From picnics to Picasso, shopping to Six Flags, we’ve got plenty of options for jingling your bells this Christmas weekend with these 14 fun things to do in and around Arlington, TX. Happy holidays, ya’ll!

Holiday Shopping

Whether you’re picking up a last-minute holiday gift or a few items for yourself, there’s a shopping location in Arlington that’s just perfect for your to-do list:

Texas Christkindl Market

Majestic Grand Slam Shop

Lincoln Square

Living Science Center Acorns Gift Shop

Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop

Downtown Arlington

Cooper Street Antiques Mall

Gracie Lane

Decorators Warehouse

The Parks at Arlington

Arlington Highlands

Traders Village

Grand Prairie Premium Outlets

Texas Christkindl Market [Free admission]

The sights and sounds of the Christmas season take on distinctive German flavor at the Texas Christkindl Market, one of the most unique holiday destinations in the area. Drop by to shop for not-your-everyday gift items, take in a marionette show, sip a glass of gluhwein (hot spiced wine) and much more. Dates and times: Daily, noon to 8 p.m. (Closed after Dec. 23).

Dallas Cowboys Football

The Dallas Cowboys host the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium for the last home game of the regular season. Date and time: Monday at 7:30 p.m. Find a nearby sports bar.

Interlochen Holiday Lights [Free admission]

One of the most popular holiday destinations in the Dallas-Fort Worth region is a dazzling neighborhood light display that’s mere minutes from the Arlington Entertainment District.  Enter at the intersection of Randol Mill and Westwood Road, tune your car radio to your favorite holiday station and enjoy! Dates and times: Daily through Christmas night, 7-11 p.m. Get tips to help you plan your Interlochen visit.

Six Flags Holiday In The Park

It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Six Flags Over Texas when Texas’s premier amusement park transforms into a winter wonderland that’s filled with fun, thrills, and tons of live entertainment for kids and adults.  Dates and times: Daily, 2 -10 p.m.  (Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.) Get tickets. Get tips for your Holiday In The Park visit.   

Prairie Lights

More than 4 million lights twinkle on the beautiful shores of Joe Pool Lake at Prairie Lights, one of the premiere drive-through holiday light parks in Texas. A don’t-miss for anyone who’s crazy about Christmas! Dates and times: Daily, 6-9 p.m., through Jan. 2 (including Christmas night).  Note that traffic for Prairie Lights can be heavy, so arrive early and allow plenty of time to enjoy the park.

Adventure to Santa at The Parks Mall at Arlington

Take an unforgettable cinematic journey to the North Pole, courtesy of DreamWorks, for a private meeting with the Big Guy himself in the only Adventure to Santa exhibit in Texas. Dates and times: Daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Closed after December 24.)

ICE At The Parks

Celebrate the season in classic style with a turn or two around the ice rink, followed up by a holiday movie, a bite to eat, or shopping at your choice of more than 100 retail destinations.  Dates and times: Public skate hours are available daily, see website for details. BONUS: ICE is open for public skating Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Thirty-minute holiday skating lessons are available Dec. 20-22 and 27-29 at 12:30 p.m. Find out more.

The Planetarium at UT-Arlington [Admission under $10 per person]

The UTA Planetarium is one of Arlington’s most fascinating destinations, so if you haven’t yet made it to a show, take advantage of holiday downtime to cross this wonderful experience off of your Arlington bucket list. Dates and times: Open Tuesday through Sunday during the winter break, call or click for showtimes and holiday closings.

Holiday Dining

Ditch the cooking and the cleaning in favor of letting someone wait on you and your crew at one of Arlington’s wonderful fine dining destinations or neighborhood gems. Find a great Arlington restaurant. Find a fun Arlington bar or pub. See who’s open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

“Pablo Picasso: Ceramics” at the Arlington Museum of Art [Admission under $10 per person]

Although Picasso is usually known for his paintings, the legendary Spanish artist actually spent 25 years near the end of his life developing stunning ceramic pieces that speak to his imagination, wit, and quest for new and innovative ways to weave beauty and utility into a harmonious fabric. Through Feb. 12, you can get an up close and personal view of these unusual works at the Arlington Museum of ArtDates and times: Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. , Sundays from 1 pm to 5 p.m. (closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).

AT&T Stadium Tours presented by SeatGeek

Go behind the scenes for an unforgettable look at one of the greatest event venues in the world, Arlington’s AT&T Stadium. Noteworthy tour stops (subject to availability)  include the press box, the interview room, the Miller Lite Club, the famous Dallas Cowboys fine art exhibition, and of course that legendary playing field. Dates and times: Buy tour tickets.

Picnic and play in an Arlington Park [Free admission]

No matter where you are, with more than 80 parks and green spaces in Arlington, there’s bound to be an outdoor destination for picnics, play and more that’s within minutes of your home or hotel. Locations that are especially worth checking out include River Legacy, Veterans Park, Crystal Canyon Nature Preserve, and the Southwest Nature Preserve. Dates and time: Daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. View a holiday Parks & Rec schedule.  

Tennis and Golf

Did you know that Arlington is home to a number of top-notch (but highly affordable) golf and tennis facilities, including the nationally-recognized Tierra Verde Golf Course? It’s true, and you can find out for yourself just how fabulous they are when you’re working off a few holiday calories at the Arlington Tennis Center or any one of our beautiful municipal golf courses this holiday season.

 

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