Mansfield Magazine's 2017 Holiday Lights & Events Guide

Nov 29, 2017 04:52PM ● By Melanie Heisinger

There's plenty to do in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this holiday season. Here are some great family-friendly ways to brighten it up.

From photos with Santa and Christmas lights drive-thru tours, to volunteer opportunities to help those who are less fortunate, there is plenty to celebrate.

This year, we highlight some of the coolest light shows, parades and events in the area for you and yours to experience. Here are some nearby picks.

Arlington

Enchant Christmas Light Maze & Market

An annual Arlington favorite, the Texas Christkindl Market, is now even grander as part of Enchant: The World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze & Market. Visit Texas Christkindl Market Lane in Enchant, November 24 thru December 31, 2017.

Surrounded by millions of dazzling lights, the memories you make at Enchant will last well beyond the holiday season. Whether you’re navigating through the world's largest light maze, gliding around the magical ice-skating pond, visiting Santa or sharing hot cocoa with your loved ones while listening to live entertainment, you’ll find enchantment around every corner.

Looking for a one-stop shop to fulfill your Christmas shopping list? Enchant has over 100 food and market vendors, including the Texas Christkindl Market Lane. Unwrap new holiday traditions at the most scenic wonderland in Texas!

2017 Magical Winter Lights - start Nov 17 2017 0500PM

Magical Winter Lights - Nov 17, 2017 5PM – Jan 7, 2018

Magical Winter Lights is a spectacular, larger-than-life festival that presents a fresh multicultural take on traditional holiday light shows. We look forward to seeing you at our 2017 – ... Read More »

Interlochen Lights 2017 - start Dec 15 2017 0700PM

Interlochen Lights - Dec 15, 2017 - Dec 25, 2017 7PM

"Texas Best" Christmas Lights (as voted by the viewers of the Texas Country Reporter TV Show) are always free to see. 2017 will be the 42nd Anniversary of the Lights. One of the lar... Read More »

Holiday in the Park 2017 - start Nov 17 2017 0200PM

Holiday in the Park - Nov 17, 2017 - Jan 7, 2018 2PM

Holiday in the Park is back for select days from November 17-January 7 at Six Flags Over Texas. It's the most magical time of the year filled with enchanting experiences that will help cr... Read More »

Arlington Holiday Lights Parade

Courtesy of the Holiday Lights Parade Facebook page.

The 2017 Arlington Holiday Lights Parade will brighten Downtown Saturday, December 9at 6pm!

Bring your friends and family to the Downtown/University District to enjoy the Annual Holiday Lights Parade. Thousands of people will gather for the pageantry which ends with the lighting of the Christmas tree on the steps of City Hall.

Don’t forget to bring your camera and take a picture with Santa after the parade at the Levitt Pavilion in Founders Plaza at 100 W. Abram St.

Entertainment begins at 2pm.

Parade will continue as planned rain, snow, or shine …but not ice!

Grand Prairie

Prairie Lights 2017

Courtesy of Prairie Lights.

Prairie Lights is the premier holiday light park in Texas located at Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Upon arriving at the entrance of Prairie Lights, you will be dazzled with 4 million lights set along 2 miles of path. Hundreds of ALL-NEW displays in shapes of all kinds line and arch over the roads. Half way through the drive get out of your car for a stop at Holiday Village where you will find food, gifts, Santa, the brand-new indoor Snow Maze, and the Holiday Magic Lighted Walk-Through Forest. Once back in your vehicle, the second half of the drive ends with the very animated light tunnel – the perfect finale to a night you will never forget!

