Image shows a heavily decorated for the holidays including a pathway of snowmen, nutcrackers, and lights.
Photo via Shutterstock

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The holiday season is officially here! If you consider yourself something of a holiday hooligan, you’re in the right place. In addition to the teaming winter wonderlands presently underway in Dallas, its plentitude of festive pop-ups and light experiences, you’re also in proximity to the Christmas capital of Texas as well as the state’s Gingerbread City.

For a free holiday experience this season, take an excursion to Arlington, home to the Interlochen Holiday Lights, rated as one of the best neighborhoods in the country to see Christmas lights by People Magazine.

Image shows a home in Interlochen neighborhood of Arlington decorated for the holidays including strands of lights strewn from trees.Photo via Lake Interlochen

Ranked as the 8th best neighborhood in the country to see Christmas lights, Interlochen Holiday Lights is an Arlington tradition that goes well back nearly half a century. For the past 40 years, the neighborhood has been making the season bright with miles and miles of enchanting holiday displays, featuring participation from over 200 residents.

“Many have watched this tradition grow from an idea by longtime resident and original developer Bob Findlay to a big time event that draws tourists from all over the region and is known throughout the world,” the official website reads.

Cruising through the holiday lights at Interlochen is a completely free experience. When visiting, enter at Randol Mill Road from Westwood Drive. For Dallasites, you would take WB Interstate 30, and exit Fielder Road Exit. Go south and make a right turn on Randol Mill Road and continue to Westwood Drive. All other streets to Interlochen will be closed.

Image shows a group of people hanging out at the edge of a lake with a holiday-decorated home in the background.Photo via Lake Interlochen

Once there, visitors must stay right the whole time, in order for the left lane to be open for Interlochen residents and potential emergency vehicles.

“The free display continues thanks to both new and longtime neighbors who say they cherish seeing the sheer delight on the faces of the visitors”, the website reads.

“The good folks of Interlochen value the Christmas tradition so much they share the merriment by recycling their unused decorations with others in the iconic lakeside neighborhood, and a group of them volunteer to assist elderly neighbors with the task of decorating for the crowds.”

The Interlochen Holiday Lights in Arlington typically starts around mid-December, December 14th or December 15th, ending soon after Christmas. Enter through Westwood Drive at Randol Mill Road Arlington, TX 76012.