Click HERE for the 2014 DFW Xmas Lights update, and be sure to enter the GIVEAWAY for an Epic Helicopter Christmas light tour from the sky!
DIDN'T Catch me LIVE on Texas Living with Kimberly Schlegel Whitman on Monday, December 3, 2012? Click here to watch the segment!!!
It's the most wonderful tiiiime...of the year.
YES, it's THAT time of the year when everyone's spirits are lifted and generosity starts pouring out of every ORIFICE. Speaking of generous, I have spent hours on end (even neglecting my husband & children) researching the VERY BEST in Christmas light displays for your viewing pleasure! Look no further, cause it's all here! While scouring the internet and making personal visits to some of these locations, I couldn't help but fondly look back at when my own parents loaded us all into the car to view the neighborhood lights. Ahh, good ol' Christmas memories of picking at and hitting my brothers in the back seat, driving along the Interlochen neighborhood...screaming at each other until the car pulled over for spankings! Oh, the joys of cherished childhood memories! OK, therapy session over. Now lets get down to the really juicy stuff!
FORT WORTH
Chesapeake Lights: Chesapeake Plaza @ 100 Energy Way 76102
This downtown gem has tons of trees loaded with jewel-tone
colors wrapped from trunk to stem for your viewing pleasures. MAP
Gift of Lights: Texas Motor Speedway @ 3545 Lonestar Circle 76177
Over 2 million LED lights and huge displays will make this family tradition for years to come especially with a drive through the light tunnel.
T's Holiday Lights Tour: Stockyards @ 130 E. Exchange Avenue
Fort Worth's very own transportation system will take you through the Stockyards and culturally festive neighborhood of over 200 homes. DECEMBER 8th and 9th @ 5:30
Fort Worth neighborhood secrets for great light displays-
Westover Hills & Rivercrest mansions, Luther Lake in (Ridglea Hills), the Historic Fairmount District, TCU and Colonial area, and homes reflecting off the water around Lake Worth. NOT TO BE MISSED: 1119 block of Montego (Ridgmar) & 7th Street @ Alta Drive (Rivercrest).
Lake Country Christmas: Eagle Mountain @ 1700 Desperado Road 76131
Over 250,000 lights digitally animated with virtual Santa and life-sized nativity
ARLINGTON
The Lights of Interlochen: Westwood Drive and Randol Mill Road 76102
Over 200 homes make this one of DFW's largest holiday light displays and one of the very first and original of its kind…like I said, serious childhood memories started here over 30 years ago. MAP DECEMBER 14th-25th 7:00-11:00 pm
Holiday in the Park: Six Flags @ 2201 Road to Six Flags 76011
This magical wonderland is perfect for the whole family. With over a million lights and multiple holiday shows, you can't go wrong with this standard Metroplex favorite.
Arlington neighborhood secrets for great light displays-
Dalworthington Gardens.
DALLAS
Highland Park Neighborhood: Armstrong Parkway and Preston Road 75205
Over 40 years of family traditions and cherished childhood memories began in this beautiful mansion-filled neighborhood. Start at Armstrong Parkway and Preston Road and get lost in the hood. Area of special interest (an insider tells me): Rheims to Mockingbird and Lomo Alta to Preston, the perfect square. MAP
Kessler Park Holiday Lights: Oak Cliff @ 1415 W. Colorado Blvd.
You can't miss the 5 colorfully lit trees in the median @ Colorado and Lausanne. With the Dallas skyline in the background and multiple houses in serious holiday spirit, you won't be disappointed.
Dallas neighborhood secrets for great light displays-
M streets, University Park mansions, SMU Blvd, Lakewood and historic Swiss Avenue, and the mansions reflecting off White Rock Lake.
Other Parts of the Metroplex
ADDISON
Vitruvian Lights: Vitruvian Park @ 3875 Ponte Avenue 75001
Wonderful residential park with a spring-fed creek on 19 acres of lush grass and walking paths. An insider told me that The Savoye has dumped more than $100K in festive lights to make this place a holiday spectacular not to be missed. MAP
CLEBURNE
Whistle Stop Christmas: Hulen Park @ 900 S. Hillsboro 76033
Sounds and sights of the holiday spirit and more than 3.5 million lights decorate this darling park.
FARMERS BRANCH
Christmas in the Park: FB Historical Park @ 2540 Farmers Branch Lane 75234
Create magical memories as you drive through stunning displays of holiday light scenes with over 300,000 glimmering lights.
FRISCO
Christmas in the Square: 6101 Frisco Square Boulevard 75034
At Main and Coleman Blvd, the city of Frisco has installed over 175,000 choreographed lights, 11.5 miles of wiring, and 8 miles of extension cords. They have SNOW too! Best put this one on your 2012 bucket list!
GRAND PRAIRIE
Prairie Lights: Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake @ 5700 Lake Ridge Parkway 75052
Over 4 million lights along a 2 mile stretch, and 600 individual light displays make this the largest and brightest concentration of holiday lights in Texas. A MUST SEE!!!
GRAPEVINE
The Christmas Capital of Texas: 200 Main Street 76051
With over 1400 events and activities for the whole family, you just might need to get a hotel for the weekend to see it all. Start your stay off right at Christmas on Main Street and branch out from there. Shopping, dining and entertainment, all in a day's worth of fun! Staycation anyone?
