From glittering Main Street lights to wine trains and festive markets, Grapevine, Texas wraps its historic core in holiday magic, with most experiences clustered within just a few miles.
Grapevine doesn’t just decorate for the holidays; it transforms. Officially recognized as the Christmas Capital of Texas, the city rolls out more than 1,400 festive events over roughly 40 days, many centred on historic Main Street. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is essentially in Grapevine’s backyard, so here’s a key tip: instead of renting a car at the airport—where you still need a shuttle to reach the rental centre—it’s often faster and cheaper to take an Uber into Grapevine and, if you plan to travel beyond the city, rent a car there. If you’re staying local, you may not need a car at all thanks to a complimentary shuttle that links the main areas.
Think of it as a Christmas village on a real-life scale: twinkling storefronts, live performances, vintage train rides, Texas wine, and creative experiences that feel special rather than overproduced. Here are fifteen fun, mostly low-impact Christmas activities to enjoy in Grapevine, all within easy reach of the city’s historic heart.
1. Stroll Historic Main Street Under a Canopy of Lights
Grapevine’s Main Street is the city’s living room, and at Christmas it glows. Historic brick buildings are draped in lights and garlands, lampposts are wrapped in greenery, and shop windows lean into the season with whimsical displays. The city’s official Christmas programming includes the Carol of Lights, where the street comes alive with music, performances, and an enormous light switch-on, plus the Parade of Lights and festive drone shows on select nights.
2. Ride Santa’s North Pole Express on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad
If you have children with you—or if you simply never lost your inner child—Santa’s North Pole Express is the classic Grapevine Christmas experience. Trains depart from the Grapevine Vintage Railroad depot in the Historic Cotton Belt District, which is transformed into the Grapevine Christmas Village for the season.
Guests board cosy, vintage coaches dressed in old-fashioned decorations, then roll out on a short, story-driven journey complete with cheerful elves, music, and a visit from Santa. It is more theatre than transport, and the charm lies in the details: children in pyjamas, grandparents along for the ride, and volunteers and staff who commit fully to the magic.
3. Toast the Season on the Christmas Wine Train
For grown-up revelry, Grapevine’s Christmas Wine Train swaps hot cocoa for Texas wine. Departing from the same historic depot, this evening experience turns the train into a rolling holiday lounge. A curated playlist of Christmas classics sets the mood while attendants move through the aisle with savoury nibbles and something sweet to finish. Two complimentary pours from local Grapevine tasting rooms are served in souvenir glasses, and you can purchase additional wine if you want to extend the tasting.
Most guests lean into the spirit with smart-casual festive outfits—think sparkly tops, fun ties, maybe a Santa hat—rather than full black-tie. You will be seated for most of the journey, but you will also walk the platform and board via vintage steps, so comfortable shoes are your friend. Note, this experience is available only once during the season and sells out quickly.
4. Lace Up at the Peace Plaza Ice Rink
At Peace Plaza at Grapevine Main Station, the city sets up an outdoor ice rink framed by lights, shops, and the sleek lines of the Grapevine Main Tower. The rink runs through much of the season as part of the official Christmas Capital of Texas programme.
5. Make Your Own Glass Ornament at Vetro Glassblowing
A short walk from Main Street, Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Gallery offers “Help Create” sessions where you can work with glass artists to make your own Christmas ornament or snowman.
Guided by professionals, you choose your colours and help shape the molten glass (safely, with assistance), then watch as your piece is transformed into a one-of-a-kind keepsake. It is tactile, memorable, and far more sustainable than buying yet another mass-produced decoration.
6. Soak Up the Glow and ICE at Gaylord Texan’s Lone Star Christmas
Just a short drive from Main Street, the Gaylord Texan Resort is one of Grapevine’s most dazzling Christmas hubs. Its annual Lone Star Christmas transforms the massive indoor atrium into a twinkling holiday village: towering trees, oversized ornaments, themed displays, and photo spots tucked into every corner. You can wander the walkways, browse pop-up shops, listen to live music, and soak in the atmosphere without ever stepping outside. It’s an easy way to immerse yourself in the season and enjoy a lot of Christmas in one compact, weather-proof space. Step Inside a Winter Wonderland at Gaylord Texan’s ICE!, a wildly detailed indoor ice-sculpture exhibit that turns more than 2 million pounds of ice into colourful holiday scenes and slides.
7. Catch a Classic Christmas Film or Show at the Palace Arts Center
Back on Main Street, the historic Palace Arts Center hosts a line-up of Christmas movies, concerts, and live performances throughout the season. Many are family-friendly classics, from old black-and-white films to sing-along events.
