It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in Dallas, and for most of us, the holiday season officially starts with putting up the tree! So, we've rounded up all the Christmas tree lightings in DFW to attend. Check out our list below of all the spots (and trees) that are getting lit this season!
Updated November 2023
Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza
The Dallas Cowboys are returning the iconic 20-minute show to The Star for a sixth year! The show kicks off with the lighting of the 67-foot Christmas tree by a Dallas Cowboys alumni. Then, catch holiday performances from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, drumline, mascot, and more. There will even be a special appearance by Santa Claus!
Date & Time: November 17th at 6 pm
Location: The Star
Price: Free
Frisco | Directions
Lights at Legacy
Head to The Shops at Legacy for their tree lighting! Enjoy live holiday entertainment, photos with Santa, complimentary train rides, activities for kids, balloon artists, toy soldier stilt walkers, little drummer boys, and more! Complimentary food and drink samples from The Shops at Legacy retailers and restaurants will also be available!
Date & Time: November 19th from 4 pm to 7 pm
Location: The Shops at Legacy
Price: Free
Plano | Directions
35th Annual Carol of Lights
Kick off the season in the Christmas Capital of Texas! Historic Downtown Grapevine goes all out for Christmas, and their tree lighting is an entire evening of festive fun. There will be live music, live reindeer, holiday bounce houses, seasonal crafts, and local food vendors to enjoy while you explore downtown. At 6:30 pm, the mayor will light the 40-foot-tall live tree, followed by a fireworks show at 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm!
Date & Time: November 20th from 4 pm to 8:45 pm
Location: Historic Downtown Grapevine
Price: Free
Grapevine | Directions
Home for the Holidays: A McKinney Christmas
For the past 43 years, Downtown McKinney has transformed into a real-life Hallmark movie with 14 blocks of festive decor, family-friendly activities, live music and more! The weekend-long celebration kicks off with a tree lighting on Friday at 6 pm. Mark your calendars and head up North to enjoy the free family-friendly festival!
Date & Time: November 24th at 6 pm
Location: Downtown McKinney
Price: Free
McKinney | Directions
Grand Tree Lighting Celebration at Galleria Dallas
You won't want to miss the lighting of the tallest indoor Christmas tree in the country! Along with the lighting of the iconic 95-foot tree, there will also be a spectacular ice skating performance which includes Olympic skaters, fireworks, and a skating Santa!
Date & Time: November 24th at 12 pm
Location: Galleria Dallas
Price: Free
North Dallas | Directions
11 Years of Vitruvian Lights
Vitruvian Park is celebrating 11 years of their holiday light display! Their tree lighting includes an entire evening of fun with a performance by Vocal Majority, gourmet food trucks and vendors, sweet treats, free photos with Santa, classic holiday characters, and an elf balloon artist. Kids can also write letters to Santa and hang out with live reindeer!
Date & Time: November 18th at 6 pm
Location: Vitruvian Park
Price: Free
Addison | Directions
SMU Celebration of Lights
photo courtesy of SMU
Each year, Southern Methodist University puts on a night of holiday festivities on Dallas Hall Lawn to celebrate the start of the season! SMU’s President, R. Gerald Turner, will read the Christmas Story, followed by musical performances by members of the student body. There will also be free food, live reindeer, and of course, the lighting of the tree!
Date & Time: November 27th from 7 pm to 10 pm
Location: South Methodist University
Price: Free
Highland Park | Directions
Tree Lighting at Casa Linda Plaza
Get ready for an evening of family fun in East Dallas! Enjoy eats, drinks, hot chocolate, and shopping from local vendors, along with face painting, a balloon artist, and a petting zoo! You also won't want to miss $5 photos with Santa, ice skating, and most importantly, see the lighting of the tree!
Date & Time: November 30th from 5:30 pm to 8 pm
Location: Casa Linda Plaza
Price: Free
East Dallas | Directions
Denton Holiday Lighting Festival
This tree lighting has been a tradition for over 40 years! Featuring musical & dance presentations, food, horse-drawn carriage rides, children’s crafts, and visits with Santa, this is an event you won't want to miss. There will also be a huge toy drive for children in need!
Date & Time: December 2nd from 3 pm to 9 pm
Location: Denton Square
Price: Free
Denton | Directions
A Garland Christmas on the Square
The annual Garland Christmas tree lighting event will also have festive Christmas carolers, the chance to snap photos with real-live reindeer, a snow hill for frosty fun, and the opportunity to capture the magic with photos alongside Santa Claus! Savor the delectable treats from food vendors and Downtown restaurants and explore artisan crafts at the Urban Market. With a lighted tunnel, a synthetic ice-skating rink, and train rides for the little ones, this event promises to be a delightful celebration of the holiday season!
Date & Time: December 7th at 5:30 pm
Location: Garland Square
Price: Free
Garland | Directions
Klyde Warren Park's Tree Lighting Celebration
Head to the park for a free and festive tree lighting! Kids won't want to miss photos with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, visits from Frosty and Rudolph, face painting, crafts, games, and even snow flurries! On the stage, there will be a live performance from the Emerald City Band leading up to the main event, the tree lighting!
Date & Time: December 2nd from 3 pm to 6 pm
Location: Klyde Warren Park
Price: Free
Downtown | Directions
Reliant Lights Your Holidays
This tree lighting is presented by Reliant Energy and features several unique activities and entertainment! This free festival includes a holiday concert featuring The Polyphonic Spree, Latin artist Vanita Leo, fireworks, a drone show, real snow to play in, pictures with Santa and so much more!
Date & Time: December 2nd from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Location: Winspear Opera House
Price: Free
Downtown | Directions
Holiday in the Park & Parade of Lights
This holiday kickoff is a full night of events! Start the evening with festive holiday music and performances, holiday activities, food trucks, rides, and a holiday-lighted trail. Then, watch the parade wind through the streets, leading up to the Central Fire Station light show and tree lighting!
Date & Time: December 2nd from 5 pm to 8 pm
Location: Perryman Park
Price: Free
The Colony | Directions
Reindeer Run, Christmas Parade, & Tree Lighting
Flower Mound is kicking off the holiday season with an entire day of festive fun! The celebration starts at 9 am, with the 5th annual Reindeer Run 5K and Grinch Sprint. Later in the day, you can catch the Toyland Christmas-themed parade. Then see the tree lighting ceremony along with live performances from local groups, pictures with Santa, a community tent, food trucks, kids' activities, and more! Enjoy a festive fireworks show immediately following the tree lighting!
Date & Time: December 2nd from 6 pm to 9 pm
Location: Gerault Park
Price: Free
Flower Mound | Directions
Holidays at Heritage Parade & Tree Lighting
photo courtesy of City of Irving
Downtown Irving is kicking off the season with a parade, which will light the streets in Irving's Heritage District! Following the parade, visit Heritage Park for the tree lighting and fun for the whole family! Following the parade, visit Heritage Park for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and activities! Enjoy live music from the Midnight Soul Band on the Heritage Park Stage, photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a D-I-Y hot chocolate bar, holiday-themed crafts, a drone show, and the iconic tree lighting!
Date & Time: December 2nd at 6 pm
Location: Downtown Irving
Price: Free
Irving | Directions
