Home for the Holidays Tree Lighting

Town Hall Southlake Town Square, 1400 Main St., visitsouthlaketexas.com

Festivities include musical and dance performances at this annual event. Look also for free carriage rides, ornament-making opportunities, sledding, an ice sculptor demo and more. The fun starts at 4:30 p.m.; the switch is thrown on the Christmas tree at 6 p.m. Nov. 19

Lone Star Christmas

Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, 817-778-1000, christmasatgaylordtexan.com

The Gaylord goes all-out with its holiday theme, from millions of twinkling lights and a 54-foot-tall Christmas tree to a hand-painted carousel, snow tubing and the return of ICE! Featuring The Polar Express, a special attraction featuring 2 million pounds of ice carved into a themed wonderland. (Special parkas are provided by the Gaylord to keep visitors warm inside the 9-degree tented attraction, but take your own gloves and hats.) Check the website for ticket information. Through Jan. 1

Elves on the Run 5K/Kids Run

Grapevine elvesontherun5k.com

This family-friendly event hosted by the Women’s Division of the Grapevine Chamber is open to all levels of runners/walkers, plus leashed dogs. It is part of the nonprofit volunteer group’s daylong effort to raise funds to purchase gifts and essentials for senior citizens during the holidays. Enjoy costume contests, snacks and drinks, plus photos with Santa. The Fun Run kicks things off at 9 a.m. at Oak Grove Park. Dec. 3

Lightscape

Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., 817-463-4160, fwbg.org/lightscape

The spectacle that has wowed crowds on both coasts makes its Texas debut this month at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. It includes a mile-long illuminated walking trail and displays that come to life after dark with color, sound and imagination. Expect tunnels of light, undulating waves of bluebonnets, singing trees and sky-high sculptures. Nov. 18-Jan. 8

Parade of Lights, Fort Worth

Downtown Fort Worth fortworthparadeoflights.org

Hundreds of thousands of sparkling lights festoon floats, vintage cars, horse-drawn carriages, marching bands and carolers on a 1.5-mile route beginning at Weatherford and Throckmorton streets. And, yes, Virginia, Santa and Mrs. Claus promise to wrap up the evening’s revelry. Free, but reserve “Street Seats” online to ensure a good viewing spot on the route. Arrive early to allow time for traffic and parking. Nov. 20

Parade of Lights, Grapevine

Downtown Grapevine grapevinechamber.org/events/grapevine-parade-of-lights/

This year’s theme for the self-proclaimed largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas is “Music, Magic & Memories.” Expect crowds (pro tip: go very early to get a spot), lots of razzle-dazzle and, of course, an appearance by thevery-busy-this-time-of-year Santa. Dec. 1

Holiday at the Arboretum

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden White Rock Lake, 8525 Garland Road, 214-515-6615, dallasarboretum.org

The arboretum glows thanks to a dozen 25-foot-tall Victorian-style glass gazebos representing the 12 Days of Christmas and the 1 million lights trimming the garden, including a 30-foot-tall spruce. There’s also the 50-foot dancing Dazzling Musical Tree animated with more than 42,000 lights. A new exhibit, “The Artistry of Faith and Culture,” pays homage to Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Through Dec. 31