Santa isn’t the only one making a list and checking it twice. We’ve made a list of holiday festivities around town, so you don’t have to!
NOVEMBER
November 8 - 18: Casa Mañana’s The Pin Up Girls Christmas
The Pin-Up Girls are back to raise a glass to Santa Claus. Expect holiday classics and a few off-the-wall musical surprises. This show is suitable for most ages.
November 17 - January 1: Lightscape
Lightscape returns to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, and this year promises to be bigger, better and brighter! You can still see some of last year’s favorites like the Winter Cathedral and Field of Bluebonnets, but you’ll also experience a reimagined lightshow with 80 percent all-new installations. Also new for this year is Santa Nights, where the man in red himself will make a special appearance on select nights!
November 19 - Holiday Season: Holidays in Sundance Square
Be prepared to feel the holiday spirit as you visit the larger-than-life Christmas Tree in Sundance Square Plaza and celebrate the Parade of Lights as it makes its way through downtown. Stroll through the shops for holiday gifts or see a holiday show at Bass Hall, Jubilee Theatre or Circle Theater.
November 18 - 19: The 14th Annual Funky Finds Holiday Shopping Experience
This is the perfect place to find unique holiday gifts and spend an afternoon supporting local vendors and organizations. Funky Finds Holiday Shopping will be at Will Rogers Memorial Center and benefit Saving Hope Animal Rescue and DFW Toys for Tots. The US Marines will be accepting toy donations and Don’t Forget to Feed Me will also accept donations for pet food, books and toys.
November 19: The GM Financial Parade of Lights
Fort Worth Parade of Lights brightens up downtown with more than 100 illuminated entries. The parade begins at 6 p.m., but plan to come early to grab a great seat and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or a bite to eat before the parade. Festivities start at 4:30.
November 20 - January 7: Stockyards Rodeo Rink
It’s time to lace up your skates! The Stockyards Rodeo Rink glides into Fort Worth November 20 - January 7. Open daily, rain or shine.
November 23 - January 7: Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway
Enjoy the dazzle of sparkling holiday lights from the comfort and warmth of your car as you drive through the Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway. Check their calendar for special theme nights like Pajama Night November 27, Pet Night November 28 and Christmas Sweater Night December 6. Tickets are $35 per car.
November 24 - February 4: The Modern Lights
Celebrate the season at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and its glowing holiday lights that brighten up the trees outside of the museum. Back for a second year, Dinner with the Modern Lights is every Friday inside Cafe Modern. Reservations can be made online.
November 24 - December 24: Holidays In Clearfork
Santa Claus is coming to Clearfork every weekend starting November 24 and daily, Dec. 15-24. Reserve a spot in advance or walk up when you arrive.
November 24 - December 23: Casa Mañana’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical
The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world, known for lying, stealing and smoking smelly cigarettes. So how do they end up in the local church’s Christmas pagaent? Find out as Casa Mañana presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical, based on the best-selling book and play by Barbara Robinson. A Sensory Friendly performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical will be offered on Sunday, December 3 at 11 a.m.
November 24 - 26: Home for the Holidays with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
An evening of holiday music and carols is a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season with FWSO at Bass Hall. Home for the Holidays runs through November 26.
November 24 - December 24 (exact dates vary): Santa in the Stockyards
Cowboy Santa arrives to the Stockyards with a Grand Arrival Parade on November 24 and will stay through the holiday season. You’ll find him in Cowboy Santa’s workshop on the Cowgirl Channel West Lawn. Skip the line and plan your visit ahead here. And of course, Santa couldn’t visit without Mrs. Claus. Join her for story time on select dates.
November 28 - December 16: Christmas in the Movies at Casa Mañana
Enjoy music from some of the season’s favorite movies like White Christmas, the Polar Express, Elf and more!
November 28: TCU Christmas Tree Lighting
The tradition continues with the lighting of the 50-foot tree on The Commons at TCU. Join Superfrog and Santa for the annual tree lighting ceremony and fireworks.
November 24 - December 3 | December 8 - 24: Texas Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker at Bass Hall
A seasonal favorite is back as Texas Ballet Theatre brings you Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday ballet. The Nutcracker runs through December 24.
DECEMBER
December 2: Holiday Market at Clearfork
Holiday Market will take place on December 2. The free event will include live music, activities and more than 50 artisan and craft vendors.
December 2: Christmas in the Stockyards
Join The Herd and friends for a western-themed Christmas event, complete with Cowboy Santa, two championship rodeos and a Christmas parade.
December 2: Log Cabin Village’s Holidays at the Hearth
Explore Log Cabin Village and celebrate historic holiday traditions. Enjoy a day of holiday crafts, games, and of course photos with Santa.
December 6: 77th Annual Fort Worth Community Christmas Tree Lighting
This festive event downtown will feature a live holiday music concert by Marie Osmond prior to the countdown to light the tallest live Christmas tree in Texas. Marie Osmond's "Have Yourself a Marie Little Christmas" concert will start at 6:30, followed by Marie and Mayor Mattie Parker counting down the tree lighting at 7pm.
December 9: Handel’s Messiah with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
The annual tradition featuring the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will spread holiday cheer at Will Rodgers Auditorium.
December 13-24: Hotel Drover presents 12 Days of Drover
Take in the holiday spirit during Hotel Drover’s 12 Days of Drover with holiday-inspired treats, photos with Cowboy Santa, live reindeer, and more! 12 Days of Drover is exclusive to Hotel Drover guests.
December 17: Mexico en la Sangre / Mexico in our Blood Holiday on Horseback
Head to the Cowtown Coliseum for an afternoon of charreria (Mexican rodeo), folklorico and caballos bailadores (dancing horses).
December 26: Kwanzaa Community Celebration at The Dock Bookshop
Celebrate family, community and culture at the Kwanzaa Celebration at The Dock Bookshop, one of the largest African American owned full-service bookstores in Texas and the Southwest.
