Holiday lights near Dallas–Fort Worth for families (2026)
Checked · Covers Oct 28 – Jan 15 · All times are local Central Time
We list 10 holiday light events around Dallas–Fort Worth for Oct 28 – Jan 15: 2 displays running for weeks and 8 one-night events. 3 list free admission. Displays that run for weeks come first, then one-night parades and tree lightings around Dallas–Fort Worth. Popular nights can sell out, so check the official page before you go.
Light displays open for weeks
Dallas Zoo Lights
- When
- Fri, Nov 13 – Sun, Jan 3 (Select nights Nov 13–Jan 3; closed Dec 24–25) · 5:30–9pm
- Cost
- Tickets from $19; parking $15
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Walk-through holiday light and lantern displays at the Main Entrance, ZooNorth and the zoo tunnel. A combo ticket ($10 more) adds daytime zoo entry from 2:30pm.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas in the Garden at Fort Worth Botanic Garden
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Jan 3 (Evenings Nov 20–Jan 3; Santa visits nightly through Dec 24) · Timed entry every 15 minutes, 5:30–9pm
- Cost
- Timed-entry tickets required
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Evening holiday light installations across the garden, including the Winter Cathedral and a glowing bluebonnet field, plus Santa's Village with photos every night through Christmas Eve.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
One-night light parades and tree lightings
GM Financial Parade of Lights
- When
- Sun, Nov 22 · Starts 6pm
- Cost
- Free to attend; reserved Street Seats sold separately
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
More than 100 lighted floats, marching bands and a Santa and Mrs. Claus finale. Route: east on Weatherford St, south on Commerce St to 9th St, west to Houston St, north to 2nd St, then Throckmorton St south to 3rd St.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Home for the Holidays, A McKinney Christmas
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Nov 29 (Nov 27–29) · Fri–Sat 10:30am–9pm, Sun noon–5pm
- Cost
- Free admission, no ticket; select rides and attractions cost extra
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving-weekend holiday festival on the downtown square with the community tree lighting Friday at 6:15pm.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Grapevine Parade of Lights
- When
- Thu, Dec 3 · 7pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The 47th annual Parade of Lights, billed as North Texas's largest lighted Christmas parade. The 2026 theme is "Christmas Miracle on Main Street."
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Merry Main Street and City Tree Lighting
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 3–7:30pm
- Cost
- See site
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Frisco's holiday festival and city tree lighting at Frisco Square.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Dickens in Downtown Plano
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 4–9pm
- Cost
- See site
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Victorian-themed holiday evening in Historic Downtown Plano.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Tree Lighting Celebration at Klyde Warren Park
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 4–7pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Lighting of the Mayor's Tree with free photos with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, face painting, dance performances, stilt walkers and visits from Frosty and Rudolph.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Holidays at Heritage Parade, Tree Lighting & Drone Show
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · Parade 6pm; park activities 7pm; tree lighting and drone show 8:30pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Irving's "Unwrap the Magic" holiday parade through the Heritage District kicks off Holidays at Heritage, followed by live music, photos with Santa, a drone light show and the tree lighting at Heritage Park. The city's free, family-friendly Holidays at Heritage events continue on the weekends of Dec 12 and Dec 19.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Arlington Holiday Lights Parade & Tree Lighting
- When
- Sat, Dec 12 · Reindeer Games and Santa photos 2–5pm; parade 6pm; tree lighting after the parade; Santa photos until 9pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor + outdoor
Indoor Reindeer Games and crafts at the downtown library, bounce houses on the First Baptist North Lawn, a 6pm lighted parade, then the Mayor and Santa light the 65-foot tree. Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus follow until 9pm.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
When do holiday lights open around Dallas–Fort Worth in 2026?
2 light displays on our list run for weeks: Dallas Zoo Lights (Dallas, Nov 13 – Jan 3) and Christmas in the Garden at Fort Worth Botanic Garden (Fort Worth, Nov 20 – Jan 3).
Which holiday light events near Dallas–Fort Worth are free?
3 light events list free admission on the official page: GM Financial Parade of Lights (Fort Worth, Sun, Nov 22), Home for the Holidays, A McKinney Christmas (McKinney, Nov 27 – Nov 29) and Holidays at Heritage Parade, Tree Lighting & Drone Show (Irving, Sat, Dec 5).
How much do ticketed light displays near Dallas–Fort Worth cost?
Prices from the official pages: Dallas Zoo Lights (Tickets from $19), Christmas in the Garden at Fort Worth Botanic Garden (Timed-entry tickets required), Merry Main Street and City Tree Lighting (See site) and Dickens in Downtown Plano (See site). Prices can change by night.
Can kids see Santa at a light display near Dallas–Fort Worth?
Yes. 6 light events on our list have Santa: Christmas in the Garden at Fort Worth Botanic Garden (Fort Worth, Nov 20 – Jan 3) and GM Financial Parade of Lights (Fort Worth, Nov 22). See all 6 above. Some charge extra for Santa photos.
Which holiday lights events near Dallas–Fort Worth need tickets or registration?
1 event on our list says on the official page that it needs advance tickets, timed entry or registration: Christmas in the Garden at Fort Worth Botanic Garden (Fort Worth). Book through each official page.
Which Dallas–Fort Worth-area cities have holiday lights events?
We list holiday lights events in 8 cities, including Dallas (2), Fort Worth (2), McKinney (1), Grapevine (1) and Frisco (1).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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