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Start New Holiday Traditions in Dallas: Fun Runs, Shows, and More

While many focus on finding the perfect gift, the most memorable presents are the moments you share with loved ones. Below are curated ideas to create lasting holiday traditions across Dallas.

Start a Healthy Holiday Competition

Encourage family fitness by joining the Dallas Jingle Bell Run on Dec. 21 at the Hilton Anatole. This family‑friendly event features a nighttime 5 k and a 1‑mile run, followed by a post‑race celebration with live music, complimentary food, and drinks. Registration closes Dec. 21. If you’re looking for a second challenge, the New Year’s Eve 5 k on Dec. 31 begins at 2 p.m. at Nobel Rey Brewing Co., giving you ample time to gear up for evening festivities.

Celebrate the Season with a Show

Dallas offers an impressive array of holiday performances. Take the kids to the Dallas Children’s Theater for “A Charlie Brown’s Christmas” or “Frosty and Friends.” For a Broadway experience, book tickets to “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” at the Winspear Opera House, or enjoy a timeless classic like “The King and I.” Finish the evening with hot chocolate and a stroll through local Christmas light displays.

Enjoy a Merry Mall Trip

Transform holiday shopping into a stress‑free outing. At NorthPark Center, children can ride the carousel trains or join Santa’s storytime while parents browse. Galleria Dallas hosts Santa’s Village and boasts the nation’s largest indoor Christmas tree; an ice‑skating rink nearby adds extra excitement.

Take a Festive Stroll

Dallas’s skyline is aglow during the holidays. Explore Downtown Wanderland for artisan crafts, photo ops, food trucks, happy hours, and live music until Dec. 16. The Dallas Arboretum’s 12 Days of Christmas exhibit and the Nutcracker Suite at the DeGolyer House offer immersive experiences, with the latter running through Jan. 7.

Shout with Glee at a Game

Holiday cheer and sports pair perfectly. Rally the family to support the Dallas Mavericks or Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center, or catch the Dallas Cowboys’ final home game on Dec. 24 at AT&T Stadium. Football fans can also enjoy the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Dec. 29 and the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl on Dec. 26 at Cotton Bowl Stadium.

Travel Notes
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    This article originally appeared in the Fall/Winter 2020 issue of VisitDallas The Magazine. To see the entire issue and read other features, click here. Holiday lights evoke a deep sense of nostalgia. As a child, my family would drive in our green Suburban each December, watching the city glow. My mother even set up our own tree on Halloween to start the season early. Those memories have become a cherished tradition that I continue with my own family today. Below are Dallas’s most celebrated hol