11 Delightful Events To Celebrate The Holidays In Texas’s Christmas Capital

Stroll Grapevine’s Main Street this holiday season among Victorian-style shops adorned with twinkling lights, decorative wreaths, garland, candy canes, ribbons, and bows. Gaze up at the massive live Christmas tree on Peace Plaza at Grapevine Main Street Station. Unwrap a Christmas classic in Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas, with 40 days and 1,400 Christmas events now through the end of the year.

1. 33rd Annual Carol Of Lights

Greet Christmas at the 33^rd Annual Carol of Lights show and street lighting on Monday, November 22. Come early at 4 p.m. and enjoy a visit with Santa and live reindeer, create holiday crafts, and savor tasty bites. Then at 7 p.m., the mayor “flips the switch,” and the streets light up with a dazzling spectacle of lights amid live musical performances culminating with breathtaking fireworks at city hall.

2. Grapevine Holiday Shopping

Shop historic Grapevine’s more than 80 locally-owned boutique shops, jewelry stores, art galleries, home décor studios, collectible shops, wine tasting rooms, and more. You are sure to find your favorite Christmas foods, a bottle of wine, and a gift or stocking stuffer for everyone on your list.

Visit the Christmas market for locally and regionally sourced baked goods, cheese, nuts, chocolate, and gift baskets at the open-air European style market at the Town Square Gazebo on Saturdays and Sundays through Christmas, plus Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Christmas week.

3. Parade Of Lights

See more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands along Historic Main Street during the Parade of Lights on Thursday, December 2, from 7-9 p.m. Santa wraps up the parade making his debut on the last float.

4. North Pole Express Christmas Village

Don’t miss the most wonder-filled time of the year at the North Pole Express Christmas Village as you stroll through a winter wonderland in the snowy Christmas Forest and experience real snow in Texas. Join Herman the Elf on a journey around the village with the Grapevine Christmas Passport Elf Adventure with holiday crafts and handmade ornaments like a wooden train or metal tinsel. Meet Main Street Santa in the North Pole General Store in Christmas Village, take a photo, and attend storytime with Santa.

5. Main Street Station Tower

Tour the Main Street Station Tower with views of historic downtown Grapevine from 12 stories high and a 360-degree view of lights across the DFW Metroplex.

 6. Christmas At Nash Farm

Experience how Grapevine’s earliest settlers celebrated Christmas at Nash Farm with cookies and cider as you help decorate the farmhouse for Christmas. Enjoy a Victorian Christmas tour of the farmhouse and barn or celebrate with ornament making while listening to traditional Christmas music with refreshments. Enjoy coffee, tea, and sweets along with parlor games at the farm’s Christmas Parlor Social. Later, you can learn Victorian card printing, ornament making, and cookie baking. See the farm schedule for events and tickets.

7. Grapevine’s Historic Palace Theatre

Enjoy Christmas classics on the big screen and holiday-themed performances and entertainment at Grapevine’s Historic Palace Theatre with the North Central Ballet and the Nutcracker, an abbreviated version featuring three dances. You’ll see a comedy version of The Return of the Nutcracker, A Merry Little Christmas Show, Cinderella, A British Pantomime, and Elvis Christmas Special with Kraig Parker. Take a trip back in time to It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Show, Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin’s Christmas Tribute, or bluegrass Christmas With the Petersens. See the schedule for classic Christmas movies like Home Alone or It’s a Wonderful Life.

8. Buddy The Elf At The Gaylord Texan Resort

Take a trip into Buddy the Elf’s world to save Christmas at The Gaylord Texan Resort. Visit Mr. Narwhal and friends in the candy cane forest, explore the North Pole toy shop, watch for Santa’s arrival at the famous New York department store, have a snowball fight in Central Park, and more. Be amazed by towering Christmas trees, millions of dazzling lights, shimmering ornaments, and magical miniature train sets at Merry & Light, with real falling snow. Find an indoor ice-skating rink, real snow to build life-size snowmen, and a snow-tubing hill.

9. Snowland At Great Wolf Lodge

At Great Wolf Lodge, wander through a winter wonderland at Snowland with daily indoor falling snow. Play Snowland Bingo, make holiday crafts and enjoy songs and stories at Twas the Night Before Snowland and the frost fest dance party. As a respite from Snowland, play at the 84-degree water park where cabanas feature glowing Christmas trees and holiday décor.

10. Urban Wine Trail And World-Class Dining

Sip hot mulled wines at Grapevine’s renowned winery tasting rooms along the Urban Wine Trail and dine at over 200 chef-owned restaurants and cafes with world-class gourmet cuisine and creative holiday cocktails.

11. Main Street Instagram Photo Ops

Be a kid again with dozens of Instagram photo ops along historic Main Street with peppermints at Candy Cane Lane, giant toys at Toyland at the Gazebo, or vintage sleighs, and life-size Christmas cards. You’ll enjoy the 40-foot community animated Singing Christmas Tree, giant gnomes, and Santas. See the Hometown Christmas display inside Tower Gallery with Captain Christmas and his reindeer ready to strike a pose as you stroll through more holiday vintage vignettes.

Pro Tip: Dr. Sue’s Chocolate has a hot chocolate Happy Hour every day starting at 4:30 p.m. with handcrafted hot chocolate and unique garnishes.

Shop the British Emporium, winner of Best Multicultural Store in DFW, for British holiday gifts and food.