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A very merry socially-distanced Dallas Christmas

If COVID-19 has turned your “merry and bright” into “bah-humbug,” you need a dose of Christmas spirit! These 8 festive activities have taken precautions to help you have a very merry socially-distanced Dallas Christmas.

Support local female artists by shopping safely

Don’t you just love Christmas shopping? I love finding the very perfect present for every person on my list– but I’m not so sure I want to join the crowds this year. I also don’t want to line the pockets of big businesses and impersonal brands any more than I have to.

I’ve got a shopping solution that might just be the best thing to happen in 2020! Mosaic Makers Collective features products from local female artists and they’re offering a private shopping experience so you can support small businesses while staying safe!

Photo credit: Tanner Garza

For $40, Mosaic Makers Collective will open their doors outside of business hours for you + five friends for: ⁣

    • 30 minutes of private shopping between now + December 15⁣
    • A $40 Mosaic Makers gift card (one per group)⁣
    • 10% off the entire store + specialized maker discounts⁣
    • A free gift with purchase⁣
    • Free gift wrapping services⁣
    • A chance to win a $150 Mosaic Makers gift card to spend in the new year⁣
    • Oh… and did I mention Prosecco?!

With the $40 gift card + all the perks, it’s a better deal to shop socially distanced than to shop during regular hours… so what are you waiting for!?⁣ 

MMC gifted me with a personalized shopping experience and I’ve already bought all my little sister’s Christmas gifts (+ a few things for me)!

See 4 million+ lights at Prairie Lights 

Prairie Lights is a total in-car event that takes you through more than FOUR MILLION lights over 2 miles. This year, they’ve added hundreds of all-new displays, so even if you’ve been before– you ain’t seen nothin’ yet! 

Is your child missing their special chats with Santa? Order a customized video from Santa– just for your child! This touchless and 100% safe alternative to an in-person visit with Santa costs $30 and requires five business days to create, so be sure to order in advance! 

Photo courtesy of Prairie Lights

You can purchase concessions at a drive-through shop and use restrooms at the halfway point.  

This event runs from Thanksgiving night through New Year’s Eve, and you can get a general admission ticket for your carload for $30 or choose the Fast Pass to enter through a VIP entrance and avoid the lines for $99. Check out their website for more details or to book your ticket! 

Photo courtesy of Prairie Lights

Visit I Love Christmas Movies at Gaylord Texan 

In the past, I’ve loved visiting Gaylord Texan’s ICE! exhibit. This year, they’ve reimagined the event for a socially distant experience with your favorite Christmas movies! Peek into Santa’s workshop from Elf, light up the Griswald’s home, and witness the unboxing of the famous leg lamp.

Santa’s workshop from the movie Elf

Every group tours the exhibit with their very own socially-distanced ambassador, so your group gets every room all to yourself. Be aware that this makes for an in-and-out experience in order to minimize wait times, so I’d recommend leaving the phone or camera in your purse to fully enjoy each room. 

Use this affiliate link to get up to a 35% discount on I Love Christmas Movies at Gaylord Texan! 

While you’re in Grapevine, check out the Christmas Capital of Texas!

I’m lucky to call the Christmas Capital of Texas home! In addition to having lots of awesome wineries, it’s got a sleigh full of Christmas spirit! 

The historic Main Street is bursting with Christmas decor– don’t miss “The Chilly Dawgs” animated snowmen, sing along with the 40-foot animated Christmas tree, and check in on the Whos in Whoville to make sure the Grinch hasn’t stolen Christmas! Day or night, Grapevine is the place to be for festive fun! And just like in those Hallmark movies– there’s snow guaranteed every evening! 

Take a Christmas lights tour with Dallas By Chocolate

It’s possible that Park Cities is visible from outer space during the Christmas season– the residents go all out when they decorate! Join a socially-distanced Dallas By Chocolate Christmas Lights, Chocolate, and Sips Tour to get in the Christmas spirit! You’ll receive a map to see the best lights from the comfort of your own car and instructions to meet your tour guide along the route for goodies. 

