Grapevine is kicking off the holiday season as the “Christmas Capital of Texas.”
Residents gathered on November 24 for the 37th annual Carol of Lights to kick off the Christmas season, Grapevine officials posted. The city, known as the “Christmas Capital of Texas,” will host more than 1,400 events over 40 days.
The Carol of Lights lit up the street with millions of lights, alongside performances, activity areas with bounce houses, and more. The free event ran from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on historic Main Street.
“Visit Grapevine Main Street this Christmas season and stroll, sip, shop, and soak up the holiday cheer – along a fully walkable Main Street,” officials posted.
During the Carol of Lights, officers with the Grapevine Police Department blocked off the street for safety. Asst. Police Chief Marc Shimmick supervised the closures.
“This year, we have secured a perimeter to prohibit vehicle traffic to Main Street to prioritize the safety of our visitors,” the department posted. “This means that Main Street will be pedestrian-only during weekends and special events throughout the holiday season.”
Grapevine’s Christmas tree had arrived by November 17, officials posted on Facebook. Workers installed the 60-foot live tree from Azalea, Oregon, in Peace Plaza. In front of the tree, organizers also installed “North Texas’ largest outdoor ice rink.”
The next closure will be Thanksgiving weekend, from 6 a.m. November 28 to 9 p.m. December 1 – the day of the fifth annual “Merry and Bright Drone Show.”
The street will close again for the 46th annual Parade of Lights, from 6 p.m. December 8 to 9 p.m. – the day of the second drone show.
Officials will close down Main Street again for the following dates and times:
- From 6 a.m. December 12 to 6 a.m. December 15.
- From 6 a.m. December 19 to 6 a.m. December 22.
- From 6 a.m. December 26 to 6 a.m. December 29.
The Dallas Express contacted Grapevine’s media representative, but did not hear back in time for publication.
The Texas state Senate honored Grapevine as the official “Christmas Capital of Texas” in 2009, according to the city’s website.
Grapevine has a longstanding reputation as one of Texas’ top Christmas-season tourist destinations, with major attractions like the Gaylord Texan, as The Dallas Express previously reported. In 2022, the city even unveiled its Christmas tree before Halloween. Grand Prairie also offers Christmas attractions, including Prairie Lights Park.
