Holiday Things to Do in Dallas: What to Book Right Now
The holidays might be a while away, but there are highly coveted tickets to secure before you put up the holiday decor.
We haven't even made it to Halloween yet, but the holidays are already on our minds. For those visiting Dallas during the holidays for the first time or locals hosting family and friends in Dallas this holiday season, it's key to have plans secured and tickets booked to some of the most joyful and popular holiday events in the city well in advance. Use our list to start planning now!
![a tower of three plates full of biscuits, butter and jams served during Holiday Tea at the Adolphus in Dallas](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/10_horizontal_french_room_tea.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=69.61%2052.28&q=80&w=320&s=dc9bceb30e0b03f8cc35631672f97fa3 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/10_horizontal_french_room_tea.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=69.61%2052.28&q=80&w=540&s=61dc42f2e97ddb5235c1f296a71e195b 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/10_horizontal_french_room_tea.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=69.61%2052.28&q=80&w=768&s=e4c821eff0b4db429c652d05f861517c 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/10_horizontal_french_room_tea.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=69.61%2052.28&q=80&w=1024&s=1d5ee8b61f8de0448702d8183b016453 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/10_horizontal_french_room_tea.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=69.61%2052.28&q=80&w=1200&s=018496cc4fad0b03590fcd02f6e2bce3 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/10_horizontal_french_room_tea.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=69.61%2052.28&q=80&w=1440&s=980481d481c2adf3cfbc3ab37ac63cc4 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/10_horizontal_french_room_tea.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=69.61%2052.28&q=80&w=1920&s=5b74636e1217cb44f4deaacdf29a8f11 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/10_horizontal_french_room_tea.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=69.61%2052.28&q=80&w=2560&s=8af9ba2983b4cf345dac452d0cf8f04a 2400w)
Holiday Tea at the Adolphus
Nov. 1-Jan. 7
It's known as one of Dallas' most revered holiday traditions and we're here to tell you it does not disappoint. The three-course tasting menu features savory and sweet bites along with teas and champagne, all in a beautiful setting inside The French Room at the Adolphus Hotel. Reservations are already live, so availability might already be tight. Book soon!
Holiday at the Arboretum
Nov. 13-Jan. 5
Southern Living Magazine called it Texas' best Christmas event and we have to agree! Every year, the gardens are transformed with elaborate Victorian-style gazebos, each representing the stories of the famous Christmas carol. At night, the gardens shine brightly with more than a million lights! There's also a Christmas village, Santa Claus visits for the kids and shopping and entertainment to enjoy.
![an illuminated lantern in the shape of a leopard at the Dallas Zoo during Zoo Lights, a holiday event in Dallas, TX](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/calendar/Dallas_Zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=385e134f78f83a8f17e31dc22612848c 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/calendar/Dallas_Zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=110801749757b90c5200c11626de0ab9 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/calendar/Dallas_Zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d2a2291e4e1a4af8abc111c9ecc1aaff 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/calendar/Dallas_Zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=bb0017fcfbbfb0b430084fa301d2cb1a 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/calendar/Dallas_Zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=58cc3fb0484fe96462adb93afb199920 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/calendar/Dallas_Zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=fa9670ccd06929d0aaceeeff91bab6a2 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/calendar/Dallas_Zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=2ffbae5642c02518d1081f79d1c93117 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/calendar/Dallas_Zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=f265d802694b9b4a9c86029147fe1582 2560w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/events/calendar/Dallas_Zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=93a15e50cc62899b39ae125bf629c5d0 3840w)
Dallas Zoo Lights
Nov. 17-Jan. 2
See the zoo after dark! On select nights through Jan. 2, the Dallas Zoo comes to life with more than a million lights, intricately designed displays and oversized lighted animal displays. Folks can enjoy a walk-through experience to see the best of Zoo lights up close. You can't miss the holiday-themed displays in ZooNorth and Wilds of Africa!
Texas Ballet Theater's The Nutcracker
Nov. 24-Dec.3
Tchaikovsky's most famous composition takes over the Winspear Opera House for seven dates in November and December (they start the weekend after Thanksgiving, for those hosting family for turkey!) and it's definitely one of those must-do holiday events in Dallas.
![guests enjoy the Dallas Symphony Orchestra perform Christmas Pops](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Dallas-Symphony-Holiday-Engagements-Christmas-at-the-Dallas-Symphony.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=26a044689ae8ca2437dcdcde912303ac 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Dallas-Symphony-Holiday-Engagements-Christmas-at-the-Dallas-Symphony.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=0ff50a36048ddaaa3f541a158455fff8 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Dallas-Symphony-Holiday-Engagements-Christmas-at-the-Dallas-Symphony.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=3ba9eaa07560b864e7452ce5a8eeecf9 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Dallas-Symphony-Holiday-Engagements-Christmas-at-the-Dallas-Symphony.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=847104e14d70dbcc5a10f844eb50a665 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Dallas-Symphony-Holiday-Engagements-Christmas-at-the-Dallas-Symphony.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d8f82b03d4b6dfb041f0ebcbc033c69a 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Dallas-Symphony-Holiday-Engagements-Christmas-at-the-Dallas-Symphony.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=cb10a24790d620064c6f86b54cc323aa 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Dallas-Symphony-Holiday-Engagements-Christmas-at-the-Dallas-Symphony.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=bb6d1ffacfabd9c93c2082c989993f7f 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Dallas-Symphony-Holiday-Engagements-Christmas-at-the-Dallas-Symphony.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=f0c9b61f48a619c17515749f0db4c50d 2100w)
Dallas Symphony Christmas Pops
Dec. 1-10
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is back with its beloved holiday tradition, Christmas Pops, for a week-long run at the Meyerson Symphony Center. The show is filled with classic holiday favorites and sing-along carols – and we hear there's even a little bit of snow!
