Dallas, October 17, 2025
News Summary
Galleria Dallas is set to host a festive holiday celebration, featuring a western-themed party with unlimited food and drinks, live music, and Santa’s arrival. The highlight is a stunning 95-foot Christmas tree, along with various family-friendly attractions including an artisan market and a unique immersive exhibit called SNOWDAY. The holiday season will also include special performances and community events, creating a vibrant atmosphere for visitors and shoppers alike from mid-November through early January.
Dallas — Galleria Dallas is hosting a major holiday celebration on November 14, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The kickoff event will introduce a season of attractions that run from November 14, 2025, through January 5, 2026, anchored by the mall’s 95-foot Christmas tree and a lineup of family-focused experiences.
Key details and headline attractions
The event features a western-themed holiday party with unlimited food, drinks, and entertainment. Activities scheduled for the opening night include live country music, a local artisan holiday market, DJ sets, and over 50 drink and 30 food options. Additional programming includes an ugly holiday sweater contest with the winner receiving a $500 Eataly gift card, and a holiday-themed photo booth for attendee use.
Santa will arrive on-site the same day, November 14, to welcome guests at Santaland, located on Level I near Banana Republic. Santaland includes a magical train experience and wish-list technology for children. Special experiences for families with pets and kids with special needs will be offered, including time slots for a Spanish-speaking Santa. Discounted tickets will be offered on Mondays and Tuesdays, and reservations are encouraged.
Centerpiece: the tree and installations
The Galleria’s iconic centerpiece is a 95-foot Christmas tree described as America’s tallest indoor Christmas tree. The installation of America’s tallest indoor Christmas tree occurred between November 2-5, featuring advanced LED lighting by Twinkly. The tree structure features 850 branches, over 15,000 ball ornaments, 215,000 points of light, and a 10-foot-tall LED star, and it will host scheduled light shows throughout the season.
Returning exhibits include the SNOWDAY immersive exhibit, which is billed as a reimagined experience with state-of-the-art photo technology. SNOWDAY allows guests to explore Santa’s elves’ town and interact with Hollywood-grade sets.
Ongoing performances and special events
Holiday performances by over 60 local groups will take place several times each day from December 1-19. The Grand Tree Lighting Celebration on Black Friday, November 28 will include an ice-skating show and fireworks, hosted by Galleria’s ice-skating Santa, Missile Toes. The mall will also host a Menorah Lighting ceremony to celebrate Hanukkah on December 14.
Community and charitable efforts are planned throughout the season, with various groups and organizations, like the Salvation Army Angel Tree, operating donation drives at Galleria Dallas. The retail environment will support holiday shopping with over 200 retailers, including high-end brands.
Logistics, access and visitor guidance
Organizers advise reservations for popular attractions and note that discounted tickets will be offered on Mondays and Tuesdays. Santaland and SNOWDAY are described as ticketed experiences that may have timed entry to manage capacity. Families with specific accessibility needs and pet-friendly time slots are included in the season plan.
What visitors can expect during the season
- Holiday celebrations continuing from November 14, 2025, through January 5, 2026.
- Opening-night western-themed party with unlimited food, drinks, and entertainment.
- Iconic 95-foot Christmas tree with scheduled light shows and extensive ornament and lighting counts.
- Santaland with a magical train, wish-list technology, and Spanish-speaking Santa time slots.
- SNOWDAY immersive exhibit featuring reimagined sets and photo technology.
- Special programming including an ugly sweater contest, Grand Tree Lighting with fireworks, and a Menorah Lighting ceremony.
Background
Galleria Dallas has presented seasonal attractions and large holiday displays in prior years; this season’s centerpiece claims to be America’s tallest indoor Christmas tree with a high-density LED installation by Twinkly to support large-scale light shows. The mix of retail, entertainment, charitable drives, and timed family experiences reflects a multi-week holiday schedule typical of major shopping centers during the season.
FAQ
When is the major holiday celebration?
