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    'Tis the Season

    Celebrate 40 jolly days of festive Christmas magic in Grapevine

    CultureMap Create
    Nov 3, 2025 | 12:00 pm

    Just north of Dallas-Fort Worth lies the Christmas Capital of Texas: Grapevine. From icy wonderlands and historic train rides to artisan experiences and seasonal shopping, there are more than 1,400 festive events across 40 days, meaning that Christmas cheer is truly around every corner.

    Discover distinctive gifts from locally owned boutiques at the Grapevine Christmas Village, showcasing fine Texas artisans. At Grapevine Mills, peruse top-name brands and explore Meow Wolf’s Phenomenomaly immersive experience. Stroll Historic Main Street, rich with charm, music, and the aroma of roasted nuts and cocoa.

    Grapevine Christmas The city is covered in Christmas cheer. Photo courtesy of Grapevine CVB

    Savor the season along the Urban Wine Trail, featuring eight Texas winery tasting rooms pouring mulled wines, sparkling rosés, and bold reds, or refine your palate with a wine-and-cookie pairing class.

    Create lasting memories with hands-on experiences like glass ornament-making at Vetro Glassblowing Studio, racing through a Christmas-themed escape room at The Grapevine Escape, or helping Marshal Jim Courtright turn around A Cold Hearted Christmas at Texas Star Dinner Theater.

    Glide across the Peace Plaza Ice Rink beneath a 60-foot live Christmas tree. Sip a seasonal cocktail at a Christmas pop-up bar and catch the 5th Annual Merry & Bright Drone Shows on Mondays, December 1 and 8.

    Grapevine Christmas drone show Keep an eye on the skies for the drone shows.Photo courtesy of Grapevine CVB

    Continue your holiday adventure at Gaylord Texan Resort with Lone Star Christmas and its signature ICE! attraction. This year, 40 master artisans from Harbin, China, are sculpting two million pounds of colorful ice into swirly, twirly scenes from the beloved movie Elf. But don't worry: Guests don a blue parka to explore nine-degree tunnels, slide down icy slides, and marvel at the glowing sculptures.

    Keep the magic going at Great Wolf Lodge’s Snowland, where indoor snow falls daily. Enjoy the 84-degree water park before retreating to cozy cabin-style suites. At Bass Pro Shops, Santa’s Wonderland offers free photos with Santa, kids’ crafts, and outdoor-inspired gifts for everyone on your list.

    Hop on the complimentary Grapevine Visitor Shuttle to Historic Main Street, where a picture-perfect holiday scene awaits. Wander beneath festive lights, take in the giant decorations, and enjoy the aroma of roasted nuts and warm cocoa.Settle in for classic holiday films like Home Alone, It's a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas at the Historic Palace Theatre, which is also the venue for live performances from The Teas Tenors, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and more. At the Lancaster Theatre, kiddos can watch beloved Christmas cartoons, including A Charlie Brown Christmas and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, while making a fun Christmas-themed craft.

    After a magical day, unwind in one of Grapevine’s 20-plus hotels and wake up ready for another day of holiday fun. Visit ChristmasCapitalofTexas.com to start planning your Christmas getaway today.

    Discover the best wine pairings for Christmas cookies.

    Discover the best wine pairings for Christmas cookies.
    Photo courtesy of Grapevine CVB
    Discover the best wine pairings for Christmas cookies.
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    HAUTE PROPERTIES

    Southern Living picks Texas Hill Country as location of 2026 Idea House

    Brandon Watson
    Feb 19, 2026 | 3:30 pm
    Southern Living Idea House Fredericksburg
    Rendering by Jon Messer.
    Southern Living Idea House will be open for tours beginning September 18.

    Whether Texas is part of the South may still be an open question, but Southern Living is settling the debate with a big investment. The Birmingham, Alabama-based lifestyle magazine will build its newest Idea House in the Hill Country town of Fredericksburg.

    For more than 35 years, Southern Living has drafted Southern builders, architects, and designers to build new homes that not only showcase the latest innovations in home design but are the epitomes of Southern style. This year, the magazine chose Fredericksburg's Friedën community, a 130-acre development featuring parks, nature trails, and lakes.

    "We're excited to call Fredericksburg home for the year and to celebrate the distinct character of the Texas Hill Country,” says editor-in-chief Sid Evans in a release. “Surrounded by rolling hills and wide-open views, this home reflects the region's natural beauty and the relaxed spirit of the Lone Star State."

    The design of the versatile home proves the modern farmhouse trend still has some legs. Southern Living’s designers update the look by ditching whitewashed everything for a more contemporary color palette that blends in with the Hill Country’s natural landscape. Floor-to-ceiling windows further “dissolve the boundaries” between the interior and the great outdoors.

    To bring their vision to life, Southern Living drafted a local team, including builder Kurk Homes, architect Andrew Bray of Mustard Architects, landscape designer Melissa Gerstle, and interior designers Jean Liu, Marcus Mohon, and Paloma Contreras. But real estate gawkers will have to wait to see most of the details. The house won’t be unveiled until September 18, when public tours open and the October issue hits stands.

    Southern Living, however, did tease a few details, saying the home is being built for “multi-generational” living with sustainable products and appliances, a motor court entry, and a private casita. No doubt, interior design buffs will also find inspiration in the decor's bold choices. Last year’s Idea House in Virginia mixed in everything from garden florals and African mudcloth to animal prints and kitchsy cottagecore art.

    The Idea House will be open to the public for tours from September 18 through December 20, 2026. Tickets will be available beginning in April, with a portion of the proceeds supporting area charities. After the open house, the home will be available for sale at an undisclosed price.

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