There are SO many amazing Christmas activities in Dallas, but I think it's impossible to do them all! I have lived in Dallas for 8 years now, so I know what's worth the time and energy to make the most of your precious holiday season! Here are my top picks for your best Dallas December ever!
Jingle your bells over to the Majestic Theater in downtown Dallas for their first-ever showing of the Christmas classic - Home Alone!! (I can quote it; it's fine.) Only $10!
Date: Thursday, December 6th
[Also showing It's a Wonderful Life on Thursday, December 20th]
Location: Majestic Theater, 1925 Elm St.
If you're catching Home Alone, then you might as well make it a whole night with Marv & Harry... grab some din in Bishops Arts and be sure to stop by the "Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal" sign! How could you watch Home Alone, and not visit this iconic sign for the 'gram! OBVI you should get your "very own cheese pizza" from Eno's! Duh. (ok that's cute, but actually get the Pig Smiley pizza)
Date: all the tiiiime
Location: 407 N. Bishop Ave.
I think I'm just really into Christmas movies, but isn't everyone?! And the cold weather just makes me want to snuggle up with a classic movie...BUT I'm a big proponent of leaving your house and making new friends during December, so here we are. Luckily, Magnolia Theater in West Village is coming through for me with a showing of It's a Wonderful Life on Tuesday, December 18th! Grab your holly jolly pals, and make it a night, complete with chips y salsa and a swirl at Mambo Taxi at Mi Cocina!
Date: Tuesday, December 18th
Location: Magnolia Theater, 3699 McKinney Ave
Ok Ok, last movie. Can't leave out the classic, A Christmas Story showing at the Angelika! I'm really not the biggest fan of Mockingbird Station, but I don't know why, SO instead of dinner there, I'm going to suggest one of my faves: Torchy's Tacos nearby on SMU Blvd. for a casual din. Get the queso, of course.
Date: Monday, December 3rd
Location: Angelika, 5321 E Mockingbird Ln.
Get your Christmas coffee fix at Deck the Hall Street! IT'S BACK! Deck the Hall St. is open now and serving up seasonal coffee faves like Falalalattes & Pepperminty goodness in addition to it's normal offerings at Fiction Coffee Shop. Read the deets in my Top Coffee Shops post- #16!
Date: through December 31st!
Location: 1623 N Hall St.
One of my favorite (and also most expensive!) Christmas traditions is going to see the Nutcracker! It's true, going to the ballet isn't cheap, BUT I think it's such a fun experience and worth it if you are able to go with people who also appreciate it! Last year, I still made it work by going to see the Children's Ballet Nutcracker, but this year, I'm going for the real deal with the Texas Ballet Theater. A date, perhaps? (ha!) There are multiple shows happening at the Winspear Opera House and at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.
Date: though December 2nd at Winspear Opera House; December 7-24 at Bass Performance Hall
What is December without Christmas lights?! There are so so many options for tree lightings, neighborhood lights, and special light installations, but these are the ones I'll for sure be visiting and have loved each year:
Vitruvian Park- duh! You HAVE to walk through the perfectly lit trees in Vitruvian Park in Addison! Bring some hot chocolate and go for a stroll any night through January 1, or visit on Saturday evenings for a musical performance in the park! $10 on event nights...worth it!
Date: Saturday, December 1st & Saturday, December 8th
Location: Vitruvian Park, 3966 Vitruvian Way
Enchant Christmas in Arlington did not disappoint last year, so I would definitely recommend a visit if you've never been! Be sure to leave plenty of time because they have all the delicious food, ice skating, and more lights than you'll know what to do with. Bloggers, go ahead and bring some outfit changes... ;)
Date: through December 30th
Location: Globe Life Park, 1000 Ballpark Way, Arlington, TX 76011
Especially if you live up north, but even if you don't, it's worth the drive to visit Frisco's Christmas in the Square! Lights time to Christmas music, horse carriage rides, and even ice skating. Boom. That's all you need!
Date: through New Year's Eve
Location: 8874 Coleman Blvd, Frisco, TX 75034
The BEST way to see Christmas lights, in my opinion, is from a horse carriage, so get a group together and book NOW...they fill up so fast! I promise it's worth it (like $150-$300 worth it, sorry!) DFW Carriages is a great option, or This company also has the cinderella carriage, so I'll just throw that out there ;)
If carriage isn't an option, the NEXT BEST way to see lights is from your very own car :) Pump up those Christmas tunes, and stop at the Highland Park Village Starbucks for some hot chocolate before loading your sleigh with friends and driving the streets of Highland Park looking for the best Christmas light displays. Bonus points for jumping out of the car and snapping a few Santa selfies!
Date: all the time!
Location: start at HPV, 47 Highland Park Village, Dallas, TX 75205
New addition! I just visited the Christmas-themed bar, Miracle, in Deep Ellum, and it was SO FUN! Hide Bar has transformed into a Christmas pop up bar, and I had no idea, but apparently "it's a thing." There are other Miracle Pop Ups in other cities, not just Dallas- I love that! Lights everywhere, themed drinks, and plenty of Christmas cheer! You HAVE to visit!
Date: through the end of the year!
Location: Hide Bar, 2816 Elm St. Dallas, TX 75226
Bonus:
If you've never been before, you should DEFINITELY steer your sleigh to the Dallas Arboretum for their 12 Days of Christmas installation! I've been a few times now and probably won't make it this year, but it must be seen at least once! It's open until New Year's Eve, so you have no excuse!