Best Things to Do in December in Dallas

Millions of twinkling lights, thrilling rides, live performances, plus visits with Santa are what you'll find at Six Flags amusement park's massive tribute to festive fun. Along with the tallest steel hybrid roller coaster in the world and an assortment of rides to keep thrill seekers of all ages happy, expect to find everything from choreographed light shows to seasonal snacks, s'more fire pits, Christmas crafts and more. The park is open on select days between November 19, 2022 through January 1, 2023. Admission starts at $44.99 for everyone over two years of age. Save money by purchasing tickets online in advance.

Billed as Texas' largest ice and light spectacular, Radiance! is back for its third year at Riders Field in Frisco (formerly known as Dr Pepper Ballpark). Here, guests can enjoy two experiences in one location: a stroll through a holiday wonderland of three million dazzling lights, and an outdoor winter carnival, which boasts a two-story tubing hill, an ice-skating rink, and a variety of amusement park rides. Additional activities include build your own snowman, a snowball toss, and axe throwing. Guests can customize their holiday experience by adding the attractions they want with ticket bundles starting at $34.99. The event runs November 18 through December 31, 2022.

'Tis the season when Enchant returns to Fair Park, where a sprawling 10-acre site by the Coliseum will be transformed into a glistening winter wonderland. Expect to enjoy an illuminated forest, an outdoor ice skating rink, and an all-new interactive light-maze adventure featuring four million sparkling lights. The seasonal spectacular also features a Nordic-inspired Christmas market, Santa meet-and-greets, a kid's area with crafts, live entertainment, plus holiday treats and cocktails. The festivities run November 25, 2022 through January 1, 2023. General admission starts at $34 for adults; $20 for children (3-17 yrs). Note that some activities will cost extra.

Make the season even more magical for your little ones by heading over to this illuminated walk-thru after dark holiday experience. While the zoo's furry friends snooze, visitors can stroll through the grounds where over a million lights are displayed in larger-than-life animal lanterns and spectacular 3D lighted sculptures. There will also be a Santa's workshop, after hours rides, animal experiences, nightly musical performances, holiday treats, and a light show in the Amphitheater. The event takes place on select nights from 5:30 to 10 p.m., November 17, 2022 through January 1, 2023. Admission starts at $18 for adults; $14 for children (ages 3-11).

Popular immersive holiday experience SNOWDAY is back at the Galleria Dallas this season and with it comes Santaland, where kids can take a journey to the North Pole and visit with jolly old Saint Nick himself. Visitors can also traverse through an assortment of holiday-themed rooms filled with magical installations providing plenty of instagrammable opportunities. Another perk is that there will be several integrated cameras to capture those extra special moments and send them directly to your phone. SNOWDAY and Santaland run November 18, 2022 through January 8, 2023. Tickets start at $21.99 for adults and $9.99 for children ages 4-12. Children 3 and under get in free.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Anatole where the hotel grounds have been transformed into a winter wonderland for the annual holiday extravaganza. Expect to find everything from marionette shows to mini golf, scavenger hunts and ice fishing as well as adventure games, crafts, and even cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus. Speaking of the Clauses, folks can also book a breakfast date with Santa and enjoy a tasty buffet complete with a chocolate fountain. Oh, and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to read a Texas-themed Christmas story, too. The event takes place each weekend between November 18 and December 24, 2022. Admission is $43 for adults; $36 for children ages 2 to 17. Breakfast with Santa tickets are $38 for adults and children ages 10+; and $15 for ages 2-9.

If you want to see as many lights as possible, this twinkling drive-through wonderland in the Dallas suburb of Grand Prairie never disappoints. Every year, folks pile in by the carload to cruise through 5 million lights and hundreds of custom displays which are set along 2 miles of path. Also find a concession stand as well as holiday village featuring Santa photo ops, carnival rides and a walk-thru forest. The icing on the cake? A massive animated light tunnel at the end of the adventure. The park is open nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. from Thanksgiving night until New Year's Eve 2022. Admission is $50 per car.

We can't think of a more surefire way to get in a festive mood than by indulging in premium treats and beverages while cruising through some of the city's most decked out 'hoods. This year, Dallas by Chocolate is offering a variety of holiday light excursions, ranging from dessert tours to wine & bite tours, vegan tours, and tacos & margarita tours. Also new to the lineup is a tour to the Dallas Arboretum. The excursions are conducted via heated buses (there are also self-drive tours available), and take place every evening (except Christmas) between December 2 through December 30, 2022. Tickets start at $39.

Though anytime of the year is magical at the Dallas Arboretum, this stunning 66-acre acre oasis becomes even more enchanting during the holidays. In addition to over one million lights illuminating the gardens, the Arboretum is bringing back its popular outdoor exhibit; the 12 Days of Christmas, featuring twelve 25-foot-tall Victorian-style gazebos filled with whimsical characters and elaborate scenes. Also expect to find Santa sightings, children's activities, live entertainment, a European style Christmas village, and a 50-foot-tall musical tree. Holiday events run from November 10 through December 31, 2022. General admission varies from $12 for children (ages 3-12) and $20 for adults during the day, to $10-$12 at night. Reservations are required.

When it comes to getting folks into the ho-ho-holiday spirit, few places do it better than the Dallas suburb of Grapevine (AKA, the Christmas Capital of Texas). Beginning the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the downtown area will transform into a magical dreamland filled with huge decorations, animated characters and millions of twinkling lights. Expect to find over 1,400 daily events and activities, ranging from live street performances and tractor-drawn wagon rides to choreographed light shows, strolling carolers and parades. Meanwhile, visitors can also make more holiday memories over at the Gaylord Texan Resort, where there will be everything from snow tubing to ice skating to the signature holiday attraction ICE! The festivities run from November 21, 2022 through January 8, 2023.