There’s something quite Rockwellian about celebrating the holiday season in a small town — and there are plenty within driving distance of Dallas-Fort Worth if you want to get away for a few hours or overnight.
This guide to holiday happenings in towns such as Denton, Tyler and Waco includes Christmas parades, carnivals, markets and more. Events are listed alphabetically by city, and there’s a lot of good, wholesome fun out there to be had.
Also check out our listings for Dallas, Collin and Tarrant counties.
Canton
Christmas Carnival
Photos with Santa, amusement rides, shopping, animals, holiday treats and fresh Christmas trees.
Tickets: $19.95-$54.95
Nov. 24-Dec. 23
Yesterland Farm, 15410 Interstate 20, Canton
The Colony
The Colony Christmas Spectacular
Nightly choreographed light show.
Free
Dec. 2-Jan. 7
Central Fire Station, 4900 Blair Oaks Dr., The Colony
Holiday in the Park/Parade of Lights
Parade, cheerful holiday music and activities, rides and a lighted trail.
Free
Dec. 2, 5-8 p.m.
Perryman Park, 4930 South Colony Blvd., The Colony
Corsicana
Holiday Tree Lighting
Annual debut of the city’s three-story tree with more than 10,000 lights, plus Santa photos and fireworks.
Free
Nov. 16, 5-8 p.m.
Beaton St., Downtown Corsicana
Festival of Lights Christmas Parade
Hundreds of decorated floats welcome the season for a magical evening.
Free
Dec. 2, 6-7 p.m.
Historic Downtown Corsicana
A Prairie Little Christmas
Two-day holiday event featuring original cast members from the Little House on the Prairie TV show.
Tickets: $10-$150
Dec. 2-3
Pioneer Village, 912 W. Park Ave., Corsicana
Denison
Denison Arts & Jazz Fest
Two stages of live music with 11 groups, plus numerous arts vendors.
Free
Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Downtown Denison
89th Annual Denison Christmas Parade
Parade (7 p.m.) and hot cocoa competition (4 p.m. in Heritage Park).
Free
Dec. 7, 7 p.m.
Downtown Denison Main Street
Denison on Ice
Outdoor skating rink with canopy cover for rain-or-shine fun.
Free
Nov. 18-Jan. 7
530 W. Main St., Denison
Grayson County Holiday Lights Show & Reception
Daily drive-thru winter wonderland light experience.
Free ($5 photos with Santa)
Nov. 27-Dec. 31 (Santa reception, Nov. 24, 5 p.m.)
Loy Lake Park, 457 RC Vaughn Rd., Denison
Denton
Fun, Creative, In-Person Workshops
Classes for making everything from wreaths and candles to origami and bookbinding.
Tickets: $35+ (Varies by class)
Nov. 16-Dec. 13
The Dime Store, 118 E McKinney St., Denton
Breakfast with the Grinch
Breakfast, crafts, carnival games and a photo with the green guy himself.
Tickets: $7
Dec. 2., 10 a.m.-noon
Denton Civic Center, 321 E. McKinney St., Denton
Denton Holiday Lighting Festival & Wassail Weekend
Musical performances, lighting of the Denton tree and wassail competition.
Tickets: $10-$35 (VIP)
Dec. 2, 3-9 p.m.
Courthouse on the Square, 110 W. Hickory St., Denton
The Nutcracker
Festival Ballet of North Central Texas production of the holiday favorite.
Tickets: $25-$47
Dec. 8-10
University of North Texas University Theater (RTVF & Performing Arts Building), 1179 Union Cir., Denton
Holiday Mixology
Adults-only class to learn tricks for creating special holiday cocktails.
Tickets: $45
Dec. 4, 6-8 p.m.
Harvest House, 331 E. Hickory St., Denton
Flower Mound
Reindeer Run 5K & Grinch Sprint
Festive-attire fun run with coffee, hot chocolate, pancakes and cookies afterward, benefitting Charities of the Flower Mound Rotary Club.
Registration: $20-$35
Dec. 2, 7 a.m.
Bakersfield Park, 1201 Duncan Lane, Flower Mound
https://flowermoundrotary.org/page/reindeer-run-5k
Christmas Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Annual nighttime Christmas parade and tree-lighting ceremony.
