Insider’s Guide: Tips for Celebrating the Holidays in Southlake

Oh, what fun it is to visit Southlake, Texas, during the holidays! From sparkling displays to festive family fun, Southlake is the perfect destination for holiday cheer. Here is our insider’s guide for where to shop, eat, play and stay during the most wonderful time of the year.

Making a holiday shopping list and checking it twice? With more than 130 stores (everything from Apple and Pottery Barn to Kendra Scott and lululemon athletica) in Southlake Town Square, as well as many other hot spots, like Shops of Southlake (Central Market, DSW, Nordstrom Rack and more) and Park Village (REI, Beauty Brands and Sur La Table, to name a few), shoppers will find something for everyone on their holiday shopping list. With the rush of the holiday season, the Holiday Concierge in Southlake Town Square can even help guests stay organized by helping with movie showtimes, buying gift cards, checking restaurant menus, getting directions and information about stores, and making dinner reservations.

Hungry for a holiday helping? If you’re out last minute Christmas shopping, stop by Wildwood Grill and Del Frisco’s Grille on Christmas Eve for special holiday menu features. Copeland’s of New Orleans will also be open Christmas Eve serving its full menu of Cajun items, as well as on Christmas Day from 7AM-7PM serving a special Christmas Platter of holiday ham or turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dressing, cranberry sauce and cornbread. Copeland’s famous Cajun fried turkeys are also available for pre-order for holiday dinners at home.

Get in the holiday spirit with seasonal activities. The holidays would not be complete without a visit with Santa. Stop by Santa’s Village in Southlake Town Square where kids of all ages can have their picture taken with jolly ole St. Nick (and even reserve one-on-one time with him) or simply drop off their letters to Santa at the Village Post Office. While you’re there, enjoy a nostalgic tour of Town Square by horse-drawn carriage rides. Just across the street, foodies can take holiday cooking classes at Shops of Southlake’s Central Market – including decorating a gingerbread house, Tex-Mex Christmas and An Italian Christmas Eve. Enjoy a bit of holiday cheer for FREE during Wine Walk in Park Village on December 13. Visit the various shops there from 6-9 p.m. for wine tastings, light bites and a Sommelier presentation.

Treat the kids to some holiday fun, too. Mark your calendars for Story Time with Mrs. Claus on December 20, a fun time filled with holiday stories, hot cocoa and cookies. Another option is Holiday Break Camp Mania, a fun and safe environment where kids can enjoy arts and craft activities, field trips and plenty of play time. With multiple camp dates, it’s a great opportunity to keep children entertained while on holiday break.

“We really enjoy attending all of Southlake’s holiday events. Visiting Santa, watching the tree lighting, and enjoying the many other activities and entertainment that make this season so special for our family each year,” stated Mark Guilbert, president of the Southlake Chamber of Commerce.

Stay the night in Southlake. Conveniently located in Southlake Town Square, Hilton Dallas/Southlake Town Square is within walking distance from shopping, dining and holiday attractions. The boutique hotel has 248 spacious guest rooms with European-inspired design, an in-house restaurant – Copeland’s of New Orleans, a 24-hour fitness center and is even pet-friendly. If you’re bringing the kids, consider the Family Fun Package, which includes breakfast for four and free high-speed Internet access. Getting away with your significant other? The Celebrate in Style Package includes a complimentary drink upon arrival and in-room breakfast for two.

Just off of State Highway 114 and a short drive from DFW Airport, Cambria Southlake DFW North offers 175 generously sized and contemporary guest rooms with Texas-inspired flare. Tech-savvy guests also love the modern amenities, including RoomioTV-enabled flat screen TVs that turn mobile devices into remote control (for streaming Netflix, YouTube or accessing Photos) and the Ivy by GoMoment virtual texting assistant, which allows guests to text hotel staff to facilitate quick and easy answers to questions. Guests can savor Texas flavors and locally-made beers and wines in-house at Social Circle Bistro. Don’t forget to ask about the Breakfast Package and discounts for seniors and members of the military.

With ever-updating events and attractions, stay in-the-know with the latest holiday happenings by downloading the Visit Southlake App! Explore what the city has to offer, including upcoming events, popular restaurants, downtown hot spots, shopping and points of interest. You can access the Visit Southlake App from the website or by visiting the app stores on iOS or Android smartphone devices and downloading the app.

With a season full of merry and bright festivities, make Southlake your Home for the Holidays!