The theatre itself is part of the experience: restored neon signage, vintage details, and the feeling of being in a place that has seen decades of holiday crowds come and go. A night at the Palace is an easy, low-impact way to lean into nostalgia without needing elaborate rides or gadgets.
8. Wander the Christmas Village and Local Shops
The Grapevine Christmas Village around the Cotton Belt Railroad District features festive decor, photo ops, and seasonal activities that change from year to year. Pair it with a slow ramble through Grapevine’s independent shops and galleries along Main Street.
Instead of rushing through a shopping list at a big-box store, you can browse antiques, local art, Texas-made products, and small-batch treats. Buying a gift here often means supporting a family-run business and reducing the environmental footprint of shipping and packaging.
9. Taste Texas on the Urban Wine Trail
Grapevine lives up to its name with a vibrant Urban Wine Trail of tasting rooms within walking distance of each other, pouring wines from across Texas. During the holidays, many decorate their spaces with lights and greenery, creating cosy pockets to escape the chill and savour a glass.
Whether you are new to Texas wine or already a fan, this is a chance to sample different grape varieties and styles in an approachable, come-as-you-are environment. Ask about sustainable vineyard practices, water use, and how climate is shaping local wine—most tasting room staff are happy to share.
10. Slow Down at Nash Farm’s Heritage Holiday Events
Just a short distance from the bustle of Main Street, Nash Farm offers a window into Grapevine’s agricultural past. The historic property hosts seasonal events that might include traditional decorations, demonstrations, and a glimpse of how families once celebrated with far fewer material things.
Here, the focus is on simple pleasures: lantern light, handmade decor, and stories passed down through generations. It is a grounding counterbalance to the more high-energy experiences elsewhere in town.
11. Embrace the Cosy at Great Wolf Lodge Snowland
Just up the road, Great Wolf Lodge layers its family-favourite waterpark energy with extra holiday charm during Snowland. Think giant Christmas trees, garlands, twinkling lights, and seasonal activities woven into the lodge’s daily rhythm. Kids can spot characters in festive outfits, join crafts or story times, and watch “snow” fall indoors, while adults enjoy the fireplace-and-flannel vibe. Even a short visit gives you a taste of how Grapevine does Christmas for families who want playtime and cosiness in the same place.
12. Step Into Another World at Grapevine Mills: Meow Wolf, Bubble Planet, and SEA LIFE
Grapevine Mills is a large shopping mall that doubles as an entertainment district, where you can move from browsing shops to immersive art and sensory play in minutes. Meow Wolf Grapevine feels like stepping through a portal—surreal rooms, glowing installations, hidden doorways, and interactive elements invite you to touch, explore, and follow your curiosity. Nearby, Bubble Planet adds more whimsy with rooms themed around bubbles in all their forms, reimagined through light, sound, and movement.
Just a short walk away, SEA LIFE Grapevine offers a calmer, underwater counterpoint. You’ll wander past tanks of colourful fish, rays, and other marine life, through tunnels where creatures glide overhead, and by jellyfish displays that feel almost meditative. Along the way, interpretive signs and exhibits highlight ocean conservation and how our choices on land affect marine ecosystems—making it a good place to start thoughtful conversations about protecting sea life, even as you enjoy the spectacle.
13. Laugh Through a Holiday Mystery at Texas Star Dinner Theater
Round out your Grapevine Christmas with a night at Texas Star Dinner Theater, where a comic whodunit unfolds around you as you enjoy a sit-down meal and dessert. The shows lean into Texas humour and audience interaction, so you can be as involved (or as anonymous) as you like.
14. Wind Down at the Holly Jolly Bar
The Holly Jolly Bar is Grapevine’s playful, grown-up nightcap. After a day of trains, lights, and family fun, this festively decked-out bar leans into themed cocktails, holiday music, and a relaxed, social atmosphere. Expect creative drinks (often with whimsical names), twinkling décor, and plenty of people comparing notes on what they did that day. It’s the kind of place where you can dress up a little, laugh loudly, and still feel like you’re part of the wider Christmas story unfolding all over town.
As you embark on your travels, remember that our journey leaves an impact. Embrace eco-friendly accommodations, support local communities, and reduce plastic use. Respect wildlife by observing from afar and conserve resources like water and energy. Choose sustainable transportation, leave no trace behind, and participate in conservation efforts. Educate yourself and others about the environment you’re exploring. Let’s ensure that we tread lightly on our planet, leaving only footprints of kindness and taking home memories that inspire others to protect our beautiful world. Happy responsible travels!