Christmas in Grapevine, Texas

Christmas in Grapevine, Texas

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If you haven’t visited Grapevine, Texas at Christmas, you are really missing out! Grapevine is one of the most charming towns in Texas year-round. I might be a bit partial since Grapevine is my hometown but, during the holidays, it is transformed into a Christmas wonderland that would rival any Hallmark movie set! You simply MUST visit Grapevine for the holidays!

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The Christmas Capital of Texas

Did you know that Grapevine is the official Christmas Capital of Texas? It’s true. And with 1,400 Christmas events in 40 days, it’s no wonder! It really is the ultimate Christmas destination for families, couples or anyone looking for a magical holiday! There so are many ways to experience Grapevine at Christmas. Below are some of our favorites!

Christmas Capital of Texas
Photo courtesy of Kaitlin Aguilar

Things To Do In Grapevine At Christmas — on Main Street

Everything below is located on Main Street which runs right down the middle of historic downtown Grapevine, except the Gaylord Texan. There is usually plenty of parking either on Main Street itself or in parking lots close by. You can find more parking information HERE.

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Strike A Pose

All down Main Street in historic downtown Grapevine, there are some of the BEST Christmas photo ops you will find anywhere (and there are seriously a TON of them)! Giant ornaments, sleighs surrounded by beautifully decorated trees, and an awesome historic log cabin, just to name a few. If you are looking to take some Insta-worthy Christmas photos, then this is the place for you!

Holidays in Grapevine
Photo courtesy of Cassaday Williams

The Parade of Lights

This is not your typical small-town parade. Area schools and businesses work hard to create an amazing display! The parade runs down Main Street and is packed with lighted floats galore, historic cars, marching bands, and more! And, of course, no proper Christmas parade would be complete without Santa! We attend this parade every year and it is so much fun!

When: Held the first Thursday of December at 6:30pm

Where: The parade route will run down Main Street. For specific route information, click HERE.

Pro Tips: Arrive early to find a spot. The sidewalks will be filling up by 5:00. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and set up your spot. Then you can walk around, take a bunch of pictures and grab a bite to eat. Your stuff & your spot should be waiting for you when you return (of course, anything could happen, but most people do it this way, and we all respect each other's things).

Restaurants will be packed too, so be prepared to wait or walk to one of the restaurants off Main Street like Cafe Italia (excellent) or Los Amigos (no frills, great food).

Dress warm! It’s usually cold — sometimes it’s REALLY cold. Keep in mind that you’ll be out there for a few hours, so layer up!

North Pole Express

Enjoy a fun-filled train ride on the fully decorated Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s North Pole Express. The ride lasts a little over an hour and you’ll be entertained by Santa & his elves. It’s a unique experience riding in the 1920s Victorian style coaches. You’ll also get a complementary photo with Santa, “We Believe” bell, a cookie & a souvenir mug. It’s a magical experience for the whole family.

When: November 27 – December 23. Rides leave at 5:30pm and 7:30pm each night.

Where: 701 S Main Street

Pro Tips: You must make a reservation, and they fill up EXTREMELY fast. Many families show up for the ride in their best Christmas pajamas.

Holidays in Grapevine

City Hall Light Show Spectacular

You’ve never seen a City Hall like this one! Each year, the building is draped in thousands & thousands of lights. All evening, an awe-inspiring light show timed perfectly to Christmas music (old & new) entertains young and old alike. Each show lasts 20 minutes with a short break in between. Hang around the log cabin area for the best view. You will NOT want to miss this!

When: Light show runs from 6pm — 11pm nightly late November — Early January. Check HERE for specific dates for this year.

Where: 200 S Main Street

Travel Planning Assistance

Town Square Gazebo

Ever wanted to go to Whoville? Here’s your chance! Let your kids wander around Whoville, take a bunch of great pictures & enjoy the GIANT 40-foot singing Christmas tree. Did I mention it snows? Yep! We don’t usually have snow in Grapevine at Christmas, but the snow will fall around the Gazebo during the holidays. It’s sure to be a kid favorite.

When: Decorated from late November — Early January. Check HERE for specific dates for this year. The tree will be lit up & singing (yes, the tree sings) after sunset each evening.

Where:325 S Main Street

Christmas in Grapevine, Texas
Photo courtesy of Christine Sherman – Joseph Barringhaus photographer

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Palace Theater Movies

The Palace Movie Theater was built in the 1940s and retains its old-school charm. You can watch old Christmas movies such as A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), It’s A Wonderful Life (1946), and White Christmas (1954), among others. Admission is only $6 per person! This is a great movie theater to take your children to. The atmosphere is laid back & casual. Laughing, cheering, and even a little chatting during movies is not unusual and adds to the fun.

