1. Prairie Lights
- Nov. 28-Dec. 31, begins at 6 p.m.
- Lynn Creek Park, 5610 Lake Ridge Parkway, Grand Prairie
- $50 per vehicle, $149 for Fast Pass
- www.prairielights.org
Prairie Lights features 4 million lights arranged in holiday-themed displays that span over 2 miles, according to the event website. At the halfway point, attendees can hop out of their vehicles to experience the Holiday Village, which features:
- Free carnival rides
- Concessions
- Photos with Santa
- A redesigned magical walk-thru forest
- Holiday shopping
- Nov. 28-Jan. 5, 6-10 p.m. (Friday-Saturday); 6-9 p.m. (Sunday-Thursday); holiday hours 6-10 p.m. Dec. 19-29
- 3545 Lone Star Circle, Fort Worth
- $35 cars, $60 bus/limo/RV
- www.giftoflightstexas.com
Gift of Lights at the Texas Motor Speedway consists of holiday-themed lighted displays in a 2-mile course. According to the event website, the average drive time through the show is 45 minutes.
3. Downtown Grapevine
- Nov. 25-Jan. 7, after dark
- Main Street in Grapevine
- Free
- www.grapevinetexasusa.com/christmas-capital-of-texas
While Grapevine doesn’t have an official drive-thru event, driving up and down Main Street in the “Christmas Capital of Texas” offers visitors a chance to experience millions of Christmas lights, animated holiday characters, drone shows and plenty of opportunities to shop and eat.
According to the event website, there are over 1,400 activities happening during this holiday season, including:
- Carol of Lights
- Peace Plaza ice rink
- Christmas drone show
- Parade of Lights
- Dec. 1-30, 7-10 p.m. (weekdays), 7-11 p.m. (weekends)
- Northwest Plano between Coit Road and Preston Road
- Free
- www.visitplano.com
The Deerfield neighborhood has been drawing Christmas light enthusiasts for more than 20 years with more than 1 million lights, according to a city website.
Some important tips to remember include:
- There are several entrances to the neighborhood, so don’t wait in long lines.
- Weekday nights are less crowded; lines on the weekends can be hours long.
- There are no public restrooms on the route.
The website states carriage rides through the neighborhood are also available.
5. The Light Park
- Nov. 1-Jan. 5; park opens every night at 5:30 p.m.; closing times 10 p.m. (weekdays) and 11 p.m. (weekends)
- 7300 Rough Riders Trail, Frisco; 1800 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington
- $39 online, $50 on-site
- www.thelightpark.com
According to the event website, The Light Park features millions of twinkling lights synchronized to music. Other features of the park include:
- Pet friendly
- Food and drink are available
- Open seven days a week
6. Highland Park
- Mid-December through New Year’s Eve, after dark
- Town of Highland Park
- Free
- www.hpvillage.com/blog/highland-park-villages-famous-holiday-lights-display
A closer look
The town of Highland Park has everything, from Texas-sized mansions decked out with professional exhibits to gingerbread-like houses. Previous attendees suggest starting the tour at Armstrong Parkway and Preston Road, and winding through the neighborhoods.
Many people start or end their tour by stopping off at Highland Park Village, a shopping center with 1.5 million lights. The tradition of dressing up the village with Christmas lights started in 1951 and runs from mid-November to mid-February, according to the shopping center's website.
7. Interlochen in Arlington
The town of Highland Park has everything, from Texas-sized mansions decked out with professional exhibits to gingerbread-like houses. Previous attendees suggest starting the tour at Armstrong Parkway and Preston Road, and winding through the neighborhoods.
Many people start or end their tour by stopping off at Highland Park Village, a shopping center with 1.5 million lights. The tradition of dressing up the village with Christmas lights started in 1951 and runs from mid-November to mid-February, according to the shopping center's website.
7. Interlochen in Arlington
- Dec. 15-25, 6-11 p.m. each night
- Northwest Arlington, enter through Westwood Drive at Randol Mill Road
- Free
- www.lakeinterlochentx.com/about/christmas-lights
The gist
A DFW tradition for more than 40 years, more than 200 homeowners decorate their homes with festive lights and holiday-themed displays each year, according to a city website. City officials said the tour takes about an hour, not including wait times to get into the neighborhood (which can be long). A map of the route can be found at the website above.
8. Radiance at the Ranch in Weatherford
A DFW tradition for more than 40 years, more than 200 homeowners decorate their homes with festive lights and holiday-themed displays each year, according to a city website. City officials said the tour takes about an hour, not including wait times to get into the neighborhood (which can be long). A map of the route can be found at the website above.
8. Radiance at the Ranch in Weatherford
- Nov. 22-Dec. 28, 6-9 p.m. (weeknights), 6-10 p.m. (weekends)
- Parker County Sheriff’s Posse, 2251 Mineral Wells Hwy., Weatherford
- Prices start at $29.95 per vehicle; VIP admission is $49.99 per vehicle
- www.radiancechristmas.com
What you need to know
The event's website states the 2-mile-long route includes over 2 million lights and typically takes 25 minutes to experience.
Back for the fourth year, the show has added more features, including:
The event's website states the 2-mile-long route includes over 2 million lights and typically takes 25 minutes to experience.
Back for the fourth year, the show has added more features, including:
- New scenes
- More lights
- A VIP option that includes shorter wait access on busy nights
- Magic light glasses for kids
- Hot chocolate and popcorn
