A Merry Getaway

Plan a festive getaway to Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas

In the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth sits a magical Christmas destination unlike any other. Grapevine — designated the official Christmas Capital of Texas — features more than 1,400 festive Christmas events across 40 days, making it the top destination for magical moments all season.

With so many happenings, it's impossible to experience all that the Christmas Capital of Texas has to offer in just one day. So plan your extended getaway now, and let the Christmas magic unfold.

There's plenty of fun for an adults-only weekend — or bring the whole family to enjoy favorite pastimes and new traditions.

Magical experiences
World-class attractions await in Grapevine, starting with the Gaylord Texan's signature annual event, ice! featuring Harry Potter. Don the blue parkas and step into a spectacular wonderland carved by expert artisans out of 2 million pounds of colorful ice.

The family can also hop aboard the North Pole Express on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for a magical journey featuring sing-alongs with Santa's elves and, of course, a special visit from Santa himself. But tickets are limited, so grab them now.

LEGOLAND will be decked out for the Christmas season, hosting its spectacular Holiday Bricktacular from November 28 through December 24. Enjoy a winter wonderland of activities, festive decorations, and even meet LEGO Santa.

Then, visit SEA LIFE Grapevine to help save Christmas during The Elf on the Shelf Sea Star Search. Guests can participate in this interactive Christmas trail from November 20 through January 3, where you'll explore the magical aquarium, solve festive challenges, and help the Scout Elves return the missing decorations to the Undersea Christmas Tree.

Festive fun in the heart of Grapevine
The halls are decked in Grapevine with millions of lights, larger-than-life decorations, animated characters, photo ops galore. Lace up your skates and take a spin on the Texas-sized Peace Plaza Ice Rink, under Grapevine's towering, live Christmas tree.

You can also stroll through the charm and spirit of a classic American town preparing for Christmas in Hometown Christmas, an interactive Christmas exhibition inside the Grapevine Tower Gallery and the Settlement to City Museums.

And watch as the Historic Cotton Belt Depot District transforms into the Grapevine Christmas Market for the season, complete with artisan vendors, seasonal attractions, and activities.

Entertainment abounds at the Historic Palace Theatre on Main Street, where Christmas-themed tribute shows — including performers honoring iconic acts like Frank Sinatra, Elvis, and the Beach Boys — take center stage.

Just for the adults
Christmas in Grapevine brings experiences just for the adults, too, from pop-up bars to murder mysteries.

For a different spin on a Christmas outing, book a reservation for No Home For the Holidays, an interactive murder mystery at Texas Star Dinner Theater, running November 20 through December 27, or the Ho Ho Homicide: Murder Mystery Dinner at Messina Hof Grapevine Winery, taking place December 18.

Then, cozy up in the Winter Wonderland Bubbles, nestled on Hotel Vin’s North Lawn, for a festive 90-minute experience that brings together sparkling wine, cozy Pendleton touches, and plenty of Christmas magic.

Grapevine, Texas holiday pop-up bar Photo courtesy of Grapevine Texas

Get into the spirit at the Holly Jolly Pop-up Bar at Third Rail, serving Christmas-themed craft cocktails, seasonal bites, and live entertainment all season. Or float on to Bad Santa's Boathouse for the "Naughty and Nice” Christmas Pop-up Bar to experience a waterfront winter wonderland right on Lake Grapevine.

Festive accommodations
To make the most of your getaway in the Christmas Capital of Texas, book a room in one of Grapevine’s many festive hotels.

From luxury resorts to charming boutique hotels, there’s an accommodation option for every budget, and many hotels offer special packages, including discounted rates and tickets to popular attractions.

You can wake up immersed in Christmas magic at the Gaylord Texan, Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge, and more.

Your Grapevine getaway awaits
Christmas is just around the corner, and your Grapevine getaway is waiting. Enjoy millions of lights, larger-than-life decorations, world-class attractions, and magical moments all season long.

Find the full Christmas calendar and explore more about the Christmas Capital of Texas here .

Photo courtesy of Grapevine Texas

Explore Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas.

grapevine christmas holidays promoted

Long-awaited blooms

Museum at UT Austin unveils French café from acclaimed restaurant team

Photo by Barbara FG

Artsy photos show a strong point of view at Café Fleurs de Nuit.

Visitors to Austin's Blanton Museum of Art will soon have an excuse to linger even longer over breakfast, a cocktail, or other French classics. Café Fleurs de Nuit, a new concept by the team behind Austin's leading French restaurant, Justine’s Brasserie, will open Friday, November 20.

The concept was originally announced in 2024, went quiet for a couple years, and updated Texans and travelers in March of 2026. Since then the team's been drumming up a little more pre-opening intrigue. In the past few weeks some artsy new photos that would be right at home in a fashion magazine appeared on social media.

$Caf\u00e9 Fleurs de Nuit at Blanton Museum$ There will probably be lots of fashionable visitors to the new café.Photo by Barbara FG

$Caf\u00e9 Fleurs de Nuit at Blanton Museum$

Photo by Barbara FG

Artsy photos show a strong point of view at Café Fleurs de Nuit.

"Fleurs de Nuit" means "night-blooming flowers" in French. Unlike the flowers, the concept brings the museum to bloom all day, though it does stay open a bit later each day. The museum itself closes at 5 pm most days and 8 pm on Saturdays, and the café will be open until 6 or 10 pm. It also opens earlier than the museum Tuesdays through Fridays, so guests don't have to worry about cutting into their art-viewing time if they want a really full day. Grab-and-go items will be available for even quicker stops.

The current food menu is compact, featuring eight dishes. Of course, there's a classic omelette with Boursin cheese and two quiches: one with bacon lardons and gruyère cheese, and the other with spinach, mushrooms, leeks, and more gruyère. Three tartines (toasts) prop up avocado, salmon, and cheese with honey, respectively. Two more breakfasts round it out: a croissant sandwich with breakfast sausage and the Justine's Breakfast with a soft boiled egg, cured salmon, crème fraîche, and sourdough toast.

$Caf\u00e9 Fleurs de Nuit at Blanton Museum$ France is present in everything at Café Fleurs de Nuit.Photo by Barbara FG

Guests at the 2026 Austin Food and Wine Festival on Sunday, November 8, also got to try a dish in advance of the opening: chicken sausage with sauce ravigote, crispy alliums, and toasted brioche. However, that dish doesn't appear on the current online menu.

The Blanton Museum is located at the University of Texas at Austin. The café overlooks its grounds, plus the famous cathedral-inspired structure Austin by Ellsworth Kelly, and the Texas State Capitol. The interior was designed by Joel Mozersky, best known for his work for Uchi, and was inspired by Parisian cafés.

$Caf\u00e9 Fleurs de Nuit at Blanton Museum$ The café is close to the city, but peacefully removed.Photo by Barbara FG

Café Fleurs de Nuit will be open from 8 am-6 pm Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 am-10 pm Saturdays, and 10 am-6 pm Sundays.

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