Category Archives: Christmas

Christmas Capital of Texas to Add Outdoor Ice-Skating Rink this Holiday Season

Just when you thought the Christmas Capital of Texas® couldn’t get any bigger, Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce that, for the first time, the city will unveil an all-new attraction for the 2022 holiday season: a 4,500-square-foot outdoor ice-skating rink on Historic Main Street.

The Grapevine City Council recently approved an agreement with ICE Challenge Enterprises to construct and operate the temporary ice-skating rink on a contingency basis for the next three holiday seasons. The 90-by-50 ice rink will be adjacent to a 30-by-40 concession area located on Peace Plaza in front of Grapevine Main Station, home to Harvest Hall (815 S. Main St.). The towering live Christmas tree will remain in its location on the plaza, as well as the larger-than-life ornaments visitors have come to know and love each season, such as the giant reindeer, Victorian coaches, and more.

Construction of the rink will begin on November 11, and the rink will open on November 18. The rink will stay open for 52 days through January 8, 2023, making it a must-visit winter activity for all ages, and adding to the list of more than 1,400 attractions and events Grapevine hosts over 40 days during the holiday season. As home to the Christmas Capital of Texas®, it only makes sense that the new, exciting attraction would be placed on Grapevine’s Historic Main Street.

“Families from all over Texas and beyond will be delighted this year when they come to Grapevine and experience open-air ice skating on this exciting new rink,” Paul W. McCallum, Executive Director, said. “The rink will be a beautiful sight to see there on Peace Plaza, accompanied by an even bigger and brighter live Christmas tree for the 2022 season.”

The rink’s location in front of Grapevine Main Station is adjacent to the Historic Cotton Belt Depot, from which the highly anticipated North Pole Express® will depart. Tickets for the North Pole Express go on sale Tuesday, July 26 at 10 a.m. Visitors will be able to plan their holiday festivities in advance with a trip aboard the North Pole Express, holiday shopping along Main Street, comforting eats and warm drinks at the many restaurants and winery-tasting rooms, and a chance to hit the ice on the new outdoor rink.

About the Christmas Capital of Texas®

It’s merrier in Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas®! Over 40 days, the city hosts more than 1,400 holiday-themed attractions and events, from the day after Thanksgiving through the month of December, so there’s always something magical to see, do, taste and experience. More than a million guests come to Grapevine at Christmastime, and there’s no question why—it’s the perfect place to create wonderful Christmas memories with family and friends. Guests will be amazed by a city that dazzles and sparkles with millions of lights, enormous decorations, animated characters, and much more.

About Grapevine, Texas

Historic Grapevine, Texas—centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth—is the premier go-to destination when planning a getaway or vacation in North Texas, providing guests a sophisticated escape from the big city. Step back in time on Historic Downtown Main Street and visit the more than 80 charming locally-owned shops, boutiques, jewelry stores, winery tasting rooms, restaurants, and artisans. Guests can unwind at one of the many award-winning winery tasting rooms, and rest easy at one of the city’s exceptional hotels, like Gaylord Texas Resort & Convention Center or Great Wolf Lodge, which features an indoor water park. Take advantage of recreation on Lake Grapevine as well as over nine miles of wilderness and biking trails. Hop aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad or experience late 19th-century farm life at historic Nash Farm. Whether you enjoy indoor or outdoor activities, Grapevine has something for everyone. For more information, visit GrapevineTexasUSA.com.

About Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Convention & Visitors Bureau acts as the promotional arm of the City of Grapevine and is responsible for actively selling, marketing and publicizing Grapevine globally. The Bureau promotes the city’s hotels, meeting facilities, historic and family attractions, festivals and events, dining establishments and retail businesses to the group meetings and leisure markets.

Grapevine to Become ‘Rockefeller of the Southwest’ with New Ice Skating Rink

Photo courtesy of Grapevine CVB

Main Street will have a 9,000-gallon ice skating rink during the holiday season this year as part of Grapevine’s Christmas Capital of Texas festivities.

Grapevine City Council unanimously approved an agreement at its July 5 meeting to construct and operate an ice skating rink for the next three holiday seasons at Grapevine Main Station. Construction of the rink will be done by ICE Challenge Enterprises, which has previously built outdoor rinks in Prosper and Frisco.

“If Prosper can do it [and] Frisco can do it, then we need to do it, [or] we can give away ‘The Christmas Capital’ to someone else,” Mayor William D. Tate said during the meeting.

Construction of the rink is to begin on Nov. 11. The rink must be operational by Nov. 18, per the city’s agreement. The rink will stay open for 52 days until Jan. 8.

Read more from Community Impact…

Free Christmas Trees Available December 23

On Thursday, December 23 promptly at 9 p.m. more than 200 free live Christmas trees that have been a part of the Snowy Christmas Forest will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Trees are available after the final North Pole Express® ride of the season, sponsored by Trinity Metro TEXRail and Great Wolf Lodge.

Trees may be picked up in the Cotton Belt Depot, located at 705 S. Main St., beginning at 9 p.m. Those picking up trees should bring their own rope and supplies to secure their tree for transport.