Eat at Campo Verde

Mexican food is great any time of year– and although the food is great, it’s not the cuisine that earned Campo Verde a spot on this list. Their website boasts “120,000 lights, 3,000 yards of multicolor garland, 50 Santa Clauses,  30 Xmas trees, and two model trains that travel 635 feet throughout the entire restaurant and bar.” Translation: Christmas threw up ALL over this restaurant and I’m here for it! 

Shine on with Radiance!

Enjoy over TWO MILLION lights animated to the sounds of your favorite holiday hits from the comfort of your car– all you need to do is tune to the special Radiance! radio frequency. The entirely drive-through experience takes place over 1-1.5 miles of spectacular scenes. Bring your own snacks or purchase hot cocoa and glow stick cotton candy for an unforgettable evening full of Christmas magic. 

Choose from Frisco, Decatur, or Weatherford locations for a safe and magical experience until January 3.

Photo courtesy of Radiance!

Tickets are $30/vehicle or $50 for the VIP pass, which includes hot chocolate, a dedicated VIP lane, and magic light glasses for kids! Visit their website to find out how a donation of a toy to WFAA’s Santa’s Helpers can give you a discount on your ticket! 

Make new traditions at Holiday at the Arboretum 

From now until December 31, the Dallas Arboretum is bringing you the festive Christmas traditions you’ve come to expect from Holiday at the Arboretum in an all-new socially-distanced event.

Visit the exquisitely decorated Victorian-style gazebos– each depicting a different day of the 12 days of Christmas and check out the new 23- foot-tall German-built authentic Christmas Pyramid with lighted scenes on every level. 

Kids can pay a visit to Santa– stationed safely behind glass to ensure he stays healthy enough to complete his mission on Christmas Eve. 

Courtesy of the Dallas Arboretum

Don’t miss the Christmas Village, reminiscent of a European Christmas market, so you can feel like you’re traveling without ever leaving Dallas. 

Courtesy of the Dallas Arboretum

Check their website for a full list of events (including cooking demonstrations and ugly Christmas sweater competitions) and to reserve tickets. 

Don’t let COVID-19 steal your Christmas spirit! I hope these activities put a little jingle in your jangle for a safe and socially-distanced Christmas in Dallas! 

Pin this post for a very merry socially-distanced Dallas Christmas! 

Michele Caputo

Tuesday 24th of November 2020

Social Distance at Blue Heron Landing's Special Outdoor Holiday Event and Toys-for-Tots Toy Drive - Enjoy a Unique and Memorable Holiday Experience, Filled with FUN Festivities for ALL Ages! Event Dates: Begins Friday, Nov 28, hosted Thurs-Fri-Saturdays, the month of December, through New Year's Eve.

Stroll through a Magical Winter Wonderland Wooded Trail, Decorated throughout, sure to raise the Holiday Spirit of even the most "Grinchy" !! So many Christmas Card photo opportunities, along the way, maybe one in THE SNOW!!

"FUN-tivity Stations" spread around the property, include -- Petting Farm w/treats -- Concession Stand - Got Funnel Cake?! YES WE DO! -- Outdoor Christmas Movie Screen -- Letter Writing to Santa - and we will mail them! -- COVID-Safe Santa Selfies -- Christmas Carnival Games -- Interactive Star Wars Holiday Exhibit -- Festive Holiday Trail -- Decorate a Holiday ‘natural treat ornament’ for the Birds, to hang on a Tree in the Trail, or feed to our Petting Farm Pets -- Bonfire and multiple FirePit Seating Areas, where you can purchase S'mores or try some Campfire Popcorn!!

Early Bird Event Pricing with New Unwrapped Toy Donation for Marine Corps Toys-for-Tots Toy Drive (Toys collected through December 5. Adults (12 years and up) = $20 Children and Seniors (65+) = $10

Brittany

Friday 27th of November 2020

Thanks for sharing your event!