From ice skating to helicopter rides, there isn’t a shortage of fun things to do around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. TCU360 has narrowed down the top 10 must-do activities to do around North Texas before or after the commencement.
Panther Island Ice
Panther Island Ice is an outdoor skating rink northeast of downtown Fort Worth. For $12, you can skate in Panther Island Ice’s seasonal rink and dine at the Coyote Canteen. More information can be found on their website.
Casa Mañana
Fort Worth’s own Casa Mañana is staging their Twas the Night Before Christmas production from Nov. 23 to Dec. 23. There will be showings every weekend during the month. The tickets the weekend of TCU’s commencement begin at $21.
Helicopter Tours
Every night of December, Epic Helicopters offer a Holiday Lights Tour of Fort Worth beginning at 6 p.m. The tours start and end at the Fort Worth Meacham International Airport. The cost of this holiday adventure is $179 per person.
World’s Largest Light Maze and Market
The Texas Rangers may have finished their season, but that doesn’t mean Globe Life Park will be vacant for the rest of the year. Enchant Christmas is taking residency in the Arlington stadium by hosting the World’s Largest Light Maze and Market. The holiday treat will be operational until Dec. 30. The tickets begin at $20.
Six Flags Holiday in the Park
While in Arlington, feel free to swing by Six Flags Over Texas for its Holiday in the Park event. The amusement park transforms into a winter wonderland, where visitors can enjoy rides, games, and a meet and greet with Santa’s reindeers. The tickets begin at $50 for a day of Christmas adventure and last until Dec. 30.
Gaylord’s ICE! display
A yearly Christmas tradition in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is Gaylord’s ICE! display located in Grapevine. ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer features over 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures. But don’t worry, they provide the guests with a parka to wear during the exhibit. In addition to the ice sculpture maze, there are also ice slides and a life-sized gingerbread house. The general admission tickets are $18 and conclude on New Year’s Day.
Christmas Spectacular Event
Every Friday until Christmas, The Star in Frisco hosts a Christmas Spectacular Event which includes performances by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue Dancers, a special appearance by Santa, and more. Admission and parking are free.
“The 12 Days of Christmas”
The Dallas Arboretum has a “The 12 Days of Christmas” event every Wednesday through Sunday through the end of December. The exhibit involves 12 outdoor gazebos filled with costumed characters, music, and animals. Each gazebo will host a part of the song “The 12 Days of Christmas”. The tickets begin at $12 for members and $20 for non-members.
Christmas at the White House
The George W. Bush Library and Museum is hosting an event called Deck the Halls and Welcome All: Christmas at the White House. This event allows visitors a glimpse into the decorations that were displayed in the White House in 2006. The event runs into 2019, so there is plenty of time to see the decorations. The tickets are $16 for adults.
Dallas Zoo Visits Reunion Tower
GeO-Deck the Halls at Reunion Tower in Dallas is hosting a joint event with the Dallas Zoo this holiday season. There will be an up-close and personal interaction with some of their mammals, birds, and reptiles. Adult tickets are $17. One of the nights is Friday, Dec. 14, the day before TCU’s commencement ceremonies. There will be an up-close and personal interaction with some of their mammals, birds, and reptiles. Adult tickets are $17.
Whether you choose to stay in Fort Worth or venture off into Dallas or the suburbs, there are plenty of things to do during TCU’s commencement.
