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Your festive 2023 guide to holiday events at the edges of D-FW

Festive events to celebrate the season, from Denton County to Tyler and beyond.

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.

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Christmas Carnival

Photos with Santa, amusement rides, shopping, animals, holiday treats and fresh Christmas trees.

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Tickets: $19.95-$54.95

Nov. 24-Dec. 23

Yesterland Farm, 15410 Interstate 20, Canton

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yesterlandfarm.com

The Colony

The Colony Christmas Spectacular

Nightly choreographed light show.

Free

Dec. 2-Jan. 7

Central Fire Station, 4900 Blair Oaks Dr., The Colony

thecolonytx.gov

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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.

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Perryman Park, 4930 South Colony Blvd., The Colony

thecolonytx.gov

Corsicana

Holiday Tree Lighting

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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

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visitcorsicana.com

Festival of Lights Christmas Parade

Hundreds of decorated floats welcome the season for a magical evening.

Free

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Dec. 2, 6-7 p.m.

Historic Downtown Corsicana

visitcorsicana.com

A Prairie Little Christmas

Two-day holiday event featuring original cast members from the Little House on the Prairie TV show.

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Tickets: $10-$150

Dec. 2-3

Pioneer Village, 912 W. Park Ave., Corsicana

visitcorsicana.com

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Denison

Denison Arts & Jazz Fest

Two stages of live music with 11 groups, plus numerous arts vendors.

Free

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Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Downtown Denison

discoverdenison.com

89th Annual Denison Christmas Parade

Parade (7 p.m.) and hot cocoa competition (4 p.m. in Heritage Park).

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Free

Dec. 7, 7 p.m.

Downtown Denison Main Street

discoverdenison.com

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Denison on Ice

Outdoor skating rink with canopy cover for rain-or-shine fun.

Free

Nov. 18-Jan. 7

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530 W. Main St., Denison

discoverdenison.com

Grayson County Holiday Lights Show & Reception

Daily drive-thru winter wonderland light experience.

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Free ($5 photos with Santa)

Nov. 27-Dec. 31 (Santa reception, Nov. 24, 5 p.m.)

Loy Lake Park, 457 RC Vaughn Rd., Denison

graysoncofrontiervillage.us

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Denton

Fun, Creative, In-Person Workshops

Classes for making everything from wreaths and candles to origami and bookbinding.

Tickets: $35+ (Varies by class)

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Nov. 16-Dec. 13

The Dime Store, 118 E McKinney St., Denton

dimehandmade.com

Breakfast with the Grinch

Breakfast, crafts, carnival games and a photo with the green guy himself.

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Tickets: $7

Dec. 2., 10 a.m.-noon

Denton Civic Center, 321 E. McKinney St., Denton

Discoverdenton.com

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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.

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Courthouse on the Square, 110 W. Hickory St., Denton

dentonholidaylighting.com

The Nutcracker

Festival Ballet of North Central Texas production of the holiday favorite.

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Tickets: $25-$47

Dec. 8-10

University of North Texas University Theater (RTVF & Performing Arts Building), 1179 Union Cir., Denton

festivalballet.net

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Holiday Mixology

Adults-only class to learn tricks for creating special holiday cocktails.

Tickets: $45

Dec. 4, 6-8 p.m.

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Harvest House, 331 E. Hickory St., Denton

discoverdenton.com

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.

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Registration: $20-$35

Dec. 2, 7 a.m.

Bakersfield Park, 1201 Duncan Lane, Flower Mound

https://flowermoundrotary.org/page/reindeer-run-5k

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Christmas Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting Ceremony

Annual nighttime Christmas parade and tree-lighting ceremony.

Free

Dec. 2, 6-9 p.m.

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Parade route: Spinks Road to Gerault Park, Flower Mound

civicplus.com

Granbury

Granbury Night of Lights Christmas Parade

Lighted parade with cookies for the kids and the arrival of the Clauses afterward.

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Free

Nov. 24, 6 p.m.

Historic Granbury Square & Gazebo, 201 E. Pearl St., Granbury

visitgranbury.com

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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)

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Shanley Park, 400 N. Houston St., Granbury

visitgranbury.com

The Nutcracker Experience

Immerse yourself in a 360-degree world where nutcrackers come to life.

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Tickets: $34-$99

Dec. 20-30

The Langdon Center, 308 E Bridge St., Granbury

brianclowdus.com

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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

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Ongoing

Grapevine Mills, 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy., Suite 253, Grapevine

meowwolf.com

Kilgore

92nd Annual Christmas Parade

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”-themed lighted parade.

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Free

Nov. 28, 6:30 p.m.

Downtown Kilgore

kilgorechamber.com

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Lewisville

Old Town Holiday Stroll

Christmas parade, pancake breakfast with Santa, hay rides and a vendor marketplace.

Free

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Dec. 1-2

Multiple Old Town locations, Lewisville

cityoflewisville.com

Lindale

Photos with Santa

Digital photo session with jolly Mr. Claus.

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Cost: $30 per group

Nov. 26-30, 7:30 p.m.

Lindale Floral, 110 W. South St., Lindale

facebook.com/events/1443831686467438

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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)

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Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square, 205 Cannery Row, Lindale

visitlindale.com

Little Elm

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience

Fantastic beasts and an illuminated wizarding world come to life.

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Tickets: $44-$72

Through Jan. 13

Little Elm Park, 701 W. Eldorado Pkwy., Little Elm

hpforbiddenforestexperience.com

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Christmas Parade & Fireworks Show

Annual celebration with a spectacular light show in the sky.

Free

Dec. 1, 7 p.m.

