North Pole in North Texas

Deck the halls in Plano this year with tons of holiday cheer

It's true Plano always puts on the holiday ritz, and this year is no different. This lively Dallas ’burb keeps raising the bar on seasonal cheer with more than 50 festive events of all kinds, along with charming boutiques, luxury shops, and so much more.

Whether you wander the suburban wonderland for a day or stay awhile, here are some highlights you won’t want to miss.

What to do

November 22 – December 28, Lights on the Farm: Magical and sweet, this fourth annual event at the Heritage Farmstead Museum features a quarter-mile stroll through one million twinkling lights, all to the tune of holiday music. It’s also the perfect chance to meet Santa Claus and indulge in seasonal treats like s’mores, hot cocoa, donuts, and popcorn while enjoying the festive holiday music. Kids will love the themed nights, including Frozen Adventure Night, Grinch Night, and Princess Night.

November 24, Lights at Legacy: Kick off the season with The Shops at Legacy East’s family-friendly outing, featuring complimentary train rides, balloon artists, toy soldier stilt walkers, little drummer boys, live entertainment, and more. Free food and drink samples from retailers and restaurants will also be available. While the event is from 4-7 pm, make sure to stay for the tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 pm. You can also grab a pic with Santa and Mrs. Claus, with 50 percent of the proceeds benefiting My Possibilities.

December 1-30, Deerfield Holiday Lights: This is no ordinary neighborhood! Deerfield has become renowned for its extraordinary holiday lights, with nearly every house participating in the spectacle. Expect tons of creatively illuminated displays, with each street more spectacular than the next.

Prestonwood Church Gift of Christmas Photo courtesy of Visit Plano

December 6-15, The Gift of Christmas: This live musical extravaganza is a Prestonwood Baptist Church tradition, and has become one of the highlights of the Christmas season. The visually stunning multimedia event is complete with special effects, a nearly 1,000-member cast and choir, live orchestra, flying angels, camels and kings, and much more.

December 7, Dickens in Downtown Plano: There will be no bah-humbugs at this free annual event in the Historic Downtown Plano Arts District. It’s fun for the whole family, with a tree lighting festival with vendors, a snow globe, and interactive activities. Downtown businesses will also stay open late so guests can enjoy food and shopping.

December 14, Plano Holiday Parade: There’s nothing more wholesome than a holiday parade, and this one in downtown Plano definitely fits the bill. This year, Olympic Gold Medal gymnast and Plano resident Hezly Rivera will make a special appearance in the parade. Also in the mix: festive floats; performances by Plano’s high school marching bands, drill teams, and color guards; and Santa Claus.

Where to stay

Whether you’re planning a staycation or visiting from out of town, the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West is your holiday headquarters. It's hosting s’mores specials every Saturday through the end of the year, along with live music and more festivities. Plus, you’ll be right in the heart of Legacy West — a prime Christmas shopping destination.

Renaissance Plano hotel Get cozy at the Renaissance hotel.Photo courtesy of Visit Plano

Photo courtesy of Visit Plano

Lights at Legacy will have you feeling merry and bright.

Where to shop

Speaking of shopping, Plano is a one-stop shop for everything you could possibly need on your Christmas list.

Legacy West: This high-end outdoor shopping destination is ready for you and your lists with many beloved storefronts that are perfect for holiday gifts, including Golden Goose, Vuori, Gorjana, and Read Between the Lines.

The place has also transformed into Legacy North Pole, with a wonderland of experiences and festive photo opps to enjoy while you shop: Big (Rein) Deer Energy, Gumdrop It Like It’s Hot, Sleigh All Day, and more.

On the weekends, don’t miss Mistletoe Mall, where Legacy West is partnering with local businesses to host pop-up shops.

The Shops at Legacy East: In addition to Lights at Legacy, swing by the Santa Boutique Studio all season long for professional Santa pics.

While there, browse boutiques like Another Time & Place, Francesca’s, Kendra Scott, Prized Kicks, The Impeccable Pig, and more for the perfect gifts.

Downtown Plano Arts District Spend a day shopping in Downtown Plano.Photo courtesy of Visit Plano

Downtown Plano Arts District: Having experienced something of a renaissance, this historic district delivers all the walkable charm you could want along with one-of-a-kind shops to love.

