There’s no Christmas tradition quite like picking out a fresh, live tree for the Yuletide. Roaming through the tree farm as a family and cutting one down yourself (or ask staff to do it for you, no worries) truly feels like an adventure all its own.
So pump up the Christmas jams for a short road trip into the country and keep your family traditions going at these Christmas tree farms across North Texas, many of which offer even more family fun like playgrounds, photo ops, and meet and greets with Santa and farm animals. The season only lasts as long as the trees are in supply, so be sure to visit early claim to your ideal tree. Plus, we’ve got guides to our favorite destinations for Christmas lights displays and ice skating rinks.
Christmas in the Square // Frisco
Where: 8843 Coleman Blvd., Frisco
When: Nov. 19 until sell-out; lot open daily: 5–9pm Monday–Friday, 9am–9pm Saturday and noon–8pm Sunday
Cost: Prices vary; a portion of the sales benefits the Scout Group 51’s campouts and activities.
Contact/follow: troop51friscotreasurer@gmail.com; follow on Instagram @FriscoSquare and Facebook
What to know: As part of Frisco Square’s festivities—Santa visits, ice skating, nightly lights shows—you can also shop the Christmas tree lot. Choose from Fraser firs, Douglas firs and Scotch pines. All are fresh cut and range in height from 5 to 12 feet.
Mainstay Farm // Cleburne
Where: 1004 W. Bethesda Road, Cleburne; about 25 minutes south of Fort Worth (look for the half-buried ranch wagon.)
When: Opens Black Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 from 10am–5:30pm, and on weekends through Dec. 18; Saturdays 10am–5:30pm and Sundays 11am–5:30pm. Open for tree sales only from 4–6pm on Wednesdays & Thursdays.
Cost: Admission tickets required; additional cost for some activities. Check back for pricing as it’s announced, with discounted tickets available for purchase Nov. 15–18. Trees in the field are pre-tagged and priced according to size and grade.
Contact/follow: 817/295-6772; hereforyou@mainstayfarm.com; on Instagram @mainstayfarmpark and on Facebook
What to know: Head to Mainstay Farm not only a fresh Christmas tree but for a full day of Christmas festivities. There you’ll meet Santa and Mrs. Claus enjoy 30-plus attractions, like the tubing hill, jumping pillow, pedal karts and a 100-foot-long slide. Don’t forget to visit Haymarket, a milking parlor-turned-gift shop that houses unique and handcrafted items including fresh wreaths, garlands and greenery. The full food menu available and indoor restrooms are huge pluses, too.
KaJiN Farm // Caddo Mills
Where: 3221 CR 2508, Caddo Mills; about 15 miles northeast of Rockwall (look for the alligator sign)
When: Starting Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 and daily (except Mondays) until sell-out; open Fridays through Sundays from 9am to 5pm; Tuesday through Thursday from 3–5pm.
Cost: Free admission. Price as marked for imported Fraser firs. Prices vary for trees based on height, which go up to 14 feet, and as small as 3 feet for tabletops. 10% discount for military and first responders. Come on Dec. 4 and 5 for breakfast at 9:30am and 10am with a not-to-be named green grouch you know from the Dr. Seuss story; call or text to reserve your spot: $5 for adults and $3 for children.
Contact/follow: 903/217-2679; nelson@kajinfarm.com; follow on Facebook
What to know: Let the Christmas times roll at KaJiN (pronounced Cajun) Farm, where you can cut your your ideal Christmas tree (Virginia Pines or Arizona Cypress) or select a precut Fraser fir, originally grown and driven in from North Carolina. The family who runs the farm also makes wreaths on-site from the very same fir trees and offers much more family fun entertainment to merit a day-long visit.
Here you can collect complimentary Mardi Gras beads (a nod to the family’s time spent living in New Orleans) and spend an afternoon playing a round of cabbage ball (New Orleans-style baseball, no gloves) in the field, say hello to the sweet mini horse named Lady, and ride the mini train or hayride around the property. You’ll absolutely want hoist the kids up for a photo op in the giant Radio Flyer wagon and plush polar bear, among other photos ops.
The gift shop is stocked with New Orleans and Texas-themed gifts, local honey, and even “twig crayons” handmade on-site from their Christmas trees for you to use for coloring books. Stick your hand inside the alligator head, if you dare, for a free candy cane, and get free popcorn with the purchase of a drink (like hot cider). If you’re staying a while, you’re welcome to bring a picnic lunch to eat at the covered picnic tables and warm up by the gas fire pit while watching Christmas movies on an outdoor TV.
4 CeeSons Christmas Tree Farm // Caddo Mills
Where: 3223 County Road 2508, Caddo Mills (next door to 4 CeeSons)
When: Open weekends beginning Black Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, from 10am–5pm, and weekends until sell-out; Saturday 10am–5pm and Sunday 1–5pm.
Cost: Free admission. Tree prices vary by height; so get there early if you want a big tree.
Contact/follow: Call or text 903/274-6387; ceesons@lycos.com; follow on Facebook
What to know: CeeSons greetings! This family-owned and operated farm grows Virginia Pine and Carolina Sapphires you can cut live from the field (ranging from 6 feet and up to 14 feet) and sells more pre-cut varieties imported from northern and eastern states, including Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Concolor fir and Black Hills spruce.
After you arrive, let the kids stretch their legs on the swing set, and then set out in search of the perfect tree across the 6 or 7 acres. The family offers complimentary popcorn, hot apple cider and punch to snack on during your visit. Once you’ve made your choice, take a look inside the gift shop, offering gift wrap and bags, decorations like ornaments and dishes, and tree stands—making this farm a one-stop shop!