Free
Dec. 2, 6-9 p.m.
Parade route: Spinks Road to Gerault Park, Flower Mound
Granbury
Granbury Night of Lights Christmas Parade
Lighted parade with cookies for the kids and the arrival of the Clauses afterward.
Free
Nov. 24, 6 p.m.
Historic Granbury Square & Gazebo, 201 E. Pearl St., Granbury
Christmas in Granbury
Multiple Christmas trees, Santa’s House and a nativity exhibit are among the attractions.
Free
Nov. 24-Dec. 31 (Santa’s House through Dec. 23)
Shanley Park, 400 N. Houston St., Granbury
The Nutcracker Experience
Immerse yourself in a 360-degree world where nutcrackers come to life.
Tickets: $34-$99
Dec. 20-30
The Langdon Center, 308 E Bridge St., Granbury
Grapevine
Meow Wolf Grapevine: The Real Unreal
Immersive art and storytelling experience that transports visitors to strange worlds hidden in plain sight.
Tickets: $20-$50
Ongoing
Grapevine Mills, 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy., Suite 253, Grapevine
Kilgore
92nd Annual Christmas Parade
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”-themed lighted parade.
Free
Nov. 28, 6:30 p.m.
Downtown Kilgore
Lewisville
Old Town Holiday Stroll
Christmas parade, pancake breakfast with Santa, hay rides and a vendor marketplace.
Free
Dec. 1-2
Multiple Old Town locations, Lewisville
Lindale
Photos with Santa
Digital photo session with jolly Mr. Claus.
Cost: $30 per group
Nov. 26-30, 7:30 p.m.
Lindale Floral, 110 W. South St., Lindale
facebook.com/events/1443831686467438
Christmas in Lindale
Miranda Lambert’s hometown gets in the holiday spirit with 10,000 square feet of vignettes for photos.
Free
Dec. 2-Jan. 1, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (Parade on Dec. 2)
Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square, 205 Cannery Row, Lindale
Little Elm
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
Fantastic beasts and an illuminated wizarding world come to life.
Tickets: $44-$72
Through Jan. 13
Little Elm Park, 701 W. Eldorado Pkwy., Little Elm
hpforbiddenforestexperience.com
Christmas Parade & Fireworks Show
Annual celebration with a spectacular light show in the sky.
Free
Dec. 1, 7 p.m.
Lobo Stadium, 1151 E. Eldorado Pkwy., Little Elm
Christmas Tree Lighting
Photos with Santa, holiday music, plus food and drinks for purchase.
Free
Dec. 2, 6 p.m.
The Lawn, 125 Main St., Little Elm
The Polar Express to Little Elm
Train rides, ice skating, photos with Santa and a screening of The Polar Express (at 7 p.m.)
Free (some activities may have a charge)
Dec. 23, 2-7 p.m.
The Lawn, 125 Main St., Little Elm
Red Oak
Christmas in Red Oak
Holiday parade, kid zone, selfies with Santa and crafts.
Free
Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-noon
Watkins Park, 101 Live Oak St., Red Oak
Sherman
Christmas Tree Lighting
Inaugural City of Sherman tree lighting with cocoa and carols.
Free
Nov. 30, 5-6 p.m.
Grayson County Courthouse, 200 S. Crockett St., Sherman
Sherman Snowflake Festival & Christmas Parade
Festival and annual holiday parade with a “Gingerbread Christmas” theme.
Free
Dec. 2, 2-7 p.m.
Historic Downtown Sherman
Terrell
Ballet North Texas presents The Nutcracker
The Sugar Plum Fairy and a cast of unusual characters bring wonder and joy to the holiday season.
Tickets: $25
Nov. 17, 7 p.m.
Jamie Foxx Performing Arts Center, 400 Poetry Rd., Terrell
Terrell Christmas Parade
“Merry Christmas Through the Years”-themed holiday parade, to celebrate Terrell’s Sesquicentennial year.
Free
Dec. 9, 10 a.m.
Route begins at Moore Ave./U.S. Hwy 80 at Ninth St., Terrell
Holly Jolly Downtown Party
Post-parade celebration with Santa and tons of holiday fun.