2017 Grand Prairie Holiday Tree Lighting - start Dec 07 2017 0600PM

2017 Grand Prairie Holiday Tree Lighting - Dec 7, 2017 6:00PM

Have a very Prairie Christmas in downtown Grand Prairie with our annual tree lighting ceremony, hosted by the City of Grand Prairie and Grand Prairie Independent School District. The e... Read More »

Photos with Santa at Traders Village - start Nov 25 2017 1000AM

Photos with Santa at Traders Village - Nov 25, 2017 - Dec 23, 2017 10:00AM

Santa photos at Traders Village start on November 25th. Kids of all ages can have their photo taken with Santa. Donations for photos go to the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce. Get into ... Read More »

Kennedale

City of Kennedale Tree Lighting Festival

Join the City of Kennedale in Kennedale TownCenter Park on Tuesday, December 5, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. as the holiday season is kicked off by lighting our beautiful, live, Christmas tree. Sing along to carols and enjoy holiday treats courtesy of generous local businesses, churches, organizations, and clubs while we anxiously await the arrival of Santa Claus at 6:00 p.m.

Don't forget to bring your camera!

If you're interested in hosting a booth, performing, or helping in any way, you can fill out this form or contact City Secretary Leslie Galloway atlgalloway@cityofkennedale.com or 817-985-2104.

If your organization would like to hand out treats for Santa, we will provide one table and two chairs for you to set up a booth. You’re encouraged to decorate your booth, set up a game or craft, or dress up. The more festive, the better! Please let us know if you’ll need electricity or have any special requests.

Mansfield

Hometown Holidays

Mansfield kicks off the holiday season the first weekend in December with a full weekend of fun and entertainment for the whole family.

Friday, Dec 1, 5-9pm: Tree lighting celebration with games, food, market shopping, fireworks and Santa Claus! Tree will be lit at approximately 6:30pm with fireworks following immediately after. Fun continues until 9pm. Free admission.

Friday, Dec 1, 5-9pm: Get your seats early for the Hometown Holidays Parade and enjoy a FREE performance of Annie, Jr. Musical right in the middle of Main Street! The talented performers from Music Place Mansfield will give parade viewers an exclusive show starting right at noon. If you can't make the parade or want a warmer showing, check out any of their other performances at Farr Best Theater in Historic Downtown Mansfield throughout December.

Saturday, Dec 2, 2pm: Hometown Holidays Parade in Historic Downtown Mansfield. Come early to see Music Place's production of Annie on Main Street starting at noon.

Saturday, Dec 2, 7pm: Amos Lee at MISD PAC. Tickets are limited and benefit MISD arts and music.

Fa La La 5k - Dec 2, 2017 9:00AM

The Mansfield Kiwanis Fa La La La 5K is an annual fun run/walk hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Mansfield during the first weekend of December during the City of Mansfield's Hometown Holiday... Read More »

Sunday, Dec 3, 1pm: Tour of Mansfield Holiday Homes sponsored by the Mansfield Women's Club. Buy tickets online here: http://www.themansfieldwomensclub.com/

The Nutcracker 2017 - start Dec 16 2017 0200PM

The Nutcracker 2017 - Dec 16, 2017 2:00PM & 6:00PM

Join the Art Ballet Academy on a magical trip to the land of the Sugarplum Fairy, waltzing snowflakes and enchanted toys. Tchaikovsky's glorious score, dazzling costumes, giant growing Ch... Read More »

MISDs 6th Annual Toys for Tots Drive - start Dec 06 2017 0500PM

MISD’s 6th Annual Toys for Tots Drive - Dec 6, 2017 5:00PM

Get ready for one of the biggest Mansfield ISD community events of the year! MISD’s sixth annual Toys for Tots Drive is Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 5 to 10:30 p.m at the MISD Center for the... Read More »

Fort Worth

Gift of Lights 2017

Courtesy of the Gift of Lights Facebook page.

November 23rd - December 30, 2017

The Gift of Lights is a Texas-sized Drive Thru light park hosted at Texas Motor Speedway with a portion of the proceeds going directly to Speedway Children's Charities, Ronald McDonald House, Toys for Tots, KLTY Christmas Wish, Fort Worth Police Officers Association, and Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Do you have photos from your home, your neighborhood, or cool light shows you've seen in Mansfield and beyond? We'd love to see them. Post them in the comments, or contact us.

Hometown Holidays 2017