DALLAS 2020 HOLIDAY GUIDE: THE ULTIMATE LIST OF THINGS TO DO IN DFW THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON

Although 2020 is not a normal year of celebration, there are tons of activities happening in Dallas to help you safely celebrate the holidays. There are drive-thru light shows, outdoor walking light tours for all of your photo needs, giant Christmas trees all around Dallas and even instagrammable pop ups with limited occupancy. We encourage you to check back often on this blog post, as we will continue to update throughout December 2020 as new activities become available! Here is our list of things to do in Dallas this 2020 Holiday Season!

Also be sure to follow us on Instagram for up to the minute details on new events! We'll also use the hashtag #ChristmasLoveList if you want to join in on the fun on your own page.

Dallas Zoo Lights

Running November 20th - January 3rd - Select nights

Tickets + Details HERE

See our video of the experience HERE

📍Dallas

Visit the @DallasZoo’s ZOO LIGHTS - a 1.25 mile drive thru experience that is sure to bring you joy 🎄🦩🎄🦥🎄🦒🎄🐘🎄

Another creative pivot brings us the elaborate drive-thru experience at the Dallas Zoo. There are tons of photo opps, but the highlight of my visit was getting to see the flamingos at night. It is clear a ton of time and effort was put into this event for you and your family to safely enjoy.

Dallas Zoo lights is open now through January 3rd and tickets are required!

LUMINOVA

Running select dates Now - January 3rd

Tickets + Details HERE USE CODE "LOVE" FOR 10% OFF TICKETS

See our video of the experience HERE

📍 Arlington

Visit Luminova Holiday photo opp extravaganza at the all new Rangers Globe Life Field 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 I was so pumped to get to FINALLYYYYYY see the new Globe Life Field AND explore a massive Christmas light feast for the eyeballs.

Luminova has over 3,000,000 lights scattered around the entire ballpark. This is an indoor/outdoor event and it sprawls over 270,000 square feet. There is also an ice skating rink (the largest outdoor rink in Texas) and plenty of food and cocktails like Fletcher's Corny Dogs and a full bar!

MASKS ARE REQUIRED, THIS IS NON-NEGOTIABLE.

USE CODE “LOVE” FOR 10% OFF TICKETS. Space is very limited for everyone’s safety so if you’d like to go I suggest getting tickets ASAP. Like, right now

SNOWDAY AT THE GALLERIA

Running Now - January 3rd

Tickets + Details HERE

See our video of the experience HERE

📍Dallas

If you’re looking for the PERFECT place to take photos for instagram this holiday season, add @SnowDayDallas to your #ChristmasLoveList 🎄📸 IT IS SO GOOD GUYS!

They have a ton of different holiday themed backdrops you can take photos with.

HERE IS THE BEST PART THOUGH…

You just scan a wristband to trigger a camera, jump into place, and the camera starts counting down from 5 seconds before a photo is snapped. All of the photos you take during your visit then go directly into a QR code you can save to your phone! EVERYTHING IS CONTACTLESS. So freaking genius.

Masks are required the entire time, and reservations/tickets also needed.

Pro tip: also hit up @MakeYourLifeSweeter 🍬🍭🍫 right next door, for the full day of holiday fun!

Dallas Arboretum's 12 days of Christmas

Running Now - December 31st

Tickets + Details HERE

See our video of the experience during the day HERE or see the experience at night HERE

📍Dallas

✨Visit the 12 days of Christmas @TheDallasArboretum. They have reservations available online for both DAY + for EVENING!

Stroll the garden to see the 25-foot-tall elaborately decorated Victorian-style gazebos that represent each of the 12 Days of Christmas.

In the evenings, the garden comes to life for a beautiful nighttime experience aglow with over one million lights. After Thanksgiving, they'll set up a Christmas Village, visits with Santa Claus, entertainment, shopping, food & beverage options and more!

ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE REQUIRED

Radiance Christmas Drive-Thru

Running Now - January 3rd in Frisco, Decatur and Weatherford

Tickets + Details HERE

See our video of the experience HERE

📍Frisco, Decatur and Weatherford

A drive thru Christmas light experience with 3 million lights in Frisco! They are also doing similar events this year in Weatherford and Decatur!

We did the VIP ticket which skipped the line and included hot chocolate! If you have kiddos it also included some glasses for them to use when looking at the lights.

During the drive you sync up with a local radio station exclusively for the experience!

cheer! at the joule

Running Now - January 2nd

Tickets + Details HERE

See our photos of the experience HERE

📍 Dallas

Get your Holiday Instagram 📸 on at the CHEER! pop up art installation and exhibit at the Joule hotel with ALL (!!) proceeds going to local arts and programming!

This is a super cute, four room exhibit with Instagrammable art by local female artists and artists of color. Tickets are $20 for charity. Since it is a smaller space, tickets and time slots are limited. When I went I was the only one in there.

