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 2024
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! (Featured header image)
Date & time: Every Friday and Saturday from November 22nd through December 21st, at 6pm
Location: The Star
Price: Free
Frisco | Directions
Vitruvian Lights: Flip the Switch
The beloved Vitruvian Park Lights returns with an epic tree lighting! The "flip the switch" event includes an entire evening of fun with a performance by Jordan Kahn Orchestra, gourmet food trucks and vendors, sweet treats, free photos with Santa, classic holiday characters, and more. Kids can also write letters to Santa and hang out with live reindeer!
Date & time: November 23rd at 6pm
Location: Vitruvian Park
Price: Free
Addison | Directions
Southlake Home for the Holidays
The charming Southlake Town Square is transforming into a holiday wonderland! See the lighting of a massive tree, sled down a three-lane snow hill, take a train ride through the square, and more! Kids can also visit with Santa, make arts and crafts, and drop off their Christmas wish lists to be sent to The North Pole!
Date & time: November 23rd from 4:30pm to 8:30pm
Location: Southlake Town Square
Price: Free
Southlake | Directions
Lights at Legacy
Head to The Shops at Legacy for a family-friendly tree lighting! Enjoy live holiday entertainment, complimentary sips and bites, photos with Santa, train rides, balloon artists, characters like little drummer boys, and more. Of course, the main event is the tree lighting ceremony at 6:30pm!
Date & time: November 24th from 4pm to 7pm
Location: The Shops at Legacy
Price: Free
Plano | Directions
36th Annual Carol of Lights
Kick off the season in the Christmas Capital of Texas! Historic Downtown Grapevine goes all out for Christmas, and this year, instead of the traditional tree lighting ceremony, they're doing a Street Lighting where you can see all of Main Street's decorations light up at once. There will be live music, live reindeer, holiday bounce houses, seasonal crafts, and local food vendors to enjoy while you explore downtown.
Date & time: November 25th from 4pm to 8:30pm
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 evening, featuring the lighting of a 35-foot frosted fir. Mark your calendars and head up North to enjoy the free family-friendly festival!
Date & time: November 29th at 6:15pm
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 back-flipping, ice-skating Santa!
Date & time: November 29th and 30th at noon
Location: Galleria Dallas
Price: Free
North Dallas | Directions
AT&T Discovery District
Enjoy Downtown views and holiday hues as this bustling district lights their 30 foot Christmas tree and several others around the lawn! The countdown to the lighting will be displayed on the massive media wall, and visitors can enjoy delicious eats and drinks throughout the night from Harvest Hall.
Date & time: November 30th from 8pm to 10pm
Location: AT&T Discovery District Lawn
Price: Free
Downtown | Directions
Photo courtesy of SMU
SMU Celebration of Lights
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: December 2nd from 7pm to 10pm
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, performances from local choirs, most importantly, the lighting of the tree! Kids won't want to miss to miss photos with Santa, train rides, and even a petting zoo.
Date & time: December 2nd from 5:30pm to 8pm
Location: Casa Linda Plaza
Price: Free
East Dallas | Directions
Garland Christmas on the Square
Garland's annual holiday event is straight out of a Hallmark movie! Enjoy festive live music performances, eats and drinks, a vendor market, and visits with Santa and live reindeer. Plus, families can enjoy activities galore like a lighted tunnel to walk through, a snow hill for sledding, inflatable obstacle courses, ice skating, train rides, and more.
Date & time: December 5th from 5pm to 10pm
Location: Garland Square
Price: Free
Garland | Directions
Denton Holiday Lighting Festival
This tree lighting has been a tradition for over 40 years! Featuring musical and 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 7th from 3pm to 9pm
Location: Denton Square
Price: Free, all access and VIP wristbands available
Denton | Directions
Klyde Warren Park's Tree Lighting Celebration
Head to the park for a free and festive tree lighting featuring appearances all your favorite characters -- Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frost, and Rudolph! Plus, enjoy face painting, crafts, games, and even snow flurries! On the stage, there will a performance of The Nutcracker and music from the Emerald City Band leading up to the tree lighting. Plus, the Nancy Best Fountain will debut a special show!
Date & time: December 7th, times to be announced
Location: Klyde Warren Park
Price: Free
Downtown | Directions
Reliant Lights Your Holidays
AT&T Performing Arts Center campus is lighting up for the holidays with a special festival! This free event will feature live music, photo ops, and a dazzling fireworks display and drone show.
Date & time: December 7th starting at 5pm
Location: Sammons Park
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 7th from 5pm to 8pm
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 9am, with the 6th annual Reindeer Run 5K and Grinch Sprint. Later in the day, you can catch the "Characters of Christmas" themed parade. Then, see the 50-foot-tall tree light up with over 100 thousand lights, plus photos with Santa, food trucks, live music, and more!
Date & time: December 7th from 6pm to 9pm
Location: Gerault Park
Price: Free
Flower Mound | Directions
Holidays at Heritage Parade & Tree Lighting
Downtown Irving is kicking off their Holidays at Heritage light display with a Winter Wonderland-themed parade and tree lighting! See the park decked out in 60,000 lights, plus enjoy live music, photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and a spectacular holiday drone show.
Date & time: December 7th from 6pm to 9:30pm
Location: Downtown Irving
Price: Free
Irving | Directions
