Everything's bigger and brighter in Texas when it comes to Christmas lights. DFW has a number of beautiful holiday lighting displays so grab a peppermint latte, some hot cocoa for the kids, (turn on the air conditioner this week), and load up the station wagon a la Clark W. Griswold and enjoy the show. There's nothing like looking at holiday lights to get into the spirit of the season.
ARLINGTON: Interlochen Lights Display
What: Interlochen Christmas Lights Displays. One of the largest holiday light displays in north Texas comes to life when more than 200 Interlochen homeowners dress up their homes and lawns with Christmas lights and an assortment of holiday-themed displays.
When: Saturday, December 16 through December 25, 2011 until 11:30 p.m.
Where: Arlington
Cost: It's a free drive-through display
Directions:
- From Interstate 30E: Take the Fielder Road Exit and go south to Randol Mill Road. Turn right on Randol Mill and follow it to Westwood Drive.
- From Interstate 30W: Take the Eastchase Parkway Exit, turn east on Meadowbrook Boulevard to Randol Mill Road, then right on Randol Mill Road to Westwood Drive.
ARLINGTON: Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas
What: Holiday in the Park celebrates the most wonderful time of the year at Six Flags Over Texas. From more than a million twinkling lights, holiday shows, toasty campfires, delicious hot cocoa and your favorite rides to the nearly 60 foot Holiday Tree of Trees, Santa Land and Santa Claus. Special moments and fun await you at North Texas' largest holiday festival where there is something magical for everyone.
When: November 25, 2011 through January 2, 2012
Where: Six Flags Over Texas, 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington, TX 76011. 817-640-8900. Located near I-30 and Highway 360.
Cost: This is more than a holiday lighting display so there's an admission charge. At the Main Gate Adult: $54.99, Children: $34.99, Online $29.69.
DALLAS: Highland Park
It's obvious that many of the residents in Highland Park hire professionals to do their decorating. It's one of the premiere neighborhoods for viewing holiday lights in Dallas.Where: The best place to enter is at Armstrong Parkway and Preston Road. The homes are beautifully (and professional) dressed for the holidays. The area is bordered by Preston on the east side, Mockingbird to the north, the Dallas North Tollway to the west, and Armstrong Parkway for an entrance. There are a number of carriage services available for viewing the spectacular lights.
Cost: Free to drive through. Carriage rides are available for a fee.
DALLAS: Kessler Park
This is a wonderful neighborhood to view holiday lights.
Directions: From downtown Dallas: go West on I-30. Take the Sylvan exit – turn left (south) on Sylvan. Travel about a half a mile on Sylvan to Colorado – go right (west) on Colorado. Travel another half mile on Colorado to the intersection of Colorado and Lausanne. Look for a big traffic triangle at that intersection with five large trees.
Cost: It's a free drive-through display.
FARMERS BRANCH: Pharr Family Christmas Display
The Pharr Family of Farmers Branch borrows their neighbors’ yards to expand their huge light show throughout the neighborhood. Check out the kiddie train, ferris wheel, nativity scene and much more at 14535 Southern Pines Cove, Farmers Branch, TX from November 22, 2012 through January 1, 2013.Hours: Sun-Thurs 5:45 - 10 p.m.; Fri - Sat from 5:30 - 11 p.m. Train runs 6-9 p.m. (weather permitting). Santa visits Fri-Sun. 6-8 p.m., weather permitting. Tune your radio to 95.9 to listen to seasonal music as you view the lights!
Where: 14535 Southern Pines Cove, Farmers Branch, TX 75234. Take Webb Chapel about 1.5 miles North of I-635 LBJ Freeway, turn right on Southern Pines Drive.
Viewing the display is free but donations of food, money and unwrapped toys are encouraged. The Pharr Family’s Christmas Light Show benefits Metrocrest Social Services, a United Way Community Partner serving Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Addison, Coppell and ZIP Code 75287 in southern Denton County.
FARMERS BRANCH: Farmers Branch Tour of Lights
When: November 23 to December 31, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Where: Tour starts at Valley View Lane and I-35. Follow the candy cane signs.
Cost: It's a free drive-through display.
Christmas Tree Lighting event is December 3, 2012 at 7 p.m. at Farmers Branch Historial Park, 2540 Farmers Branch Lane. Fireworks, snow hill, Santa and more.
Be a Santa's Helper: New this year will be the opportunity for tourists to donate to WFAA’s Santa’s Helpers Toy Drive. Anyone wishing to should bring a new, unwrapped toy and drop it off during the driving tour.
FRISCO: Christmas in the Square
Angela Patterson
What: Christmas in the Square is a dazzling, choreographed holiday lights and music show that runs from November 23, 2012 through January 6, 2013. Visitors can drive or stroll through and enjoy the shops, restaurants and holiday display around the square.
When: November 23, 2012 through January 6, 2013
Where: Frisco Square
Cost: Free Drive-thru display
FRISCO: Jeff & Bridgette Trykoski's Texas A&M Display
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Trykoski
Location: 4015 Bryson Drive, Frisco, TX 75035
Set Radio: The lights are synchronized to several songs which are broadcast to passing vehicles over a low-power FM transmitter at 99.9 FM.
Cost: Despite illuminating over 85,000 lights, there's no cost. However, the Trykoski's are collecting canned food for the Frisco Food Pantry and Frisco Family Services. Please bring a few canned food items as a donation for this extraordinary light show.
Other Work: If you're visiting this A&M masterpiece, check out Trykoski's other display at Frisco Square. There are miles of lights there -- plus Mattito's Tex-Mex, Dimples Cupcakes, Best Thai, GoGo Burger, Josephine's and more right there on the Square.
FORT WORTH: Sundance Square Parade of Lights
What: The Sundance Square Parade of Lights. Held each year in downtown Fort Worth, the Sundance Square Parade of Lights features over 100 illuminated entries, Cowboy Santas, marching bands, antique cars and more. This year's parade theme, "Unwrap the Magic," will feature even more professional floats, as well as our wonderful array of community-based units of all shapes and sizes. Street seats are available for a fee but there are also plenty of free viewing areas available.
When: The parade starts at 6 p.m. Friday, November 25, 2011.
Where: The parade route runs from Belknap Street to Commerce Street, around 6th Street to Houston Street and up to Weatherford.
Cost: Free
FORT WORTH: Texas Gift of Lights
Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedways features more than a million lights and 100 displays. November 21, 2012 through January 6, 2013, including Christmas Day. There is a cost associated with this holiday lighting display. Advance tickets 888-926-7405. Cost is $15 per car Monday through Thursday and $20 per car Friday through Sunday. $1 per person for buses with a $20 minimum. Hours are from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.Meet the Rockettes, members of the legendary New York dance company, on Saturday, December 1st from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm at Rudolph’s Village. Bring a clean, gently used coat and get in for $12!
Texas Motor Speedway, 3545 Lone Star Circle Ft. Worth, Texas 76177.
