Celebrate the magic of the holidays in University Park with our detailed guide. Whether University Park is your home or your holiday stop, this guide highlights the top seasonal events.
One of the cherished experiences during this festive season is the Holiday at the Arboretum, featuring breathtaking displays of seasonal blooms and stunning seasonal lights. The Dallas Zoo Lights mesmerizes visitors with its dazzling light displays and enchanting animal exhibits, providing a unique combination of holiday cheer and wildlife. And the Light Park is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it offers a spectacular drive-through light experience filled with synchronized music. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around University Park
- Holiday at the Arboretum (Dallas)
- Dallas Zoo Lights (Dallas)
- The Light Park (Arlington)
- Vitruvian Lights (Addison)
- ICE at the Gaylord Texan Resort (Grapevine)
- Tianyu Lights Festival Dallas (Dallas)
- Lights on the Farm - Heritage Farmstead Museum (Plano)
- Klyde Warren Park's Tree Lighting Celebration (Dallas)
- Holiday Tree Lighting
- Christmas Spectacular Light Show (The Colony)
See these and even more events listed below!
University Park Holiday Light Displays
Holiday at the Arboretum
What to Expect:
50-foot-tall animated Dazzling Musical Tree with 42,000 lights.
Description:
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden transforms into a holiday spectacle with the 12 Days of Christmas Gazebos, Christmas Village, and the elaborately decorated DeGolyer House. Over a million lights illuminate the garden, and visitors can enjoy holiday treats, live performances, and special events.
Where: Dallas | More Info: Holiday at the Arboretum
Dallas Zoo Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Dallas Zoo Lights features over two million twinkling lights, larger-than-life animal lanterns, holiday-themed photo ops, and musical performances. Guests can meet Santa and enjoy festive holiday treats while exploring the zoo's themed areas.
Where: Dallas | More Info: Dallas Zoo Lights
The Light Park
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with festive tunes.
Description:
Cruise through millions of dazzling lights at The Light Park, synchronized to festive tunes by DJ Polar Ice. Enjoy tasty treats and zappy beverages while experiencing the electrifying vibes of this holiday spectacle.
Where: Arlington | More Info: The Light Park
Vitruvian Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular tree lighting display in a scenic park setting.
Description:
Vitruvian Park transforms into a dazzling holiday spectacle with tree lights and festive ambiance, creating a memorable experience for all visitors.
Where: Addison | More Info: Vitruvian Lights
Tianyu Lights Festival Dallas
What to Expect:
Interactive lantern displays and nightly cultural performances.
Description:
The Tianyu Lights Festival in Dallas is a nighttime walk-through experience featuring 19 immersive scenes with larger-than-life lantern sculptures, nightly stage performances by acrobats and folk performers, and a variety of food and beverage options. Visitors follow the journey of Koda, a 7-year-old boy, as he explores the magical rainforest of Caballococha, Peru, and help him find his missing memory fragments.
Where: Dallas | More Info: Tianyu Lights Festival Dallas
Lights on the Farm - Heritage Farmstead Museum
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with stunning light displays and festive activities.
Description:
Explore over 1 million dazzling lights and unique holiday elements at the Heritage Farmstead Museum. Take a quarter-mile stroll through the beautiful grounds, meet Santa Claus, and indulge in delicious treats like hot cocoa, s'mores, and donuts while enjoying festive holiday music.
Where: Plano | More Info: Lights on the Farm - Heritage Farmstead Museum
Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Live performances and an ice skating rink.
Description:
The Holiday Tree Lighting at Snider Plaza features live performances, an ice skating rink, pet adoption booths, and a Salvation Army Toy Drive. Local vendors offer tasty snacks and drinks, and a beer garden is available with a suggested donation to assist the North Texas Food Bank and Salvation Army.
Where: University Park | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting
Christmas Spectacular Light Show
What to Expect:
Free, music-synchronized light show.
Description:
The Colony Christmas Spectacular light show is a choreographed display of lights set to music, visible every evening from December 2 to January 5, 2025, at the Central Fire Station.
Where: The Colony | More Info: Christmas Spectacular Light Show
Holiday Lights in the Park - Andrew Brown Park East
What to Expect:
Nightly holiday light displays.
Description:
Holiday Lights in the Park at Andrew Brown Park East features nightly light displays from December 3 to 31, offering a festive atmosphere for all to enjoy.
Where: Coppell | More Info: Holiday Lights in the Park - Andrew Brown Park East
Prairie Lights
What to Expect:
State-of-the-art light tunnel and walk-thru forest.