4D Farm // Weatherford
Where: 3900 Upper Denton Road, Weatherford; about 40 minutes west of Fort Worth
When: Open Saturday Nov. 27, 2021 and weekends until sell-out; Saturday from 9am–4pm; Sunday from 1–4pm
Cost: Free admission. $75 for the first 7 feet, plus $10 per foot over 7 feet. $35 for a 24-inch wreath made from Fraser fir
Contact/follow: 817/313-2914, 4dfarmweatherford@gmail.com; follow on Instagram @4dfarmweatherford and Facebook
What to know: Venture out to 4D Farm to cut your own Leyland Cypress or “Blue Ice” Arizona Cypress or choose a pre-cut Fraser fir. After doing the hard work, hop on the tractor-pulled hayride, or shop the artisan market, and warm up in the store with complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. Come on Saturday, Dec. 4 to visit with Santa from 1–3pm.
Check out their website for their advice on selecting the ideal size tree for your home and care instructions for the tree that will help it last through the holiday season. Before they open for the Thanksgiving holiday, they also welcome guests to bring their own photographer for a family photo session at the tree farm, available for a $50 fee.
Haynie’s Green Acres // Crowley
Where: 10405 Shannon Valley Drive, Crowley; about 30 minutes south of Fort Worth
When: Opens Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 from 10am–5:30pm and open daily until sell-out; Monday–Friday 2–5:30pm; Saturday 10am–5:30pm; Sunday noon–5:30pm.
Cost: Free admission. Prices vary by size.
Contact/follow: 817/297-3970; bhaynie1045@sbcglobal.net; on Facebook
What to know: The family-owned Haynie’s Green Acres offers not only pre-cut Fraser fires and Texas-grown trees you can cut (Virginia Pines, Blue Ice and Carolina Sapphire) but you can also choose from colorful flocked trees available in bright colors like white, red, purple, pink, blue or black. Trees generally range from 4 to 12 feet. You’ll keep warm with complimentary hot cider or coffee while you browse the acreage. Come on Dec. 4–5 to see Santa from 2–4pm and on any weekend for hayrides, play on the swings near the picnic tables, and shop the gift shop for ornaments and handmade wreaths. Photo sessions available on select days.
Kadee Farm // Greenville
Where: 5054 Hwy 69 South, Greenville; about one hour northeast of Dallas
When: Opens Friday, Nov. 26 and daily through Dec. 12 or until sold out; Monday–Friday 2–6pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am–7pm
Cost: Free admission. Tree prices range from $45 to $299. Discount for military families. Kadee Farm offers a military discount and participates in the Christmas Spirit Foundation’s Trees For Troops program. (Donations welcome online.)
Contact/follow: 903/413-3811; kadeefarm@yahoo.com; on Instagram @kadeefarm and Facebook
What to know: Keep warm with complimentary hot cider while you choose and cut a Virginia pine (usually up to 12 feet tall) and select a pre-cut fir tree at this rustic, country farm. (They also sell pumpkins during pumpkin season.) While you relax with snacks at a picnic table or browse the gift shop for tree stands, Christmas goods, handmade wreaths and garland, your kids can have fun in the maze, hay jump, petting corral and swinging tree (a huge pecan tree decked with swings). Hay rides are also available if the weather is good.
Sunset Hill Tree Farm // Alvarado
Where: 3400 County Road 206, Alvarado; about 35 minutes south of Fort Worth
When: Opens Black Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 at 9am, and continuing Saturday and Sunday from 9am–5pm until sell-out
Cost: Tree prices vary by height. $58 and up for a 6-foot pre-cut Fraser Fir. Free admission except the Saturday night after Thanksgiving ($7 per person).
Contact/follow: 817/944-3177; duanepatrick@sbcglobal.net; on Instagram @sunsethilltreefarm and Facebook
What to know: Join Sunset Hill Farm on Saturday night after Thanksgiving for Olde Tyme Christmas. Take a caroling hayride and watch actors play out the Nativity. Then hang around for live music, horseback rides, a kiddie train and a bounce house, plus wreath-making demonstrations and a Christmas store. On other days, admission is free, so check out the farm zoo, duck races, hayride and playground. Concessions are always available, or feel free to bring a picnic.
YesterLand Farm’s Christmas Carnival // Canton
Where: 15410 I-20, Canton; one hour east of Dallas, toward Tyler
When: Open Black Friday, Nov. 26 and continuing Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 19. They’ll have Christmas Carnival activities and Santa pictures/visits on Friday, Nov. 26, but no other weekdays. During the weekdays, YesterLand is only open for tree sales, available from 1:30–5:30pm Monday–Friday.
Cost: Tree cost varies by height (ranging from 4 to 14 feet) for pre-cut Fraser fir, white pine, and Black Hills spruce. Free access to the tree farm, general store, Hog Wild Grill and to see Santa in Twister Town. Photo packages with Santa from $24.95. Admission tickets required for the corn maze, wagon ride, photos ops, and many more rides and farm attractions. Free for children 2 and younger.
What to know: There’s So. Much. More. To. Do. here after choosing a tree. Carve out a whole day for travel time and playtime at the Christmas Carnival.
Did we miss a tree farm you love? Email us at editorial@dfwchild.com to let us know and find even more local tree farms that are part of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association.
This article was originally published in November 2020.
Photo courtesy of YesterLand Farm