Christmas Comes to Life at Dallas Arboretum: Decked Out Gazebos and 500,000 Lights Make for a Spectacle Worthy of a Classic Carol

I admit I want to be that super cool guy. That comes across slightly jaded and aspires to always be part of the avant-garde. You know the type: watches lots of foreign films (anything from Ingmar Bergman) that have numerous tortured characters, wears too much clothing from the Antwerp Six design group, and eats a strictly raw, vegan diet. However, once in a while I throw all of those #lifegoals out the door with abandon to enjoy moments straight from a Norman Rockwell painting.

A few weeks ago, I think it was the day after Halloween, one of the Dallas radio stations started their 24-hour rotation of strictly holiday songs. I was still running my air conditioning and barely thought we were into the fall season, let alone weeks away from Christmas. I was refusing to look in the direction of aisles at the stores that were beginning to be stocked with wreaths and holiday-only delicacies such as spiced wine or challah at Central Market.

Then a gorgeously decorated cookie, in the shape of an ornament, came with the invitation to attend the Dallas Arboretum’s tree lighting ceremony. It was one of the first cold days (the see your breath kind) of the year.

As the weather outside was frightful, I took out my mittens (Prada, of course) and slate gray knit cap (vintage D Squared for some whimsy) and ventured down to the White Rock Lake neighborhood. After we received a mood-inducing hot chocolate (sans alcohol since this is wholesome fun) and a couple of stocking-shaped sugar cookies, we began wandering through the gardens.

Through December 31 you can experience Holiday at the Arboretum. Victorian-style gazebos come to life, featuring each day from the traditional carol, The 12 Days of Christmas. Each tableau features animated scenes depicting the different beloved characters such as the Three French Hens, Twelve Drummers Drumming and Seven Swans a Swimming, to name a few. My favorite was Eleven Pipers Piping. (Who isn’t enchanted by that many men in kilts?)

More than 500,000 lights twinkle throughout the Arboretum, trimming the historic homes and featuring a 30-foot-tall spruce tree in the center of the property. This is an evening that will put you in the mood for red-nosed reindeers and Bing Crosby classic medleys.

The Dallas Arboretum’s 12 days of Christmas is open through December 31. It’s open at night, Wednesdays through Sundays — and during the day every day.