Holiday Traditions Come Alive in Downtown Arlington

For decades, Arlington families have come to Downtown for many of their favorite holiday celebrations, including the annual Holiday Lights Parade and Christmas tree lighting ceremony. These events, coupled with Enchant and Texas Christkindl Market, the Lights of Interlachen, and other city-wide traditions, are making Arlington a first-choice holiday destination for families throughout North Texas and beyond.

Holiday Traditions, Arlington Style

If you’re planning to attend the Holiday Lights Parade (of course you are) on December 8, come early for kids activities from 2:00-6:00 p.m. outside of the Downtown Library and City Hall. The parade begins at 6:00 p.m. and tree lighting is immediately following.

For more family-friendly fun, get your tickets now to see Theatre Arlington’s production of Miracle on 34^th Street.

Downtown remains the epicenter of holiday traditions in Arlington, particularly when great live music is involved. In addition to Symphony Arlington’s Holiday of Color performance, Arlington Music Hall will host a variety of holiday concerts including Christmas with the Annie Moses Band, Dailey & Vincent’s “A Springer Mountain Farms Christmas,” Center 313-Christmas, Chris Milyo Big Band’s Swingin Christmas, the popular AMH Spectacular Christmas, plus a special January 1 “Elvis, Cash and Diamond” tribute show.

If you like the idea of singing Christmas carols over a pint, don’t miss Tavern Carols at Legal Draft Beer Co. Legal Draft is also sponsoring a toy drive on December 8 and rumor has it that Santa will be stopping by.

UT Arlington offers musical and entertainment options too, including WWE Live Holiday Tour, UTA Wind Symphony Concert, VIA DANCE, and the Friends of the UTA Libraries and the Broadway Mavericks present an evening of holiday music.

Expressions of Faith

While individual Christian churches and congregations observe Christmas differently in accordance with their own unique doctrines, all are joined together during this time in joyful celebration. In Downtown Arlington, four congregations invite you to join them for their special Advent and Christmas services and events. Click below for more information:

• Calvary Church Arlington
• First Baptist Church Arlington
• First United Methodist Church of Arlington
• St. Alban’s Episcopal Church

Calendar of Holiday Events

We’re making a list and checking it twice for all of the Christmas events and holiday happenings in Downtown Arlington from now until the end of 2018. You’ll see them all when you visit our online calendar of events. If we’ve overlooked any, please let us know in the comments section below.

For more events taking place all around town, check out this Top Ten listing compiled by the City of Arlington.

Parking and Getting Around Downtown

Parking is free throughout Downtown Arlington (unless specified). Track #myAbram and visit myAbram.com for the latest information about traffic routing, temporary parking and construction milestones along Abram St. Download Waze for free and see real-time traffic, find optimal routes and avoid road closures, or leave your car at home and hail Via Arlington Ride Share for only $3.

About Downtown Arlington

Designated by the State of Texas as the Arlington Cultural District, Downtown Arlington blends a unique mix of activities, sights, tastes and sounds that attract visitors and locals alike. Within its less than a two-mile radius, Downtown is home to a top tier public research university, prolific fine and performing artists and arts institutions, live entertainment, exciting NCAA and professional athletics, one-of-a-kind dining and retail, and a supportive business climate. Subscribe to Downtown Arlington’s weekly e-newsletter, follow us on social media, and tag us with @dtArlington.