When: Christmas movies run from late November to late December. Click HERE for specifics. You can enjoy other older movies throughout the year.

Where: 300 S Main Street

Pro Tip: Be sure to buy your tickets in advance for Christmas movies. They may sell out, especially evening show times.


TAKE A FOOD, WINE, & HISTORY WALKING TOUR OF GRAPEVINE

This 3 hour walking tour (more like a casual stroll) visits 5 different tasting locations along historic Main Street where you will experience delicious food, wine and other spirits from local restaurants and specialty shops. In between the tastings, you will learn about Grapevine's rich history, culture and architecture.


PRO TIP: Make sure you grab your free packing checklist! It has everything you'll need in an easy-to-use PDF checklist that you can use over & over!

Christmas Wine Train

Train rides aren’t just for kids! Adults can sit back and relax in one of the beautifully decorated coaches and enjoy two complimentary glasses of Texas wine (additional wine is available for purchase), hors d’oeuvres, entertainment by both a DJ and the big man himself, & more! The ride is out and back — no departure. Cost is $45 per person — restricted to ages 21 and up. You MUST make reservations in advance & they sell out quickly.

When: Train departs at 7:30pm and ride lasts 1.5-2hrs.

Where: Grapevine Vintage Railroad, 705 S Main Street

Christmas Capital of Texas
This shop goes all out every year!

Shopping, Shopping & More Shopping

Main Street is PACKED with cute & classy boutique shops. You can find just about ANYTHING you are looking for — clothing, jewelry, home decor, goodies for the kitchen, souvenirs and, of course, Christmas decorations!

Grapevine's Market On Main (right next to the Gazebo) is a personal favorite of mine. They have all kinds of unique goodies and I never go in there without buying a few things.

Like everything else on Main Street, the shop exteriors and their windows are fully decorated so you can enjoy window shopping almost as much as “real” shopping. Most of the shops open at 10am.

Christmas in Grapevine, Texas
Photo courtesy of Kids Are A Trip

Things To Do In Grapevine At Christmas — off Main Street

Gaylord Texan Resort

The Gaylord is a great place to spend some time, whether or not you decide to stay there. The entire atrium of the Gaylord Texan hotel is decorated for Christmas with tons of lights and a 54’ Christmas tree & it is awesome! Even if all you do is park and walk around, you are in for a treat & your kids will love it!

You can also enjoy indoor snow tubing (with real snow), ice skating and the ICE! attraction. ICE! is a bit hard to describe, but just try to imagine 2 MILLION pounds of ice, carved by extremely talented artisans into the Christmas theme of the year using colored ice, frosted ice & clear ice. It’s all kept at a frigid nine degrees (not to worry, they’ll provide a parka).

When: November 13 – January 3

Where: 1501 Gaylord Trail

Pro Tip: You’ll have to pay for parking ($17 for up to 2 hours). There are 10 on-site restaurants at the Gaylord (the Texan Station Sports Bar & Grill is our favorite). If you spend $50 or more at a restaurant, they’ll validate your parking — just ask your waiter at the end of your meal.

Christmas in Grapevine
Torian Log Cabin – decorated for Christmas inside & out.

Eat, Drink & Be Merry

Grapevine has SO many great restaurants & bars (both fancy & casual). Looking for some Texas Barbecue? You HAVE to go to Meat U Anywhere (and let’s face it — you just can’t come to Texas and NOT eat some barbecue)! Want a delicious home-cookin’ style breakfast? Old West Cafe is the place. For more eating & drinking options, check out my favorites: Grapevine, Texas — The BEST Places To Eat.

Christmas in Grapevine
Photo courtesy of Kaitlin Aguilar

As you can see, spending time around Christmas in Grapevine, Texas really should be on your bucket list. It is a perfect family-friendly destination for the holidays. So, plan your trip now & be sure to say “Hi” if you see me…I’ll be there 🙂

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Until Next Time…

Until next time…

About The Author

Jody Phifer has been a travel blogger & travel planner since 2019. With her husband and son by her side, she takes on incredible adventures all over the world. She especially loves hiking through the mountains & soaking in breathtaking views. Jody is passionate about sharing her experiences and love of travel, by offering valuable information and inspiration! Learn more about Jody here.

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