The Burkman Holiday Home in Frisco, TX
This holiday season, you can go to one of the big destination Christmas light displays all over the North Texas area, and there are plenty to choose from. With The Light Park in Arlington, Lightscape at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens, and Christmas in the Square in Frisco, to name a few, the choices are impressive.
But isn’t there something magical about driving around the neighborhood (or someone else’s) and finding a special home — like the family who decorates their Wisdom Way house in Haltom City? Or revisiting perennial favorites like Interlochen in Arlington, which just ranked in the top 10 light displays in the country, or really, any street in the Park Cities, where the most impressive homes in North Texas bring elegant Christmas magic? You can just feel the love when the couple down the street manages to put up 43 inflatables and 50,000 lights, in a different way than holiday lights sponsored by Corporation X or City of Y, know what I mean?
So round up the family, hop in the car, and check out one of these neighborhood displays for a little extra cheer in your holiday season this year.
Plano Elf Town
Since 2011, the Loder family has been lighting up Elf Town, a handcrafted Christmas village at their Deerfield neighborhood home. On Dec. 18, Elf Town will step onto a national stage when the Plano light display is featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight.
Where: 4641 Penbrook Court
The Burkman Holiday House
The Burkmans have been lighting up their Frisco home every year for more than 20 years! If that’s not a holiday tradition, I don’t know what is. The Burkman family — who in 2021 were featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Family Light Fight — encourages you to get out of your car to take pictures, bring your pups, and write and mail a letter to Santa. The Burkman Holiday House is a fully modern operation with Facebook and Instagram pages you can follow and post your pics.
Where: 3809 Hazelhurst Drive, Frisco, TX 75036
More Info: Facebook | Instagram
Diamond Loch
An entire cul-de-sac transforms into Whoville in this massive computerized show. All the neighbors get in on the fun in this North Richland Hills ‘hood that proclaims, “We’re Like Really Into Christmas,” on their neighborhood Facebook page. The page also advises that you can avoid long lines by checking out the display on weekdays rather than weekends — pro-tip!
Where: 6300 Diamond Loch Dr, North Richland Hills, TX 76180
More Info: Facebook
Timberhollow Circle, Lake Highlands
Part of the Oak Highlands Estates subdivision, this charming cul-de-sac (and surrounding neighborhood) is a popular destination for viewing Christmas lights. This tradition started over 20 years ago, with each home on the street featuring exquisite displays representing one of the 12 Days of Christmas.
Feel free to sing along, but fair warning from our own Lake Highlands native Shelby Skrhak: “By the time you hit the ninth day of Christmas, you’ll want to speed up your tempo, or you’ll be sitting in front of those last homes for a while (and the rest of the car carolers behind you, too.”
Where: Timberhollow Circle/Moss Haven Dr in Oak Highlands Estates
More Info: Neighborhood news
Allen Movie House
If you’re into Christmas movies, this one is an absolute must-see. My family goes every year to see what they come up with to highlight more than 30 Christmas movies with lights and displays in a timed display, synchronized with music you can listen to in your car. I laugh and cry every year, and y’all know laughter-through-tears is my favorite emotion.
Where: 1600 Wagon Wheel, Allen TX
More Christmas Light Favorites
Deerfield in Plano
Where: Legacy Drive at Archgate Drive
What: This northwest Plano neighborhood of 733 single-family homes started the tradition when builders offered homeowners a $5,000 prize for the best-decorated house. Well, you know money powers competition, and the event took off. Entrances to the neighborhood are numerous. The lines of cars are forecast to be long, so the neighborhood suggests checking out the displays on weekdays. Check the website for maps. Horse-drawn carriage rides are available.
Times and dates: 7 to 10 p.m. weekdays and 7 to 11 p.m. weekends through Dec. 30.
More info: Neighborhood website
Trail Creek Drive in Fort Worth
Fairmount Festivus in Fort Worth
Curry Christmas Chaos in North Richland Hills
The Grapevine Santa House