Parades, Christmas trains, crafting events, live music — Wylie, Texas has it all. When it comes to family-friendly fun, you’ll find plenty of it around town during the holiday season. Here are five family-friendly Christmas activities in Wylie, Texas, that the whole family, from the littlest of elves to the grinchiest of grown-ups, can enjoy together.
Get in the Holiday Spirit at the Wylie Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
Bring the whole family to historic downtown Wylie for an evening of community and Christmas spirit. The Wylie Christmas Parade runs down Ballard Ave. on Sunday, December 7th. The parade kicks off at 6 PM. Get there early to claim a space close to the action (bring your chairs, and check the weather to see if a jacket is in order!). Cheer on your friends and neighbors participating in the parade as it heads down Ballard, then follow the last participant down to Olde City Park for the Christmas Tree Lighting.
The Christmas Tree Lighting kicks off with a reading of The Night Before Christmas by Mayor Porter, followed by the main event, a spectacular display of lights on Wylie’s own Christmas tree. The Wylie High School Tempo Choir will serenade spectators with holiday tunes, and kids will love a chance to play at Olde City Park in the dark, surrounded by magical holiday lights. Make it extra special by grabbing a hot chocolate at Shoemaker & Hardt on your way to the park. And don’t forget your camera! There will be lots of fun family photo ops.
Support Small Businesses and Be Entertained by the Wylie Grinch
The Wylie Grinch is back in town, blessing small businesses with his shenanigans and mischief as he looks for honest employment in his favorite North Texas city! If you’re not familiar with the Wylie Grinch, you can keep up with his antics on his Facebook page. Kids and adults will have fun watching the trouble he causes around town (and there’s a very good chance you’ll recognize most of the businesses he visits). You never know what trouble the Grinch is going to find!
Enjoy Live Music at the CPKC Holiday Train
The CPKC Holiday Train is an event that is unique to Wylie in the North Texas area. The last stop in Texas, the Holiday Train brings in train aficionados from all over the state (and even Oklahoma and Louisiana). This year, the train is bringing more than just Santa Claus (although he’ll be there, too). The CPKC Holiday Express is bringing live music from country artists Dylan Marlowe and Emily Ann Roberts.
The Holiday Train chugs into town on Friday, December 5th, at 6 PM. Kids will love seeing the magical train, but there’s plenty for the grown-ups, too. Enjoy food trucks, drink specials, and even an elf hunt in downtown Wylie leading up to and following the main train event.
Shop ‘Til You Drop and Hang Out with Santa at the Wylie Arts Festival
Funnel cake and shopping and Santa, oh my! The Wylie Arts Festival is a large, family-friendly vendor event that brings local artisans, crafters, bakers, and makers to Wylie, Texas, for an annual shopping event that the whole family will love. Past events have included shopping for the grown-ups and visits with Santa, crafting experiences, pony rides, bounce houses, and more for the kiddos.
The Wylie Arts Festival is located at The Cross Church events center. It is an indoor and outdoor event, and you know how Texas is — you might need your arctic winter parka, or you might need extra sunscreen, so check the weather before you go. This year, the Wylie Arts Festival is on Saturday, December 6th. The doors open at 9 AM.
Little Elves Workshop Walk is a Crafting Extravaganza for Littles
New to Wylie for 2025, the Little Elves Workshop Walk is a free, hands-on event that will get your kids crafting. Nine small businesses in downtown Wylie are providing free crafts for the kids on Saturday, December 13th, from 10 AM until 2 PM. Stroll down Ballard Ave. and pop in to each business to make a unique Christmas craft that you will have for years to come!
Participating businesses include: Ballard Boutique & Bakery, Fancy Plants, Hope’s Gate, Juzt Jaz, Say it with Sugar, Shoemaker & Hardt, TF Hat Co, Witty Wick, Wylie Flower & Gift.
