for each child, and a dedicated VIP lane, which reduces guests wait time on busier days.
Roanoke’s Old Fashion Christmas Parade
December 5, 2020, 12 PM to 9 PM.
Santa’s Village at Southlake Town Square
Open now through December 24, 2020. Lines can get really long.
Holiday Lighting Festival in Denton Square
December 4, 2020, 5:30-9:30 pm.
Hopefully, this list of Holiday Activities In and Around Fort Worth will help showcase some ways you and your family can enjoy the great Lone Star State during Christmas. There are so many things to do in Texas when December rolls around, and Texas has become one of the most popular vacation spots during this time.
FYI – The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo 2021 CANCELED
I’m new to north Texas and was just wondering about Farmers Markets in the area. Thanks for the info. I’m going to make a note of them.
We have some good ones in the DFW area. I’m sure you’ll find a favorite. Welcome to Texas.
The monster truck jam sounds like so much fun! Here in Canada it can be hard to find ways to have fun and stay warm in winter. I am considering going to Disney On Ice even though I don’t have kids haha.