One Christmas tradition continues to endure: drive-through neighborhood light tours.
Even as COVID-19 restrictions continue to be in the discussion, it’s not going to stop Dallas-Fort Worth neighborhoods from promoting their holiday light tours.
In the listing below, we’ve found a few neighborhoods promoting their light displays. By no means is this a complete list or scratches the surface of neighborhood light displays, but it’s a start.
Arlington
Interlochen Holiday Lights
Where: Enter off Westwood Drive at Randol Mill Road | Map.
What: Interlochen sustains a 40-year holiday tradition with more than 200 holiday light displays that attract thousands of families who cruise through this Lake Interlochen neighborhood in northwest Arlington every December. Arlington police will set up traffic posts to help facilitate safe travel. Admission is free. Tune into 102.1FM or 98.7FM for holiday music.
When: 6 to 11 nightly, Dec. 17–25
Read more here | Facebook page
Dallas
Moss Haven Drive at Timberhollow Circle, Lake Highlands
Where: From Abrams Road, just south of Royal Lane, turn west onto Moss Trail, left on Moss Haven Drive, then right on Timberhollow Circle.
What: Residents in the Oak Highlands Estates subdivision cul-de-sac in Lake Highlands coordinate their holiday decor to bring “The 12 Days of Christmas” to life on their lawns. Each of the 14 homes lining the cul-de-sac features elaborate lighting displays, a tradition that started nearly 30 years ago.
When: Lights are on nightly until 9 through December.
Fort Worth
Fairmount Festivus’ Holiday Lights Tour
Where: Here’s the map
What: Visitors who appreciate classic neighborhoods can enjoy the lights in the Fairmount National Historic District, which was developed between 1890 and 1938. The tree-lined neighborhood is representative of the early 20th-century streetcar suburb with diverse house forms, most of which are wood-frame bungalows. As you might have noticed in the event title, Fairmount is really into the faux Seinfeld holiday, so be sure to check out the Festivus pole.
Facebook page
Lights on Trail Creek
Where: 4941 Trail Creek Drive
What: This North Fort Worth residence boasts more than 20,000 LED lights synced to Christmas music. Tune into 99.9 FM to hear the show.
When: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Read more here
Frisco
Burkman Holiday Home
Where: 3809 Hazelhurst Drive
What: The Burkman family has gained national acclaim after an appearance on ABC’s The Great Christmas Family Light Fight. This year, the family has gone all Clark Griswald with 70,000 lights. You can get out of the car and walk through a lighted wonderland where you’ll see a 400-piece train village in the garage. Your sense of smell will be in for a treat with a gingerbread house that looks and smells like real gingerbread baking.
When: Times and dates: 6 to 11 p.m. through Dec. 31.
Read more here | Burkman family on Facebook
Haltom City
Wisdom Way Lights
Where: 4521 Wisdom Way
What: It’s the 10th year for the Gonzalez family’s choreographed show of 8,300 LED lights that features a six-minute tribute to pop icon Selena. Another eight-minute light show features characters from The Simpsons. Tune into 89.7 FM for audio.
When: 6 to 10 p.m. nightly and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
North Richland Hills
Curry Christmas Chaos
Where: 3506 Reeves St.
What: Three houses in the neighborhood present an hour-long synchronized LED light and music show, which defines the chaos in the presentation’s name. Tune into 89.9FM for the nightly show.
When: 6 to 1 nightly through Jan. 1.
Diamond Loch
Where: 6300 Diamond Loch
What: A neighborhood that creates a “Whoville” experience with an appearance by the Grinch.
When: 5:30 to 11:30 nightly through January 1
Park Cities
Highland Park Lights
Where: Armstrong Parkway at Preston
What: Lights at these upscale homes throughout Highland Park are hard to beat. The best viewing area is considered to lie between the North Dallas Tollway, Preston Road, Mockingbird Lane, and Armstrong Boulevard. But many other entry points are available, including Highland Park Village at Preston and Mockingbird. Be prepared for an abundance of wrapped trees and lawn decorations. Horse-drawn carriage rides are available.
University Park Santa House
Where: 3629 Southwestern Blvd.
What: Homeowner Wayne Smith has an army of Santas, snowmen, Nutcracker toy soldiers, and other characters at his home. What really gets attention is the head of the original Big Texas, which is positioned from a perch on his roof. In 2019, Smith told KTVT: “During the day, it looks like a plastic factory exploded, but at night, it looks really nice.”
When: Through late December.
Parker
The Browne Family Holiday Light Show
Where: 2701 Dublin Park Drive, Parker
What: The Browne family has set up a full-light show synchronized with Christmas music. The home is also an official drop-off location for Toys for Tots, and visitors are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to donate.
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, dark to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Plano
Deerfield Neighborhood
Where: 4549 Old Pond Drive or Preston and Coit roads
What: This northwest Plano neighborhood of 733 single-family homes started the tradition when builders offered homeowners a $5,000 prize for the best-decorated house. Well, you know money powers competition, and the event took off. Entrances to the neighborhood are numerous. The lines of cars are forecast to be long, so the neighborhood suggests checking out the displays on weekdays. The HOA recommends using the back entrance from Quincy Lane. Check the website for maps. Horse-drawn carriage rides are available.
Times and dates: 7 to 10 p.m. weekdays and 7 to 11 p.m. weekends through Dec. 30.
Read more here
