09 Jul 2026
Grapevine shines at Christmastime with more than 1,400 festive events over 40 days, creating one of the nation's largest Christmas celebrations. Centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth and home to DFW International Airport, the charming Vintage Texas destination is easy to reach and offers an inviting backdrop for celebrating the Christmas season.
This year, the Christmas Capital of Texas® season officially kicks off on Monday, November 23 with the 38th Annual Carol of Lights festival on Historic Main Street.
Here are just a few of the 1,400 festive events and attractions you can experience in the Christmas Capital of Texas:
- Peace Plaza Ice Rink – Considered the Rockefeller Center of the Southwest, you can glide across a Texas-sized outdoor ice rink illuminated by a live 60-foot-tall Christmas tree and festive cheer at Grapevine Main Station.
- Historic Main Street District – It's like walking through a Christmas movie! Stroll along Historic Main Street and take in the festive lights, decorations and photo opps, while enjoying the boutiques, cafés, winery tasting rooms and art galleries.
- North Pole Express® – Experience a magical 45-minute train excursion filled with twinkling lights, festive singalongs and special visits with the elves and Santa Claus on Grapevine Vintage Railroad's Santa's North Pole Express. Tickets go on sale October 1 a 10 a.m. central time and sell out quickly.
- Christmas Wine Trains – Enjoy a Texas wine tasting on board Grapevine Vintage Railroad. The two-hour train ride includes a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in beautifully decorated vintage coaches complete with Christmas music.
- ice! at Gaylord Texan Resort – A sight to see with more than two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures featuring iconic Christmas scenes. The theme will be revealed when tickets go on sale July 23rd.
- Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge – The lodge turns into a Winter Wonderland with daily snow showers, dance parties, Christmas activities and more.
- Historic Palace Theatre – Enjoy classic Christmas movies and live Broadway-style performances all season long, sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. Tickets to the concerts go on sale July 1 at 1 p.m. Central, with movies going on sale October 1 at 10 a.m. Central.
- Merry & Bright Christmas Drone Show – Watch a fleet of 400 drones lights up the sky above Historic Main Street with festive Christmas images.
- 47th Annual Parade of Lights – It's the largest Christmas light parade in North Texas featuring 100 lighted floats and marching bands, with Santa Claus making a grand appearance on the last float on Thursday, December 3 on Historic Main Street.
Tickets to many Christmas Capital of Texas events go on sale Thursday, October 1 at 10 a.m. Central at ChristmasCapitalofTexas.com. While there, you can also book your hotel stay and find a complete list of events.
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