Dallas and the surrounding Metroplex is an area with a rich heritage, and that’s never more apparent than during the holidays. Here are five wonderful holiday family activities to enjoy in and around Dallas-Fort Worth this year and every holiday season.
Dallas Heritage Village Candlelight Vigil
Every December, travel back in time and experience the Texas holiday season in the 19th century. The Dallas Heritage Village is an area that features 20 acres of historic homes typical of North Texas. During the Heritage Village Candlelight Vigil, stroll through the park and listen to live music, visit with St. Nick or enjoy a hayride in the brisk fall air. Visit the Worth Hotel, view live entertainment on the Main Street Stage, or be transfixed by performers in the original Renner School, a real 19th-century schoolhouse. Historic and home-baked foods are available, too. It is, without a doubt, a magical event, and has been every year for over 40 years. Address: 1515 South Harwood St. Dallas.
Irving Arts Center Family Funday
For the first three Saturdays of December, this giant arts center celebrates holiday-themed fun. Enjoy arts and crafts with the kids, take photos with Santa, meet local artists and storytellers, and enjoy galleries of art and Christmas trees.
Art supplies are provided by the Irving Arts Center; Family Funday is free and open to the public. Since 1990, the Irving Arts Center, a nonprofit owned by the City of Irving, provides the local community with easy access to culture and art. Located 15 minutes from the Dallas-Fort Worth airport. Address: 3333 N. Macarthur Blvd, Irving.
Six Flags Holiday in the Park
When it comes to holiday family activities, this is one not to miss. Every year, Six Flags features entertainment and holiday decorations throughout the park from late November until the end of December. There’s an amazing list of attractions, including the reindeer meet-and-greet where you can take a photo with Santa’s reindeer, join in the Reindeer Holi-Daze dance party, visit the Holiday Tree of Trees Spectacular with over 70 decorated Christmas trees, and tons more. And of course, the park’s rides are all open for your enjoyment. Address: 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington.
Christmas at the Anatole
Experience an outdoor ice rink, live entertainment, ice carving, a reindeer barn, the largest nutcracker in Texas, and a whole lot more from late November through early January. Hosted by the Hilton Anatole Hotel. The lobby of the hotel is also decorated each year with a stunning Christmas tree display and is open to the public. Address: 2201 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas.
Dallas Christmas Markets and Craft Fairs
If you’re looking for ways to keep your shopping local and benefit your community during the holidays, there are dozens of markets, craft fairs, art shows, and festivals — oftentimes more than any one person can attend during one holiday season. There are countless churches, nonprofits, and area schools that host holiday markets and craft fairs featuring vendors from all over the Dallas-Fort Worth area. To find listings of area festivals, you can visit the Texas Market Guide, Festival Network Online, or the Dallas Morning News’ coverage of events. You can also search on Dallas Event Guide or Guidelive for different upcoming events.
There is no shortage of options for unique gift ideas and holiday family activities in Dallas-Fort Worth every year — it’s mostly a question of fitting in all the activities!
Image Source: Flickr
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