With more than 1,400 Christmas events over 40 days, millions of lights, festive parades on Historic Main Street, larger-than-life decorations, animated characters, and endless Santa photo ops, holidays are truly merrier in the Christmas Capital of Texas! As an avid Texas traveler, I can confidently say there’s no place quite like Grapevine during the holiday season. Whether you’re sipping hot cocoa at the North Pole Express, strolling through the beautifully decorated Historic Downtown, or marveling at the Parade of Lights, Grapevine’s Christmas is unlike anywhere else.
Let’s check out some of the best holiday activities in Grapevine that make this small town a must-visit destination and, of course, “The Christmas Capital of Texas.”
Free Christmas Activities in Grapevine
36th Annual Carol of Lights
Rediscover the magic of Christmas as the 36th Annual Carol of Lights presented by Texas Health illuminates Historic Downtown Grapevine to kick off the holiday celebrations at the Christmas Capital of Texas! At this come-and-go street lighting event, you can explore up and down Historic Main Street and enjoy engaging performances on 3 different stages, festive food trucks, and Santa’s Grand Entrance at 6:30 PM.
Multiple interactive activity zones for kids will keep the little ones engaged throughout the evening with activities like Jumpin’ Junction, photos with Santa, Reindeer Ready: Feed & Fun, Reindeer Photos, and Singing Snowmen.
November 25, 2024, from 4 PM to 8:30 PM.
45th Annual Parade of Lights
This celebration on Main Street marks the largest and most spectacular lighted Christmas parade in North Texas. Since its inception in 1979, the Grapevine Parade of Lights occurs on the first Thursday in December each year, uniting the Grapevine Chamber and the City of Grapevine along with Grapevine-Colleyville ISD.
With over 100 dazzling lighted floats and vibrant marching bands, this year’s theme, Toys, Trains & Candy Canes, promises to ignite the holiday spirit. Watch for Santa Claus, who will ride the last float! Arrive early to secure your spot along Historic Main Street and join this wonderful holiday tradition.
December 5, 2024, at 7 PM.
Merry & Bright Christmas Drone Show
The Grapevine’s 4th annual Merry & Bright Christmas Drone Shows is a one-of-a-kind holiday event in the Christmas Capital of Texas. You can witness 400 drones lighting up the night sky over Main Street during the show. This 10-minute show on December 2, 2024, will begin at 7:00 PM, and traffic on Historic Main Street will be closed to give pedestrians more room during the show.
If you want to witness the illuminated drones from a vantage point to get the perfect view, there’s also a VIP watch party on December 9, 2024, on the second-floor balcony of the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau Grand Hall.
December 2 and 9, 2024, at 7 PM.
Ticketed Christmas Activities in Grapevine
Santa’s North Pole Express
The Christmas Capital of Texas is home to the famous Grapevine Vintage Railroad, also known as the North Pole Express® during Christmas.
It all starts when you climb aboard Santa’s North Pole Express in the heart of Grapevine, where the Historic Cotton Belt District is transformed into a Christmas Village. As your adventure begins, Santa’s Elves, Jingle and Twinkle, share the secret of the “We Believe” silver bells.
During the 45-minute train ride, enjoy classic decorations, Christmas singalongs, and memorable moments with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Indulge in Mrs. Claus’ Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie and Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk.
Your ticket includes a 4×6 photo with Santa at the General Store, which you can schedule before or after your ride.
Due to its overwhelming popularity, Santa’s North Pole Express trains are full, but you can still join their waitlist. You might get lucky this year.
November 29, 2024 – December 30, 2024. Times vary.
Peace Plaza Ice Rink
The Christmas Capital of Texas® is home to one of the most fabulous attractions yet: the Peace Plaza Ice Rink, also known as “The Rockefeller Center of the Southwest.” This Texas-sized outdoor ice skating rink at Peace Plaza in front of Grapevine Main Station offers a festive glide over the ice, enjoying Texas winter right beside a 60-foot live Christmas tree! With group rentals available by the hour, it’s the perfect holiday activity to gather your friends and family and create unforgettable moments on the ice.
