Things to do around town on our Christmas bucket list

During the Christmas break, most stores and cities are decorated head to toe with beautiful strings of glistening lights, snowmen, reindeer, and much much more. The question a lot of people may be asking right about now is, what type of festive events and places should I go to celebrate this jolly holiday? Here is a holiday bucket list:

Arlington
Six Flags Over Texas: Holiday in the Park
The go to place for extreme rides, riding down their frosty snowy hill, see the tree of trees light spectacular, take a family photo in the spot called “Deep in the Heart of Christmas,” watch their amazing holiday shows, sit by the campfire, and have some hot cocoa and s’mores while singing to the classic Christmas celebration songs.

Enchant Christmas:
Go through their huge light maze, (for the younger ones) visit Santa’s Palace to have a meet and greet with Santa, ice skate with friends and family, enjoy some delicious food from 21 food trucks, and sit back and watch some live entertainment.
The Rose Garden Tea Room and Decorator’s Warehouse:
What’s nicer than going into the Rose Garden Tea Room and having a yummy meal while looking at some beautiful lights and scenery at the Decorators Warehouse, perfect for photos. However, be sure to make reservations for lunch ahead of time to get a spot!
Fort Worth
Coyote Drive-In and Canteen:
Many enjoy watching holiday movies during the Christmas season and the best place to do that is at the Coyote Drive-In. Hop in the car and relax as while enjoying some great movie favorites. Getting a bit hungry? They offer hot dogs, popcorn, chili dogs, chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, pizza, chicken tenders, sodas, teas, and more.
Grapevine Downtown:
Grapevine has one of the most beautifully decorated Downtown areas, perfect for family Christmas photos.
The Gaylord Texan Hotel:
Need a place to stay or just somewhere to have a good time? Head on over to the… Gaylord Texan Hotel. Inside, one will witness one of the most brightly decorated areas for the holidays, having over 2 million lights throughout the hotel. This time of year, they have ice skating, snowball throwing, snow tubing, gingerbread decorating, scavenger hunts, and the most popular event the Gaylord offers right now is, ICE, the theme throughout the years has varied from “The Grinch” to “Frosty the Snowman” and now “ Twas’ the Night Before Christmas.”
Grand Prairie:
Grand Prairie Lights:
Get some hot chocolate, grab a warm blanket, hop in the car, and drive to Grand Prairie for their gorgeous Prairie lights.
Dallas
Dallas Arboretum: The 12 Days of Christmas:
View their spectacular outdoor exhibit, look at the new toy soldier stilt walkers, view the performances of the amazing hula hoopers, grab a snack and listen to the music played throughout the garden, enter the DeGolyer House for their 800 nutcrackers placed throughout the home in a way that is similar to that of the famous ballet, “The Nutcracker Suite,” try the karaoke and perform your favorite holiday song, and if you’re lucky, you may be able to spot Santa somewhere in the garden.
The Trains at NorthPark:
The train exhibit that is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, the NorthPark Center has a train exhibit who has raised $13 million for the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, a great place to look at some brilliant trains and get in the mood for the holiday season.
Holiday Wonder:
In Fair Park, it is decorated with themed lanterns, you can walk through the wonders of the snowflake corridor, see the beautifully decorated swans in the pond as they light up in the water at night, Santa himself will make an appearance at the park, there are scenes of polar bears and penguins, throw some snowballs at your friends and family, slip and slide down the frosty arctic slide, if it’s cold outside, warm up with some yummy hot cocoa, enjoy a 48-foot Christmas tree where the music controls how the lights respond, throughout the park there are over 2 million lights scattered around, and why not grab a souvenir on the way out to cherish some great memories!