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Lobo Stadium, 1151 E. Eldorado Pkwy., Little Elm

lakefrontlittleelm.com

Christmas Tree Lighting

Photos with Santa, holiday music, plus food and drinks for purchase.

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Free

Dec. 2, 6 p.m.

The Lawn, 125 Main St., Little Elm

lakefrontlittleelm.com

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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.

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The Lawn, 125 Main St., Little Elm

lakefrontlittleelm.com

Red Oak

Christmas in Red Oak

Holiday parade, kid zone, selfies with Santa and crafts.

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Free

Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-noon

Watkins Park, 101 Live Oak St., Red Oak

redoaktx.org

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Sherman

Christmas Tree Lighting

Inaugural City of Sherman tree lighting with cocoa and carols.

Free

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Nov. 30, 5-6 p.m.

Grayson County Courthouse, 200 S. Crockett St., Sherman

shermantx.org

Sherman Snowflake Festival & Christmas Parade

Festival and annual holiday parade with a “Gingerbread Christmas” theme.

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Free

Dec. 2, 2-7 p.m.

Historic Downtown Sherman

shermantx.org

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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

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Nov. 17, 7 p.m.

Jamie Foxx Performing Arts Center, 400 Poetry Rd., Terrell

balletnorthtexas.org

Terrell Christmas Parade

“Merry Christmas Through the Years”-themed holiday parade, to celebrate Terrell’s Sesquicentennial year.

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Free

Dec. 9, 10 a.m.

Route begins at Moore Ave./U.S. Hwy 80 at Ninth St., Terrell

terrelltexas.com

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Holly Jolly Downtown Party

Post-parade celebration with Santa and tons of holiday fun.

Free

Dec. 9, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

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Historical Downtown Terrell

terrelltexas.com

Tyler

Tyler Turkey Trot & Fun Run

21st annual run/jog/walk on Thanksgiving morning.

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Registration: $15-$35

Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-noon

Racquet & Jog, 5403 S Broadway Ave., Tyler

tylerturkeytrot.com

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Tyler Christmas Parade

Rotary Club of Tyler annual parade with updated route.

Free

Nov. 30, 6-8 p.m.

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Downtown Tyler

visittyler.com

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage

The Peanuts Gang celebrates the holiday season.

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Tickets: $51-$61

Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m.

UT Tyler Cowan Center, 3900 University Blvd., Tyler

cowancenter.org

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A Christmas Carol

Adaptation of the spooky-yet-hopeful Charles Dickens tale.

Tickets: $18-$25

Dec. 1-10

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Tyler Civic Theatre, 400 Rose Park Dr., Tyler

tylercivictheatre.com

The Nutcracker

Tyler Junior College production accompanied by the East Texas Symphony Orchestra.

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Tickets: $15-$45

Dec. 1-10

Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center. 1303 S. Mahon Ave., Tyler

tjc.edu

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A Pineywoods Christmas

Camper-created holiday wonderland with half-price park entry.

Tickets: Free-$3

Dec. 8-9, 5-9 p.m.

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Tyler State Park, 789 Park Road 16, Tyler

texas.gov

Chanukah-Klezmer 2023

16th annual celebration with live music.

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Free

Dec. 11, 7-9 p.m.

True Vine Brewing Co., 2453 Earl Campbell Pkwy., Tyler

visittyler.com

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Waco

Homestead Fair

Annual event featuring barn-raising, cow-milking, hayrides and other old-fashioned experiences.

Tickets: $4-$35 (season pass)

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Nov. 24-Dec. 9

Homestead Heritage, 608 Dry Creek Road, Waco

homesteadfair.com

Wild Lights at Cameron Park Zoo

The zoo is illuminated with thousands of lights, plus carolers and tasty treats.

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Tickets: $10-$15

Nov. 24-Dec. 31, 6-9 p.m.

Cameron Park Zoo, 1701 N. 4th St., Waco

cameronparkzoo.com

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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.

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Mayborn Museum Complex, 1300 S. University Parks Dr., Waco

baylor.edu

Waxahachie

Jingle Jam Pre-Party

Before the town tree lighting, get into a festive mood at this community soirée.

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Free

Nov. 28, 5:30-7 p.m.

Railyard Park, 455 S. College St., Waxahachie

waxahachiecvb.com

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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.)

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Downtown Waxahachie Square, 301 S. Rogers St., Waxahachie

waxahachiecvb.com

Christmas Tour of Homes

Five historic homes with halls decked out with boughs of holly and more.

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Tickets: $10-$30

Dec. 9-10, 2-8 p.m.

Various locations throughout Waxahachie

eventbrite.com

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Bethlehem Revisited

Interactive nativity experience that traces the journey of Mary and Joseph.

Free

Dec. 1-10, 6-9 p.m.

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Behind Central Presbyterian Church, 402 N. College St., Waxahachie

waxahachiecvb.com

Weatherford

Radiance at the Ranch

One of the largest ice and light spectaculars in Texas returns with new attractions.

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Tickets: $25.99-$49.99 (per vehicle)

Nov. 17-Dec. 30

Parker County Sheriff’s Posse 2251, Mineral Wells Hwy., Weatherford

www.radiancechristmas.com

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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.)

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503 Santa Fe Dr., Weatherford

experienceweatherford.com

Christmas on the Square

Support local businesses during the annual Christmas on the Square shopping event.

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Free

Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

One Courthouse Square, Weatherford

experienceweatherford.com

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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.

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Historic Downtown Weatherford

experienceweatherford.com

West

Lights of West

Drive-thru light trail, light maze, photos with Santa, live music and concessions.

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Tickets: $35-$55 per vehicle

Nov. 23-Dec. 24, 6-10 p.m.

2818 Wiggins Road, West

lightsofwest.com