Tis barely the season for Dallas-Fort Worth to light up, merry and bright, for the 2022 holidays — from towering trees that twinkle and shine to dazzling drive-thru displays and immersive walk-thru experiences.
Yes, believe it or not, we're barely past Halloween, but some big light displays are already flipping the switch.
Here's our 2022 guide to the biggest, brightest, most spectacular Christmas light displays in the area, listed by start date. Bookmark and check back often because it'll grow and grow as more places deck their halls in coming weeks.
Photo courtesy of Lightscape
Make plans now to pour the hot chocolate, load up the car, turn on the holiday tunes, and enjoy these illuminated wonderlands.
Immersive experiences and choreographed shows
Holiday at the Arboretum, November 10-December 31
One of the centerpieces of the Dallas Arboretum's magical holiday wonderland is the Dazzling Musical Tree, a 50-foot-tall tree animated with more than 42,000 lights and merry tunes, presented on the hour and every half hour of the day and evening. Guests can also visit the twinkling European-style Christmas Village and its 23-foot Marilyn and Ben Weber Family Christmas Pyramid, decorated with lighting and character movement on every level. Of course the beloved "12 Days of Christmas" Gazebos return, too. There are artistry displays, yuletide treats, shows - and special evening hours. Tickets, $10-$25, are here.
Christmas at Gaylord Texan, November 11-January 1
Part of the Gaylord's Texas-sized Christmas extravaganza, the signature ICE! Experience is back for 2022 with 2 million pounds of ice carbed into The Polar Express-themed sculptures. Other Gaylord holiday highlights include a sparkling array of larger- than-life holiday décor and state-of-the-art light element, snow tubing, gingerbread decorating, holiday shows, and more. For a complete rundown of events, scheduling, tickets, and more, visit the website.
Dallas Zoo Lights, Dallas Zoo, November 17-January 1
Dallas Zoo returns as a walk-thru event this year. Highlights include more than 1 million lights across most of the zoo; new larger-than-life animal lanterns, elaborate displays, and lighted photo opps; visits to Santa’s Workshop; concessions; musical performances, and more. Tickets run $14-$17, with discounts for zoo members; more information and tickets here.
Radiance! featuring Frozen in Frisco, Riders Field, Frisco, November 18 -December 31
Back after two smash-hit years, Radiance! featuring Frozen in Frisco will be a walk-through event in 2022. The all-new ‘walk at your leisure’ layout will take guests through an immersive holiday wonderland of 3 million dazzling lights. The Frozen in Frisco portion features two-story, eight lane Mount Frisco Ice Tubing, plus an outdoor ice skating rink, snowball tosses, build-your-own snowman area, axe-throwing, and more. Ticket bundles start at $34.99.
Extravaganza at The Star, Frisco, November 18-December 17
The Cowboys' sixth annual Christmas at The Star includes Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza powered by Reliant, a must-see 20-minute show that electrifies The Star with light shows synchronized to music and pyrotechnics, and much more, on Tostitos Championship Plaza. Kicking off with the lighting of The Star’s 67-foot Christmas tree by a Dallas Cowboys alumni, Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza then leads into a holiday performance showcasing the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and more. Admission is free. For more information, visit the website.
Lightscape, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, November 18-January 8
Making its North Texas debut, Lightscape illuminates the Fort Worth Botanic Garden with a one-mile-long path with suspended strands and tunnels of light, a fire garden, undulating wave of bluebonnets, singing trees, treetop sculptures, and and artistic installations. Guests can toast marshmallows over a fire and drink hot chocolate at stations along the trail. Timed tickets, $18-$28 (along with $20 on-site parking passes), are available here.
Six Flags Holiday in the Park, Arlington, November 19-January 1
Six Flags Over Texas will transform once again into a winter wonderland featuring more than 2 million twinkling lights, all-new shows, Santa’s Village, the Holly Jolly parade, a new light show area, concessions, and much more. For ticket pricing and schedule, visit the event website.
Enchant Christmas, Fair Park, November 25-January 1
Returning this year to Fair Park, Enchant will present the new interactive light-maze adventure “The Mischievous Elf.” The 2022 edition - touted as the world's largest holiday-themed lights event - will feature an immersive walk-thru light maze created from over 4 million sparkling lights, a 100-foot-tall Christmas tree, an ice-skating trail, live entertainment, Santa visits, and a Hallmark Channel-branded “Hallmark Cozy Christmas” lounge with festive beverages and more. For tickets ($20-$34), schedule, and more information, visit https://enchantchristmas.com/.
Lights on the Farm at Heritage Farmstead Museum, Plano, November 25-December 30
Heritage Farmstead Museum in Plano will be bedazzled with more than one million twinkling holiday lights and filled with animated yuletide displays as part of the venue’s 2022 Lights on the Farm holiday event. Visitors can walk a quarter-mile trail through the historic property showcasing holiday light creations and animated displays. There will also be a 20-foot Christmas tree, refreshments, and a chance for the youngest guests to visit with Santa. Tickets are $7-$15 and more information is here.
Drive-thru displays
The Light Park, Arlington, November 7-January 1
The Light Park is a mile-long, drive-thru spectacular in the parking lot of Hurricane Harbor waterpark. Guests will witness millions of lights synchronized to a mix of music by DJ Polar Ice. Priced per vehicle starting at $29, the drive-thru light display takes visitors through the longest light tunnel in the world, they say, while rocking out to the coolest tunes that help celebrate the holiday season. More information is https://www.thelightpark.com/arlington.
