One of my favorite childhood memories is going out to see Christmas lights. My parents would bundle us up, put us in the backseat of the car, and we would drive to neighborhoods known for their lights displays. Once I had my daughter, I continued that tradition and we still do it to this day even though she is no longer a child.
Below is a list of my favorite holiday hot spots. This list is not the only places you can find stunning lights displays here in DFW, and there are certainly a lot more if you go searching state wide.
Vitruvian Lights - Addison
Vitruvian Park is found in Addison near the Marsh Lane and Spring Valley Road intersection. Stop by the Addison Icehouse for dinner and make a night of it with family or friends. Afterwards, stroll through Vitruvian Park and enjoy the lights at your leisure and for FREE. You can park for free as well at the Bella Lane parking lot, the Park Road parking lot, and the Ponte Avenue parking lot. I am happy to tell you that this park is wheelchair friendly and we had no issue taking my kiddo around in her manual chair. You can enjoy the lights through January 1st.
Interlochen - Arlington
Beginning December 14th, you can drive through the neighborhood known as Interlochen from 7 pm to 11 pm. You can find Interlochen at the intersection of Westwood Drive and Randol Mill Road in Arlington. Arlington has an abundance of restaurants so, like Addison, I encourage you to make a night of it by enjoying a nice dinner beforehand. The line can be long and the drive will be slow but, turn on Christmas tunes from your favorite radio station and you will have your Christmas spirit in overdrive in no time. For your convenience I have included a map of the area below from the Interlochen website.
Highland Park - Dallas
Highland Park is one of the neighborhoods we would drive though during the holidays, in awe of the homes themselves as well as the light displays. You can drive through the neighborhood yourself or your can enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride (for a fee of course) and let someone else do the driving.
Brazos Carriage has a pick up location for the carriage rides but you will need to make your reservation early (prime times sell out!). With carriages that fit 4 people and up to 12 in the larger carriages, all you need to do is bring hot chocolate or cider with you and enjoy the Christmas music on the ride. through the neighborhood.
Texas Motor Speedway Gift of Lights - Fort Worth
The Gift of Lights is truly about giving. Not only can you enjoy millions of beautiful holiday lights but you can help out local charities that have made a huge impact on local communities. Tickets are $30 for cars and trucks, $50 for RVs and trucks with trailers, and $60 for buses. A portion of ticket sales will benefit local charities such as Ronald McDonald House, Toys for Tots, Speedway Charities, KLTY Christmas Wish, Fort Worth Police Officers Association, and Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
You can enjoy stunning lights on display and visit Santa at Santa’s Village. There you can take a photo with Santa (for a fee) but first responders (police, fire, and medical) and Military Members get a Free 5 x 7 photo in Santa’s Village.