EXPLORE LIKE A NATIVE
Whether you’re a culture enthusiast, a foodie on the prowl for tantalizing tastes, or an outdoor explorer craving the embrace of nature, Dallas has something to captivate every soul. So, buckle up and get ready to dive into a whirlwind of excitement as we unveil the must-do activities in and around Dallas for the upcoming week!
Ice, Lights and City Nights
Nov 22 – Jan 5, 2025, From 10:00AM-10:00PM

This holiday season, Omni Dallas Hotel is transforming its iconic Pegasus Lawn into the only ice rink in downtown Dallas! With the shimmering Dallas skyline as the backdrop, this magical ice rink is the perfect place to create unforgettable memories with friends, family and loved ones. The fun doesn’t stop with just the ice rink, there’s an entire winter wonderland steps away.
Guests can enjoy rich and decadent hot cocoa stations on Pegasus Lawn, a ride on the Elf Express train through the hotel’s winter wonderland, seasonal craft cocktails amidst whimsical décor at Blitzen’s Bar or maybe even catch a glimpse of Santa Claus strolling around.
Tickets include skate rental and one hour on the ice. Children 12 and under require adult supervision.
Children 5 and under require an accompanying adult skater. All participants must sign a waiver.
Location
Galleria Dallas has been one of the top holiday destinations for shoppers across North Texas and around the world for more than four decades. From the iconic 95-foot-tall Christmas tree to Missile Toes, the ice-skating, back-flipping Santa who shoots fireworks from his skates, the holiday celebration at Galleria Dallas is recognized as one of the grandest nationwide.
Guests will find the season’s most engaging immersive experience, SNOWDAY adjacent to Santaland. They say every snowflake is unique, and so is every visit to SNOWDAY, the acclaimed immersive exhibit that changes every holiday season and has become a tradition for DFW families. Guests will explore the secret town where Santa’s elves live, with nearly 10,000 square feet of Hollywood-grade sets and styling creating some of the elves’ favorite places, along with state-of-the-art, touch-free photo technology.
SNOWDAY is integrating AI image processing into a photo op for the first time, which will allow for surreal holiday photos of guests. New features also include a new multimedia show including lights, sounds and videos, “real” snowfall, and a Christmas Kaleidoscope photo op. Fan-favorite rooms will also return this year, like the Christmas lights maze, which now has twinkling strands of vibrant lights. Guests also can purchase snacks at Santa’s helpers’ favorite watering hole, The Tipsy Elf. Even if you’ve been to SNOWDAY before, you’ll want to come again to make new memories and capture all its magical, Instagrammable moments.
This visual spectacle is perfect for all ages and will be open Nov. 22 – Jan. 5.
Location
Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant
Nov 22 – Jan 4, 2025, From 5:30 PM- 9:00 PM

Embark on a dazzling adventure where the wild glows and magic follows. This holiday season, bring your wildest dreams to life as you journey through the mesmerizing, themed areas and dazzling lights decorating your Dallas Zoo. Themed “Once Upon a Wild Light,” you can stroll through the larger-than-life, magical experience where wild things glow. At Visions of the Wild, immerse yourself in a 360-degree light experience, exploring diverse biomes filled with vibrant wildlife and awe-inspiring sights.
An immersive projection experience awaits you at DinoLand, brought to you by Reliant, where you can see a first-of-its-kind Dino Lumina: A Jurassic Adventure, where dinosaurs roam, hunt, and tower around you, bringing prehistoric life to reality! Let your imagination run wild with new and favorite festive holiday treats, photos at Santa’s Holiday Storyland, holiday-themed photo ops, unique animal-themed vignettes filled with glowing animal lanterns, live musical performances, and more than 2 million lights! Please note that this event is designed for viewing festive lighting displays and most of the Zoo’s animals will go to bed before the lights come on.
