Dallas Holiday at the Arboretum 2026: The Final 12 Days of Christmas, Tickets and Family Guide |
The beloved gazebos are retiring after this season. Here is how Dallas families can see them one last time, with 2026 dates, admission prices, parking, and holiday activities. |
For a dozen holiday seasons, Dallas families have walked through a familiar set of storybook scenes at the Dallas Arboretum. Twelve glass-sided gazebos bring the verses of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” to life across the garden. This year, the visit carries a deadline: the Arboretum says the gazebos are taking their final bow after the 2026 holiday season.
Holiday at the Arboretum runs November 11, 2026, through January 3, 2027. Visitors can still enjoy the Christmas Village and decorated DeGolyer House, but the twelve gazebos will not return as part of the future holiday lineup. For Dallas residents who have meant to revisit the display, the practical decision is when to go, which admission to buy, and how to avoid an expensive or inconvenient arrival.
Why the 12 Days of Christmas are ending
The gazebos made their debut in 2014 and were originally intended for a much shorter run. The Arboretum has explained that their moving mechanical components are showing wear after twelve seasons. Rather than continue the aging installation indefinitely, the organization is retiring it after January 3, 2027.
That is not the end of Christmas at the Dallas Arboretum. The garden says the Christmas Village and other holiday traditions will remain, with a new geometric light-and-sculpture installation called HYBYCOZO planned for 2027. The distinction matters: 2026 is the last chance to see these particular gazebos, not the last season of the overall holiday event.
What visitors will see in 2026
The twelve glass-sided gazebos interpret the verses of the traditional carol. They share the 66-acre garden with a European-inspired Christmas Village, seasonal vendors, a Biergarten, and scheduled visits with Santa. The Christmas Village and the gazebos are different parts of the outing, so leave time to walk between them rather than treating this as one short photo stop.
The historic DeGolyer House adds an indoor stop. Its 2026 holiday installation, A DeGolyer Holiday Canvas, takes inspiration from artists including Vincent van Gogh and Andy Warhol. The Arboretum generally lists house viewing during daytime hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and evening hours of 5 to 10 p.m., but has published date-specific schedule changes. Check the house schedule for the day you plan to visit.
Families planning around Santa should check the specific calendar, not assume he is there every night. Visits are scheduled on selected days from November 14 through December 24, with many daytime windows from noon to 3 p.m. and evening windows from 6 to 9 p.m. The December 24 listing is daytime only.
Daytime or nighttime: which ticket makes sense?
The daytime garden operates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the holiday season. Published online daytime tickets cost $21.95 to $25.95 for adults and $17.95 to $21.95 for children ages 3 to 12; children under 3 are free. Members receive free daytime admission, and eligible Museums for All visitors may purchase $3 daytime tickets. Daytime admission is the simpler choice for families who prefer earlier hours and a daylight walk.
Holiday at Night is a separate ticketed visit, normally from 5 to 10 p.m. General online admission for ages 3 and older is $35 to $40, depending on the date, while members pay $20 to $25. The garden closes between 4 and 5 p.m. to reset for evening visitors, so do not assume a daytime ticket includes staying through the night displays. If you want the full after-dark atmosphere, choose a night ticket.
There are also narrower budget choices. Night Owl admission from 8:30 to 10 p.m. is listed at $15, while special $12 Holiday Cheer evening admission is offered November 26, December 24, December 25, December 31 and January 1. Both options are listed as online purchases. The late Night Owl entry gives less time in the garden, especially if children need an early bedtime. The organizer lists a $4 premium for night tickets bought at the gate where offered; buying directly from the official site and selecting your date is the safer plan.
One important calendar exception: the Arboretum lists November 20 as a private evening event. It also says daytime garden admission is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day, even though special Holiday at Night admissions are scheduled for those dates. Verify the selected admission slot before making the drive.
Parking and arrival in East Dallas
The Dallas Arboretum is at 8525 Garland Road beside White Rock Lake. Standard parking costs $15 per vehicle plus applicable tax and fees, and the Arboretum recommends buying parking online. Entry 1 at 8525 Garland Road is convenient for the DeGolyer House. Entry 3 at 8657 Garland Road serves the Children's Adventure Garden, while the Entry 4 parking garage at 8720 Garland Road connects to the garden through an underground pedestrian walkway.
Parking in surrounding residential streets is not a good backup plan. The Arboretum asks guests to use its designated lots and warns about neighborhood tow-away restrictions. Members receive free parking for up to two vehicles that have been registered in advance. Museums for All guests receive complimentary parking.
A realistic plan for families and visitors with mobility needs
This is a walking garden, not a drive-through lights display. Wear shoes for outdoor paths, bring layers for changing North Texas evenings, and allow time for the trip from the gate to the exhibits that matter most to your group. Strollers and wheelchairs are permitted. Complimentary wheelchairs are offered first come, first served, and mobility scooters may be rented for $20 to $30.
The Arboretum cautions that portions of its historic landscape may be difficult to access because of uneven or changing terrain. Daytime tram tours are scheduled, with priority for guests with mobility impairments, but trams do not run in the evening. Visitors who need assistance should review the accessibility guidance or call ahead before buying after-dark tickets.
Food is available from garden vendors and dining locations, and the visitor FAQ permits guests to bring a picnic. For a shorter family outing, consider focusing on the twelve gazebos and one additional stop rather than trying to cover the entire 66-acre property. Santa visits, workshops and DeGolyer House access each have their own calendars.
The best reason to go this year
There will be other holiday nights at the Dallas Arboretum. There will still be music, the Christmas Village and decorated spaces to explore. But the familiar twelve gazebos, built around one Christmas carol and woven into countless Dallas holiday routines since 2014, are finishing their run this season. That is why a thoughtful visit now matters more than another generic list of things to do in December.
Before leaving home, choose your date on the official Holiday at the Arboretum page, confirm whether your ticket is daytime or nighttime, purchase designated parking and check the Santa and DeGolyer House schedules. That little bit of planning will make the final-season visit easier to enjoy.
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