Dallas – Best Holiday Attractions

Planning a trip to Dallas in the late fall or early winter?

You’re in luck!

We’ve put together the best of the best things to do that are sure to make you feel that the holidays are indeed the best time of year!

Kick off the holiday season with a trip to one of many Dallas attractions that highlight the lovely late autumn and Christmas seasons in Texas.

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden features a gigantic pumpkin patch with life-sized fairytale pumpkin houses that make the perfect background for family photos in November and then the beautiful 12 Days of Christmas exhibit in December.

Or escape the hustle and bustle of the city and head east to the little town of Canton and its annual YesterLand Farm attraction.

Six Flags Over Texas
More than 50 rides, including thrill rides (roller coasters), kids’ rides and family rides.

This amusement parks covers 212 acres, and is sure to please kids of all ages (including grown-up kids at heart).

It features several theme areas, onsite restaurants, live shows and more. The park is open every day during the summer season and on weekends during the spring and autumn, and select weekends during the winter.

There are a ton of seasonal events there, such as a park-wide haunted house during Halloween and and a winter wonderland during the Christmas season, complete with sledding and ice! ((817) 640-8900)

NorthPark Center
In addition to top-notch stores and delectable eateries, NorthPark also boasts an incredible collection of world-class art, with past exhibit pieces by Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg and Roy Lichtenstein.

The art collection includes a wide variety of huge sculptures, as well. NorthPark also features CenterPark, a 1.4-acre indoor park right in the middle of the mall. The park has one of the most popular sculptures, “Ad Astra,” a 12-ton orange piece.

A duck pond and biannual fashion shows also add to the charmingly fun atmosphere as shoppers browse retail favorites like Kate Spade, Burberry, H&M, Lacoste and Neiman Marcus.

During the holiday season, don’t miss the Trains at NorthPark exhibit which features 1,600 feet of track with a ton of miniature Dallas sights. (214-361-6345)

YesterLand Farm
If you want to get out of the city and experience the country life for the holidays, there’s no better place to take the kids than YesterLand Farm.

Just go East on I-20 for about an hour to reach it. This popular spot features a ton of amusement park rides designed for the little ones, pony rides, a corn maze, pumpkin patch, train rides and petting zoo.

Launch pumpkins with a giant sling shot or simply sit back and relax with a freshly-made lemonade and roasted corn on the cob. City slickers from Dallas have been visiting this park for years, and it turns into a Christmas tree farm in December. ((903) 567-2255)

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Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Located on the eastern shores of White Rock Lake, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden features 66 acres of blooming flower beds, manicured lawns and lush trees.

The gardens house over 2400 types of azaleas, including the only publicly accessible Huang Collection specimens found outside China.

The property also showcases beautiful statuary and the DeGolyer Mansion, an exquisite Spanish-style hacienda commissioned in 1940 by Texas oil baron Everett DeGolyer.

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden hosts a number of special events and festivals and makes a great stop for a scenic picnic. (214-515-6500)

Myerson Symphony Center
Located in the heart of the Arts District in Downtown Dallas, the Myerson Symphony Center is one of the best spots in town to celebrate the holidays.

With numerous concerts and events highlighting the best of the best when it comes to Christmas music, visitors can choose from a wide variety of events perfect for a night out on the town.

Kick off the first weekend of December with the DSO Pops show, featuring beloved traditions returns with an all-new concert featuring holiday favorites, Christmas classics, majestic choir music and a sing-along to familiar carols.

If jazz is more your thing, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis will take place in mid-December. There is also a Santa event and and New Year’s Eve concert. ((214) 670-3600)

Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
From the moment you arrive at the grand front entrance at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center, you’ll be taken to a winter wonderland that features a gigantic Christmas tree and millions of lights throughout the Texas-themed atrium area.

One of the most prominent offerings of the Gaylord Hotel is its ICE! featuring DreamWorks’ Merry Madagascar exhibit. Every year, this indoor wonderland features different holiday scenes created from more than 2 million pounds of ice by more than 40 international artisans.

Visitors can explore this amazing scene and even have fun on 20-foot tall ice slides. Make plans to stay and have lunch or dinner at one of the wonderful onsite restaurants. ((817) 778-1000)

Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children’s Christmas Parade
Traditionally held the first Saturday in December, this annual Dallas Christmas extravaganza features holiday floats, antique cars, marching bands from local schools, large inflatable balloons and an appearance by Santa Claus.

The parade is a major fundraiser for the Dallas Children’s Medical Center, so it’s both fun and charitable. A children’s activity area and vendor booths is usually set up in City Hall Plaza.

The weather usually is mild but chilly, and though crowds are large, finding a good spot along the parade route is fairly easy. For the best view possible, call ahead to reserve bleacher seats in the grandstand near the Adolphus Hotel. (214-456-8383, 214-456-5310)

Big D NYE
Located right in the middle of the always-happening Victory Plaza near the American Airlines Center, Big D NYE is the New Year’s party of the year in Dallas.

It features free admission, and annual party goers enjoy live music played on multiple stages, as well as the Stream Energy Fireworks Spectacular show at midnight. This event is located near the WFAA-TV Channel 8 Studio in Victory Park and the party is broadcasted live every year.

There are always multiple entertainers and special guests at this popular event, and there are also plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the American Airlines Center, along with food and beverage tents situated around the plaza.

This event has a large police presence and is a fun annual event for visitors of all ages. (214.397.4111)

Galleria Ice Skating Center
Ice-skating is always a magical experience, especially for kids, so make sure to schedule a family trip to the Galleria Ice Skating Center.

Located in the famous Galleria Dallas shopping center, this lovely rink offers year-round public skating sessions, enabling visitors to glide (or stumble) along the same ice where incredible Olympians have performed.

The rink is particularly delightful in December, when the nation’s largest indoor Christmas tree rises 95 feet from the ice. While you’re at the mall, check out the indoor play center under the atrium. Your kids will be so worn out after a day at the Galleria, that they’re sure to sleep well that night! (972-392-3361)

North Pole Express
Take the whole family to the North Pole via the Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s North Pole Express, one of the most popular holiday attractions in Dallas.

The holiday train experience starts at the Historic Cotton Belt Depot platform where riders are greeted by elves and carolers. During the train ride, visitors get to enjoy live entertainment and every child receives a silver Santa bell.

The train takes riders to a new platform that leads to the North Pole, where everyone enters a winter wonderland filled with Christmas trees, classic Christmas movies, lights and songs. Santa makes an appearance and shares hot chocolate with everyone. Tickets for the North Pole Express are $25 per person. (817-410-3185)

Dallas Transportation
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the primary international airport serving the Dallas Fort Worth area in the U.S. state of Texas.

It is the largest hub for American Airlines which is headquartered near the airport. American’s hub at DFW makes it the second-largest airline hub in the world, after Deltas hub in Atlanta.
It is the tenth busiest international gateway in the United States and second busiest in Texas (behind George Bush Intercontinental airport).