Best Holiday Light Displays in Dallas/Fort Worth

Holiday Lights are mesmerizing at any age - our family loves taking a night to drive around to see them. And with so many here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, it is difficult to see them all.  That's why we have created a list of the Best Holiday Light Displays in Dallas/Fort Worth.   Some of the listed displays cost a fee to see them, but many are free and are collecting for charities, so please help out where you can.

Here you go, the Best Holiday Light Displays in Dallas/Fort Worth:

1. The Gift of Lights 2012 (3545 Lone Star Circle, Ft. Worth, TX): More than two million LED lights shine at the Texas Motor Speedway at this drive-thru event.  Nightly 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm (10:00 pm on weekends) thru January 6. $15-20/car

 2. Interlochen Lights Display (Randol Mill Rd & Westwood Dr, Arlington): More than 200 homeowners dress up their homes in lights & animated displays.  Nightly December 14-25, 2012 from 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm.

3. Pharr's Christmas Extravaganza (14535 Southern Pines Cove, Farmers Branch, TX): Over 200,000 lights adorn this Farmers Branch home set to fun Christmas music.  A train runs nightly from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm and Santa visits on the weekends. This home collects food & toys for Metro Crest Social Services. Nightly starting at 5:45 pm -10:00 pm (11:00 pm on weekends) thru January 1.

4. Prairie Lights Holiday Display (5700 Lake Ridge Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX): Each year, this light show located on the shores of Joe Pool Lake (Lynn Creek Park) grows - this year up to 4 Million lights! Walk-thru displays and pictures with Santa.  Nightly 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (10 :00 pm weekends) through December 31. $15/20/car

5. McKinney Lights (7805 White Stallion Trail, McKinney, TX): Over 80,000 lights all set to 6 different songs, this McKinney light display has been grower bigger each year.  This home is collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.  Nightly 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (12:00 am weekends) thru December 31.

6. Highland Park (Armstrong Parkway/Preston Road): Driving through the lights of Highland Park was always a tradition for us, so we love to go through them with our kids.  Many homes light up brilliantly for the holidays, also a fun neighborhood to ride through in carriage.  Nightly thru December 31.

7. Gordon Lights (4665 Quincy Lane, Plano, TX): One family's home that lights up each night with 125,000 lights.  It is timed to music that can be picked up on your car radio. This home is collecting money, gift cards, and other donations for Operation Homefront.   Nightly from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (11 pm weekends) thru January 6.

8.  Frisco Christmas (4015 Bryson Drive, Frisco, TX): This Christmas Display consists of over 85,000 lights synchronized to music.  This home is collecting canned goods for Frisco Food Bank/ Frisco Family Services Center.  Nightly from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm through December 29.  

9. Grayson County 10th Annual Holiday Light Show (Sherman, TX):  Just a quick drive north up to Sherman to drive through this fantastic holiday light trail.  Located in Loy Lake Park, you can see the entrance from I-75.  Free drive-thru light trail.  Nightly 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm thru December 31.

10. Farmers Branch Holiday Tour of Lights (13000 William Dodson Parkway, Dallas, TX): Starting at the Farmers Branch City Hall and winding around the parking area, over 300,000 lights bring this display to life with pirate ships, trains, and even Santa.  This tour accepts donations new, unwrapped toy donations.  Nightly 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm through December 31.

North Pole Express at Grapevine, Texas

A timeless tradition (well, one that has become popular in the last ten years...) is taking a steam train ride during the Christmas Holidays.  Ever since The Polar Express was published (and the movie didn't hurt either),  kids of all ages have been dying to recreate the experience on a real, old-fashioned steam train.  Trains all across the country put together Christmas events, and lucky for us, we have one right down the road.

The Grapevine Vintage Railroad is hosting rides on the North Pole Express.  Running each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in December, the North Pole Express is another one of those "can't-miss" Christmas events. When our kiddos were younger, we rode on the North Pole Express several years in a row and never tired of it's wonder.  I highly recommend it for anyone with young kiddos, for it truly is a memorable experience.

The Grapevine Vintage Railroad dresses up it's steam engine holiday style and takes families on a one-hour adventure from the downtown Grapevine Depot on Main Street.  The event begins with pre-boarding holiday fun, we sang carols and made Christmas crafts.  And as you make your way to board the train, you wind yourself through a maze of Christmas trees.  Seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis, so get there early.  We recommend purchasing tickets in advance online.

Everything is very official on the North Pole Express, down to the conductor punching your tickets.  It always ends up being my favorite picture pose of the event.   And as the conductor calls "All-Aboard", the excitement builds as we are taken to far-away North Pole.

Stories are told, joyful Christmas Songs are played and Santa's elves even jingle their bells, adding to the merriment of the ride.  And before you know it, Santa Claus has arrived in your car to visit with all the children.

Santa poses for pictures and asks what they would like for Christmas - always spending a good deal of time with each one. What a fun setting to meet the Big Guy in!

As a mom of 2 boys who love trains, this is a special event for them.  The excitement of being on a train ride combined with meeting Santa is almost too much!  It is a great opportunity to get some terrific photos as well,  but mostly you will be there creating some incredible family memories.

Tickets for the North Pole Express are $18/person.  Children under 24 months are free and can sit on an adult's lap.  Don't forget to wear your favorite Christmas PJs!