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Best Things to Do for Christmas in Fort Worth in 2023

written bySierra Schmidt Published Updated on

Get ready for a Christmas in Fort Worth, Texas that’s bound to light up your holiday spirit! Streets adorned with twinkling lights. The aroma of delectable holiday treats in the air. Santa in a cowboy hat. Horse drawn carriage rides.

Fort Worth knows how to do Christmas right, and I’m excited to uncover all the details for you. We spent last year’s Christmas season in Fort Worth and had SO MUCH FUN! Our children loved the western vibe in the Stockyards, the Christmas tree at Sundance Square is beautiful, and there is so much to do and see!

Whether you’re seeking the coziest corners to escape the winter chill or the most exciting events to embrace the holiday cheer, I’ve got the insider scoop. Fort Worth is one of the best Christmas towns in Texas and they have a magical holiday celebration waiting!

Stockyard Station at Christmas in Fort Worth

Drive Thru Lights at the Texas Motor Speedway

Get ready boost your holiday spirit at the Gift of Lights held at the at the iconic Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. Every inch of the track is adorned with millions of shimmering lights, transforming the night into a shimmering wonderland. This drive thru Christmas lights in Texas event is perfect for turning up your favorite tunes and cruising through at a leisurely pace. You won’t want to race on this speedway. Plan on this event taking about 45 minutes of your time.

There are enchanting tunnels and towering trees adorned with lights, and every twist and turn reveals something new and twinkling. Whether the weather’s drizzling or clear, the show goes on – making it the perfect rainy night adventure for the holiday season.

See the Parade of Lights

Arrive with the sun still shining and snag a great viewing spot to catch all the action. Get cozy with a cup of steaming hot chocolate or treat yourself to a delicious lunch or early dinner. Many of the Downtown restaurants have some great to-go options for a parade picnic.

The parade kicks off at 6:00pm with over 100 floats and performances to entertain. The parade winds through town for about 40 minutes. Hang out until the end to see the star of the show. Santa cruises around in style on an amazing float as the grand finale. float that’s a work of art in itself.

Fort Worth at Christmas

Christmas in the Stockyards

Heading to the Stockyards is our favorite Christmas in Fort Worth activity! There are so many things to do that we can spend hours shopping for cowboy boots, watching a western shootout performance, riding the gorgeous streets in a horse drawn carriage, and then visiting Cowboy Santa.

Stockyard Station in Fort Worth, Texas

The official “Christmas in the Stockyards” event takes place on December 3rd and includes a parade carolers, story times and activities. But if you can’t make it that day, you can still enjoy most activities (just minus the parade and performances) any day of the week.

Every inch of this historic area is covered in twinkling lights, gorgeous ornamental bulbs, greenery, and festive bows. The tree outside of the Stockyard Exchange is especially beautiful and is a great spot for photos when celebrating Christmas in Texas.

Christmas tree in Fort Worth

While ice skating is no longer offered at Panther Pavilion, you can still take to the ice with some holiday cheer at the Stockyards. If you still have some energy to burn, race through the stockyard maze and see who has the best internal compass. PSA: It’s NOT me! My husband and I watched our kids from a lookout tower and thank goodness they were the ones running through the maze because I would probably STILL be lost in there!

Stockyard Maze in Fort Worth Texas

Visit Lightscape at the Botanic Gardens

The Fort Worth Botanic Gardens Lightscape is back, and it’s more enchanting than ever! Get ready for a journey into a world of lights, where 80 percent of the displays have been freshly designed to amaze you with pure holiday magic. This Fort Worth Christmas spot has earned a reputation for being one of the best Christmas lights in Texas.

Can you imagine lights weaving their magic through the expansive 120 acres of garden beauty? It’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. The path is a mile long and you’ll want to take your time. The bluebonnets are my favorite – no surprise there!

This event sells out so DEFINITELY book your tickets in advance for this one.

Visit Cowboy Santa at the Fort Worth Stockyards

What’s not to love about Santa in a cowboy hat? We covered all the thigs to do in the Fort Worth Stockyards during Christmas above, but but cowboy Santa deserves a special mention.