SILHOUETTES BY HAND BRINGS TRADITION, HANDCRAFT AND HISTORY TO THE CHRISTMAS CAPITAL OF TEXAS®

Visit the Grapevine Christmas Village and experience portraiture that predates the invention of the camera! On Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5, world-renowned silhouette artist Lauren Muney of “Silhouettes by Hand” will hand cut a silhouette of you or a loved one. Within moments, you will own a classic portrait that is reminiscent of historic portraits from centuries past.

Her work is done freehand with only scissors and without drawing, tracing a shadow or using any machine. She employs only her eyes, paper and scissors to craft silhouettes.

Ms. Muney is one of only a handful of freehand-scissoring silhouette artists working in the world. She is self-taught and specializes in history events, helping visitors experience the past by participating in their own historical portrait. Ms. Muney has been featured in regional, national and international events, fairs, and museums, including George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, Smithsonian Institution, international museums and events across the USA, in Canada, Australia and Europe. She is a nine-time Master Traditional Artist, working around the world demonstrating her historical silhouette skills to many thousands of people each year.

$40 per person includes two copies of one silhouette. Advance ticket purchase is recommended. Walk-ups accepted if time allows. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Duration: 5 minutes per person.

To order tickets, call 817-410-3185 or visit https://tickets.grapevineticketline.com/event/silhouettes-by-hand.

UNWRAP A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS IN GRAPEVINE,THE CHRISTMAS CAPITAL OF TEXAS ®

GRAPEVINE, TEXAS (November 4, 2021) – Unwrap a classic Christmas in Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas ®! Be amazed by a massive live Christmas tree on Peace Plaza at Grapevine Main Station, walk among millions of twinkling lights and enormous decorations, and enjoy seasonal events to create lifelong memories.

Photo courtesy of Grapevine CVB

The Gaylord Texan Resort invites you to journey into Buddy the Elf’s world to save Christmas while Great Wolf Lodge’s Snowland has a 100 percent chance of snow with daily indoor snow showers and holiday fun in their winter wonderland. Cozy up to hot mulled wines in Grapevine’s renowned winery tasting rooms. Grapevine’s chef-owned bistros and cafes will delight you with world-class tastes of Christmas dining and uniquely crafted holiday drinks. Watch classic Christmas movies on the big screen and see magical Christmas performances at the Palace Theatre. This Christmas, treat yourself to a classic Christmas in Grapevine.

See What Christmas is All About at Gaylord Texan Resort’s Lone Star Christmas: Gaylord Texan Resort’s Lone Star Christmas brings the joy of Christmas to life! Marvel at dazzling light shows, towering Christmas trees, magical miniature train sets, and thousands of shimmering ornaments. A new offering this year is Mission: Save Christmas Featuring Elf™, a Warner Bros.-themed Entertainment piece. Join Buddy the Elf and save Christmas. Team up with Mr. Narwhal and friends in the candy cane forest, stay ahead of the toy quota in the North Pole, prepare for Santa’s arrival at the iconic department store, take part in an epic virtual snowball fight in Central Park and so much more. Also, new this year is Merry & Light, a whimsical, walk-through of an outdoor Christmas lights attraction featuring more than 400,000 lights, a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree with an animated light show, a North Pole display with real falling snow, and more. Inside find a snow-tubing hill, indoor ice-skating rink, snow to build life-size snowmen, and many more family-friendly activities.

ChristmasAtGaylordTexan.com, November 12, 2021 – January 2, 2022.

Photo courtesy of Grapevine CVB

Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge. Enjoy daily indoor snow showers, Snowland Bingo, seasonally-themed crafts, holiday stories, and songs as well as “Twas the Night Before Snowland” Yoga Tails, and the evening Frost Fest Family Dance Party. Transport to a private oasis in a candy cane chalet within the Snowland Cabanas in the water park. Each Cabana features elaborate holiday-themed décor, inviting guests to cozy up on a lounge chair next to a glowing Christmas tree for a respite from the chilly winter weather inside the 84-degree water park. Each Cabana also includes a wreath-shaped tube to use on the Crooked Creek lazy river.

For information and reservations, visit GreatWolf.com, November 19, 2021- January 3, 2022.

Photo courtesy of Grapevine CVB

Be Enchanted by the Beauty of Christmas on Main: Unwrap a classic Christmas on Main Street this season and enjoy the beautiful backdrop of the Victorian-style buildings dressed up with ribbons, bows, and wreaths, all set aglow with twinkling lights. Enjoy larger-than-life decorations galore up and down Historic Main Street. After a merry walk down Main Street, enjoy mulled wine at winery tasting rooms along the Urban Wine Trail and the flavors and aromas of Christmas at Grapevine’s more than 200 restaurants, bistros, and cafes.

To read about all of the events that Grapevine has to offer at Christmastime, visit https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/christmas-capital-of-texas/

CHRISTMAS WINE TRAIN TICKETS ON SALE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

‘Tis the season for holiday cheer aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s Christmas Wine Trains! Escape the hustle and bustle of the season inside the beautifully decorated coaches of the Grapevine Vintage Railroad on Thursday, December 2, Thursday, December 9 and Thursday, December 16.

