Best Winter Festivals In DFW

There's no shortage of holiday events going on in the metroplex this season. Along with Fort Worth Stockyard's festivities on December 5th and Grapevine's Christmas celebrations all month long, you can find plenty of holiday cheer at these DFW festivals featuring lights, music, food and seasonal activities for the entire family.

Holiday At The Arboretum
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
8525 Garland Road
Dallas, TX 75218
(214) 515-6615
www.dallasarboretum.org

Date: November 8, 2015 to January 3, 2016

While the Arboretum is an enchanting place to visit any time of the year, it's even more dazzling during the winter holidays where a myriad of lights, displays and festivities are offered for all to behold. Highlighting this year's Holiday at the Arboretum festival will be an encore presentation of The 12 Days of Christmas. Based off the popular Christmas carol, the show-stopping exhibit features twelve illuminated Victorian gazebos filled with elaborate scenes and characters, all designed by the team that creates sets and costumes for the Dallas Opera. As well, the DeGolyer Estate is celebrating the Artistry of the Nativity by decking its halls with 300 créches from around the world. The holiday spectacular also includes Santa sightings, performances, live reindeer and an assortment of activities geared for the entire family. General admission ranges from $15 for adults to $10 for children ages 3-12. Additional discounts are available on the venue's website.

Christmas At The Anatole
Hilton Anatole Dallas
2201 N. Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 748-1200
www.ChristmasattheAnatole.com

Date: December 18 to December 23, 2015

Your fast track to getting in the holiday spirit kicks off with the ultimate Santa meet and greet experience at the Anatole hotel. Not only will the hotel be decked out like a magical winter wonderland, but it's also hosting a Breakfast with Santa series complete with holiday scavenger hunts, face painting, gingerbread cookie-decorating, story time at Rudolph's Reindeer Barn, Snapshack photo opportunities and of course, a visit with the jolly old fellow himself. Better still, the hotel is offering a terrific family stay-cation package that includes all the seasonal activities, starting at $189 a night. Breakfast with Santa tickets are priced at $38.95 per adult and $18.95 per child.

Related: Neighborhoods With The Best Holiday Lights

Candlelight: Picture Perfect!
Dallas Heritage Village
1515 S. Harwood St.
Dallas, TX 75215
(214) 413-3669
www.dallasheritagevillage.org

Date: December 12 to December 13, 2015

Get into a 19th century holiday groove at Dallas Heritage Village this December when it presents its annual "Picture Perfect" Candlelight festival. Here, visitors can experience Christmas celebrations and traditions of yesteryear with everything from period decorations and docents to holiday performances, strolling carolers, donkey-pulled carriage rides, crafts, festive food and visits with St. Nick. Festivities take place from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. for both days and are included with the general admission price of $12 for adults and $8 for kids. Discounts can be had by ordering online in advance.

Home For The Holidays... A McKinney Christmas
Historic Downtown McKinney
111 N. Tennessee St.
McKinney, TX 75069
(972) 547-7500
www.mckinneytexas.org

Date: November 27 to November 29, 2015

Kick start the holidays the weekend after Thanksgiving with McKinney's annual Christmas festival taking place in its charming historic downtown digs. This free event will include non-stop family activities ranging from Santa chats and carriage rides to entertainment, crafts, a petting zoo and much more. Everything gets rolling Friday evening at 6:15 with a tree lighting ceremony in Mitchell Park and continues throughout the weekend.

Christmas In The Square
Frisco Square
Main Street and Coleman Blvd
Frisco, TX 75034
(469) 633-1721
www.friscosquare.com

Date: November 27, 2015 to January 2, 2016

No need to travel far for a festive holiday fix when Frisco is pulling out all the stops for its over-the-top Christmas in the Square celebrations this year. Along with snow filled sidewalks and open-air carriage rides, visitors can enjoy an outdoor ice rink and an awe-inspiring show with over 175,000 lights choreographed to music. Don't miss the big event taking place on December 5th with crafts, live music, Santa photo ops and a tree lighting ceremony that will have even the Grinch embracing the season.

Dickens Of A Holiday
Fort Worth Library
500 W. Third St.
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 392-7323
www.fortworthtexas.gov/library

Date: December 13, 2015

The Fort Worth Library is doling out a dose of holiday cheer with its Dickens of a Holiday afternoon festival, featuring music, crafts, story times and photo ops with Santa and one of his favorite (live) reindeer. The holiday action runs between 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and best of all, admission is free.

Related: Best Winter Escapes For North Texans

Ilene Jacobs is a freelance writer living in Dallas, Texas. Ilene enjoys writing about a variety of topics, ranging from food, fitness and travel, to kids, pets and senior care. You can find some of her work at Examiner.com.