There is absolutely no place like Grapevine when it comes to the Christmas season. If you love Christmas, you simply must visit the North Texas city that embodies the spirit of the season like no place else, with the exception of perhaps the North Pole.
There’s a reason Grapevine is known as the Christmas Capital of Texas. One visit and you’ll see it earns that reputation, one that keeps growing each year – as does the annual event known as Christmas in Grapevine.
Each year is more fun than the year before. There’s so much to take in and so much fun to be had from the youngest of tots to those who remember when Santa was still in training for his job.
In all, more than 1400 events will take place over 40 days.
It all starts with the annual pardoning of Tom T. Turkey from Nash Farms by Mayor William D. Tate on Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. at 701 S. Main St. The event signals goodbye to the fall and welcomes the holiday season.
Also that day from 4-8 p.m. is the 38th Annual Carol of Lights. Historic Main Street will host a Christmas festival that will include Jumpin’ Junction with Christmas-themed bounce houses, Santa’s Race Track, the Frozen FunZone featuring a three-lane snow hill and more.
The rest of the plethora of holiday events includes:
*47th Annual Parade of Lights – More than 100 lighted floats and marching bands on Historic Main Street. This year’s theme is Christmas Miracle on Main Street! Dec. 3, 7 p.m.
*Sixth Annual Merry & Bright Drone Show – A fleet of 600 drones create Christmas magic in the sky along Historic Main Street, launching from the Northwest Highway side. Dec. 7, 7 p.m.
*Santa’s North Pole Express co-presented by AE Texas and Great Wolf Lodge – Christmas singalongs, special moments with Santa and his elves on board and visits with Mrs. Claus. Nov. 27–Dec. 30. (Closed Dec. 3, 24-25). 705 S. Main St.
ATTRACTIONS
*Ice! and Lone Star Christmas at Gaylord Texan Resort, featuring Harry Potter – The magnificent, hand-carved sculptures are created from more than two million pounds of colorful ice. Also includes ice tubing, gingerbread decorating, Elf Training Academy, Mrs. Claus’s Christmas Traditions and more. Nov. 13–Jan. 3. Times vary.
*Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge – An immersive Winter Wonderland filled with seasonal events including singalongs, snowfall celebrations, dance parties, visits with Santa Claus and more. Nov. 23–Jan. 5.
*Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops – Games, crafts and free photos with Santa. *(New) Christmas at Dig World – A construction wonderland where children and adults can operate real heavy machinery surrounded by festive lights, music and park-wide decorations. Photo with Construction Santa, Dec. 18–Dec. 24. Day passes start at $30. 2200 W. Grapevine Mills Cir.
*Holiday Bricktacular, LEGOLAND Discovery Center – Enjoy special seasonal activities and meet LEGO Santa. Dec. 3–31, hours vary. Tickets start at $21.99. Inside Grapevine Mills.
*Scuba Diving Santa, SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium, Dec. 5, 12 and 19 at 11 a.m. Tickets start at $19.99. Inside Grapevine Mills.
*Peace Plaza Ice Rink presented by Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Grapevine – Skate on the largest outdoor rink in North Texas under the glow of Grapevine’s towering, live Christmas tree. Nov. 21–Jan. 5. (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.) $20 for a one-hour session, including skate rental. 815 S. Main St.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Historic Palace Theatre Broadway-style tribute Shows and live entertainment sponsored by Amazon, 300 S. Main St.
● Dean Martin & Friends, Nov. 14, 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets $50.
● Magician Zak Mirz, Nov. 15, 3 p.m. Tickets 20−30.
● North Central Ballet presents “Nutcracker – Short and Sweet.” Nov. 21-22, 3 p.m. Tickets $18; Event add-on: The Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party, 2 p.m. Tickets $15.
● A Frank Sinatra Christmas Tribute, Nov. 29, 4 p.m. Tickets $50.
● The BIG BAND Holiday Swing Thing!, Dec. 4, 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets $50.
● A Merry Little Christmas Show with Ricki Derek, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. Tickets 30−38.
● Elvis Christmas Special starring Kraig Parker and the Royal Tribute Band, Dec. 6, 4 p.m. Tickets 20−47.
● Endless Summer – America’s Beach Boys Experience – Christmas Tribute, Dec. 11-12, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets $50.
