Every Holiday Special We Know About (So Far)

The final six weeks of the calendar year are an essential part of business strategies across the country, and the Christmas Capital of Texas is no exception. Thanks to a meticulously programmed series of events hosted or supported by City staff from the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to the Parks and Recreation Department, Grapevine is a must-see stop on hundreds of thousands of Christmas itineraries. Whether you’re planning to drop in for all 1,400 events in the next forty days or looking for a quiet place to enjoy the season without the hustle and bustle of a crowd, we’re here to help.

Economic Development staff have put together a list of every special event or holiday offer we can find, and we’ll be updating it as the holidays roll on. So if you’ve got something to announce – let us know! And if you’re just here to find the best Happy Hour in town and put a nightcap on your shopping trip? That’s just fine by us.

Official Events: Drones, Lights, and Photo Ops

Both the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Parks Department go all-out this time of year, so we recommend checking their events pages for a full breakdown of holiday happenings. The CVB will be hosting holiday movies at the Palace Theater and supporting ongoing activations like the Grapevine Christmas Market and Peace Plaza ice skating rink as part of their massive slate of events. They also assist with big events like the Carol of Lights, which our Parks Department has modified in accordance with community feedback [SJ1] this year.

That’s not the only big change in the works. The Merry and Bright Drone Shows have been overhauled to create a more relaxing experience for visitors, and moved to Monday nights to better support local businesses and reduce foot traffic during on already-busy weekends. Grapevine Parks and Rec also remains dedicated to sprinkling magic everywhere they can, so look for their holiday photo ops stationed all over the City. 

Speaking of photo ops, few evenings provide the same glitz and glamor as our Chamber of Commerce Parade of Lights. This year’s event will take place at 7:00 pm on December 5, so look for folks to start setting up chairs and staking out the best viewing locations that morning.

Local Business Activations

If last year’s visitor counts are any indication, Black Friday and Small Business Saturday will be a big deal in Grapevine this season. Expect big crowds on the hunt for door-buster deals from Best Buy and Academy to Bass Pro Shops and Grapevine Mills. But big box stores and chain operators aren’t the only ones who offer something special to help you burn off those Turkey Day calories. Attractions, retailers, and restaurants all get in on the fun.

Family-friendly entertainment operators at Grapevine Mills will be decking their halls this winter, from twinkling lights and Scuba Santa at SEA LIFE aquarium to a wide array of special events at Meow Wolf Grapevine. The Real Unreal will play host to special adults-only nights, a seasonal scavenger hunt, winter crafting workshops, and more in the lead-up to their big New Year’s Eve celebration for guests aged 21 and up.

Make a point to swing through the Historic District on your trip, as well. Storefronts are always wonderfully appointed, and there’s no shortage of sales and specials this time of year. Grapevine’s one and only independent bookstore is even hosting a signing party for The Texas Cheese Trail, complete with samples to make your reading journey a multisensory experience.

It’s December 25^th Somewhere

No list of Grapevine festivities would be complete without a few happy hours and pop-up bars! The Holly Jolly Bar will return to Harvest Hall this season, with a full lineup of special events to compliment their themed menu and seasonal décor. Visitors looking for a more subdued, curated experience can also book a Winter Wonderland Bubble in the courtyard outside Harvest Hall.

Farther South, Chicken N Pickle will host their own Christmas cocktail lounge: the Holiday Hideaway. With lodge vibes and an approachable menu, this activation will be the perfect escape when the weather gets too frightful for outdoor pickleball play. If Texas Northers still can’t break your love of the Texas sky, of course, you can also book an outdoor igloo with creature comforts and a clear view.

Persimmons Bar and Grill hosts happy hours year-round and brunch on the weekends, if golf is more your speed. After all, there’s no better way to recover from holiday hurry than taking a day off to hit the (ever)green. 

Relax and Stay a While

Trying to squeeze a full holiday experience into a single trip to Grapevine is a surefire way to end up on the Naughty list. The best way to really enjoy the season is to book a Christmas basecamp at one of our local hotels. You can bet they’ll all be decorated for the occasion, and a few take great pains to bring the North Pole down South.

Great Wolf Lodge will be hosting their annual Snowland celebration with interactive games, a site-wide scavenger hunt, and a stocking-load of dance parties and special moments for families of all ages. The fun starts November 25 and runs over into the New Year, so you can flex your schedule to give everyone plenty of time to see it all.

Across the street, the Gaylord Texan will be offering a slate of events appropriately called “So Much Christmas.” From their world-famous carved ice exhibit to indoor tubing and snowball fights, there’s no shortage of festive fun to be found on site. Most of the exhibits are ticketed but open to the public, so you can add this one to your itinerary even if you aren’t planning to spend the night.

That’s all for now, but keep checking back in because we’ll be adding new events and activities to this page as the season goes on. For yearlong updates and the City, subscribe to the Growing Grapevine podcast and eNewsletter.