Galleria Dallas has been one of the top holiday destinations for shoppers across North Texas and around the world for nearly four decades. From the iconic 95-foot-tall Christmas tree to Missile Toes, the ice-skating Santa who shoots fireworks from his skates, the holiday celebration at Galleria Dallas is recognized as one of the grandest nationwide. The holiday season at Galleria Dallas kicks off Nov. 6 with the decorating of America’s tallest indoor Christmas tree, which features nearly a half-million lights, 10,000 ornaments and a 100-pound, 10-foot-tall LED star. The tree will be complete on the evening of Nov. 10. The festivities continue throughout the season with live entertainment and numerous other holiday events, Nov. 18-Jan. 7.
The first thing you’ll want to do when you arrive at Galleria Dallas during the holidays is check the weather, because it’s SNOWING in the Galleria Dallas Alley, near The Blue Fish. Fluffy flakes will fall at appointed times throughout the holiday season in the center’s outdoor space, making it a great place for families to take perfect holiday photos.
Santa arrives at Galleria Dallas on Friday, Nov. 18, and will welcome guests in Santaland on Level I near Banana Republic with a magical experience and amazing visuals. Galleria Dallas is proud to offer the area’s most technologically advanced Santa experience. This year, there will be designated times for Santa Paws, Santa Cares and a Spanish-speaking Santa. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made online beginning October 1. A new system has been put in place to reduce wait times on Santa’s busiest days. 
They say every snowflake is unique, and so is every visit to SNOWDAY, the acclaimed immersive exhibit that has been made 1,500 square feet larger with nearly a dozen new vignettes and visuals including a massive Ames room, which allows guests to create an amazing optical illusion in photographs. SNOWDAY is the secret town where Santa’s elves live, and in it guests will find Hollywood-grade sets and styling creating some of the elves’ favorite places, along with state-of-the-art, touch-free photo technology. Even if you’ve been to SNOWDAY before, you’ll want to come again to capture all its magical, Instagrammable moments.
For thousands of shoppers, a trip to Galleria Dallas to enjoy the abundance of sales and promotions offered on Black Friday (Nov. 25) is an annual tradition. The holiday festivities kick off at noon on Black Friday with the impressive Grand Tree Lighting Celebration, which features a spectacular ice-skating show with nationally recognized Olympic figure skaters Mariah Bell, Ashley Cain and Tim LeDuc and a fireworks finale as the tree is lit by Missile Toes, Galleria’s famed ice-skating Santa. The ceremony will be hosted again Saturday, Nov. 26 at 6 p.m.
Two private Grand Holiday Ice Shows will be performed to benefit local charities. On Dec. 4, Amber Glenn will be the featured skater. On Dec. 11, the featured skater will be Marai Nagasu. Tickets are $150 per two to four-person pod and will be available in November.
Chanukah arrives a little late this year, and Galleria Dallas will celebrate on its first night, Dec. 18, with a Menorah Lighting. Sufganiyots will be served, and a choir will perform at the sundown event.
During the holiday season, Galleria Dallas dazzles with holiday décor top to bottom throughout each level. For those guests wishing to stay and make a weekend out of it, the adjoining Westin Galleria Dallas hotel is conveniently located and accessible to Galleria Dallas. Guests have access to holiday shopping and dining at more than 200 retailers including several exclusive, specialty boutiques and stores such as Nordstrom, Zara, Apple, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Gucci and American Girl™. Enjoy all the season has to offer, including Galleria Dallas’ extended holiday hours, while checking off the gift-giving list!
Each weekend, guests can find entertainment opportunities around every corner, including dazzling dancers, amazing acrobats, and world-class choirs. During the week, more than 60 local groups will perform holiday favorites throughout the center. Please see the full schedule and more information on holiday events at GalleriaDallas.com/holiday, available later Oct. 1.