● Rocky Gribble presents A Grapevine Opry Christmas, Dec. 13, 4 p.m. Tickets $32.
● The Texas Tenors: Deep in the Heart of Christmas, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 16, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 17, 3 p.m. Tickets $48.
● Red Dirt Comedy Christmas Show with William Lee Martin & Friends, Dec. 19, 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets. 35−45.
*The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – The worst kids in town hijack the annual Christmas pageant in this community theatre production at the Runway Theatre. Dec. 4–6, 12–13 and 18–20. Times vary. Tickets 22−25. 215 N Dooley St.
CLASSIC CHRISTMAS MOVIES
Historic Palace Theatre Movies sponsored by Amazon. All movies are $10 per person. 300 S. Main St.
● Miracle on 34th Street, Nov. 20, 7 p.m.
● A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas, Nov. 24, 11 a.m.
● The Santa Clause, Nov 24 and Dec. 22, 3 p.m.
● Elf, Nov. 28, Dec. 18, and Dec. 23, 3 p.m.
● Home Alone, Nov. 28, 7 p.m.; Dec. 18, 11 a.m.; Dec. 20, 3 p.m.; Dec. 23, 11 a.m.
● A Christmas Carol, Nov. 30, 7 p.m.
● Meet Me in St. Louis, Dec. 1, 7 p.m.
● It’s A Wonderful Life, Dec. 2, 7 p.m.; Dec. 10, 7 p.m.; Dec. 21, 3 p.m.; Dec. 22, 7 p.m.
● The Muppet Christmas Carol, Dec. 7, 4 p.m.
● A Christmas Story, Dec. 8, 4 p.m.
● White Christmas, Dec. 9, 14, 21 and 23, 7 p.m.
● National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Dec. 18 and 20, 7 p.m.
● A Charlie Brown Christmas and Frosty the Snowman, December 21-22, 11 a.m.
● The Bell of St. Mary’s, Dec. 29, 3 p.m.
● Serendipity, Dec. 29, 7 p.m.
● The Shop Around the Corner, Dec. 30, 3 p.m.
● Die Hard, Dec. 30, 7 p.m.
CRAFTS/FAMILY FUN
*Christmas Ornaments at Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Gallery – Pick your colors and work with artisans at the 2,000-degree furnace to create Christmas snowmen and round ornaments. Nov. 11–Jan. 2. Times vary. $70 each. Reservations required. 701 S. Main Street #103.
*(New) Custom Candle Pop Up at RTown Gallery – Features handcrafted candles, local art and a little something to brighten your day. Bring your own vessel if you wish. Dec. 13, 11–4 p.m. Gallery visit is free, candles start at $28. 314 S. Main St.
*Ornament making, Porcelain Artists Museum. Tuesdays–Sundays, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. $10 for make and take, $15 for kiln-fired. 204 E. Franklin St.
*Cartoons & Crafts at the Lancaster Theatre sponsored by Amazon – Watch classic Christmas cartoons while making a fun Christmas craft. Various days and times. $8 children (includes craft, popcorn and drink), $4 adults (includes beverage) 300 S. Main St.
*Sixth Annual Christmas in Grapevine Craft Show – 90-plus vendors with thousands of unique gift ideas, seasonal treats, Christmas music, free drawings and prizes. Nov. 28-29. Tickets $5. Children and military free. Grapevine Convention Center.
*Train-A-Palooza Christmas Model Train Show, Dec. 5-6. Tickets $10. Children and scouts in uniform are free. Grapevine Convention Center.
*Rudolph’s Gift, at Grapevine Escape, Mrs. Claus needs your help finishing Rudolph’s gift for a milestone anniversary. Nov. 9–Jan. 6. Tickets start at $34.99. 160 N. Main St.
*Prairie Christmas at Historic Nash Farm, Dec. 4, 10 a.m.–noon. Tickets $5 in advance, $10 walk-ups if available. 626 Ball St.
*Victorian Christmas at Nash Farm, Dec. 12, 1–4 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance, $15 walk-ups if available. 626 Ball St.
*A Handmade Christmas at Nash Farm, Dec. 15-31, 10:30 a,m, and 1:30 p.m. (not offered on Mondays or Dec. 24-25) Tickets $5 in advance, walk-up tickets not guaranteed. 626 Ball St.
