Posted: December 14, 2015
By Sacha Obaid
“The 12 Days of Christmas” may well be one of the world’s best-known and most-loved Christmas carols. Every year during the holiday season, this sweet song comes to life at the Dallas Arboretum, with an enchanting display that delights people of all ages.
Daytime and evening shows run until January 3; don’t miss your chance to see this fabulous seasonal exhibit!
Celebrate the splendor of the holiday season.
The exhibit is open during the Arboretum’s usual hours, but there are also special evening sessions several nights a week. These are fantastic opportunities for evening family outings that will light up children’s faces with wonder—and probably yours, too!
The 12 Days of Christmas exhibit features a series of elaborate Victorian gazebos—each 25 feet tall—that are adorned with the characters from the Christmas carol for which the event is named. The partridge in a pear tree, decorated with sparkling rhinestones; the five golden rings, held aloft by amazingly life-like seals; and a whole cast of Victorian-era lords and ladies populate the various gazebos. Each gazebo is encased on all sides in glass and has been painstakingly decorated and illuminated entirely by hand to create an effect that is nothing short of stunning.
There are some new additions to the exhibit in 2015, including an astounding half-a-million lights sprinkled throughout the gardens, the historic homes and buildings, and the overhead canopies. The centerpiece of the exhibit is the massive, 30-foot tree situated at the heart of the Arboretum, a perfect accompaniment to the splendor of the 12 beautiful gazebos and the gardens themselves.
Get active with the kids!
The full walk to view the exhibit is around three-quarters of a mile in length, which makes for an easy and highly enjoyable stroll of 30 to 60 minutes—or longer if you want to linger at each stunning gazebo! The 12 Days of Christmas is definitely one of the most beautiful ways to get your exercise in this holiday season. If, like most people, your holidays involve eating plenty of delectable but high-calorie treats, events like these are perfect for keeping your activity levels as high as they need to be for good health.
Add to the fun with The 12 Days of Christmas Search, a family activity that will keep children and adults alike active and entertained as they examine each gazebo. Download and print this item sheet provided by the Arboretum, then take it with you to the event to take part in the hunt.
The exhibit also includes concessions with hot and cold seasonable beverages and a range of seasonable treats to keep your energy levels high as you walk through the gardens.
And, of course, Santa himself will be making visits to the Arboretum throughout the holiday season!
Details at a Glance
What: The 12 Days of Christmas Outdoor Exhibit
Where: The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Garland Road, Dallas
When: 9 AM to 5 PM daily, November 8 to January 3
6 PM to 9 PM, Sunday through Thursday, November 8 to January 3
How to Buy Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the door for both daytime and evening sessions, and tickets for the evening sessions can also be purchased online at the Dallas Arboretum website.
For daytime shows, ticket entry is the cost of regular admission to the Dallas Arboretum. Entry and parking are free for all members.
Kids ages 3-12: $10
Adults: $15
Seniors: $12
For nighttime shows, ticket prices are as follows:
Kids ages 3-12: $9 members, $10 non-members
Adults: $12 members, $20 non-members
Seniors: $10 members, $15 non-members