Lone Star Adventures: 10 Holiday Adventures - Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com

There are lots of options for getting the in spirit of the Christmas season across North Texas. Fox 4's Richard Ray lists 10 of his favorite holiday adventures.

Christmas Capital of Texas - Grapevine

For all the events downtown and in the hotel/motel district check out the website.

https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/FestivalsAndEvents/ChristmasCapitalofTexas/tabid/229/Default.aspx

Bethlehem Revisited - Waxahachie

This runs one more weekend from Dec. 10-12. The good folks in Waxahachie recreate the village where Christ was born every Christmas season behind the Central Presbyterian Church (402 North College Street), complete with camels and donkeys and a vast troupe of actors. The action runs from 6pm to 9 pm and is something the whole family will enjoy.

http://waxahachiechamber.com/calendar/bethlehem.php

Star of Bethlehem Experience - near Weatherford, TX

Just about as elaborate as Waxahachie but this recreated village is in Parker County and almost brand new. This will be its second year.

http://www.tammylaneproductions.com/live-productions/star-of-bethlehem-experience

The Lights at Interlochen - Arlington

This yearly neighborhood drive through extravaganza was saved from cancellation this year by a generous donation from UTA Political Scientist Alan Saxe. The city cut out funding for the extra police patrol needed to handle all the traffic. But Dr. Saxe (an awfully good guy and our favorite political commentator here at Fox 4) came up with the money to keep it running. It runs Dec. 17-25 with officers managing traffic from 7-11pm. You enter the neighborhood from Randol Mill Road at Westwood Drive.

Holiday at the Arboretum - Dallas

This runs through Dece. 23rd. With hundreds of Santas in all shapes, sizes and colors from private collections on display in the DeGolyer Estate from 10 am - 4 pm daily. There's a reindeer for kids to pet and fall colors at the Arboretum are also spectacular this year.

http://www.dallasarboretum.org/special_events/MagicOfSanta.htm

Starlight Flights - Addison

Another old favorite of mine. A chance to see all the great lights of the DFW -- from the air. Pilot David Snell has been doing his Christmas lights flights for years and he knows the best views. The flights take off and land from the airport Addison. Check out the options for romantic evenings. Lots of wedding proposals have been made in the back of David's aircraft.

www.starlightflight.com

Granbury

Granbury, south of Fort Worth has its downtown square and parks all lit up for the Holidays.
Red Skelton Christmas Show at Granbury Opera House & Branson on the Brazos at Granbury Live! both until Dec. 19th. Two New Eve shows- Gospel at Granbury Live and Variety at Granbury Opera ending with sparklers, black-eyed peas and prayer on square at midnight. The square is beautifully decorated with 16 ft tall trees at each corner and all the streets coming into town from  three directions are lined with wreaths and lighted trees!

Holiday Trail of Lights - Marshall

If you are willing to drive three hours or so to the Texas/Louisiana border there are wonderful options on the Holiday Trail of Lights in Marshall, TX. Downtown on the Courthouse Square a skating rink awaits those who'd like a little holiday time on ice.

www.holidaytrailoflights.com/marsh.html

Dallas Heritage Village - Dallas

Dec. 11 and 12 you can bask in the warm glow of history at CANDLELIGHT - experiencing Christmas in Dallas during the era from 1840 to 1910. Carriage rides, living history exhibits, vintage toys, lots of cool stuff from 4-9 pm each night.

http://www.dallasheritagevillage.org/Event_Detail.aspx?EID=280

Santa Land - Lindale

Just north of Tyler, off I-20 in Lindale and a drive through experience worth checking out. Zillions of Christmas lights and displays. Gift shop and hot chocoloate.

http://www.santalandtexas.com/

Trains at NorthPark - Dallas

Billed as the largest train exhibit in Texas. This display at NorthPark Mall in Dallas stays on track through New Years day, though it will be closed on Christmas and shuts down early on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

www.northparkcenter.com