Artists participating

✨@artistjbell

✨@outlouddallas

✨ @jenniferwester

✨ @chloecuriel_making

✨ @iam450_

Presented by @Gossy_culture

Again, this isn’t a huge exhibit but you’re supporting a great cause and you’ll for sure leave with a bomb 💣 photo for the gram!

Sippin Santa "Holiday in Hawaii" pop up Bar

Running Now - Dec 31st

Reservations Required + Details HERE

See our video of the experience HERE

📍Dallas / Royal 38 in The Union

The brand new Royal 38 just opened in The Union and with it they've revamped a large, old restaurant space (you can tell it was a a sushi bar before) with tropical Tiki decor on literally every square inch of the restaurant.

Palm trees, leis streaming from the ceiling, cocktail "cabanas" and pool floats are a sampling of the decor in this paradise festive cocktail pop up.

Sippin Santa is a Tiki themed national pop up featured in cities all over the United States. The cocktails come in fun, Santa + Christmas themed glassware you can also buy if you just have to have it for your bar cart.

MIRACLE ON COMMERCE AT THE ADOLPHUS

Begins Thursday December 3rd and runs from Wednesdays - Saturdays through January

Details HERE

📍 Dallas

COCKTAILS, CURLING & COZY CABINS ON THE ROOF

Miracle on Commerce is so much s’more than just a holiday treat, it’s a full Woodland wonderland. Bonspiel & Beaux Arts. Woodlands & Wassel.

Visit this winter rooftop wonderland in Downtown Dallas for cocktails, curling and cozy cabins at Miracle on Commerce.

The standout Downtown Dallas rooftop of The Adolphus delivers an over-the-top Woodland experience with open-air seasonal festivities every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night through January. Grab a mask and bundle up for some holiday fun!

Prairie Lights Drive-Thru

Begins Thanksgiving night and runs through Dec 31st

Tickets + Details HERE

📍 Grand Prairie

Upon arriving at the entrance of Prairie Lights, you will be dazzled to 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 your adventure you will have the opportunity to order treats and drinks in their new concessions drive-thru!

The second half of the drive ends with the new and improved light tunnel – the perfect finale to a night you will never forget!

Advance ticket required, plus there is a skip the line fast pass option!

Visit Leela's Wine Bar's festive Christmas decor

Runs through Dec 31st

Details HERE

📍 Dallas

Visit the absolutely gorgeous wine and cocktail holiday heaven otherwise known as @LeelasDallas and order the Son of a Nutcracker cocktail made with @Wildturkey 101🎄🎄🎄🎄

Leela’s is absolutely stunning during the holiday season and this Wild Turkey cocktail is a can’t miss made with wild turkey 101, amaro sfumato, spiced cranberry syrup, lemon and soda!

They also have a second pop-up at their sister bar, ABV upstairs that is Nightmare Before Christmas themed.

Get your photo taken at the Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal Sign

Available through Dec 31st

No ticket needed

📍 Dallas

This is the best instagrammable photo opportunity in Dallas during the holidays. Take your photo with the "Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal" sign on the side of Eno's Pizza in Bishop Arts.

I go every single year, it is a can't miss photo app in the cutest neighborhood! Reserve some time to visit the shops in the neighborhood, I love Mosaic Makers, Caffeinated Beauty Bar, Urban Owl and All Good Things.

St. Henry's Winter Wonderland Rooftop Pop Up

Runs through Dec 31st

Details HERE

📍 Dallas

If you're like me and like your dirty martinis with a side of twinkling Christmas cheer, this spot is for you. Not only is this where the classy side of Christmas lives, but they have an incredibly elevated food and beverage menu.

There is also an open-air rooftop with fire pits and Christmas trees if you'd prefer outdoor space. The menu contains extraordinary dishes like butter poached king crab and a whole baked brie.

Grab those sparkles because Champagne + craft cocktails will be flowing. Date night or girl's night out, this is for sure your go-to destination for fancy holiday cheer.

Vitruvian Lights

Running Now - January 1st

Details HERE (free to attend)

📍Addison

This colorful tree light display is completely free to attend. Vitruvian Park transforms into a magical holiday wonderland. Stroll through the park, enjoy the view, and grab dinner at local restaurants!

The lights reflect off the water and make for an incredible photo opportunity for the gram. My favorite part is how large it is, there is plenty of room to see the lights and social distance.

Skating Under the Stars

Running Now - January 3rd

Details HERE (free to attend, ice skating small fee)

📍Farmers Branch

ICE SKATING! There is nothing more festive than ice skating during the holidays. Lace up and skate around surrounded by twinkle lights at Christmas in the Branch + Skating Under the Stars.

When you're done, there are a ton of lights to take photos with across the street and it is totally free to attend.

They also have several different promotional nights to save some extra money, be sure to check the website before you go to see what that night's promo is!