Penny Sadler

If there’s one place Santa Claus and Rudolph will have no trouble finding at Christmas, it’s Grapevine, Texas. Beginning in November, the city is transformed into a Christmas wonderland, with millions of lights and ornaments on every facade, streetlight and tree. It shines so brightly that Rudolph probably won’t need his nose to navigate.  Officially designated the Christmas Capital of Texas by the state legislature in 2009, Grapevine hosts a whopping 1,400 events in just 40 days. Kicking off the season is the annual Carol of Lights Parade with Santa Claus photo ops, live music, food trucks and the synchronized illumination of every single Christmas light in town. Bonus? The event is free. Don’t worry if you can’t make the Carol of Lights, because there are 27 more days of festivities to enjoy. Here’s everything to see and do in Grapevine, plus insider tips to navigate the holiday rush. Things to do in Grapevine With so many seasonal activities in Grapevine, it’s wise to plan ahead—you likely won’t be able to experience everything in just one visit. Highlights include the North Pole Express, which doubles as the Grapevine Vintage Wine Train; the annual Merry & Bright drone show near the train station; daily movies and evening performances at the Palace Theater; live music; an old-fashioned carousel for kids; ice skating at Peace Plaza and scheduled parades throughout the season.  Ice skate at Peace Plaza Ice Rink  Located next door to the TEXRail stop, Peace Plaza is a popula