DFW Weekend Guide: December 12–15, 2025
The holidays are in full swing around Dallas–Fort Worth with light trails, anime conventions, concerts, markets, and Santa sightings all weekend long. Use this guide to hit the biggest, most festive events from Friday through Monday.
Sundance Square Santa & Winter Wonderland (Fort Worth)
Downtown Fort Worth turns into a postcard scene as Santa visits Sundance Square Plaza on Friday evening, alongside a Winter Wonderland weekend with live music and extended plaza programming. Families can enjoy photos, music, and holiday ambience among the lights and decorations in the heart of downtown.
Anime Frontier 2025 (Fort Worth Convention Center)
Anime fans can spend the whole weekend at Anime Frontier with panels, cosplay, artist alley shopping, screenings, and late-night fun at the Fort Worth Convention Center. One-day and weekend passes are available, and the show schedule includes special guests and signature events tailored to teens and adults.
Prairie Lights (Grand Prairie)
Drive through millions of lights along the lakeside at Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie, featuring animated tunnels, themed displays, and a holiday village stop with food, rides, and photos. Timed-entry tickets are recommended, especially on weekend evenings when lines can get long.
ICE! featuring “Elf” at Gaylord Texan (Grapevine)
At Gaylord Texan, ICE! brings scenes from the movie “Elf” to life with immersive, hand-carved ice sculptures, slides, and photo ops in sub-freezing temperatures. The resort also layers on snow tubing, gingerbread decorating, and other paid add-ons, making it a full-day Grapevine Christmas outing.
Holiday at the Arboretum & Night Glow (Dallas Arboretum)
Holiday at the Arboretum continues with its 12 Days of Christmas gazebos, Christmas Village, and new Night Glow experience featuring artist-curated light installations after dark. Daytime offers classic garden walks and family photos, while evenings add an illuminated, immersive feel along special pathways.
Holiday Village: A Return to Candlelight (Dallas City Park)
City Park in Dallas hosts Holiday Village: A Return to Candlelight with carolers, live music, children’s activities, and an artisan market under twinkling lights. The event runs Saturday and Sunday, offering a slower-paced, neighborhood-style holiday celebration right near downtown.
Chevy Chase & “Christmas Vacation” Live Event (Grand Prairie)
At Texas Trust CU Theatre, fans of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” can watch a screening of the movie followed by a live conversation and Q&A with Chevy Chase and his wife Jayni. The event lets audiences hear behind-the-scenes stories and holiday memories tied to the classic film.
Christmas in the Garden & Holiday Shows (Fort Worth)
Fort Worth’s Christmas in the Garden continues at the Botanic Garden with a nighttime light trail, themed zones, and family-friendly photo stops. Around town, Culture Map’s weekend planner highlights productions like The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, cabaret shows, and Elf in Concert with live orchestra.
Source Links
Top Things to Do in DFW — Weekend of December 12–14, 2025 (Prairie Lights, ICE!, Anime Frontier, more): https://thebeatdfw.com/4468689/top-things-to-do-in-dfw-weekend-of-december-12-14-2025/
15 best events in Dallas this weekend (Dec. 11–14, 2025) – CultureMap Dallas (Holiday Village, Chevy Chase event, more): https://dallas.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/weekend-events-12-11-2025/
The Nutcracker dances into 16 best Fort Worth events this weekend – CultureMap Fort Worth (Christmas in the Garden, cabarets, concerts): https://fortworth.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/events-weekend-12-11-2025/
Fort Worth Botanic Garden – Christmas in the Garden info (dates, tickets): https://fwbg.org/christmas-in-the-garden/
Sundance Square Plaza events (Santa Visits the Plaza, Winter Wonderland Weekend): https://www.dfwi.org/go/sundance-square-plaza
Holiday at the Arboretum & Night Glow – Dallas Arboretum: https://www.dallasarboretum.org/events-activities/holiday-at-the-arboretum/
Holidays in Dallas – Visit Dallas seasonal events overview: https://www.visitdallas.com/events/seasonal-events/winter/
Dallas December events master list – MyGuide Dallas: https://www.myguidedallas.com/events/december-2025