The link above shows the package and appointment details. A print is $25 and a digital one is $45. Cowboy Santa’s Cabin is open certain dates leading up to Christmas, so plan carefully if this is a must-do item for you. Appointments are recommended on weekends to skip the line.

  • December 1-17: Wednesday- Sunday @ 11am – 7pm
  • December 17-23: Everyday @ 11am – 7pm
  • December 24 @ 11am – 4pm
Cowboy Santa in Fort Worrth

Sundance Square Plaza

The Christmas tree in Sundance Square Plaza is elegant and beautiful! The season kick off in Sundance Square in late November (exact date TBD) and the gorgeous tree stays glowing all season long. A perfect spot for a photo spot on your way to dinner or a holiday party!

Holiday decor in Fort Worth, Texas

Starlight Symphony

One of the newer events for Christmas in Fort Worth and yet quickly becoming a favorite. The Starlight Symphony is centered around the beautiful, glowing tree in Crockett Square. After opening the night, the tree will perform a 5 minute light show every evening from 6-10pm on the hour.

On opening night, Santa’s arrival, Victorian carolers, free carriage rides, and sledding on real snow hill (we don’t take that for granted in Texas!) will have families making the best of holiday memories. The free carriage rides will continue throughout the season every Friday and Saturday evening.

Watch the Nutcracker at Bass Hall

Bass Performance Hall is located in Sundance Square next to my favorite classy Christmas tree mentioned above. It is the perfect time to stop for a photo while you are all dolled up for a show!

The theater offers a few different holiday shows to choose from. Spring for a season pass or just purchase one-show tickets. Home for the Holidays runs first in late November with the classic The Nutcracker following for most of the rest of the month almost daily with matinees and later evening shows.

Have an Old-Fashioned Christmas at Log Cabin Village

Make an ornament for your tree, take a photo with St. Nick, and play holiday games at the Log Cabin holiday events. Afterward, tour the property including historic family cabins, schoolhouse, and blacksmith shop. Self-guided tours can occur regularly, but watch their calendar for specific dates for holiday festivities.

Cross Some Gifts Off Your Shopping List

The Clearfork Holiday Market is about to unfold its holiday magic in Fort Worth! Get ready to embrace the festive spirit on Saturday, December 2nd, from 9:00am to 3:00pm, right at The Shops at Clearfork.

Bring the whole crew, because this outdoor market is a total family affair. Guess who’s coming to town? Yep, Santa himself! And as if that’s not enough, there’s live music, activities that’ll keep the little ones grinning, and a shopping experience in all the holiday goodness.

Your favorite weekly vendors will be there, ready to help you find the perfect gifts and treats. All of this takes place under one of the grandest Christmas trees in Cowtown, right at The Shops at Clearfork!

Candlelight Christmas Tour through Ryan Place

Advance tickets are required for this popular event which gives holiday adventurers the opportunity to take a guided tour through the historic Ryan Place neighborhood. From elegant mansions to charming bungalows, guests are sure to love the festive décor and historic architecture of these beautiful homes.

Take a Detour to Nearby Grapevine

Just a half hour from Fort Worth is the charming “Christmas Capital of Texas,” otherwise known as Grapevine. The spectacular ICE! exhibit at the Gaylord Texan, the stunning lights on Main Street, the gorgeous outdoor ice skating rink at Harvest Hall, and the historic Nash Farm all make experiencing Christmas in Grapevine worth your time.

Grapevine Texas at Christmas

Ready to Enjoy Christmas in Fort Worth?

From twinkling lights to heartwarming parades that fill the streets with joy, this city knows how to make the holiday season truly magical. Fort Worth has a way of wrapping you up in the spirit of the season while providing the perfect setting for making new memories in this Texas town. Merry Christmas, y’all!

Sierra Schmidt is the founder of Very Truly Texas as well as the lead writer and photographer. She is a Texas local living near Austin in the beautiful Texas Hill Country and exploring every inch of this vast state.

She provides detailed itineraries, inspiring images, and hidden gems to encourage locals and visitors to discover their own next adventure in the great state of Texas!

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