MCKINNEY
Heard Holiday Trail of Lights: Heard Museum @ 1 Nature Place 75069
This 4th Annual event is like no other. This non-traditional viewing of holiday lights is synchronized to music down ½ mile walking Heard Trail. Leave the electronic devices at home and experience nature in the Yuletide spirit. DECEMBER 14-15th 6:30-9:00
PLANO
Deerfield Holiday Lights: Legacy Drive @ Colonade or Archgate Drives 75024
A longtime holiday tradition has brought joy and fond memories to many families for years. This 16 plus block community is LOADED with festively decorated homes.
Neighborhood secret for great light displays-
Spring Park community in NE Dallas, straddling Garland, Richardson & Plano, is located on Jupiter Road between Campbell Road. and Lookout Drive. The highest concentration of lights are on the cul-de-sacs off of Jonandrea and Windmill. MAP
UNIQUE & ROMANTIC WAYS TO SEE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
I know everyone can load up their car with family or friends and head out for an evening of Holiday Cheer...But what about trying something different, maybe something you haven't done before, EVER? Well, welcome to Santa's Sleigh Ride! Epic Helicopters is the largest helicopter tour operator in North Texas, offering 10 different helicopter holiday light tour variations! Come experience the holiday magic in a truly Epic way when you and 2 others can climb aboard one of these whirly birds. Make this a memory your loved ones will NEVER forget! Oh, and they do gift certificates too...the PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER!
I mean, who doesn't like stylish private ground transportation. Well here's your ticket! Silver West and Black Elite Car Service are 2 of DFW's best limousine transportation companies AND they are offering special Holiday Light Tour pricing & packages. You can't go wrong with either of these companies. They have both been at our beck and call for year, and we wouldn't consider anyone else. And please, keep it classy by leaving your clothes on while in the back seat, no matter how romantic you feel.
Speaking of private drivers...I have another little insider secret. You can still have all the fun you want while being driven by someone else...in YOUR OWN VEHICLE! Jason and I hire Michael Martin when we just need a quick zip around town, especially when drinks are involved. He shows up to our house, we hand him the keys to our sedan or SUV and we're off like a prom dress! The best part? He is $35 an hour with no minimum, and chauffeurs Thursday-Saturday evenings. For 2 hours or 10, he's the man. You can contact Michael Martin at 817-201-6491.
And of course, there is always the nostalgic experience of viewing Christmas lights too! Both Brazos Carriage and Northstar Carriage offer holiday light tours for the DFW metroplex...They'll take you around to all of the popular spots in Sundance Square, Highland Park, and Deerfield...plus they do private parties too! This is a wonderful romantic option for a special someone.
Whip'n out Timberlake's “Tricks in a Box”
Scenario: You, the fam and the next-door neighbors kids load up in the Suburban and are out driving around the Metroplex looking for the BEST holiday light displays. Everyone is having a fine and dandy time, until you hit traffic…holiday light traffic. Just when everything was going wonderfully smooth, you realize there's a HUGE line for miles (it seems like) before you even get to the entrance to your favorite lit up neighborhood. HAVE NO FEAR, cause you came prepared!!! Right before you feel like you have to pull over and get everyone out for the “bend over”, this is when you bust out the holiday “Tricks in a Box” instead. And there you go. CPS won't be knocking on your door cause some mobile device caught you in the act. And now EVERYONE is happy.
Holiday “Tricks in a Box” check list:
• Yuletide packaged snacks (World Market has a great selection)
• Light up blinky noses
• Cheap party favor like puzzles/toys (Dollar Tree ROCKS)
• Coloring books & word games like MAD LIB
• Novelty candy
• Glow sticks, necklaces, and bracelets
Something else to consider is a very LARGE thermos filled with hot water and pre-packaged hot chocolate for instant drinkable fun.
Just for Fun
Now you too can register your appalling, I mean ridiculously, I mean beautifully decorated abode here, here and right here. Or at least find out who’s registered near you. AND I just might do this next year, just to make my neighbors real super happy. Anyone know where I can get this done without ripping my stocking wide open? (Link for video here)
Now for my very SoFortWorthIt favorite part…THE GIVEAWAYS!!!
Not one, but FOUR amazing prizes will be given away this week.
Eligibility to win:
1. If you haven't already, subscribed to my blog…(located at top of blog, to the right of my picture, and under BEST OF 2013 voting info) If you received this blog post via email, you are already subscribed.
2. Share this blog on your Facebook with the link at the top of this post.
3. Leave a comment below…and type CONTEST at the end of your post.
I will post winners in the comment section. Contact me within 24 hours to redeem your prize. GOOD LUCK!!!
Prizes:
- Epic Helicopters - 20 minute Santa Express Shuttle ($380 value)
- Private driver for 5 hours ($175 value)
- Carriage ride in Highland Park ($145 value)
- Holiday "Trick's in a Box" ($90 value)
Related Posts:
- http://www.town-mall.net/community/dfwchristmaslights.html
- http://www.nbcdfw.com/the-scene/events/Dallas-Fort-Worth-Christmas-Holiday-Lights-2012-178136171.html
- http://dallas.about.com/od/familyactivities/tp/Dfw-Holiday-Lights-Displays.htm
- http://www.examiner.com/article/where-to-see-holiday-lights-dallas
- http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2012/nov/29/where-find-best-holiday-lights-north-texas/
- http://www.planetchristmas.com
Oh, and one last thing. If you feel like I missed something on this list, please mention your suggestion it in the comment section below. I will look into it, and possibly have it added to the list.