Are you headed to the USA over the Christmas season? Then don’t miss the festive fun in ‘the Christmas capital of Texas’.
Located only 25-30 minutes’ drive north from either Dallas or Fort Worth – and connected by tourist train from Fort Worth’s colourful Stockyards district – the city of Grapevine stages more than 1,400 Christmas events over 40 days during the Christmas season.
Main Street twinkles with magical lights and you can take a ride on the North Pole Express, with Mrs Claus and Santa’s elves on board. Presented by the Great Wolf Lodge from November 24-December 23, the rides end up with a visit to a tent decorated like the North Pole and a show and photos with Santa. There are also opportunities to view a diving Santa at the Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium and to write a letter addressed to him at the local Legoland Discovery theme park.
Children are not the only ones who get to enjoy a festive train ride; by hopping on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s Christmas Wine Train on December 7 and 14, grown-ups can enjoy boxed dinners accompanied by wine from a local winery. Then there are the numerous family-friendly events at the landmark, 1940s Palace Theatre: seasonal films, plays and shows – the Elvis Christmas Classic, A Grapevine Opry Christmas, A Merry Little Christmas Show, Finding Christmas and A Forever Young Christmas – presented by or starring veteran showmen Ricki Derek, Kraig Parker and Rocky Gribble.
But the most spectacular event of all is The Gaylord Texan Resort’s ICE! featuring more than two million sparkling lights and life-sized ice sculptures of holiday scenes carved by master ice artisans from Harbin, China.
There’s also the opportunity to shop for Christmas presents for those family members and friends back home at the Grapevine Mills Mall and in the boutiques and locally-owned shops of Historic Downtown Grapevine.
All in all, the perfect, family-friendly Christmas treat!
DON’T MISS
The Twinkle Light Boat Parade on Lake Grapevine in early December.
The Parade of Lights down Grapevine’s Historic Main Street.
A choice of vintage films, ranging from It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) to How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) at The Palace Theatre.
VISITING GRAPEVINE AFTER CHRISTMAS
Grapevine is full of activities throughout the rest of the year: nightlife, outdoor adventures, spas, sports, museums, shopping and wineries. In fact, it hosts the largest wine festival in the Southwest, GrapeFest, each September and is home to the award-winning Grapevine Craft Brewery.
GETTING THERE: Pick up a rental car at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
GETTING AROUND: Check out the Grapevine Vintage Railroad‘s seasonal excursions plus its regular trips to/from the Fort Worth Stockyard.
STAYING OVERNIGHT: The Gaylord Texan Resort offers special seasonal packages including ICE! tickets and numerous children’s activities. The Great Wolf Lodge provides prices depending upon the family size and the length of stay.
