Garden transforms into ‘living canvas’

By Marshall Detwiler

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden invites guests to experience the wonder of the season at Holiday at the Arboretum presented by Reliant running November 12 through January 4, 2026, with a members-only preview on November 11.

This year’s event blends beloved holiday traditions with bold new features, offering visitors an immersive, light-filled experience that celebrates beauty, innovation and the joy of connection.

“Holiday at the Arboretum is one of Dallas’s most cherished traditions,” Sabina Carr, president/CEO of the Dallas Arboretum, said. “For 2025, we’ve reimagined the experience through the artistry of light. Night Glow by AURORA transforms the garden into a living canvas of color and movement, while keeping the warmth and spirit that guests have loved for more than a decade.”

“At Reliant, brightening lives in the communities we serve is at the heart of what we do,” Andrea Russell, senior vice president at Reliant, said. “From powering homes to supporting local events like Holiday at the Arboretum, we’re committed to spreading light and joy across Texas. This year’s immersive displays and timeless holiday classics are sure to brighten the season and usher in some holiday magic for visitors of all ages.” 

New for 2025, this dazzling installation created in collaboration with AURORA and Lightware Labs, brings state-of-the-art projection mapping and immersive design to the Arboretum’s most beloved spaces.

Guests can journey through four distinct environments:

• The Drift Way (Paseo Extension): A softly illuminated walkway that evokes drifting snow, guiding visitors toward the warmth of the Christmas Village.

• Frost in Blossom (Lay Family Garden): A poetic landscape where frozen petals shimmer and return to life, symbolizing growth and resilience.

• Well of Renewal (Secret Garden): A meditative experience centered in the Secret Garden, blending light and sound to represent nature’s cycles.

• Heritage Eternal (Camp House and Fogelson Fountain): A glowing tribute to tradition, blending greenery, gold tones and classic holiday motifs.

Together, these installations create a breathtaking narrative of light and renewal under the winter night sky.

Guests will also rediscover the Arboretum’s signature displays, each offering its own timeless magic:

The 12 Days of Christmas Gazebos

Now in their 11th year, these 25-foot Victorian-style gazebos depict scenes from the classic carol in stunning detail. Each structure features hand-painted mannequins, intricate costumes, animated elements and festive music. The 12 Days of Christmas exhibit continues to be the centerpiece of the Arboretum’s holiday tradition.

The Christmas Village

Inspired by traditional German markets, the Pauline and Austin Neuhoff Family Christmas Village immerses visitors in Bavarian charm. The centerpiece 23-foot German Christmas Pyramid, handcrafted over 2,100 hours, anchors the marketplace, surrounded by artisan shops, festive treats and live entertainment.

The Arboretum is located at 8525 Garland Rd. in Dallas. Visit DallasArboretum.org for a complete list of events.

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