Galleria Dallas is hosting a major holiday celebration on November 14, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
What is the theme and food/drink setup for the opening event?
The event features a western-themed holiday party with unlimited food, drinks, and entertainment.
What activities will be available on opening night?
Activities include live country music, a local artisan holiday market, DJ sets, and over 50 drink and 30 food options.
Is there a costume or contest component?
An ugly holiday sweater contest will take place, with the winner receiving a $500 Eataly gift card.
Where and when will Santa be available?
Santa will arrive on-site the same day, November 14, to welcome guests at Santaland, located on Level I near Banana Republic.
What features does Santaland include?
Santaland includes a magical train experience and wish-list technology for children.
Are there accommodations for families with pets or special-needs children?
Special experiences for families with pets and kids with special needs will be offered, including time slots for a Spanish-speaking Santa.
Are there discounted ticket options?
Discounted tickets will be offered on Mondays and Tuesdays, and reservations are encouraged.
What are the dates for the larger holiday season at Galleria Dallas?
The holiday celebrations at Galleria Dallas will continue from November 14, 2025, through January 5, 2026.
What is notable about the Galleria’s Christmas tree?
The Galleria’s iconic 95-foot Christmas tree is a key attraction and will host stunning light shows.
When and how was the tree installed?
The installation of America’s tallest indoor Christmas tree occurred between November 2-5, featuring advanced LED lighting by Twinkly.
What are the tree’s specifications?
The tree boasts 850 branches, over 15,000 ball ornaments, 215,000 points of light, and a 10-foot-tall LED star.
Is the SNOWDAY exhibit part of the season?
The SNOWDAY immersive exhibit returns at Galleria Dallas, featuring a reimagined experience and state-of-the-art photo technology.
What does SNOWDAY offer visitors?
SNOWDAY allows guests to explore Santa’s elves’ town and interact with Hollywood-grade sets.
What performance and special events are planned?
Holiday performances by over 60 local groups will take place several times each day from December 1-19. The Grand Tree Lighting Celebration on Black Friday, November 28, includes an ice-skating show and fireworks, hosted by Galleria’s ice-skating Santa, Missile Toes. Galleria Dallas plans to also host a Menorah Lighting ceremony to celebrate Hanukkah on December 14.
Are there community or charitable activities?
Various groups and organizations, like the Salvation Army Angel Tree, will have donation drives at Galleria Dallas throughout the holiday season.
How extensive is the retail offering at Galleria Dallas?
Galleria Dallas features over 200 retailers, including high-end brands, making it a prime shopping destination during the holidays.
Season features at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opening celebration | November 14, 2025, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM — western-themed party with unlimited food, drinks, and entertainment |
| Main attraction | 95-foot Christmas tree with light shows |
| Tree installation | America’s tallest indoor Christmas tree installed between November 2-5 with LED lighting by Twinkly |
| Tree specs | 850 branches; over 15,000 ball ornaments; 215,000 points of light; 10-foot-tall LED star |
| Santaland | Level I near Banana Republic — magical train and wish-list technology |
| SNOWDAY | Reimagined immersive exhibit with state-of-the-art photo technology |
| Season dates | November 14, 2025 through January 5, 2026 |
| Performances | Over 60 local groups performing December 1-19 |
| Special events | Grand Tree Lighting on November 28; Menorah Lighting on December 14 |
| Retail | Over 200 retailers, including high-end brands |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Diverse Events Scheduled in Dallas This Week
Dallas Kicks Off Holiday Season with Festive Events
Galleria Dallas Unveils 95-Foot Indoor Christmas Tree for Holidays
Spring Break Family Fun in Dallas-Fort Worth
University of Dallas Faces Decline in Mall Culture
Additional Resources
- Focus Daily News
- Fox 4 News
- Local Profile
- NBC DFW
- Dallas Observer
- Wikipedia: Christmas
- Google Search: holiday celebrations Texas
- Google Scholar: Christmas celebrations in Dallas
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Christmas
- Google News: North Texas holiday events
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
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