Sugar Lane Lights, Haslet, November 11 or 17-December 31
The experts behind Fort Worth's popular Tell Family Lights are introducing a sweet new drive-thru lights experience in Haslet, featuring 1,200 props, including a 50-foot tall Christmas tree decorated with 90,000 lights, a 25-foot tall gingerbread house, and a 16-foot tall snowflake. Guests can also purchase battery-charged LED bracelets that are synced to the show’s music. Opening nightly starting either November 11 or 17, 5:30-10 pm on weekdays and 5:30-11 pm on weekends. Prices for the show vary from $30 to $55 per car depending on entry time, and tickets can be purchased online.
Radiance at the Ranch, Weatherford, November 18- December 31
Radiance! becomes a theme park-style ride in a vehicle that guides guests through the show at Parker County Sheriff's Posse. Visitors can expect a mile-long light trail of over 3 million lights, animated to favorite holiday tunes. VIP tickets include access to a VIP entrance lane for faster access, hot chocolate for every member of the family, and Magic Light Glasses and treats for the kids. Tickets, $31-$50, are available here.
Prairie Lights, Grand Prairie, November 24-December 31
At Prairie Lights at Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie, visitors will be dazzled with 4 million lights set along two miles of path. Hundreds of displays in shapes of all kinds line and arch over the roads. This year's event will feature brand new displays and concessions in the Holiday Village. At the halfway point, guests can exit their vehicle to enjoy photos with Santa, a magical walk-thru forest, and more. The second half of the drive ends with an always popular light tunnel. $50-$200 per vehicle, more information and tickets here.
Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, November 24-January 1
Texas Motor Speedway will once again open its gates to the public for the annual Gift of Lights drive-thru holiday lighting spectacular around the track. The lights experience will include over two miles of light displays, with almost 3 million lights, while visitors get to stay in their warm cars. Note that there is no Santa’s Village this year, and no radio synchronization; guests are encouraged to tune in to their favorite holiday music. Tickets start at $35, depending on size of vehicle and may be purchased online or at the gate. Check the website for information and tickets.
Commercial displays and special events
The Modern Lights, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, November 1-February 5
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth kicked off the holiday season earlier than just about anyone in town by illuminating their trees with festive lights. Passersby can experience a stunning display, and guests can also visit the museum galleries for free until 8 pm on Fridays. A special First Friday at the Modern event takes place every first Friday of the month.
Parade of Lights, downtown Fort Worth, November 20
The 40th annual GM Financial Parade of Lights, with the theme of “Lights, Camera… Christmas," will will bring more than 100 illuminated floats, thousands of sparkling lights, festive performers, holiday decor, and live music - along with Santa and Mrs. Claus - to downtown Fort Worth. The parade kicks off at 6 pm with former veteran, politician, and humanitarian John Sharp as grand marshal. Arrive early for the best viewing spots along the 1.59-mile route. More information is here.
Historic Main Street Carol of Lights, Grapevine, November 21
Grapevine's historic downtown area will be shining bright with thousands of lights and 1,400 holiday events over 40 days — no wonder they call Grapevine the Christmas Capital of Texas. It all kicks off with the 34th annual Carol of Lights and street lighting on November 21. Then comes the Parade of Lights on December 1. For a self-guided lights tour, start at Grapevine City Hall, 200 S Main St., Grapevine, park, and go from there. And don't miss the all-new Peace Plaza Ice Rink, opening November 18. Consult a complete schedule on the website.
Vitruvian Lights, November 25-January 1
Addison's Vitruvian Park transforms into one of North Texas' most spectacular holiday destinations during Vitruvian Lights, an annual celebration in which 1.5 million sparkling LED lights are wrapped around 555 trees to create a blazing wonderland. A special 10th-anniversary kickoff event, with the Jordan Kahn Orchestra, will take place 6-10 pm November 25. Then the lights will remain on every evening through New Year's Day, 5-11 pm, and it's free to view.
Galleria Dallas Grand Tree Lightings, November 25-26
The 95-foot Galleria Christmas tree will be standing tall in the ice rink by November 10, but it comes to life in all its dazzling glory the day after Thanksgiving. At 12 pm November 25 and 6 pm November 26, international figure staking stars and a backflipping Santa will help illuminate the tree in special free events. Then, through January 1, shoppers watch Illumination Celebrations, when the 450,000 LED lights on the tree “dance” in time to specially orchestrated music. The entire shopping center is bedecked with Christmas trees and palm trees adorned with thousands of lights, inside and out. New this year, 35-white flocked trees will form an Alley Forest people can use as a backdrop when it "snows" daily. More information is here.
Reliant Lights Your Holidays, Dallas Arts District, December 3
Reliant Lights Your Holidays 2022 will feature the illumination of hundreds of thousands of dazzling LED lights in the Arts District (which will stay on through the holiday season), plus live performances by Selena tribute band Bidi Bidi Banda, and Vinyl Countdown: A Tribute To Arena Rock. There will also be a Christmas-themed drone show, a wintery snow playground, kids craft area, photos with Santa, and miniature golf on the Reliant Putting Green. The free event starts at 5:30 pm at Sammons Park.
Highland Park Village Christmas Lights Celebration, December 7
The gorgeous homes and businesses in the Park Cities neighborhoods of Dallas shine with beautiful light displays, none more stunning than Highland Park Village. Sip, shop and stroll under the Village’s 1.5 million Christmas lights while enjoying store promotions, discounts, gifts with purchase, festive treats, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more. Guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Community Partners of Dallas Toy Drive. The free "shop and stroll" event is 4-7 pm, but the lights will stay on through the season.
