With 40 days of festivities and enough holiday décor and Christmas lights to cause a massive grid outage, it’s no wonder why Grapevine has earned its title as the Christmas Capital of Texas. And this isn’t just a mere colloquialism; in 2009, the Senate of the State of Texas proclaimed the city such and applauded Grapevine for creating multiple magical holiday experiences over the past decade.
Grapevine continues to wow visitors and locals alike with annual parades, like the Parade of Lights (Dec. 2) and the Twinkle Light Boat Parade (Dec. 4), and Christmas activities every day in December. Sneak away for a weekend and use this guide to plan a getaway in Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas.
Friday
First, get your endorphins flowing with a walk down Main Street. The all-out storefront decorations, delicious dining options, shopping therapy, and (of course) wine tasting at top-notch wineries are enough to jumpstart anyone’s holiday spirit.
While walking, visit the Town Square Gazebo to see a 40-foot tall Singing Christmas Tree that serenades passersby daily. If you’re strolling into the evening, stop by Dr. Sue’s Chocolate and warm up with hot cocoa (served every day from 4 – 6 p.m.) before heading to City Hall to watch the choreographed Light Show Spectacular, occurring nightly.
Once you’ve seen the lights up close, make your way to the Visitor Information Center in Grapevine Main Station. This is the place for tips on what to experience during your Grapevine stay, and it’s also the starting point for daily Tower Tours ($3) — an experience that will take you 150 feet in the air for a bird’s-eye view of the Dallas-Fort Worth skylines and Grapevine’s Christmas lights. After soaking in the beauty from above, pop over to Harvest Hall (Grapevine’s new food hall) for an array of dinner options.
Saturday
A visit to the Christmas Capital of Texas wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Grapevine Christmas Village, situated in the Cotton Belt Railroad Historic District along Main Street. Head to the North Pole General Store and snap a professional photo with Main Street Santa (reservations available at mainstreetsanta.com) or walk through the Snowy Christmas Forest where there’s 100% chance of snow (a rare find at this latitude).
While in the Christmas Village, kiddos can create souvenirs with Herman the Elf during Grapevine Christmas Passport – Elf Adventure ($8), an experience that brings historic Grapevine to life with activities like stamping a brass gift tag at Millican’s Blacksmith Shop. Teens and adults, meanwhile, can meander next door to Vetro Glassblowing Studio and learn how to make a Christmas ornament from hot, molten glass in a one-of-a-kind class ($65).
The North Pole Express and Christmas Wine Trains may be booked this season, but visitors can still admire the decorated trains at the station before they take off for the Stockyards. Anyone who wants to keep the holiday cheer going full steam ahead can reserve seats on the After Christmas Trains (running Dec. 26 – 30).
After experiencing Grapevine’s Christmas Village, make your way to Nash Farm, where you can step back in time and see a historic farmhouse from 1869. The farm will have special events on Dec. 3, 4, 11, and 17, along with daily Victorian Card Printing, Christmas Ornament Making, and Cookie Baking.
Finally, round out the day with one of the many live performances happening in December. Texas Dinner Theater offers interactive entertainment with its holiday show, “A Cold-Hearted Christmas,” and there’s a variety of talent to see at the Historic Palace Theatre, including the “Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin Christmas Tribute” (Dec. 16 – 17) and the “It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Play” (Dec. 10 – 11). Fans of Christmas classic, “Elf,” won’t want to miss “Elf: The Musical” at OhLook Performing Arts Center (Dec. 10 – 12 and 17 – 19).
Sunday
Before winding down the weekend, cross some stress off your list by tackling Christmas shopping at Grapevine Mills Mall. If you need a break in between buying gifts, check out the two unique Christmas attractions at the mall: Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Center and Scuba Diving Santa at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium.
Still struggling to find the perfect present? Swing back by Main Street while the Grapevine Christmas Market is open from 2 – 9 p.m. (Saturdays and Sundays) at the Town Square Gazebo.
If you’re not ready to return home just yet, visit the Gaylord Texan Hotel and slide down a snow-tubing hill ($22) or enjoy the indoor ice-skating rink ($18). Once the sun sets, walk through Merry & Light, an outdoor attraction with more than 400,000 Christmas lights ($12 for kids, $18 for adults). It’s a great way to soak in the magic of the season before heading back home.
Where to Eat
Start your days with sweet waffles and strong coffee at Brew & Batter or sit down for a delicious brunch at Main Street Bistro & Bakery, a cozy local restaurant with excellent décor. When your stomach starts growling for lunch, head to Tolbert’s for phenomenal chili in a down-to-earth setting or stop by Mason & Dixie for Southern charm and comfort. At the end of the day, satisfy your taste buds with dinner at Piaf Kitchen and Wine Bar, where you can watch Grapevine’s lights twinkle from the patio. Can’t decide on just one thing? Harvest Hall’s chef-driven eateries offer plenty to choose from: burgers, noodles, shawarma, and more.
Where to Stay
Hotel Vin — Grapevine’s newest boutique hotel is located within walking distance of Main Street and all the holiday festivities. It boasts 120 luxury rooms with classy décor and comfortable beds, along with easy access to The Junction, where you can often experience live music in the evenings. Also in Hotel Vin is Bacchus Kitchen + Bar, a restaurant where you can savor Mediterranean-inspired cuisine while watching trains as they arrive at the historic Grapevine Main Station next door.
The Rioja Rooftop Terrace, part of Bacchus Kitchen + Bar, is open on the weekends for great views of Grapevine, delicious tapas, and drinks. Better yet, Harvest Hall is attached to Hotel Vin, so there’s plenty of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Anyone who’s a fan of trying different cuisine in a new, luxurious location is sure to enjoy staying at this high-class hotel.
The Vineyards Campgrounds and Cabins — These quaint cabins are situated on the shores of Lake Grapevine, within a five-minute drive of Historic Downtown. Stay here and rest assured that you’ll have a great view of the Twinkle Light Boat Parade on Dec. 4, as well as a cozy place to call home for the weekend. There are plenty of RV sites but only 14 cabins, so make reservations ASAP.
This little haven is extremely well-kept, and it even features a private beach on Lake Grapevine where you can swim if it’s not too chilly outside. (Yes, it’s December, but it’s also Texas.) Each cabin offers a lakefront view from the patio deck and more budget-friendly options than other high-end hotels in the area, with cabin rates averaging around $150 per night. If you’re craving solitude and serenity amidst the holiday cheer, book a stay here and enjoy a weekend of beautiful sunrises and sunsets over Lake Grapevine.
Gaylord Texan Hotel — For an all-out Christmas experience, there’s no better place to stay than the Gaylord. This luxury resort’s guest rooms offer a comfortable place to relax while looking out into the atrium, which is decked out with twinkle lights and ornaments hanging above a giant Christmas tree. Although the Gaylord is often applauded for its Texas hospitality and great amenities, holidays here are all about the events.
Inside the expansive hotel, you’ll find a snow-tubing hill, an ice-skating rink, an area where you can build snowmen, a gingerbread decorating corner, and (for adults) a “North Star Bar” with holiday décor. This year, there’s also the all-new Mission: Save Christmas featuring Elf, a multisensory, immersive experience where visitors can play games and explore the world of Buddy the Elf.
These ticketed events are open to the public, but overnight guests at the Gaylord will have the opportunity to save big with discount packages like the Lone Star Christmas Package, which includes tickets to the Elf experience, Snow Tubing, Merry & Bright lights, and a one- to two-night stay at the hotel.
Want to see an overview of everything happening in the Christmas Capital of Texas this year? Visit grapevinetexasusa.com/christmas-capital-of-texas for key dates and details.