More Holiday Fun
![Terry Blacks BBQ in Deep Ellum](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/terry-blacks-bbq-deep-ellum-1T8A0900.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.6652&fp-y=0.7305&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=d18e10a5eb97bafbed48f4c2dd86c967 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/terry-blacks-bbq-deep-ellum-1T8A0900.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.6652&fp-y=0.7305&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=b56b6468260fd9e308c61f474ee09436 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/terry-blacks-bbq-deep-ellum-1T8A0900.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.6652&fp-y=0.7305&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=316370ddac077e9e4f7542caa859fd70 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/terry-blacks-bbq-deep-ellum-1T8A0900.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.6652&fp-y=0.7305&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=94defe3e5cb8e4d0db218da96fd0be45 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/terry-blacks-bbq-deep-ellum-1T8A0900.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.6652&fp-y=0.7305&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=c86761673871ab12c8cf85fb6ea17a27 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/terry-blacks-bbq-deep-ellum-1T8A0900.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.6652&fp-y=0.7305&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=fd95f743775d0810297534b121d594dd 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/terry-blacks-bbq-deep-ellum-1T8A0900.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.6652&fp-y=0.7305&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=6bb46725ac9d95ae4ef20d8c02e42485 1920w)
![Two friends taking a picture in front of a Christmas tree in the Galleria Dallas.](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Galleria-Dallas-Christmas-Tree-1T8A1608.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=34e33ac3f6bf698f1046aa350fb8c84b 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Galleria-Dallas-Christmas-Tree-1T8A1608.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=fff20ef1b527abc8b8e61748e6efadc1 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Galleria-Dallas-Christmas-Tree-1T8A1608.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=15147b500fa68077a7070866c772378d 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Galleria-Dallas-Christmas-Tree-1T8A1608.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=318131ad34f06a2bb255a2ddbdf9d3eb 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Galleria-Dallas-Christmas-Tree-1T8A1608.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=bc61742998139b6accffe67e12fc34a6 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Galleria-Dallas-Christmas-Tree-1T8A1608.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=c6f5d4fa77d0d4a8015713ccfbbbe98e 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Galleria-Dallas-Christmas-Tree-1T8A1608.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=38c6f7a71281de792f360c95bf371e39 1920w)
![giant red ornaments stacked in front of the Omni Dallas Hotel with a glowing red pegasus in the distance](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Holiday_-_Omni_SzlpIV_PQ_MDZGkR18-B7Is18q0ABlZBh.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=f0c3d2d1a59403206a94ad06fe489a49 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Holiday_-_Omni_SzlpIV_PQ_MDZGkR18-B7Is18q0ABlZBh.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=f592627fee01b1394b871a0742afc2ec 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Holiday_-_Omni_SzlpIV_PQ_MDZGkR18-B7Is18q0ABlZBh.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=1d54f2e23ef646ca707163db7bd4c7c9 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Holiday_-_Omni_SzlpIV_PQ_MDZGkR18-B7Is18q0ABlZBh.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=804807c21076e148110937557b140a3a 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Holiday_-_Omni_SzlpIV_PQ_MDZGkR18-B7Is18q0ABlZBh.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=e40220c400c4f681ba5376527a4ca73d 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Holiday_-_Omni_SzlpIV_PQ_MDZGkR18-B7Is18q0ABlZBh.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=079482bc4353a1a772d821f73db6797c 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Holiday_-_Omni_SzlpIV_PQ_MDZGkR18-B7Is18q0ABlZBh.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=574a1a5c1d096c3633fc08f00700e1cf 1920w)
![Two friends taking a picture in front of a Christmas tree in the Galleria Dallas.](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Galleria-Dallas-Christmas-Tree-1T8A1608.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=34e33ac3f6bf698f1046aa350fb8c84b 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Galleria-Dallas-Christmas-Tree-1T8A1608.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=fff20ef1b527abc8b8e61748e6efadc1 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Galleria-Dallas-Christmas-Tree-1T8A1608.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=15147b500fa68077a7070866c772378d 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Galleria-Dallas-Christmas-Tree-1T8A1608.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=318131ad34f06a2bb255a2ddbdf9d3eb 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Galleria-Dallas-Christmas-Tree-1T8A1608.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=bc61742998139b6accffe67e12fc34a6 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Galleria-Dallas-Christmas-Tree-1T8A1608.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=c6f5d4fa77d0d4a8015713ccfbbbe98e 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/holiday/Galleria-Dallas-Christmas-Tree-1T8A1608.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=38c6f7a71281de792f360c95bf371e39 1920w)