The holiday festival opens November 10 and runs through December 31, 2022
Holiday at the Arboretum Features 3 Large-Scale Exhibits, a Million Lights, and an Indoor Display Featuring Three of the World Holidays
Holiday at the Arboretum, presented by Reliant, returns with a garden transformed to get people into the holiday spirit with The Christmas Village, The 12 Days of Christmas, and the 50-foot-tall Dazzling Musical Tree. These three large-scale outdoor displays are perfectly designed for the 66-acre garden and are open to the public both in the daytime and evening.
In the historic DeGolyer House, the Dallas Arboretum debuts The Artistry of Faith & Culture, which features the three world holidays celebrated during the season—Christmas, Hannukah, and Kwanzaa—along with Diwali celebrated in the fall.
Holiday at the Arboretum also showcases live, seasonal performances from local schools, churches, community groups, and local professionals in The Christmas Village. Check the website for the latest schedule.
“Holiday at the Arboretum is the perfect way to celebrate the season with something for everyone,” said Dallas Arboretum board chairman Jim Ryan. “It’s a great place to bring the children and grandchildren to meet Santa Claus, learn about other holiday traditions at The Artistry of Faith & Culture exhibit, and sip hot chocolate while strolling the garden. It’s magical in the evening with a million lights, too!”
Holiday at the Arboretum hosts an official tree lighting for members-only on Nov. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m., in front of the Marilyn and Ben Weber Family Christmas Pyramid Lighting at 7 p.m. Then, on Wednesday, November 10, Holiday at the Arboretum opens to the public during the daytime and nighttime. The garden opens during the evening hours until 9 p.m. Check the website for details and to purchase advanced tickets.
“At Reliant, we’re passionate about supporting the communities we serve, and lighting up the holidays is one of our favorite ways to do that,” said Andrea Russell, vice president at Reliant. “We’re excited to partner with the Dallas Arboretum to spread holiday cheer to the North Texas community and encourage everyone to get in the holiday spirit with a visit to see this spectacular display.”
The Christmas Village
Inspired by European Christmas Markets, or Christkindlmarket, The Christmas Village is comprised of charming shops and façades representing a quaint European hamlet. The Christmas Village is wonderful during the day, but it’s magical at night with lighted trees, shop owners passing out samples, and live entertainment. Each house is individually designed for the Dallas Arboretum, with the Christmas Village as an attraction for everyone.
Santa Claus has his own house and a sleigh for photo opportunities. He is in his house on select days and nights in December (check the schedule online). New this year, the Arboretum offers exclusive private photo opportunities with Santa for the entire family throughout the festival with Ivey Photography.
The Marilyn and Ben Weber Family Christmas Pyramid, a 23-foot-tall German-built structure, is decorated with hand-carved elements, lighting, and character movement on every level. The Weber Pyramid is the perfect complement to the Christmas Village and is the signature element in Pyramid Square, along with an Edelweiss Haus serving food and drinks and a larger biergarten and performance area.
Dazzling Musical Tree
Holiday at the Arboretum also features the return of the Dazzling Musical Tree, a 50-foot-tall tree animated with more than 42,000 lights and merry holiday tunes, presented on the hour and every half hour of the day and evening on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage & Lawn.
The 12 Days of Christmas Gazebos
Guests can continue to enjoy the 25-foot-tall Victorian-style gazebos that represent each of The 12 Days of Christmas with some updated characters. The gazebos come to life at night beginning November 9, except for Thanksgiving Day (closed) and December 24 (closes at 5 p.m.), December 25 (closed), and New Year’s Eve (closes at 5 p.m.). These glass gazebos resemble oversized music boxes with mannequins and animals moving along with music and lighting.
A Million Lights in the Garden
Holiday at the Arboretum has more than a million lights throughout the garden, trimming the historic homes and the 30-foot-tall spruce tree in the center of the garden. It’s the perfect place for getting into the holiday spirit.
Tickets, which range from $10 to $35, are required to enter the garden, so guests are encouraged to reserve preferred dates early. For more information, visit Dallas Arboretum Holiday Events.
Holiday Events at the Arboretum
Visits with Santa
Santa is back at the perfect Holiday setting—The Christmas Village. Share your Christmas wish with the jolly old man and take a photo to commemorate the occasion. Keepsake family photos are available for donation to the Volunteer Advisory Board on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 12-3 p.m. beginning through December 24. Check for dates and times.
Santa Experience with Chris Ivey Photography
Enjoy an experience with Santa in this exclusive encounter in his North Pole workshop! Choose from two different experiences ranging from 15 to 30 minutes with Santa. Each time slot gives you a chance to find your name on the nice list or help him in his workshop.
All Santa Visits include our professional, real beard Santa, professional photography, hand-finished digital art and an online ordering gallery. For details on packages, appointments and times please visit: www.dallasarboretum.org/event/ivey-holiday-photography/
Holiday Tea
Through December 31 – Daily •11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Bring your family and friends together and create an annual tradition – holiday tea at the Restaurant DeGolyer, lavishly decorated for the season. Reservations required. Call 214-515-6511 to reserve your seat now.
Kids Holiday Truffle Class with Yelibelly Chocolate: December 21 • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Kids, get ready for a hands-on truffle making class with Yelibelly Chocolates. We bring everything you need to make fun and delicious hand rolled truffles. We provide a variety of toppings to make your truffles even more irresistible. Once you get your truffles home, you can share them as gifts or simply enjoy them together as a family.
Child member 8+ (with an adult) $50 | Child guest 8+ (with an adult) $60 | Additional Child 8+ $35
Noche Buena with Chef Mollie G: December 22 • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Food and Wine alumna and Master Chef contestant Chef Mollie G returns with a showcase of tamales to celebrate Noche Buena, which translates to “the good night,” a yearly holiday in which communities celebrate Christmas on the night of Dec. 24.
Adult member $69 | Adult guest $79
Noon-Year’s Eve Celebration
December 31
Say goodbye to 2022, and celebrate the coming of 2023 in the Children’s Adventure Garden! Enjoy the excitement of the celebration without staying up till midnight with a Noon Year’s Eve ball drop and winter STEM activities. Noon Year’s Eve countdown and ball drop at 12p.m. in the Entry Plaza.
Tickets, which range from $10-$35, are required for entry for the garden, so guests are encouraged to reserve preferred dates early. For more information, visit https://www.dallasarboretum.org/events-activities/holiday-at-the-arboretum/
About the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden:
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218. The Dallas Arboretum is also the home of the internationally acclaimed Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. The garden is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Festival daytime admission is $20 for adults, $16 for seniors 65 and older, and $12 for children 2-12, and free for Arboretum members and children under two. On-site parking is $11. Evening tickets range from $10-$35. The Dallas Morning News is the principal partner of the Dallas Arboretum. The Arboretum is supported, in part, by funds from the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. WFAA is an official media sponsor for the Dallas Arboretum.
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