Festive Family Fun
In Grapevine (705 S. Main St., grapevinetexasusa. com), also known as the “Christmas Capital of Texas,” visitors can board the North Pole Express on select dates in November and December for a journey to the North Pole. Patrons are greeted by singing elves and Mrs. Claus. (Grown-ups can even board a Christmas Wine Train for some alcoholic holiday cheer.)
A Texas-sized display of Christmas spirit continues at the Gaylord Texan (1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine) with a life-sized gingerbread house, ice slides and snow tubing opportunities. Downtown McKinney’s post-Thanksgiving “Home for the Holidays” festival (111 N. Tennessee St., mckinneytexas.org) offers candlelight shopping, local vendors, and more, Nov. 27-29.
In Dallas, don’t miss “12 Days of Christmas” at the Dallas Arboretum (8525 Garland Road, dallasarboretum.org), an illuminated outdoor exhibit that dazzles—especially at night.