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Things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth in December 2026

Christmas in the Stockyards in Fort Worth has armadillo races and a cow milking contest at the Entertainment Plaza, and Cowboy Santa poses for photos at his workshop. At 11:59 p.m. on New Year's Eve, more than 5,000 pyrotechnic effects go up from Reunion Tower in Dallas. Anime Frontier and Chestnut Square Holiday Tour of Homes land in December, with 8 more on the list below.

Follow Dallas-Fort Worth in your calendar: Google CalendarApple or Outlook Confirmed dates only. New ones appear on their own.

Starting in December

Anime Frontier Conventions & Expos

Anime Frontier

Friday, Dec 4 to Sunday, Dec 6 Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth
Ticketed
Christmas in the Stockyards Holidays & Parades

Christmas in the Stockyards

Saturday, Dec 5 Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, Fort Worth
Ticketed
Dallas Holiday Parade Holidays & Parades

Dallas Holiday Parade

Saturday, Dec 5 Commerce Street, downtown Dallas (starts at Commerce and Houston streets), Dallas
Free
BMW Dallas Marathon Sports & Fitness

BMW Dallas Marathon

Friday, Dec 11 to Sunday, Dec 13 Dallas City Hall and downtown Dallas, Dallas
Ticketed
Arlington Holiday Lights Parade Holidays & Parades

Arlington Holiday Lights Parade

Saturday, Dec 12 West Abram Street, Downtown Arlington (Levitt Pavilion to Cooper Street), Arlington
Free

Expected in December, dates not announced yet

Already on when December starts

These started in an earlier month and are still running.

Christmas Capital of Texas Holidays & Parades
Running through Dec 30

Christmas Capital of Texas

Monday, Nov 23 to Wednesday, Dec 30 Historic Main Street, Grapevine
Ticketed
Vitruvian Lights Holidays & Parades
Expected to run into December

Vitruvian Lights

Expected November 2026 Vitruvian Park, Addison
Free
Holiday at the Arboretum Holidays & Parades
Expected to run into December

Holiday at the Arboretum

Expected November 2027 Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Dallas
Ticketed
Dallas Zoo Lights Holidays & Parades
Expected to run into December

Dallas Zoo Lights

Expected November 2027 Dallas Zoo, Dallas
Ticketed

4 more run every week in Dallas-Fort Worth year round, including Fort Worth Herd Twice-Daily Cattle Drive and Dallas Farmers Market. See the full calendar.

Other months in Dallas-Fort Worth

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