B Merry: 10 DFW Holiday Events to Make Your Season Bright

From Balcom Days of Christmas to our Treecember challenge and annual holiday party extravaganza, there are few things the Bs love more than the holiday season. And we have an inkling we’re not alone.

’Tis the season to play Christmas jingles on repeat, consume as much hot chocolate as humanly possible, awkwardly pose for pictures with some guy in a Santa suit, and spread holiday cheer by singing loud for all to hear. So B merry, and check out our favorite events happening in Dallas-Fort Worth this time of year. Happy Holidays from the B!

ICE!™ | Gaylord Texan in Grapevine

Nov. 13 – Jan. 3

The ICE! exhibit at the Gaylord is one of our favorite holiday traditions. Mostly because ice is a rather mystical creature here in the South. With more than 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures, including several two-story ice slides, the display is the closest thing we’ll get to a winter wonderland—so we’ll gladly take it. Bonus: This year’s exhibit theme brings the timeless tale of “Frosty the Snowman” to life, providing fun for both kids and adults.

Panther Island Ice | Coyote Drive-In in Fort Worth

Nov. 21 – Jan. 19

Cowtown’s Coyote Drive-In brings the cool back to going to the movies. And now, a visit to the theater becomes even cooler, literally, with Panther Island Ice—Fort Worth’s only outdoor ice skating rink. Fine-tune your balancing skills, enjoy tasty treats and beverages, and maybe cozy up and catch a flick while you’re there. Hint, fellas: This is the perfect date night. You’re welcome.

Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot | Camp Bowie in Fort Worth

Nov. 27

On Thanksgiving, there’s no better way to give thanks than by giving back to the community. Whether you’re an avid runner or professional walker, the 33rd annual Turkey Trot 10K, 5K and 1K provide the opportunity to support a great cause—and get some cardio in before the feasting begins. All proceeds benefit the Fort Worth YMCA’s youth and scholarship programs.

Parade of Lights | Downtown Fort Worth

Nov. 28, 6 p.m.

So the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is fun to watch on TV, but Fort Worth gives us front row seats to DFW’s very own Parade of Lights. Featuring more than 100 decorative floats, the parade will stretch from Belknap to Commerce, transforming downtown Fort Worth into an all-out holiday celebration. If you’re not still in a Thanksgiving food coma, gather your loved ones, bundle up, and join in the festivities!

Denton Holiday Lighting Festival | Downtown Denton

Dec. 5, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Holiday lights. Live music. Wagon rides. Window shopping. Hot chocolate. SANTA. There is so much happiness at Denton’s annual Holiday Lighting Festival. A local tradition since 1988, the tree-lighting festival brings all the warm fuzzies we love about the season to the town’s historic courthouse square. It’s a small-town holiday celebration—done in a big way. For a full list of events, tune into the festival’s website.

Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place | Ryan Place in Fort Worth

Dec. 6 and Dec. 7

In need of some holiday décor inspiration? Check out the 31st annual Candlelight Christmas home tour in Ryan Place neighborhood, the only residential historic district in Fort Worth. This year’s tour focuses on the work of Wiley G. Clarkson, the acclaimed Texas-born architect responsible for designing more than 1,200 buildings in Fort Worth alone.

Dallas Symphony Christmas Pops | Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas

Dec. 12-21

Because you can never have enough Christmas music this time of year, we love the “Dallas Symphony Christmas Pops.” The Dallas Symphony returns this season with a new holiday concert featuring the traditional carols we know all the words to, timeless classics we cherish and contemporary tunes we secretly adore.

The Nutcracker | Bass Hall in Fort Worth

Dec. 12-27

You know it’s Christmas time when “The Nutcracker” comes to town. Much to our delight, Texas Ballet Theater and Bass Hall bring us yet another fabulous season of the classic ballet. In addition, for one night of the year, the show takes on a PG-13 twist with “The Nutty Nutcracker,” a modern-day, pop culture-infused spoof on the classic favorite. Sugar plum fairies and snow queens not your thing? Check out Bass Hall’s many other holiday performances here.

The 12 Days of Christmas | Dallas Arboretum

Nov. 16 – Jan. 4

Brand new this year, Dallas Arboretum’s The 12 Days of Christmas exhibit is set to be the newest DFW holiday tradition. The exhibit includes 12 elaborate, 25-foot Victorian gazebos designed and handcrafted by the set designer for the Dallas Opera. The gazebos will be spread throughout the garden, each one illustrating a different day from the beloved “12 Days of Christmas” carol. Sounds magical!

Christmas in the Square Celebration | Frisco Square

Dec. 20

Back again and celebrating its 10^th anniversary, Frisco’s Christmas in the Square Celebration presents North Texas’ largest choreographed light show. While activities run from November 28 through January 3, the main event takes place December 20—complete with carriage rides, sledding, holiday train rides, fireworks, and (of course) lights. Lots and lots of lights.

Other jolly-holiday events we love:

• Home for the Holidays | Southlake Town Square
  Nov. 22 – Dec. 24
• A Christmas Carol | Wyly Theatre in Dallas
  Nov. 25 – Dec. 27
• Gift of Lights | Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth
  Nov. 26 – Jan. 1
• Prairie Lights | Grand Prairie
  Nov. 27 – Jan. 4
• Polar Pajama Parties | Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
  Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, 13, 19 - 23
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical | Majestic Theatre in Dallas
  Dec 16 - 21

Download a printable PDF, and deck the walls with a calendar of our favorite holiday events. May your days B Merry and bright!