Santa meets the Statler

Make the holidays memorable with festive happenings at The Statler

From a cozy rooftop winter escape to a Thanksgiving feast and a magical morning with Santa, The Statler is celebrating the season with special events in the heart of Downtown Dallas.

Whether the occasion calls for a festive night out, a family gathering, or a new holiday tradition, the hotel’s lineup of holiday happenings offers something for every kind of celebration.

Cozy up at Winterproof
Starting November 6, Winterproof transforms Waterproof, The Statler’s 19th-floor rooftop, into a winter-inspired retreat. Running through mid-January, the experience features private ski chalets accommodating up to eight guests, making it a memorable setting for a gathering with friends or a special seasonal date.

Gather your friends and head to Winterproof. Photo courtesy of The Statler

Guests can settle into their chalet, sip specialty cocktails, and enjoy a menu featuring indulgent bites, including caviar, all while taking in views of downtown Dallas. Reservations are available through OpenTable.

Give thanks over Thanksgiving dinner
Let someone else handle the cooking this year. On Thursday, November 26, The Statler welcomes guests for a Thanksgiving buffet featuring holiday classics, seasonal favorites, and decadent desserts.

Gather family and friends around the table for an afternoon of delicious food and warm hospitality, with two seating times available: noon and 2:30 pm. It’s an easy way to enjoy the holiday without spending the day in the kitchen. Reserve Thanksgiving buffet tickets now.

Make a little magic at Breakfast with Santa
The holiday fun continues on Sunday, December 13, with Breakfast with Santa. From 9-11 am, families can enjoy a festive morning filled with pancakes, a delicious breakfast, and plenty of holiday cheer.

Of course, the highlight for little ones will be the chance to meet Santa and take a photo together. Bring the family, bring the camera, and make a morning of it at The Statler.

Meet the big guy himself. Photo courtesy of The Statler

The Statler makes it easy to add a little extra sparkle to the season. Explore all the details, make reservations, and plan a celebration at The Statler’s Happenings.

Check out all the festive happenings at The Statler.

Photo courtesy of The Statler

Check out all the festive happenings at The Statler.

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Dallas trots to No. 1 on 2026 list of the best cities for Thanksgiving

The "Official" Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot/Facebook

This is the first time Dallas has scored the No. 1 spot.

Dallas is taking a seat at the head of the table as the No. 1 best city to go for Thanksgiving in 2026, a new report has declared.

Experts at personal finance website WalletHub examined the 100 largest U.S. cities using 18 relevant metrics to determine the best places to "gobble up Thanksgiving festivities at a reasonable price." Cities were also ranked across five main categories: celebrations and traditions; affordability; safety and accessibility; weather forecast; and a "giving thanks" rank.

This is the first time Dallas has landed in the top spot; the city previously ranked as the No. 4 best place to go for Thanksgiving in 2025.

Dallas ranked No. 2 nationally for its "celebrations and traditions" rank, largely due to its numerous holiday happenings that take over the metroplex in November and December.

Additionally, the report said the city is a very attractive locale for those who like to dine out at restaurants. Dallas boasts "an extremely high number of restaurants rated at least 4.5 stars," and it ranks 11th nationally for its dining affordability. Dozens of Dallas-area restaurants are hosting their own Turkey Day feasts this year, and several local hotels are going all out for their festive holiday tea events.

Thanksgiving dinner, III Forks Time to make those Thanksgiving reservations. Photo courtesy of III Forks

"Dallas also helps make things festive with an abundance of holiday decoration shops," the report said. "And if you want to offset the materialism of the following shopping weekend with some charitable giving, Dallas has the 25th-most charities per capita. Finally, Dallas ranks ninth for Thanksgiving weather, making it an even more pleasant place to celebrate the holiday."

These five other North Texas cities join Dallas on the list: Plano (No. 12), Arlington (No. 17), Fort Worth (No. 47), Irving (No. 55), Garland (No. 67).

The top 10 best places to go for Thanksgiving in 2026 are:

No. 1 – Dallas
No. 2 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 3 – San Antonio
No. 4 – Louisville, Kentucky
No. 5 – Las Vegas
No. 6 – Scottsdale, Arizona
No. 7 – Houston
No. 8 – Virginia Beach, Virginia
No. 9 – Boston
No. 10 – Chesapeake, Virginia

dallas thanksgiving holiday happenings turkey trot

Santa meets the Statler

Make the holidays memorable with festive happenings at The Statler

Check out all the festive happenings at The Statler.

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Dallas trots to No. 1 on 2026 list of the best cities for Thanksgiving