Christmas in the Stockyards & Cowboy Santa
Through Jan 3Nov 17 – Jan 3 · 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM · Nov 17, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Stockyards Rodeo Rink outdoor ice skating open daily 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Cowboy Santa Grand Arrival & Tree Lighting Friday Nov 27 at 11:30 AM (tree lighting at 6:00 PM). Photos with Cowboy Santa daily Nov 27 – Dec 24 (11:00 AM – 7:00 PM). Christmas in the Stockyards full-day festival Saturday Dec 5 (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM) featuring 4:00 PM parade.
Fort Worth Historic Stockyards & Mule Alley131 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164 · 32.1 mi approx. from Dallas–Fort WorthDirections
All ages (stroller accessible along Exchange Avenue and Mule Alley; real Texas longhorn cattle drives daily at 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM)
FreeFree street festival, parades, cattle drives, and tree lighting ceremony; Stockyards Rodeo Rink ice skating $20; photo packages with Cowboy Santa $20–$40.
About this adventure
Celebrate the holidays with true Texas western spirit at Christmas in the Stockyards. The historic district kicks off the season on Friday, November 27 when Cowboy Santa makes his grand entrance riding a vintage stagecoach following the famous twice-daily Fort Worth Herd longhorn cattle drive down East Exchange Avenue. Highlights include the Christmas in the Stockyards Festival and Parade on Saturday, December 5 with armadillo races, live reindeer games, and Dickens carolers, along with the Stockyards Rodeo Rink outdoor ice-skating rink open daily on the Exchange lawns. Families can meet Cowboy Santa in his rustic workshop for western holiday photos, listen to Mrs. Claus story times, and watch the legendary Fort Worth Herd cattle drives. The district is decked in holiday bunting, illuminated wagon wheels, and western decor across Mule Alley and Cowtown Coliseum.
Similar picks in Dallas–Fort Worth
Nov10TueSanta visitsTue, Nov 10 · 6:00 PM
Visits with Santa in Christmas Village — Dallas Arboretum
Dallas Arboretum — Christmas Village
Paid
Nov14SatSanta visitsSat, Nov 14 · 8:00 AM
Blue Christmas Pancake Breakfast with Santa — Irving Police & Fire
Plymouth Park Baptist Church
From $5All ages
- Santa visits
Tue, Dec 1 · 5:00 PM
Sensory Santa & Christmas Shoppe — Prosper (for children with special needs)
Prosper Town Hall (listed with the Prosper Community Library)
Sensory-friendly
All 202 Christmas picks in Dallas–Fort Worth →More options ↓
Loading organizer reviews…
Questions & tips
Ask other families about this activity or share a tip. Comments don’t count toward the organizer’s rating; for anything official, check with the organizer.
Loading comments…