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 2025
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 alumnus. 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 evening at 6pm from November 21st through December 20th
Location: The Star
Price: Free
Frisco | Directions
Vitruvian Lights: Flip the Switch
The beloved Vitruvian Lights returns with an epic tree lighting! The "flip the switch" event features an entire evening of fun, including a performance by the iconic Emerald City Band. Plus, enjoy gourmet food trucks and vendors, sweet treats, free photos with Santa, an elf balloon artist, live reindeer, and more. Kids can also write letters to Santa and hang out with live reindeer!
Date & time: November 22nd 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 22nd 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 from Legacy restaurants, 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
37th 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 24th from 4pm to 8:30pm
Location: Historic Downtown Grapevine
Price: Free
Grapevine | Directions
Home for the Holidays: A McKinney Christmas
For the past 40+ 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 28th 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 28th and 29th and December 6th at noon
Location: Galleria Dallas
Price: Free
North Dallas | Directions
AT&T Discovery District: Get Lit in the District
Enjoy Downtown views and holiday hues as this bustling district lights its 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 The Exchange Hall.
Date & time: November 22nd at 8pm
Location: AT&T Discovery District Lawn
Price: Free
Downtown | Directions
Photo courtesy of SMU
SMU Celebration of Lights
Each year for over 30 years, Southern Methodist University puts on a night of holiday festivities on Dallas Hall Lawn to celebrate the start of the season! SMU’s President 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 1st 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, and most importantly, the lighting of the tree! Kids won't want to miss the photos with Santa and more family-friendly activities.
Date & time: December 1st 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 4th from 5pm to 9pm
Location: Garland Square
Price: Free
Garland | Directions
Denton Holiday Lighting Festival
This picturesque town square's tree lighting has been a tradition for over 40 years! The two-day festival kicks off with Wassail Fest on Friday, followed by the Tree Lighting on Saturday. All weekend long, enjoy musical and dance presentations, festive food and drinks from local vendors, children’s crafts, visits with Santa, and a snow hill for sledding. 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 from all your favorite characters -- Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty, and Rudolph! Plus, enjoy face painting, crafts, games, and even snow flurries! On the stage, there will be a performance of The Nutcracker and music by DJ Richy Smart leading up to the tree lighting. Plus, the Nancy Best Fountain will debut a special show!
Date & time: December 6th from 4pm to 7pm
Location: Klyde Warren Park
Price: Free
Downtown | Directions
Reliant Lights Your Holidays
The AT&T Performing Arts Center campus is lighting up for the holidays with a special festival! Enjoy a performance from legendary Dallas alt-rockers Jackopierce, a special set from the NRG Party Band, and a dazzling Christmas-themed drone show with fireworks! Plus, wander through thousands of LED lights, a snowy playground, kids’ crafts, free photos with Santa, mini golf, and themed food and drinks.
Date & time: December 6th from 5:30pm to 8:30pm
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 6th 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 6th from 9am 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 magical Christmas gift-themed parade and tree lighting! During the tree lighting, see the park decked out in 60,000 lights, synced to a drone show in the sky. Plus, enjoy live music, photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and more.
Date & time: December 6th from 6pm to 9:30pm
Location: Downtown Irving
Price: Free
Irving | Directions