CHRISTMAS TREATS/DRINKS
Gingerbread House Decorating Classes at JudyPie – Classes include kits, icing, decorations, hot chocolate and a cookie. Tickets $65. Dates and times vary. 520 S. Main St.
*Dr. Sue’s Hot Chocolate Bar, Nov. 27-Dec. 23, 3-6 p.m. $5.75 per cup. 150 W. College St.
*Christmas Cookies and Coffee Flight Boards, RE:defined Coffee House, Nov. 27-Christmas through Christmas. 200 W. Northwest Hwy.
ADULT CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCES
*Winter Wonderland Bubbles – Nestled on Hotel Vin’s North Lawn alongside the Historic Grapevine Vintage Railroad, Nov. 13–Feb. 14. 215 E. Dallas Rd.
*Holly Jolly Pop-Up Bar at Third Rail, Nov. 20–Jan. 3. Inside Harvest Hall at Grapevine Main Station. 215 E. Dallas Rd.
*Bad Santa’s Boathouse, A “Naughty and Nice” Christmas Pop-Up Bar on Lake Grapevine at Big Daddy’s Cantina at Scott’s Landing Marina, Tuesdays–Sundays through Dec. 26. Reservations are encouraged. 2500 Oak Grove Loop S. No. 200.
*Bubbles, Brunch and Munch – Enjoy sparkling wines from around the world at Winestein’s Tasting Room. Nov. 28, noon–2 p.m. Tickets $69 each. 280 N. Main St.
*No Home For the Holidays – Interactive Murder Mystery at Texas Star Dinner Theater. Nov. 20–Dec. 27, Various days and times. Tickets $70.95. 816 S. Main St.
*Ho Ho Homicide: Murder Mystery Dinner at Messina Hof Grapevine Winery – You’ll be assigned a specific character role based on your comfort level. Dec. 18, 6:30 p.m. Tickets $75. 201 S. Main St.
*A Very Merry Christmas Cookie & Wine Pairing – Enjoy a merry afternoon of five delicious Christmas cookies, each paired with a perfectly matched Messina Hof Wine. Dec. 19, 1–3 p.m. Tickets $42. 201 S. Main St.
FESTIVE PHOTO OPPS
*Christmas Lights on Historic Main Street – Enjoy festively decorated boutiques, cafés, art galleries and winery tasting rooms with the following photo opps along the way:
• Historic Torian and Bushong Log Cabins, 200 S. Main St.
• Toyland at Liberty Park Plaza, 200 S. Main St.
• Candy Cane Lane, 300 S. Main St.
• Town Square Gazebo, 325 S. Main St.
• Nativity Scene, 523 S. Main St.
• Singing Snowmen (The Chili Dawgs), West Worth and Main Street, shows begin at 5:30 p.m.
*Hometown Christmas – Interactive Christmas exhibition inside the Grapevine Tower Gallery and the Settlement to City Museums. Nov. 27–Jan. 5. (Closed Dec. 24, 25 and New Year’s Day) Admission is $3. 636 S. Main St.
*Grapevine’s Live Christmas Tree, Grapevine Main Station’s Peace Plaza. 815 S. Main St.
*Grapevine Christmas Market, The Historic Cotton Belt Depot District – Artisan vendors, seasonal attractions, activities and photo ops. Nov. 27–Dec., 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 24-25).
*Relax at the Lodge at Santa’s North Pole Express presented by Park Place Lexus and Land Rover Grapevine. 701 S. Main St.
FREE PARKING
• Grapevine Convention Center, with free shuttle.
• 307 W. Dallas Rd.
• 410 W. Dallas Rd.
• 636 S. Main St.
• Limited parking in Historic Grapevine lots.
PAID PARKING/PARK AND RIDE
• 1867 E. Dallas Rd. – DFW Airport North DART Silver Line and TEXRail Station (TEXRail fare $4/seniors $2 round-trip).
• 255 E. Dallas Rd., Grapevine Main Parking Garage.
HISTORIC MAIN STREET CLOSURES
• Nov. 22, 1 p.m.-Nov. 30, 6 a.m.
• Dec. 3, 6 p.m.-Dec. 7, 6 a.m.
• Dec. 7, 6 p.m.-midnight (drone show).
• Dec. 11, 6 a.m.-Dec. 14, 6 a.m.
• Dec. 18, 6 a.m.-Dec. 28, 6 a.m.