These include La Foofaraw (with designer candles, unique art, vintage jewelry and art-inspired clothing), Lyla’s Clothing, Décor & More, The Feathered Nest, and more. The Mistletoe Market on December 15 is a great time to shop handcrafted gifts from local makers.

For a complete listing of Plano holiday events, head here.

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2025 world's best awards

6 Houston hotels ranked with the best in the world by Travel + Leisure

Photo courtesy of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

The Houstonian is back on top as the best resort in Texas.

Several renowned Houston hotels and resorts were just declared the best in the world by Travel + Leisure readers, according to the publication's annual World's Best Awards.

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa was honored as the No. 1 best resort in Texas, while the prestigious Post Oak Hotel ranked as the No. 7 best hotel in the nation. Among T+L's list of the 15 best hotels in Texas, four more distinguished Houston properties made the cut.

Every year, Travel + Leisure surveys its readers to determine the ultimate travel experiences around the world, which include the top hotels, resorts, travel destinations, and more. The 2025 survey had more than 180,000 responses from T+L readers with over 657,000 votes across 8,700 accommodations, cruise lines, and other properties.

The Houstonian Hotel reclaimed the top spot for 2025 after previously slipping into No. 4 in 2024. The publication celebrated this "serene sanctuary" for its numerous sports and fitness activities, plus its rejuvenating 26,500-square-foot spa, pool, and jacuzzi. The resort's location next to Memorial Park also provides guests with the feeling that they've escaped the hustle and bustle of the city.

“The staff treats you like you are a long-awaited family member," said a T+L reader.Photo courtesy of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

"Resort guests receive complimentary access to the fitness club, which has dedicated spaces for a myriad of sports, including nine tennis courts, a shaded jogging trail, an indoor track, and a lap pool," the report said. "On top of the unbeatable facilities and location, the Houstonian’s memorable hospitality had our voters eager for repeat visits."

In a press release, general manager Steve Fronterhouse said the entire Houstonian team was honored to receive the worldwide recognition.

"To be named the best resort in Texas by the discerning readers of Travel + Leisure is not just a reflection of our 27 acres and amenities; it’s recognition of the Southern hospitality and warmth our staff delivers every day," he said. "We are grateful to all of our guests who continue to make The Houstonian their home away from home.”

The full list of best Texas resorts, in order, are:

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, Houston
Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa, Frisco
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine

Best hotels in the U.S.
In addition to being ranked among the top 10 best hotels in the U.S., The Post Oak Hotel was also hailed as the No. 1 best hotel in Houston. The hotel succeeds at providing guests with a flawless level of service and accommodations, while its on-site restaurants and bars add to the overall opulence of the property's amenities.

"And naturally, there's a world-class spa on site and a Rolls‑Royce showroom in case you need to pick up a new ride," the report said.

Stay in style at The Post Oak Hotel. Photo courtesy of The Post Oak Hotel

A T+L reader said The Spa at The Post Oak Hotel is "a destination in itself" and noted that guests could still have a memorable experience in Houston even if they never step foot off the 700,000-square-foot premises. But if guests did choose to explore everything the city has to offer, the hotel provides an over-the-top travel method.

"There is a rooftop helipad so that you don't even have to sit in Houston traffic if you don't want to," the reader said.

The full list of Houston winning hotels, in order, are:

No. 1 – The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
No. 2 – Hotel ZaZa
No. 3 – Four Seasons Hotel Houston
No. 4 – JW Marriott Houston Downtown
No. 5 – Hilton Americas-Housto

Other Texas awards
San Antonio's Hotel Emma and Fort Worth's Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection were the only two other Texas properties to earn acclaim in T+L's list of the "15 Best City Hotels in the U.S."

San Antonio was also deemed one of the best U.S. travel destinations in 2025, ranking 12th out of 15 total cities.

In a release, Travel + Leisure editor in chief Jacqui Gifford said the 2025 World's Best Awards "reflect a travel landscape in motion."

"From a high-desert city in the American Southwest to a quiet Greek island, our readers are seeking depth, character, and a strong sense of place," Gifford said. "We're thrilled to honor the hotels, destinations, and travel companies that are delivering those transformative experiences."

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