The most wonderful time of the year is also the brightest time of the year in North Texas. And, in true Texan fashion, we make sure that Santa has no problem finding our region during his Christmas Eve flight.
If you are looking to get into the Holiday spirit, here’s a list of the top Christmas light displays in North Texas.
Interlochen
This Arlington neighborhood is a destination for many North Texans. More than 200 homes participate in the annual Christmas light display, which boasts The Griswold Award as one of the prizes handed out to residents. The neighborhood’s status as a holiday must-see has gained so much notoriety that the community has official hours for driving through and police direct traffic. View these lights Dec. 16-25, 7 to 11 p.m. The neighborhood’s drive-through entrance point is at Westwood Drive and Randol Mill Road.
Grapevine
This city embraces the holiday so deeply that it’s hard to point out just one display. More than 1 million lights are featured in the nightly Magic of Christmas Show choreographed to music in downtown Grapevine. Or, visit the Gaylord Texan’s Lone Star Christmas with the “Ice!” exhibit with 2 million pounds of carved ice. Or, visit the 4.5 acres of indoor gardens with 2 million holiday lights, miniature trains and a 54-foot Christmas tree. If you have the need for speed, try the 12-lane snow tubing hill or the new 6,000-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink. For a schedule and more details on Grapevine events, go to grapevinetexasusa.com/christmas.
Christmas Tour of Lights
There is something truly magical about this Farmers Branch display of 500,000 twinkling lights. The route begins at Interstate 35E at Valley View Lane and continues to the Farmers Branch Historical Park, where you’ll find Santa Claus and a light show nightly (the park portion of the show will be closed Dec. 3 and 25). The lights are on Nov. 25-Dec. 30, nightly from 6:30 to 9:30. The tour begins at Valley View Lane and Interstate 35E and ends at the park, 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, Farmers Branch.
Highland Park
Pour a cup of hot cocoa, bundle up and hop in a horse-drawn carriage for a ride through Highland Park. While the mansions in this Dallas neighborhood are impressive enough, festooned in festivity the homes take on an even more awesome air. Don’t miss the large pecan tree covered in lights near Armstrong Parkway and Preston Road.
Deerfield
To see one of Collin County’s largest Christmas lights display, visit the Deerfield neighborhood in Plano. There is no shortage of partying penguins, gift boxes galore and shimmering Santas. The lights will be up Dec. 1-30, 7 to 11 p.m. The neighborhood covers a large area north of Legacy Drive between Preston and Coit roads. There’s a map of the recommended driving route on the homeowners’ association website, deerfieldplano.org.