Holiday Lights HEATMAP: The Best Places to See Christmas Lights This Season
Check out our interactive map!
One of our favorite memories from childhood is driving around with the family, drinking hot cocoa in the back seat and admiring the elaborate light displays. We don’t love it any less as adults, but we’re definitely grateful that the internet has made finding them a bit easier. Because we want to help, we’ve compiled an interactive map so you can find the best holiday displays near you. We’ve divided them up by sponsored events with free admission (blue pins), events that charge admission (red pins), and neighborhood displays that go above and beyond.
Free Events
Thanks, Santa! Read on to see more info about some of our favorites from this category.
Fairmount Festivus
For the last decade, Fairmount has been undergoing a Renaissance, and the residents – new and old – are proud of their neighborhood. You can check out the lights on your own, free of charge (we recommend starting at the intersection of Magnolia and College), or you can join the neighborhood on the Fairmount Festivus shuttle tour, leaving from Brewed (801 W Magnolia Ave) at intervals between 6:30 – 9:30 on Thursday, Dec. 11 for $5. (Children attend free if you bring an unwrapped children’s toy.) Grab some hot cocoa, enjoy the lights, and chat with the residents as you tour the neighborhood’s stately old homes, all dressed up for the holidays.
Sundance Square
From now until Dec. 23, Sundance Square has some of the most impressive light displays you will see this season. Pride of place goes the live 58’ Christmas tree at the center of the new Sundance Square Plaza. Plus, Santa will be there every weekend, with extended hours on Saturday and Sunday.
West 7th
This 5-minute show plays hourly on Crockett street every evening from 6 – 10 pm, through January 6th, with carolers present from 6-8 pm nightly. Even better, the 7th Street District is offering FREE carriage rides every Friday and Saturday night throughout the event.
Downtown Grapevine’s Christmas on Main
There are paid events going on (We personally are probably planning to pony up for the ice-sculpture show), but you don’t have to spend a dime to see Grapevine’s annual series of lights-and-festivals. Check their website for a nightly schedule of events – there’s more than we could possibly list – or just show up and let the magic happen.
Events With Admission
SPARKLE! Christmas at the Anatole
This event costs $20 for adults, and $16 for children over age 3, and it’s one of the best deals in town. Featuring over 1.2 million Christmas lights, an ice skating rink, light shows every half hour, facepainting and more, SPARKLE! at the Antatole is one of the most magical places around this holiday season. Purchase your tickets here.
Texas Motor Speedway Gift of Lights
This drive-through lights tour is $20 per car and features over 600 unique Christmas light displays designed to dazzle as you drive. It ends at Santa’s Village, where Santa Claus himself will be in residence until Dec. 24. The event is conducted in partnership with Toys for Tots, and the park itself is a toy drop-off center. Get tickets here.
Six Flags Holiday in the Park
This local favorite, and the biggest holiday event in DFW, returns this year, to the delight of children and thrill-seekers everywhere. Family-friendly events abound, but your teens won’t be disappointed either, as the roller coasters will still be in full swing. Get tickets here and save $20 over gate prices.
Neighborhood Tours
Too many to list, but we’d like to recommend you start off with Ryan Place or Rivercrest in Fort Worth, Highland Park or Kessler Park in Dallas, and Interlochen in Arlington. Check out our map below to find the best neighborhoods near you.
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Thanks to the Dallas News, Dates by Design, SoFortWorthIt, and Southlake Style.