Description:
Prairie Lights is a premier holiday light park in Texas featuring an ALL NEW state-of-the-art light tunnel, a REIMAGINED magical walk-thru forest, CAPTIVATING animated light displays, carnival rides, photos with Santa, and holiday shopping.
Where: Grand Prairie | More Info: Prairie Lights
University Park Holiday Shows and Entertainment
ICE at the Gaylord Texan Resort
What to Expect:
Immersive ice sculptures and slides in a chilly 9-degree environment.
Description:
ICE at the Gaylord Texan Resort features over 10 immersive scenes, thrilling two-story tall ice slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels, all hand-carved from 2 million pounds of ice by world-renowned artisans from Harbin, China.
Where: Grapevine | More Info: ICE at the Gaylord Texan Resort
Klyde Warren Park's Tree Lighting Celebration
What to Expect:
Live music and visits from Santa and his friends.
Description:
Klyde Warren Park's Tree Lighting Celebration is a festive holiday event featuring photos with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, face painting, crafts, and live music from the Emerald City Band. The day culminates with the lighting of the Mayor’s Tree.
Where: Dallas | More Info: Klyde Warren Park's Tree Lighting Celebration
Merry Movie Night
What to Expect:
Free dinner and movie under the stars.
Description:
Join the community for a family-friendly dinner and movie night at Midlothian Community Park. Enjoy free refreshments while supplies last and bring blankets and chairs for lawn seating. This event is free and open to the public, sponsored by Methodist Midlothian Medical Center.
Where: Midlothian | More Info: Merry Movie Night
Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy
What to Expect:
Interactive ballet character meet-and-greets.
Description:
Guests are welcomed into the Snow Queen's Kingdom where they are served tea, lemonade, and treats while characters from the Nutcracker ballet visit each table. Mother Ginger tells the story of the Nutcracker with the help of the characters, and guests may visit with the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow Queen, or Clara and the Nutcracker Prince for autographs and photo opportunities.
Where: Allen | More Info: Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy
Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Community Christmas tree lighting with live readings and choir performances.
Description:
The Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting in Historic Downtown Wylie features a festive procession down Ballard Avenue, followed by the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Olde City Park. Mayor Porter will read "The Night Before Christmas," and the Wylie High Schools Tempo choir will sing seasonal songs before the big switch is thrown to light the community Christmas tree.
Where: Wylie | More Info: Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
University Park Other Holiday Activities
Santa's Village at Huffhines Park
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday village with Santa's Post Office and Mrs. Claus bakery.
Description:
Santa's Village at Huffhines Park is a free holiday event featuring free parking, photos with Santa, musical performances, and interactive activities within colorful village dwellings.
Where: Richardson | More Info: Santa's Village at Huffhines Park
Frosty 5k
What to Expect:
A festive fun run with a race through Frisco Square and downtown.
Description:
The Frosty 5K is a fun run through Frisco Square and downtown Frisco, suitable for all ages, and a delightful tradition that kicks off the annual Merry Main Street event.
Where: Frisco | More Info: Frosty 5k
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Dallas (5 miles)
- Farmers Branch (8 miles)
- Richardson (8 miles)
- Carrollton (9 miles)
- Irving (9 miles)
- Garland (10 miles)
- Mesquite (13 miles)
- Plano (13 miles)
- Balch Springs (13 miles)
- Grand Prairie (14 miles)
- Rowlett (14 miles)
- Coppell (14 miles)
- Sachse (15 miles)
- Duncanville (15 miles)
- Murphy (16 miles)
- Euless (16 miles)
- Grapevine (17 miles)
- The Colony (17 miles)
- Lewisville (18 miles)
- Lancaster (18 miles)
- DeSoto (18 miles)
- Wylie (19 miles)
- Allen (19 miles)
- Arlington (20 miles)
- Bedford (20 miles)
- Cedar Hill (20 miles)
- Southlake (20 miles)
- Rockwall (21 miles)
- Flower Mound (21 miles)
- Colleyville (21 miles)
- Frisco (21 miles)
- Hurst (22 miles)
- Little Elm (23 miles)
- North Richland Hills (25 miles)
- Corinth (26 miles)
- McKinney (26 miles)
- Watauga (26 miles)
- Keller (27 miles)
- Haltom City (27 miles)
- Midlothian (28 miles)
- Mansfield (28 miles)
- Fort Worth (31 miles)
- Denton (32 miles)
- Waxahachie (32 miles)
- Saginaw (33 miles)
- Burleson (37 miles)
- Benbrook (40 miles)
- Greenville (45 miles)