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Best Family-Friendly Holiday Events In DFW

The Holidays come alive in the Dallas Fort Worth area each year, and there are a lot of family friendly events to enjoy. From light displays, to live performances, there's something for about every taste to help you celebrate the holidays with the whole family.
Gift Of Lights
Texas Motor Speedway
3545 Lone Star Circle
Fort Worth, TX 76177.
(800) 276-3620
www.tmsgiftoflights.com

Date: Through Dec. 30, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

You can't go fast, but you can drive on the Texas Motor Speedway, the same place where NASCAR drivers get up to 200 miles per hour. But in this case its a drive-though Christmas display of more than 2 million lights. There are new displays each year, and the more popular traditional ones are there every year. At the end of the drive there is Santa's Village where you can get photos taken, see more displays and have some hot drinks.

North Pole Express
705 S. Main St.
Grapevine, Texas, 76051
(800) 457-6338
www.grapevinetexasusa.com/christmas-capital-of-texas

Date: Through Dec 25, 2016 at various times

The North Pole Express is a train that goes from the town to the North Pole. The train is decorated from the Victorian Era, and does indeed take you to a place that you may think is the North Pole. There will be elves singing Christmas songs, Mrs. Claus will visit to greet all the children, and finally at the destination you meet Santa at the workshop..

12 Days Of Christmas
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
8525 Garland Road
Dallas, Texas 75218
(214) 515-6615
www.dallasarboretum.org

Date: Through Dec. 24, 2016 from 6 - 9 p.m.

Enjoy all 12 days of Christmas in one night at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. There are 12 victorian style gazebos, each one 25 foot tall. Each one is lavishly and intricately decorated to represent each of the 12 days of Christmas. There are many moving parts and a three dimensional approach.  It is three-fourths of a mile through the gardens to see all 12 of the exhibits.

Related: Best Mardi Gras Parties In DFW

Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children's Christmas Parade
Downtown Dallas
1321 Commerce St.
Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 456-8383
www.dallaschildrensparade.com

Date: Dec. 3, 2016 at 10 a.m.

This fairly large parade is held early in the holiday season, the first Saturday in December. It is held each year in downtown Dallas as a fundraiser for the Dallas Children's Medical Center. The parade features floats, antique cars, large inflatables marching bands from local schools, and an appearance by Santa Claus. There is a children's area and vendors at the  City Hall Plaza. You may watch the parade along the route for free, but there are grandstand seats available.

Christmas At The Anatole
Hilton Anatole Dallas
2201 N. Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75207
(214) 748 1200
www.hiltonanatolehotel.com/christmas-experience

Date: Through Dec. 24, 2016 at 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

For something different for the whole family. how about a sleepover and breakfast with Santa. You can do that at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. There are hotel packages available that include the room of course, as well as breakfast with Santa, a scavenger hunt, and other fun holiday type activities. There is movie night for the night you stay there.  The hotel is decked out in decorations, and you can visit whether you are staying or not. You can also purchase tickets for breakfast and the days activities Dec. 19-23 without being a hotel guest.

Related: Best Fall Festivals Coming To DFW

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