'Tis the Season

Celebrate 40 jolly days of festive Christmas magic in Grapevine

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.

Everyone's a kid at the Lancaster Theater during Christmas.

Photo courtesy of Grapevine CVB

Everyone's a kid at the Lancaster Theater during Christmas.

grapevine christmas holiday travel christmas capital of texas promoted

Fashion on display

Rare Halston fashion exhibition now on display in West Texas city

Halston: Inventing American Fashion exhibit Ellen Noël Art Museum

Photo courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

An colorful eveningwear grouping takes advantage of Ellen Noël Art Museum's curved walls.

A rare exhibition honoring fashion pioneer Halston has popped up in an unexpected place: West Texas. Houston fashionistas who are fans of the designer can hop a flight (or drive eight hours) to Odessa’s newly revamped Ellen Noël Art Museum to view "Halston: Inventing American Fashion."

Halston’s minimalistic fashions are rarely the subjects of retrospectives, although the designer’s dramatic life story recently had a pop-cultural resurgence through a 2021 Ryan Murphy miniseries. "Halston: Inventing American Fashion" assesses the talent that made him a household name.

Known now for outfitting 1970s icons like Liza Minelli and Bianca Jagger, Halston changed the international reputation of American sportswear as part of the famous 1973 “Battle of Versailles” fashion show, holding his own against Paris’ most lauded couturiers. His uniquely louche style still influences contemporary brands like Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, and Tom Ford, who was briefly the creative director for a revised Halston label.

The mannequins in the Odessa display are outfitted with 75 ensembles from flowing Ultrasuede daywear to more dramatic draped gowns. The pieces “illustrate how Halston revolutionized fashion by prioritizing comfort, confidence, and modern femininity,” according to a release.

Although Odessa may seem an odd choice for the show, Halston had deep Texas connections. After he moved on from hat making, Amarillo millionaire Estelle Marsh was his sole backer willing to fund his first Madison Avenue boutique.

$Ellen No\u00ebl Art Museum, Odessa, new facade.$ The new facade at Ellen Noël Art MuseumPhoto courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

$Halston: Inventing American Fashion exhibit Ellen No\u00ebl Art Museum$

Photo courtesy of Ellen Noël Art Museum

An colorful eveningwear grouping takes advantage of Ellen Noël Art Museum's curved walls.

And the recently completed renovation of Odessa's Ellen Noël Art Museum has some of the designer’s signature sleek. Designed by architect R.J. Lopez, the renovation includes new galleries and improved circulation, but the centerpiece is a striking transparent façade, replacing the original brick of the 1985 building.

“The renovation project has been over 10 years in the making and in the construction phase for the past two years,” says the museum’s buildings manager, Steve Patton, via a release. “The completion of the project has resulted in an incredible facility that is a shining star in West Texas, offering programs and exhibits that will be a destination point for people all over the world!”

"Halston: Inventing American Fashion" will run through March 22. Admission to the Ellen Noël Art Museum is free.

exhibits odessa fashion west texas museums designer texas

'Tis the Season

Celebrate 40 jolly days of festive Christmas magic in Grapevine

Everyone's a kid at the Lancaster Theater during Christmas.

Iconic Houston Tex-Mex restaurant will reopen in new Third Ward project

Heights restaurant celebrates Lunar New Year with epic barbecue collab

Promising Houston restaurant's surprise shutter leads our top stories

Fashion on display

Rare Halston fashion exhibition now on display in West Texas city