Free
Dec. 9, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Historical Downtown Terrell
Tyler
Tyler Turkey Trot & Fun Run
21st annual run/jog/walk on Thanksgiving morning.
Registration: $15-$35
Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-noon
Racquet & Jog, 5403 S Broadway Ave., Tyler
Tyler Christmas Parade
Rotary Club of Tyler annual parade with updated route.
Free
Nov. 30, 6-8 p.m.
Downtown Tyler
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage
The Peanuts Gang celebrates the holiday season.
Tickets: $51-$61
Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m.
UT Tyler Cowan Center, 3900 University Blvd., Tyler
A Christmas Carol
Adaptation of the spooky-yet-hopeful Charles Dickens tale.
Tickets: $18-$25
Dec. 1-10
Tyler Civic Theatre, 400 Rose Park Dr., Tyler
The Nutcracker
Tyler Junior College production accompanied by the East Texas Symphony Orchestra.
Tickets: $15-$45
Dec. 1-10
Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center. 1303 S. Mahon Ave., Tyler
A Pineywoods Christmas
Camper-created holiday wonderland with half-price park entry.
Tickets: Free-$3
Dec. 8-9, 5-9 p.m.
Tyler State Park, 789 Park Road 16, Tyler
Chanukah-Klezmer 2023
16th annual celebration with live music.
Free
Dec. 11, 7-9 p.m.
True Vine Brewing Co., 2453 Earl Campbell Pkwy., Tyler
Waco
Homestead Fair
Annual event featuring barn-raising, cow-milking, hayrides and other old-fashioned experiences.
Tickets: $4-$35 (season pass)
Nov. 24-Dec. 9
Homestead Heritage, 608 Dry Creek Road, Waco
Wild Lights at Cameron Park Zoo
The zoo is illuminated with thousands of lights, plus carolers and tasty treats.
Tickets: $10-$15
Nov. 24-Dec. 31, 6-9 p.m.
Cameron Park Zoo, 1701 N. 4th St., Waco
Christmas Lights in the Village
Thousands of lights illuminate Gov. Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village with a petting zoo and Santa.
Tickets: $10
Dec. 8-17, 6-9 p.m.
Mayborn Museum Complex, 1300 S. University Parks Dr., Waco
Waxahachie
Jingle Jam Pre-Party
Before the town tree lighting, get into a festive mood at this community soirée.
Free
Nov. 28, 5:30-7 p.m.
Railyard Park, 455 S. College St., Waxahachie
Christmas Parade and Community Tree Lighting
Christmas parade precedes the official lighting of the town tree.
Free
Nov. 28, 6-9 p.m. (parade begins at 6:30 p.m.)
Downtown Waxahachie Square, 301 S. Rogers St., Waxahachie
Christmas Tour of Homes
Five historic homes with halls decked out with boughs of holly and more.
Tickets: $10-$30
Dec. 9-10, 2-8 p.m.
Various locations throughout Waxahachie
Bethlehem Revisited
Interactive nativity experience that traces the journey of Mary and Joseph.
Free
Dec. 1-10, 6-9 p.m.
Behind Central Presbyterian Church, 402 N. College St., Waxahachie
Weatherford
Radiance at the Ranch
One of the largest ice and light spectaculars in Texas returns with new attractions.
Tickets: $25.99-$49.99 (per vehicle)
Nov. 17-Dec. 30
Parker County Sheriff’s Posse 2251, Mineral Wells Hwy., Weatherford
Holiday in the Park Pathway of Lights
Array of illuminated outdoor exhibits with a drone show on opening night.
Free
Nov. 29-Dec. 31, 6-9 p.m. (tree lighting Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m.)
503 Santa Fe Dr., Weatherford
Christmas on the Square
Support local businesses during the annual Christmas on the Square shopping event.
Free
Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
One Courthouse Square, Weatherford
Weatherford Lights the Night Parade
Illuminated holiday parade with a theme of “Sights & Sounds of Christmas.”
Free
Dec. 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Historic Downtown Weatherford
West
Lights of West
Drive-thru light trail, light maze, photos with Santa, live music and concessions.
Tickets: $35-$55 per vehicle
Nov. 23-Dec. 24, 6-10 p.m.
2818 Wiggins Road, West