Holiday at the Arboretum is the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden’s annual winter event on the shore of White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas. For 2026 it runs November 11, 2026 through January 3, 2027, with daytime hours from 9am to 4pm and Holiday at Night hours from 5pm to 10pm. The 2026 season is billed by the Arboretum as the final run of its long-running 12 Days of Christmas gazebos, framed as ’12 Years. 12 Days. One Final Chorus.’
The event suits families, photographers and anyone who wants a slower-paced holiday walk rather than a drive-through light show, and a full visit covering the gazebos, Christmas Village and DeGolyer House typically takes a few hours. Both daytime and Holiday at Night admission are sold as dated tickets with prices that change by date, and the Arboretum encourages buying online ahead of time to get the lower price, but walk-up admission is also available at the gate for $4 more per ticket.
Stats at a Glance
- Venue: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
- City: Dallas
- State: Texas
- Dates: November 11, 2026 to January 3, 2027
- Hours: Daytime 9am-4pm; Holiday at Night 5pm-10pm (Night Owl entry 8:30pm-10pm)
- Tickets: Daytime adult $21.95-$25.95, child (3-12) $17.95-$21.95; Holiday at Night $35-$40, members $20-$25; Night Owl $15 (online only); members free in daytime; walk-up adds $4
- Timed entry: Dated tickets sold by date; walk-up admission available at the gate for $4 more
- New for 2026: Final season of the 12 Days of Christmas gazebos
What’s new for 2026
The Dallas Arboretum has announced that 2026 is the last year for its 12 Days of Christmas gazebos, which have stood on the grounds since 2014. The Arboretum is marketing the season as a farewell, so this is the last chance to see all twelve Victorian-style gazebos in their usual spots before they are retired. Beyond the farewell framing, the Arboretum has not published other new 2026 displays or zones as of this writing, so check the event page closer to the season for additions.
The lights and displays
The centerpiece remains the 12 Days of Christmas gazebos, twelve glass-sided structures spread across the Arboretum’s 66 acres, each illustrating a verse of the carol with moving figures such as the three French hens and the twelve drummers drumming. Guests can also walk through the European-style Christmas Village and see holiday decor inside the historic DeGolyer House. The Arboretum has not published a specific 2026 light count, so treat any figure from prior seasons as historical rather than a confirmed 2026 number.
Tickets, prices and member nights
Daytime tickets for 2026 range from $21.95 to $25.95 for adults and $17.95 to $21.95 for children ages 3 to 12, with members admitted free during the day and children under 3 free at any time. Holiday at Night admission (5pm to 10pm) runs $35 to $40 for general admission and $20 to $25 for members, and a Night Owl ticket covering 8:30pm to 10pm is $15 and is sold online only. The Arboretum states that Holiday at Night pricing varies by date, so exact cost appears once you pick a date at checkout. Advance online purchase is cheaper; walk-up tickets bought at the gate cost $4 more per ticket. Parking fees are not listed on the current event page; confirm the rate when you buy tickets.
Food, drinks and extras
The official event page describes the Christmas Village and DeGolyer House decor as part of the visit, but it does not list specific food stands, drink options or paid add-ons like rides for 2026. Check the Arboretum’s event page or call ahead if you want to plan around food and extras.
Tips for your visit
Since this is the final season for the 12 Days of Christmas gazebos, expect the event to draw extra crowds, especially on weekends and over the holidays. Dress for outdoor Texas winter evenings, which can swing from mild to chilly, and wear comfortable shoes since the gazebos are spread across the full 66-acre property. Buying online in advance saves $4 per ticket compared with walk-up pricing at the gate, and it also locks in your spot on popular dates since Holiday at Night pricing and availability change by date.
Explore more: every zoo and garden holiday light show for 2026, by state.
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Rub-on sunscreen that fits in a pocket — reapply in the queue without greasy hands on the lap bar.
Folds into its own pocket. Pop it on when the storm rolls in and the rides reopen to short lines.
Holiday at the Arboretum 2026 at the Dallas Arboretum FAQs
When is Holiday at the Arboretum 2026?
Holiday at the Arboretum runs from November 11, 2026 through January 3, 2027 at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
How much are Holiday at the Arboretum tickets in 2026?
Daytime tickets run $21.95 to $25.95 for adults and $17.95 to $21.95 for children, with members free. Holiday at Night tickets run $35 to $40 for general admission and $20 to $25 for members, and a $15 Night Owl ticket (online only) covers 8:30pm to 10pm; prices vary by date.
Do you need to buy Holiday at the Arboretum tickets in advance?
No, advance purchase is not required. The Dallas Arboretum sells walk-up Holiday at Night tickets at the gate, but they cost $4 more per ticket than buying online ahead of time, so advance purchase saves money and guarantees entry on busy dates.
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Photo: Michael Barera / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.