For just $20 per person, enjoy a one-hour session with ice skates, all available for purchase online. November 22, 2024 – January 7, 2025.
The Merriest Christmas Tour with Grapevine Food Tours
The Merriest Christmas Tour is a fun food and wine tour of the Christmas Capital of Texas, where you’ll enjoy three delicious food tastings and three holiday cocktails while exploring the beautifully decorated town. The tour also includes a 150-foot hike to the top of the Main Street Observation Tower for a fantastic view of all the Christmas festivities.
Don’t forget to snap the perfect holiday photos when you land at Grapevine’s Hometown Christmas exhibit, also included in the tour. Tasting options include a pulled pork slider with a holiday cocktail, an Italian dish with a special cocktail, and a gourmet French dish with a festive cocktail.
You can purchase tickets online. Select days from December 5 to 31, 2024.
Santa’s North Pole Express Neighborhood
Your Santa’s North Pole Express ticket also includes the additional perk of enjoying food and beverage vendors, photos with Santa at North Pole Express Neighborhood General Store, Christmas card photo ops, the Stroller Express parking tent, and the Santa’s North Pole Express Carousel at Santa’s North Pole Neighborhood.
November 29, 2024 – December 30, 2024.
Hometown Christmas Exhibit
Ever wonder how a small town like Grapevine became the Christmas Capital of Texas? Well, now you have a chance to see it for yourself. Stroll through Grapevine’s Hometown Christmas exhibit and witness the classic American town preparing for Christmas. The sights, sounds, smells, vintage displays, and plenty of picture-perfect moments in this holiday exhibit make it easy to get swept away by memories.
Tickets are available online for just $2 per person.
Open from November 25, 2024 – January 5, 2025, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Times vary by day.
Elf Adventure
Discover Grapevine’s fascinating history by joining an Elf Adventure at Grapevine Settlement to City Museums! It’s a holiday event in Santa’s North Pole Neighborhood where young and adults unleash their creativity by creating handmade keepsakes. Print a vintage Christmas card on the 1881 Chandler and Price Printing Press and send it to Santa.
Craft a beautiful Christmas-themed ornament, assemble and decorate your wooden Victorian toy, and shape a snowman with cotton. You can purchase a $10 passport online, valid for all five Elf Adventure activities, or $4 per person for each activity.
November 29, 2024 – December 30, 2024. Closed on December 24, 25 and 26.
Ice! & Lone Star Christmas at The Gaylord Texan
If you are visiting Grapevine this holiday season with family, there can’t be a better place than Gaylord Texan, where a magical winter wonderland awaits! This year, the resort features various festive activities that will delight guests of all ages, including ICE!, a spectacular Christmas light show, and traditional activities such as snow tubing, ice skating, and photos with Santa.
Here are the 2024 Christmas season highlights at the Gaylord Texan Resort.
ICE! featuring Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer™
ICE is a spectacular holiday attraction that brings to life your favorite scenes from the cherished classic, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” through stunning ice sculptures meticulously hand-carved from over 2 million pounds of ice. This year commemorates the 60th anniversary of the beloved 1964 television special, celebrating the spirit of the season!
Tickets start from $22 and can be purchased online. November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025.
Cirque: Spirit of Christmas
Cirque: Spirit of Christmas is a Broadway-style show featuring dazzling acrobatics and high-flying stunts. This holiday performance follows Noel, a child disheartened by the holiday chaos, as spirits visit her to help rediscover the true meaning of the season through energetic and dreamlike adventures.
November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025.
Snow Flow Mountain (Ice Tubing)
Experience our six-lane tubing hill, made of real frozen ice and designed to bring thrilling fun for all ages. Zoom down the lanes, race to the bottom, and enjoy unlimited runs on your ticket date.
November 15, 2024