Holiday at the Arboretum Is The Family Tradition You Need
Your new favorite family holiday tradition awaits you at the Dallas Arboretum, with the sights, tastes, sounds and activities to create lasting memories.
Thanksgiving feels like the official kickoff to all things holiday in North Texas, and at the Dallas Arboretum, we have made sure to put together an exciting calendar of everything you and your family could want. Young or old, long-time patrons to out-of-town guest, you’ll love all the happy and bright we have in store.
Holiday at the Arboretum boasts dueling highlights this year—The 12 Days of Christmas and The Nutcracker Suite—thanks to presenting sponsor Reliant and DeGolyer House exhibit sponsor Amegy Bank of Texas.
Holiday Highlights at The Dallas Arboretum – The 12 Days of Christmas
The 12 Days of Christmas is a unique work of holiday art, unparalleled in Dallas. This exhibit took two years to produce (click for other fun facts about its creation) , involving design by the Dallas Opera design team, and construction by Dallas Stage Scenery, plus hair and makeup experts from all of the country contributing to the life-like feel.
You take a .75-mile walk through many of the most beautiful parts of the garden, moving from the first day of Christmas (“a partridge in a pear tree”) along all twelves of these Victorian masterpieces. Children love the movement of the characters, and everyone can appreciate a holiday tune as they stroll with their families.
The 12 Days of Christmas at Night Is a Lighted Wonderland
The holiday feelings, and photos, are even strong at night, under the beautiful lights with a warm drink in your hand. The 12 Days gazebos light up at night Wednesdays through Sundays from 6-9pm, features live music, holiday-themed treats to warm and delight you, and carolers to lead you in song. The little ones can hang at Elves Workshop, playing holiday themed games and creating seasonal crafts.
Holiday Highlights – The Nutcracker Suite
If you love the Nutcracker Ballet, you’ll go “nuts” over the holiday décor at the DeGolyer House. Each room of the historic home is decorated to depict one of the scenes of the famous ballet. You’ll find the DeGolyer House full of festive family photo ops as you walk from room to room, and scene to scene, of this quintessential seasonal story.
Be sure you take some time to view at least one, ten or all 800 nutcrackers on display in the home. This collection includes private pieces from Rosemary Thornton Brinegar (mother of current Dallas Arboretum President Mary Brinegar) and the Himert Family Collection, and it truly is a sight to behold.
Still wanting more? Our Wednesday nights are packed with events, and the Children’s Adventure Garden offers its own nice list of delights and scientific exploration for children of all ages.
Check out our website to get the full list of activities. It’s hard to believe, but there is SO MUCH more to see, do, and experience between now and the end of the festival.
Holiday at the Arboretum runs daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through January 7, excluding Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The Twelve Days of Christmas at Night requires a bit more brain power: Wednesday through Sunday until December 30, excluding November 23, December 24, December 25 and including November 21, December 18, 19 and 26.
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