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The holiday season evokes images of snowflakes, sleigh rides, and coziness, but it comes in all shapes and sizes across the country. One amazing example of this can be found in North Texas, where the city of Grapevine shines all season long.
Planting the seeds
Grapevine was settled in 1844, one year prior to the Republic of Texas becoming America’s twenty-eighth state, and it became a town a decade later. Why the peculiar name? It was a tribute to the wild mustang grapes that flourished in the area during its infancy. Perhaps not surprisingly, Grapevine has long been a popular wine town. In fact, it’s proud to have four sister cities across the globe, from Mexico to Australia, three of which share a tradition of winemaking.
Today, Grapevine literally couldn’t be more convenient for visitors since it’s home to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, the second-largest and second-busiest airport in the country. And being approximately twenty minutes away from both Fort Worth and Dallas allows easy access to a major metropolitan area.
Come November, Grapevine transforms into a magical Christmas mecca as the official Christmas Capital of Texas®. Of course, everything is bigger in the Lone Star State, and Grapevine’s holiday season is no different, hosting more than 1,400 events over the forty days. And the quality of experience matters as much as quantity here: Newsweek readers chose Grapevine as America’s best Christmas town in both 2024 and 2026. (There was no vote in 2025.)
The following travel guide highlights just some of the many things you can see and do in this enchanting southern city to maximize your merriment during the holidays.
What to see
Light up the night
The festivities here officially kick off with the annual Carol of Lights, held on the Monday before Thanksgiving. You can expect to be dazzled by over one million lights, live performances, and the overall festive feel of the celebration as you stroll down historic Main Street (which is closed off to traffic for the event). Food and drinks are plentiful, of course, as are kids’ activities. You’ll even see Santa and live reindeer!
Ten days later (December 3 this year), the city’s Parade of Lights rolls down the very same quaint street. This is the largest lighted parade in North Texas, featuring over one hundred floats, marching bands, and more.
You can also look to the skies for festive excitement since Grapevine’s Merry & Bright Drone Shows are back on the first two Mondays in December. Be sure to show up early to get a good viewing spot on Main Street, then ooh and ahh as you witness over four hundred drones create dazzling images in the sky that dance to Christmas music.
Enjoy an old-fashioned holiday
If you’d like to experience life from a century or two ago, you’ll find it in Grapevine. One notable example is the historic Palace Theatre, a restored movie institution that’s on the National Register of Historic Places. Where else could you view both holiday classics and modern favorites, in a 1940s vibe, for only ten dollars? Plus, the theater offers live holiday performances during the season, including crooner tribute shows.
To party like it’s 1899, check out historic Nash Farm, a working homestead in the heart of Grapevine. Built in 1859, it embraces its agricultural heritage with interpretive programs, tours, and events throughout the year. However, the farm is particularly magical come the holiday season. In December, you can lose yourself in various crafts, from sewing your own mittens and creating a Victorian-style ornament to hand-printing Christmas cards and baking cookies.
What to do
Ride the rails
One of the biggest draws to Grapevine any time of year is the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, whose century-old coach cars take travelers through six different cities along its Cotton Belt Route. After Thanksgiving, though, the railroad transforms into Santa’s North Pole Express, complete with sing-alongs and appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Tickets sell out fast, so get yours early if you plan to visit. Would you prefer an excursion geared more toward grown-ups? Then hop aboard the railroad’s Christmas Wine Train for a festive ride for adults.
Hit the ice
Granted, Grapevine may not normally be a winter wonderland—highs are normally in the 50s and 60s come November and December—but that doesn’t mean you can’t have festive frozen fun. The crown jewel of such an experience here is Gaylord Texan Resort’s annual ICE! extravaganza, which features amazing hand-carved sculptures made from more than two million pounds of colorful ice. In addition, there are over two million lights throughout the building to ensure that the holiday vibe continues wherever you trek. But that’s not all: There’s plenty of food, drinks, and shows and events, from gingerbread house making to ice tubing, to keep you and your family entertained for hours.
For a little outdoor icy enchantment, head over to the Peace Plaza Ice Rink, which is easily found near the city’s live sixty-foot-tall Christmas tree. As the largest outdoor rink in North Texas, it has earned the nickname “The Rockefeller Center of the Southwest,” making it a place not to be missed, whether you’re skating under the glow of the giant evergreen or casually people-watching.
Where to shop
Of course, buying presents (for others or yourself) is part and parcel of this time of year. And thanks to the vast number of shopping opportunities in Grapevine, you can literally spend all day doing it. For example, in the aforementioned historic Main Street district alone, you’ll find dozens of establishments to shop at in a charming setting, from boutique clothing stores to gift shops to bookstores. One fascinating example is Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Gallery, where you can make your own ornament or snowman using a 2,000-degree furnace! And when you need to take a breather, there are dozens more places to get food and drink.
For an even more personal experience, check out the Grapevine Christmas Market in the Cotton Belt Railroad Historic District. At this open-air, European-style marketplace, which debuted last year, you can shop for local goods, get photos with Santa, and more.
Just ten minutes northeast, continue your holiday shopping spree indoors at Grapevine Mills. With over one hundred retailers at this mall set over its 1.8 million-square-foot facility, you’re sure to find gifts you didn’t know your loved ones needed. You won’t believe the variety: You can find everything from high-end clothing outlets to kid-friendly stores, all in one place.
Perhaps even more impressive here, especially during the holidays, are the attractions. Catch the latest holiday flick at Grapevine Mills’s twenty-four-screen AMC theater, or test your skills by trying its escape game. For the kids (and kids at heart), head over to LEGOLAND Discovery Center for its Holiday Bricktacular, greet aquatic life at SEA LIFE Aquarium, or get lost in immersive, interactive, family-friendly adventures at the wildly popular Meow Wolf.
Grapevine, Texas, pulls out all the stops during the holiday season. With its magical mix of traditional charm, jaw-dropping events, and ample shopping experiences, it more than earns its title as the Lone Star State’s top holiday destination.
For more info, visit christmascapitaloftexas.com
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