Best Things to Do in December in Dallas

Millions of twinkling lights, thrilling rides, live performances, plus visits with Santa are what you'll find at Six Flags amusement park's massive tribute to festive fun. Along with the tallest steel hybrid roller coaster in the world and an assortment of rides to keep thrill seekers of all ages happy, expect to find everything from choreographed light shows to seasonal snacks, s'more fire pits, Christmas crafts and more. The park is open on select days between November 19, 2021 through January 2, 2022. Admission starts at $24.99 for everyone over two years of age. Save money by purchasing tickets online in advance.

Radiance!, the dazzling holiday light extravaganza is returning to Frisco's Riders Field (formerly known as Dr Pepper Ballpark) with an all-new theme featuring two major attractions. This year, guests will board a special trolley that transports them through 1.5 miles of spectacular illuminations featuring over 3 million lights synchronized to the tunes of holiday classics. From there, the trolley culminates at Frozen, an outdoor winter carnival boasting a two-story tubing hill, an ice-skating rink, and a variety of amusement park rides. Best part? Both experiences are included in the price of one ticket. The event runs November 18, 2021 through January 1, 2022. General admission tickets start at $29.99 for adults and $19.99 for children ages 3-11.

'Tis the season at Fair Park when Enchant returns to transform the esplanade into a glistening winter wonderland, complete with an illuminated forest, a holiday light maze and an outdoor ice-skating trail. The seasonal spectacular also features a Nordic-inspired Christmas market, Santa meet-and-greets, a kid's area with crafts, and live entertainment. Don't forget to check out the 19-degree polar bar where you can indulge in a vodka tasting experience. The festivities run November 26, 2021 through January 2, 2022. General admission tickets start at $20 but note that some activities will cost extra.

Make the season even more magical for your little ones by heading over to this illuminated drive-thru after dark holiday experience at the Dallas Zoo. While the zoo's furry friends snooze, visitors can view whimsical 3 D lighted sculptures, massive animal lanterns and more from the comfort of their own car. There will be concessions available at a stop mid-way through as well as an opportunity to stroll through a holiday village at the end. The event takes place on select nights from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m., November 19, 2021 through January 2, 2022. Admission is $65 per car. Timed entry tickets must be purchased online in advance of your visit.

Popular immersive holiday experience SNOWDAY is back at the Galleria Dallas this season and with it comes Santaland, where kids can take a journey to the North Pole and visit with jolly old Saint Nick himself. Visitors can also traverse through an assortment of holiday-themed rooms filled with magical installations providing plenty of instagrammable opportunities. Another perk is that there will be several integrated cameras to capture those extra special moments and send them directly to your phone. SNOWDAY runs November 19, 2021 through January 17, 2022. Tickets start at $27 for adults and $8 for children ages 4-12. Children 3 and under get in free.

One of area's largest German-themed holiday markets is back this year, which means there will be brats, potato pancakes, German beer and gluhwein plus polka dancing, and live music too. Not to mention, the market features a slew of stalls peddling everything from handcrafted gifts to decorations and one-of-a-kind finds. Speaking of handcrafted gifts, keep an eye out for exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas decorations and designs from the renowned Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village in Germany. Best of all, there's no admission charge to get in. Christkindl takes place daily, from November 18, 2021 to January 2, 2022.

If you want to see as many lights as possible, this twinkling drive-through wonderland in the Dallas suburb of Grand Prairie never disappoints. Every year, folks pile in by the carload to cruise through 5 million lights and hundreds of custom displays which are set along 2 miles of path. Also find a concession stand as well as holiday village featuring Santa photo ops, carnival rides and a walk-thru forest. The icing on the cake? A massive animated light tunnel at the end of the adventure. The park is open nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. from Thanksgiving night until New Year's Eve 2021. Admission is $40 per car.

We can't think of a more surefire way to get in a festive mood than by indulging in premium treats and beverages while cruising through some of the city's most decked out 'hoods. This year, Dallas by Chocolate is offering a variety of holiday light excursions, ranging from chocolate tours to tacos and margarita tours. The excursions are conducted via heated buses (there are also self-drive tours available) and take place every evening (except Christmas) between November 26 and December 30, 2021. Prices start at $45 for adults and $35 for children ages 4-10.

Though anytime of the year is magical at the Dallas Arboretum, this stunning 66-acre acre oasis becomes even more enchanting during the holidays. In addition to over one million lights illuminating the gardens, the Arboretum is bringing back its popular outdoor exhibit; the 12 Days of Christmas, featuring twelve 25-foot-tall Victorian-style gazebos filled with whimsical characters and elaborate scenes. Also expect to find Santa sightings, children's activities, live entertainment, a European style Christmas village, and a 50-foot-tall musical tree. Holiday events run from November 10 through December 31, 2021. General admission varies from $12 for children (ages 3-12) to $17 for adults depending on dates and times. Reservations are required.

When it comes to getting folks into the ho-ho-holiday spirit, few places do it better than the Dallas suburb of Grapevine (AKA, the Christmas Capital of Texas). Beginning Thanksgiving weekend, the downtown area will transform into a magical dreamland filled with huge decorations, animated characters and millions of twinkling lights. Expect to find over 1,400 daily events and activities, ranging from live street performances and tractor-drawn wagon rides to choreographed light shows, strolling carolers and parades. Did we mention that the historic downtown area is home to over 80 locally owned shops, cafes and wine tasting rooms? The festivities run from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., November 22, 2021 through the first week of January 2022.