Dallas, TX, December 6, 2025
Dallas offers numerous festive activities for families this holiday season, ensuring an unforgettable experience filled with joy and community spirit. From the annual Dallas Holiday Parade to Santa’s Village at Huffhines Park, families can explore a variety of events designed to create lasting memories together. Enjoy iconic traditions like The Trains at NorthPark and Christmas at the Anatole, while supporting local initiatives that foster community engagement. This holiday season, Dallas is brimming with opportunities for families to celebrate and enjoy the festive spirit.
10 Festive Things To Do With Kids This Holiday Season In Dallas
Explore Holiday Joy in Dallas, TX
Dallas offers a variety of festive activities for families to enjoy this holiday season. With events scattered throughout the city, families can immerse themselves in the holiday spirit while creating lasting memories together. The resilience of local organizers shines through, as they bring a wealth of engaging options, from parades to interactive villages that inspire joy and wonder.
By embracing community choice and innovation, these events minimize bureaucracy, allowing the private sector and local organizations to flourish. This holiday season, families can experience the spirit of giving and tradition while enjoying all Dallas has to offer.
1. Dallas Holiday Parade
Date: December 6, 2025
Location: Downtown Dallas
Details: The annual Dallas Holiday Parade features giant balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands, and performers along Commerce Street. The parade begins at 9 a.m. and is free to watch from open viewing areas. Reserved bleacher seats are available for purchase. Festivities continue at Main Street Garden and Civic Garden with vendors and entertainment.
2. Santa’s Village at Huffhines Park
Dates: December 6-7, 12-14, and 19-21, 2025
Location: Huffhines Park, Richardson
Details: This free, family-friendly holiday village features themed dwellings, live musical performances, photo opportunities with Santa, and attractions like Santa’s Post Office and Mrs. Claus’ Bakery. A sensory-sensitive Adaptive Night is also available.
3. The Trains at NorthPark
Dates: November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Location: NorthPark Center
Details: A beloved Dallas holiday tradition for over 35 years, this exhibit features over 1,600 feet of track with hundreds of hand-crafted trains and miniature landmarks, including versions of New York City, the Grand Canyon, Route 66, and the Dallas skyline.
4. Christmas at the Anatole
Dates: November – December 2025
Location: Hilton Anatole
Details: The hotel transforms into a holiday playground with an outdoor ice-skating rink, private Winter Glass Chalets, and seasonal cocktails at The Lodge. Ice-skating tickets include one hour on the ice, unlimited rides on the holiday train, access to bounce houses, Santa’s Workshop craft station, Mrs. Claus’ Library, and photo opportunities.
5. Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy
Location: Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve
Details: Families can meet characters from ‘The Nutcracker’ in an interactive tea party setting, including character photo opportunities, a delightful tea service, and storytelling.
6. The Nutcracker Ballet
Location: Winspear Opera House & Bass Performance Hall
Details: The Texas Ballet Theater presents this cherished holiday tradition, showcasing stunning choreography and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. Performances run throughout December, featuring world-class ballet dancers and captivating set designs.
7. Snowday / Santaland at the Galleria
Dates: November 14 – December 24, 2025
Location: Galleria Dallas
Details: Snowday Dallas offers interactive rooms, imaginative sets, and whimsical backdrops designed for exploring and photo opportunities. Santaland provides an immersive, simulated ride aboard the Santaland Express to the North Pole, where Santa knows every child’s name and poses for professional photos.
8. Christmas Pops Concerts
Dates: December 12 – 21, 2025
Location: Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
Details: The Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Pops concerts feature classic carols, festive favorites, and orchestral arrangements that capture the spirit of the season. The performances include the full symphony, a choir, and theatrical elements.
9. Holiday Gift-Making Featuring OOLY®
Date: December 6, 2025
Location: Lakeshore Learning Stores
Details: Children aged 3 and up can craft unique gifts, design their own cards and gift bags, and try out some of the season’s top sellers. Parents and guardians can enter to win a $100 Lakeshore E-Gift Card or an OOLY gift basket. The event is free and does not require reservations.
10. Christmas in the Stockyards
Date: December 6, 2025
Location: Fort Worth Stockyards
Details: This family-friendly event includes meeting Cowboy Santa, enjoying live music, pony rides, and participating in festive games and crafts.
Conclusion
These events offer a variety of festive activities to create lasting memories with your family this holiday season in Dallas. By supporting local events, we promote community development and partake in the joy of the season, enhancing the vibrant culture that makes Dallas a truly special place to live and thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dallas Holiday Parade?
The Dallas Holiday Parade is an annual event featuring giant balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands, and performers along Commerce Street. The parade begins at 9 a.m. and is free to watch from open viewing areas. Reserved bleacher seats are available for purchase. Festivities continue at Main Street Garden and Civic Garden with vendors and entertainment.
When is Santa’s Village at Huffhines Park open?
Santa’s Village at Huffhines Park is open on December 6-7, 12-14, and 19-21, 2025. This free, family-friendly holiday village features themed dwellings, live musical performances, photo opportunities with Santa, and attractions like Santa’s Post Office and Mrs. Claus’ Bakery. A sensory-sensitive Adaptive Night is also available.
What is The Trains at NorthPark exhibit?
The Trains at NorthPark is a beloved Dallas holiday tradition for over 35 years, featuring over 1,600 feet of track with hundreds of hand-crafted trains and miniature landmarks, including versions of New York City, the Grand Canyon, Route 66, and the Dallas skyline.
What is Christmas at the Anatole?
Christmas at the Anatole transforms the Hilton Anatole into a holiday playground with an outdoor ice-skating rink, private Winter Glass Chalets, and seasonal cocktails at The Lodge. Ice-skating tickets include one hour on the ice, unlimited rides on the holiday train, access to bounce houses, Santa’s Workshop craft station, Mrs. Claus’ Library, and photo opportunities.
What is Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy?
Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy is an event at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve where families can meet characters from ‘The Nutcracker’ in an interactive tea party setting, including character photo opportunities, a delightful tea service, and storytelling.
| Event | Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Holiday Parade | December 6, 2025 | Downtown Dallas | Giant balloons, floats, bands, and performers. Free viewing. |
| Santa’s Village at Huffhines Park | December 6-7, 12-14, 19-21, 2025 | Huffhines Park, Richardson | Free village with themed dwellings, performances, and Santa. |
| The Trains at NorthPark | November 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026 | NorthPark Center | 36 years of tradition with trains and landmarks. |
| Christmas at the Anatole | November – December 2025 | Hilton Anatole | Holiday playground with ice skating and festive activities. |
| Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy | Throughout December | Oak Point Park | Interactive tea party with Nutcracker characters. |
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Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