Get in the Christmas spirit and celebrate the holidays with a Christmas Wine Experience train ride. This festive train ride includes personally packaged savory bites, a delicious dessert, and two complimentary glasses of fine Texas wine from a Grapevine Winery tasting room served in a souvenir glass. Tickets are $45 per person. This train is wheelchair accessible.

Enjoy a limited Premier Class experience and reserve a table for four. Premier Class offers hot plated meals, decadent desserts, three (3) 4-ounce glasses of fine Texas wine from a Grapevine Winery Tasting Room and a souvenir wine glass. Premier Class tickets are $320 per table. This train is not wheelchair accessible. Only offered on December 9 and 16 Grapevine Excursions.

Check-in begins at 6 p.m. Boarding begins at 7 p.m. with a final boarding call at 7:20 p.m.

Additional glasses of wine are available for purchase.

The Christmas Wine Trains are open to adults 21+ only.

Thursday, December 2, the train departs from the Historic Stockyards Station, located at 140 E. Exchange Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas. Advanced parking for the Fort Worth experience may be purchased for $10 per vehicle when purchasing tickets.

Thursday, December 9 and Thursday, December 16 the train departs from Cotton Belt Railroad

Historic District, located at 705 S. Main St. in Grapevine, Texas. Free Parking may be found at 636 S. Main St. and throughout Historic Grapevine. Additional parking is offered at 225 E. Dallas Rd. at Grapevine Main Station; parking at this location is free for the first 90 minutes and is $1 for each additional hour.

Visit https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/christmas-capital-of-texas/wine-trains/ or call 817.410.3185 for more information.

Grapevine is the Christmas Capital of Texas® with 1,400 Christmas events in 40 days. Tickets and ticket purchase links for events such as ICE!® and Lone Star Christmas at Gaylord Texan Resort, Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge, Classic Christmas movies and live Christmas performances at the Historic Palace Theatre, Grapevine Christmas Passport – Elf Adventure and more are available at GrapevineTexasUSA.com/Christmas. Extend your visit to the Christmas Capital of Texas at one of Grapevine’s hotels. For Grapevine hotel information, visit GrapevineTexasUSA.com/Hotels.

All aboard! Tickets for the North Pole Express® go on sale Tuesday, September 28

Experience the magic of Christmas on a train ride hosted by Mrs. Claus on board the beautifully decorated Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s North Pole Express, presented by Great Wolf Lodge and Trinity Metro TEXRail.

Put on your best Christmas pajamas and join Mrs. Claus as she picks up Santa and brings him to the Christmas Capital of Texas®.  Along the journey, join in singing along to Christmas favorites and enjoy Santa’s favorite delicious chocolate chip cookies, lovingly baked by Mrs. Claus.  Mrs. Claus will also give each child a magical “We Believe” silver bell that reminds you of the spirit of Christmas and of all of the goodness and kindness within you.

When you ring the bell at just the right time, Santa will appear and travel with you back to the Christmas Capital of Texas. Santa will magically whip up his Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk for you to enjoy from your Keepsake Memory Mug. stroll through the snowy North Pole Forest before making your way to take a keepsake photo with Santa.

Mrs. Claus and Santa will be on the trains every day starting November 26 through December 23, excluding December 2, 9 and 16.

Mrs. Claus visits with a young rider/Photo: Grapevine CVB

The North Pole Express Experience includes a:

  • Souvenir ticket
  • Christmas train ride hosted by Mrs. Claus
  • Magical “We Believe” silver bell for all children
  • Delicious chocolate chip cookie lovingly baked by Mrs. Claus
  • Santa’s Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk in a Keepsake Memory Mug
  • On board visit from Santa
  • Keepsake photo with Santa
  • Stroll through the snowy Grapevine Christmas Village Forest 

Purchase tickets as soon as possible as excursions sell out quickly.

  • Children who have celebrated their first birthday require a ticket.
  •  Those under one year require a lap child ticket, $5 per ticket.
  • First Class Coaches are heated and offer upholstered bench-style seating. Tickets are $40 per person. 
  • Touring Class Coaches are heated, offer wooden bench-style seating and floor to ceiling windows. Tickets are $35 per person.

For more information about Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas, please visit GrapevineTexasUSA.com/Christmas or contact the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau at 817.410.3185.

Grapevine is the Christmas Capital of Texas® with 1,400 Christmas events in 40 days. Tickets and ticket purchase links for events such as ICE!® and Lone Star Christmas at Gaylord Texan Resort, Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge, Classic Christmas movies and live Christmas performances at the Historic Palace Theatre, Grapevine Christmas Passport – Elf Adventure and more are available at GrapevineTexasUSA.com/Christmas. Extend your visit to the Christmas Capital of Texas at one of Grapevine’s hotels. For Grapevine hotel information, visit GrapevineTexasUSA.com/Hotels.