Our guide to Flower Mound, Dallas and North Texas holiday events near Canyon Falls

From festive tree lighting ceremonies to twinkling trails of lights, here’s our list of holiday highlights in Flower Mound, Dallas and North Texas. The fun starts in mid-November, so read on and start enjoying!

November 9 – December 31 – Enjoy Holiday at the Arboretum at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, with more than 1 million twinkling lights and decorated historic homes. The 12 Days of Christmas exhibit features 25-foot-tall Victorian-style gazebos depicting scenes from this traditional carol. Other activities at the Arboretum include holiday teas and dinners, visits from Santa, performances by local choirs and much more. Visit the website to see the full lineup.  

November 16-17 – Denton’s Holiday Open House invites visitors to enjoy holiday shopping ahead of the season’s hustle and bustle, and snag some Christmas gifts that are as original and independent as Denton. More than 30 stores and restaurants will be participating, with an Elfie Selfie contest on Sunday.

November 22 – December 21 – The Christmas Spectacular at The Star in Frisco is a free 20-minute light show that happens every Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. It begins with the lighting of The Star’s amazing 67-foot Christmas tree, followed by holiday performances by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, mascot Rowdy, Santa, and special Dallas Cowboys guest appearances. Also at The Star, fans can take photos with Santa from 10-8 every day during the holiday season, with an advance reservation, starting with Santa’s arrival on Nov. 18.

November 23 – Tanger Outlets will celebrate the Holiday Tree Lighting and Santa's Arrival with a hot cocoa bar, holiday treats and seasonal sounds from DJ Aaron.

November 29-January 6 – Christmas in the Square in charming downtown Frisco attracts more than 750,000 visitors each holiday season with the largest choreographed show of holiday lights and music in North Texas. Now in its 15^th year, Christmas in the Square features ice-skating, a Christmas tree maze, and a toy drive benefitting military families. You can also purchase your Christmas tree from the tree lot, with proceeds benefiting Frisco’s Boy Scout Troop 51.

November 29 – December 23 – Visit the Christmas Capital of Texas, aka Grapevine, for 1,400 holiday events during the holiday season. Highlights include excursions aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s North Pole Express, holiday concerts and classic holiday movies at the historic Palace Theatre, and holiday shopping and sightseeing throughout charming downtown Grapevine. ICE! at the Gaylord Texan is an extraordinary and magical display of elaborate life-sized sculptures, slides and monuments, all created from 2 million pounds of ice and displayed with dramatic lighting.

December 3-7 – Take a Cookie Decorating Class at Southlake Town Square and get some great shopping done while you’re there. A Ladies Class is scheduled for Dec. 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 at Sugarboo & Co. It’s taught by Chef Alexis, a Food Network finalist. A Kids Class is scheduled for Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. See Southlake’s complete holiday calendar for more events, such as Breakfast with Santa and the Toys for Tots Toy Drive.

December 7 – Roanoke’s Old-Fashioned Christmas features a parade and activities in the heart of its historic downtown. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. at the Visitors Center and Museum, with a Victorian Christmas celebration featuring strolling carolers. The parade down Oak Street begins at 6 p.m., followed by the tree lighting ceremony. At 6:30 p.m., the Recreation Center hosts activities including photos with Santa, carriage rides, bounce houses, refreshments and holiday fun.

December 7 – Holiday at the Park at Alliance Town Center features Toy Soldier stilt walkers, a dazzling LED climbing wall, Frosty’s snow hill slides, and photos with Santa and a giant snow globe. Other festivities include holiday face painters, North Pole Rein-steer, and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. There will also be Christmas crafts and giveaways, and food will be available for purchase.

December 7 – Flower Mound’s Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony is a festive nighttime parade with a theme of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Lighted floats will proceed down Sprinks Road to Gerault Park, where there will be a tree lighting ceremony with choir performances, pictures with Santa Claus, kids’ activities, local vendors, food trucks and more. It’s free, and canned good donations will be accepted along the parade route to benefit Christian Community Action.

Learn more about places to eat, shop and be entertained near Canyon Falls during this holiday season.