WFAA

Eventsmaskah! 25 days of holiday events in North Texas

We have a full list of events celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah that will keep you busy from Dec. 1 through Christmas Day.

Jordan Armstrong , WFAA

It's that time of year again. Drive-thru Christmas light displays, giant Menorahs and oodles of holiday cheer have arrived in North Texas. Whether you want to enjoy something with the kiddos or entertain out-of-town guests, we have a full list of events celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah that will keep you busy from December 1 through Christmas Day.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1

  • TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY: GIFT OF LIGHTS:Mix your love of holiday lights and cars during this drive-thru holiday display. It features 2 million LED lights in 600 displays. Through January 1.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2

  • 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS AT DALLAS ARBORETUM: This year the Arboretum is featuring 12 Victorian gazebos modeled after the 12 Days of Christmas. Enjoy the beautiful stroll and find each display, set to classic Christmas music. Great to see during the day or night through January 4.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3

  • THE TRAINS AT NORTHPARK CENTER. Per tradition, beautiful holiday trains are on display for the 27th year. Come see the 1,600 feet of track benefiting the Ronald McDonald House. Through January 4.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6

  • A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS SHOW WITH RICKI DEREK: Enjoy holiday sounds with a big Hollywood feel as Ricki Derek and his orchestra celebrate Christmas. This might be one of the last performances at Lakewood Theater, so you won't want to miss it.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8

  • SANTA'S HELPERS TOY DRIVE: For the 45th year, WFAA's Santa's Helpers are collecting toys for kids in need. A drive-thru event will be held at Frisco Central Fire Station and Safety Town 5-10 p.m.

  • CHRISTMAS AT THE DSO: Enjoy classical holiday music by the amazing Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Through December 21.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9

  • PRAIRIE LIGHTS IN GRAND PRAIRIE: Another drive-thru holiday attraction that lets you enjoy the Christmas spirit while staying warm and cozy in the car. If you want to brave the weather, there's an area where you can walk through and see a laser show. Through January 4 at Lynn Creek Park.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10

  • A SOUTHFORK CHRISTMAS: Visit the famous Parker ranch from "Dallas" in all its holiday glory. There will be displays themed around iconic Christmas movies and a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Just pretend they're the future JR and Sue Ellen, minus the bourbon. Through December 20.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11

  • SANTA'S HELPERS TOY DRIVE: For the 45th year, WFAA's Santa's Helpers are collecting toys for kids in need. A drive-thru event will be held at Grapevine Train Depot 5-10 p.m.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12

  • BETHLEHEM REVISITED: From 6-9 p.m. in Waxahachie, you get the chance to go back to Biblical times and walk through Bethlehem the night Christ was born. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season, right? Weekends through December 14.

  • THE NUTCRACKER: See the classic Christmas ballet (complete with the creepy and iconic Mouse King) at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth through December 27.

  • NORTH POLE EXPRESS: Enjoy a ride to the North Pole on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, including sleigh bells, holiday music, and great family memories. Weekends through December 23.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13

  • CANDLELIGHT HOME TOUR: Walk through seven beautiful homes from the Victorian era to now in Waxahachie. Saturdays and Sundays through December 14.​

  • HOLIDAY TRAIL OF LIGHTS: Enjoy the beautiful lights while walking through the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney. Repeats December 19 and 20.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14

  • FREE ICE SHOWS AT THE GALLERIA DALLAS: The free shows feature Olympic, national and world champions, as well as Skating Santa Missile Toes. Get some shopping done, distract your kids with the show and enjoy Instagramming photos of America's tallest Christmas tree.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 15

  • PANTHER ISLAND ICE AT COYOTE DRIVE-IN: The new Fort Worth attraction is hosting the only outdoor skating rink in North Texas. Enough said. Through January 19.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16 (Hanukkah begins at sundown!)

  • MENORAH LIGHTING AT GALLERIA DALLAS: Kick off the Festival of Lights at this free event at 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17

  • CHRISTMAS AT THE ANATOLE: If you prefer celebrating Christmas indoors, The Hilton Anatole's Trinity Hall features holiday light shows, ice skating, food vendors, a slide, Santa, and much more – all indoors at 70 degrees. Through Jan.4.

  • MENORAH LIGHTING AT NORTHPARK CENTER: Begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free. Rabbi Dubrawsky from the Chabad of Dallas will be there to celebrate.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18

  • CHRISTMAS IN THE SQUARE IN FRISCO: The Frisco Square is covered in 175,000 bulbs which blink along with holiday music. You can drive through or watch curb side. Through January 3.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19

  • A CHRISTMAS CAROL: Come see the classic holiday favorite on stage at The Wyly Theatre through December 27.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20

  • ALL CREATURES GREAT & SMALL: CHRISTMAS IN THE WHITE HOUSE 2002: Visit the George W. Bush Presidential Center to see this beautiful exhibit, featuring what the White House looked like when former First Lady Laura Bush decorated it to celebrate the important roles animals play at the White House. On display through January 13.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21

  • HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS: See the time-honored tradition of spending the holiday season with Casa Manana in Fort Worth. Through December 23.

  • DECK THE HALLS: The Fort Worth Symphony Brass Ensemble will perform holiday favorites with The Dorothy Shaw Bell Choir. See them at 3:30 p.m. at Rose Marine Theater in Fort Worth.

  • THE NUTCRACKER: The Texas Ballet Theater presents Tchaikovsky's beloved holiday classic for both young and old at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth at 2 p.m.

  • TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA:Get ready to hear the live debut of "The Lost Christmas Eve" in thunderous rock sound, shooting flames and all. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra will also perform favorites such as "Christmas Nights in Blue" and "Siberian Sleigh Ride." 7:30 p.m. at the American Airlines Center.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 22

  • HOLIDAY CAMP DO-IT-ALL: Keep the kids busy while you shop for presents with this crafty camp. They'll learn some new skills and make friends while having fun. Dates are December 22-24 and December 29-31 at Coppell Aquatic Recreation Center.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23

  • WINTER'S WONDERLAND:Mini-camp made for the whole family where you'll do fun activities and take a project home. 9:30 a.m. at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney.

  • THE HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE: Celebrate jazzy Christmas carols, gospel and R&B tunes at Kessler Theater in Dallas. Show times are 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25

  • INTERLOCHEN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Top off the big day by jumping in the car and enjoying the last couple of hours of Christmas with one of the best neighborhood light displays. Free from 7 to 11 p.m. in Arlington. See route map.

Contributing: WFAA.com's Josh Davis and Marjorie Owens

© 2014 WFAA, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc.