Fort Worth is lighting up, merry and bright, for the 2025 holidays — from spectacular light tunnels cars can drive through to singing trees in gardens and flickering candlelight illuminating historic homes.

We present CultureMap’s annual gift to readers – our guide to the biggest, best, and brightest Christmas lights of the season around greater Fort Worth and Tarrant County.

They’re arranged by start date and categorized by attraction type – walk-thru/immersives, drive-thrus, commercial and district displays, and special events such as parades and shows. (And don’t worry, we’ll produce a separate list of top Christmas light houses and neighborhoods when those lights start to go up.)

Note: This guide focuses on attractions and events centered around holiday lights. For more yuletide happenings and seasonal fun around Fort Worth, check out our event calendar. For a list of Dallas-area Christmas lights, go here.

Bookmark this page and check back often – just like Santa’s list, it’ll grow as the season draws near.

Immersive and walk-through attractions

Tianyu Lights Festival, Texas Trust CU Theater in Grand Prairie, November 7-January 18
Immersive lantern and lights festival tells the story of Koda, a 7-year-old boy as he explores the magical rainforest of Caballococha, Peru. The experience includes 19 immersive scenes with larger-than-life lantern sculptures that depict vibrant plants and animals, crafted from metal, steel, fabric, and LED lights. There are also nightly performances by acrobats and folk performers. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 5:30-10 pm. Tickets: $16-$35.

Christmas in the Garden, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, November 21-January 4
The new self-guided trail of light displays and holiday music at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden is a tweak of the previous, popular Lightscape attraction. While there’s no longer an Instagrammy “Winter Cathedral,” they’ll bring back the popular dancing bluebonnet lights, Texas-inspired nutcrackers, and more; new installations will include a Candy Cane Tunnel and Christmas Tree Grove. The event also features food from Westland Hospitality. Entry times are 5:30-9 pm. Ticket prices vary by night, peaking at $32 for an adult and $22 for a child, down to $20 on off nights.

Christmas in the Garden Fort Worth Botanic Garden promises Christmas in the Garden will keep some of the Texas twang from Lightscape. Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Six Flags Holiday in the Park, Arlington, November 23-January 4
Six Flags Over Texas will transform once again into a festive land featuring more than 2 million twinkling lights, holiday shows, Santa’s Village, the Holly Jolly parade, a light show area, concessions, and much more. For ticket pricing and schedule, visit the event website.

Daystar Christmas, Daystar Television Network, Bedford, November 27-January 4
Daystar Christmas features over 2 million lights in interactive displays, a life-sized Nativity, Christmas light maze, illuminated Christmas Town, and more. Guests are welcome to get out, explore, take photos with Santa, and eat — Daystar’s Scratch Café will be serving holiday treats on certain days throughout the season. The whole event is free and runs 6-11 pm nightly; for schedule and more information, visit the website.

Drive-thru displays

The Light Park: Arlington, November 7-January 4
A mile-long, drive-thru spectacular that takes guests through millions of lights – including “the longest light tunnel in the world” – synchronized to a music mix by DJ Polar Ice. Three DFW locations: Hurricane Harbor in Arlington, Little Elm Park (new), and Riders Field in Frisco. Hours: 5:30-10 pm (weekdays), and 5:30-11 (weekends). Admission per vehicle: starting at $29.99.

Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, November 27-January 4
Texas Motor Speedway hosts its annual drive-thru holiday lighting spectacular around the track. The 45-minute experience includes over two miles of light displays, with almost 3 million lights and displays. 3545 Lone Star Circle, Fort Worth. Hours: 6-9 pm Sunday-Thursday, 6-10 pm Friday-Saturday. Tickets: $35-$60 per vehicle.

Texas Motor Speedway Gift of Lights Many lights await on the other side of the tunnel at Texas Motor Speedway’s Gift of Lights. Photo courtesy of Texas Motor Speedway

Prairie Lights, Grand Prairie, November 27-December 31
Visitors drive through a dazzling 4 million lights set along two miles of path at Lynn Creek Park. Hundreds of displays in shapes of all kinds line and arch over the roads. Highlights for 2025 include a state-of-the-art light tunnel, a reimagined walk-through forest, captivating animated light displays, carnival rides, holiday shopping, and photos with Santa. 5610 Lake Ridge Pkwy., Grand Prairie (detailed directions here). Open nightly 6-10 pm. Admission: $50 per car, $149 “fast pass.”

ChristmasTime in Texas, Joshua, November 27-December 27
The 35-acre Christmas light park is filled with hundreds of displays spread a mile-and-a-half. A tent event includes Santa, vendors, concessions, and more. 5801 County Road 904 Z, Joshua (near County Road 904 & Chisholm Trail Parkway). Open nightly, 6-10 pm. Admission: $35-$85 per vehicle.

Interlochen Lights, Arlington, December 13-25
The Interlochen neighborhood in northwest Arlington celebrates the 50th anniversary of its annual Interlochen Lights presentation. More than 200 homes get decked out in lights and holiday-themed displays each year, and this time there’ll be special designation for those that have participated all 50 years. The event allows guests to drive through the neighborhood for free and pick out favorite displays while they tune into holiday music in the car. The Interlochen Estates map is here. Typically, the lights are on from 6-11 pm, but watch for 2025 updates on their website and Facebook page.

Holiday Christmas lights Arlington Interlochen Interlochen in Arlington is a must-see, but the lights are only on for a short time. Photo courtesy of the City of Arlington

Commercial and district displays

Historic Main Street, Grapevine, November 24-January 7
The Christmas Capital of Texas’ historic downtown Main Street shines bright with thousands of lights and holiday events. It all kicks off with the 37th annual Carol of Lights on November 24 (see below). Then comes the Parade of Lights on December 4. There will also be free Merry & Bright Christmas Drone Shows (December 1 and 8). For a self-guided lights tour, start at Grapevine City Hall, 200 S Main St., Grapevine, park, and go from there. Consult a complete schedule of holiday events on the website.

Fort Worth Stockyards, November 28-January 4
The Fort Worth Stockyards lights up and moseys in with a whole host of holiday events through the season. Hotel Drover and Mule Alley will light up with holiday spirit, beginning with a special tree lighting celebration at 6 pm November 28. The festive day includes a parade with Cowboy Santa (arriving on a stagecoach just after the 11:30 am Herd drive). The annual Christmas in the Stockyards Celebration will take place December 6. Returning this season: Stockyards Rodeo Rink, a professional ice skating rink, open to the public November 18-January 4.

The Modern Lights, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, November 28-February 15
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is waiting until the day after Thanksgiving to switch on the brilliantly illuminated trees around the property. Passersby can experience a stunning display, and guests can take in a unique view from inside Cafe Modern during special Dinner with the Modern Lights events on Friday evenings.

The Modern Lights The Modern Lights will stay on until February. Photo courtesy of Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

Christmas at Campo Verde Mexican Restaurant, Arlington, through December 24
After more than 40 years of holiday magic, festive lights, and cherished community traditions, Campo Verde Mexican Bar & Grill will officially close its doors on Christmas Eve, December 24. Cherished for its 120,000 lights, 3,000 yards of colorful garland, 50 Santa Clause figures, 30 Christmas trees, and two model trains that chug around the restaurant, the restaurant closed in January 2025, but was revived in June by new owners. It’s giving nostalgic patrons one last holiday season. Find it at 2918 W Pioneer Pkwy. Arlington.

Special light parades, shows, and limited events

GM Financial Parade of Lights, downtown Fort Worth, November 23
More than 100 illuminated floats showing off a “Sparkle, Dazzle, Shine!” theme will parade down the 1.59-mile route through downtown Fort Worth. This year’s grand marshal is retired U.S. Navy SEAL and NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, president/CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. The parade begins at 6 pm. Free to attend, with reserved “Street Seats” available for purchase (starting at $15.75).

GM Financial Parade of Lights Fort Worth GM Financial Parade of Lights will happen November 23 in downtown Fort Worth. Photo courtesy of Parade of Lights

Carol of Lights, Grapevine, November 24
Grapevine – the “Christmas Capital of Texas” – will light up its Historic Downtown Main Street at the 37th annual Carol of Lights, 4-8:30 pm. The event will feature a Street Lighting at 5:30 pm, illuminating the entire length of Main Street into a magical holiday wonderland. The free come-and-go event will include live performances, interactive activity zones, seasonal treats, live reindeer, snow hills for sledding, and Santa’s entrance.

Eagle Mountain Lake Parade of Lights, November 29
The annual parade of boats decorated with holiday lights will begin at West Bay Marina at sundown (about 5:45 pm). The lake is open to boaters for viewing (at a safe distance from the parade route), and Twin Points Park is open and is free of charge. Boaters and observers are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots and to stay for “Shine & Dine for Tots: The Ultimate Post-Parade Experience” at The Lakehouse

Christmas Tree Lighting in Sundance Square, December 2
Touted as “the tallest live Christmas Tree in Texas,” the 79th Fort Worth Community Christmas Tree in Sundance Square will be lit up in a special ceremony that is preceded by a holiday concert at 6:30 pm. The festivities are free, family-friendly, and open to the public.

TCU Tree Lighting, December 2
The lighting of TCU’s 50-foot tall Christmas tree will take place 6:30-8:30 pm in the TCU Commons. The evening will include refreshments, fireworks, concerts, SuperFrog Santa and more. For a map, parking information, and more, visit the website.

Grapevine Parade of Lights, December 4
Grapevine’s Parade of Lights, themed “Storybook Christmas,” features more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands, plus Santa Claus. The parade route begins at S. Main St and Hanover St. and proceeds down historic Main Street. Free to watch, with paid reserved seating available.

Twinkle Light Boat Parade on Grapevine Lake, December 6
The Twinkle Light Boat Parade is a lighted boat parade filled with boats decorated for the holidays. It starts at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina, Scott’s Landing and Silver Lake, as it circles the lake. The parade is visible from the shores of Lake Grapevine. Additional viewing areas include Oak Grove Park and Katie’s Woods Park (1899 Katie’s Woods Loop). Starts at 6 pm and free to view.

Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place, Fort Worth, December 6-7
The gorgeous historic homes in Ryan Place, a grand Fort Worth neighborhood, get illuminated in spectacular fashion all season, as do the long walks that lead up to them. The 41st annual Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place home tour opens five of these stately homes dressed in their festive best, December 6-7. After the tours end, the neighborhood will stay illuminated through the holidays. Tickets to the home tour start at $25.

Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place The stately homes in Ryan Place get dressed up for the holidays. Facebook/Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place

Fairmount Festivus Holiday Light Tour, Fort Worth, December 13
Homes in the historic Fairmount neighborhood of Fort Worth show off their holiday creativity in this decade-old tradition. Event-goers will get the Festivus map to lead them through a self-guided night of merriment. The family-friendly event is free and runs 6-9 pm, with a kick-off at One Safe Place, 1100 Hemphill St., at 5 pm.

Arlington Holiday Lights Parade and Tree Lighting, downtown Arlington, December 13
Parade-watchers can gather in the downtown/university district to watch brightly lit floats parade down the street, then stay for the lighting of a spectacular 65-foot Christmas tree designed especially for Arlington. Don’t miss pics with Santa both before the parade and after the tree lighting. The parade begins at 6 pm. Free.