Additional holiday activities include the Salvation Army Angel Tree, which begins on Friday, Nov. 4 and pet adoptions from Operation Kindness Nov. 25-Dec. 24.
HOLIDAY AT GALLERIA DALLAS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SALVATION ARMY ANGEL TREE
Level 1, North of Center Court
Adopt an angel through the Salvation Army Angel Tree this holiday season and help others in need. The first 500 donors to return their gifts to Galleria Dallas will receive a special commemorative ornament. The Angel Tree will be in place from Nov. 4-Dec. 2. Throughout November and December, learn about the Salvation Army and how it is changing lives in North Texas with a special exhibit on Level I next to Sephora.
Nov. 4-Dec. 2
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GALLERIA DALLAS CHRISTMAS TREE
All Levels, Center Court
The holiday begins with the traditional decoration of the country’s tallest indoor Christmas tree. A crew of 50+ works round-the-clock to set up Dallas’ most iconic holiday tree in grand fashion.
Nov. 6-10
VISIT SANTALAND
Level 1, near Banana Republic
A must for every holiday season: Straight from the North Pole, Santa invites all families to his village in a winter wonderland to hear gift requests and take photos in a unique environment. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Nov. 18-Dec. 24 (Visit galleriadallas.com/holiday for Santa’s daily arrival and departure times.)
SNOWDAY
Level 1, near Banana Republic
Adjacent to Santa’s Workshop, guests will find the season’s most engaging immersive experience, SNOWDAY, as it returns to Galleria Dallas. This touchless visual spectacle with a European holiday theme is perfect for all ages.
Nov. 18-Jan. 7 (visit galleriadallas.com/holiday for ticket information)
GRAND TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION
All Levels, Center Court
Every show features Missile Toes, Galleria’s ice-skating, back-flipping, pyrotechnic Santa Claus, live performances by some of the region’s top figure skaters and ice dancers, as well as students from the Galleria Dallas Skate School, who introduce the lighting of the country’s tallest indoor tree.
Friday, Nov. 25 at noon
Saturday, Nov. 26 at 6 p.m.
Free
ILLUMINATION CELEBRATION
All Levels, Center Court
The nation’s tallest indoor Christmas tree illuminates in grand fashion choreographed to magical sounds of the season.
Nov. 25-Dec. 24 daily at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Free
OPERATION KINDNESS PET ADOPTIONS
Stop by to meet adoptable pets from Operation Kindness and maybe you can take home a new best friend!
Thursdays through Sundays, Nov. 25-Dec. 24
SLAPPY’S HOLIDAY CIRCUS
Level 1, near Nordstrom
Presented by Slappy’s Playhouse, this classic European Circus with puppets, magic, clowns, contortionists and jugglers performs a fast-paced show that’s fun for the entire family.
Friday, Nov. 25, 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Saturdays, Nov. 26, Dec. 3, 10 & 17 at 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Free
SNOW!
Level 1, Galleria Dallas Alley near The Blue Fish
Snowflakes will fall daily from Black Friday through Christmas Eve in the center’s outdoor space, making it a great place for families to take perfect holiday photos.
Daily, Nov. 25-Dec. 24
Mondays through Thursdays at 5 and 7 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays at 2, 5 and 7 p.m.
Sundays at 2 and 5 p.m.
STORYTIME WITH MRS. CLAUS
Level 3, near the Children’s Play Place
Gather your children ‘round for stories told by Mrs. Claus.
Nov. 26, Dec. 3, 10 and 17 at 11:30 a.m.
Free
HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT
More than 60 local groups will perform holiday favorites throughout the center between Nov. 28 and Dec. 16 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. On select weekends, guests will enjoy performances from groups including the Chamberlain Ballet on Dec. 10. A full schedule of holiday performances will be posted to GalleriaDallas.com and on the center’s social media channels.
GRAND HOLIDAY ICE SHOWS
Olympic skaters will perform along with skaters from the Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center for these shows that benefit area charities. Families attending will be assigned to a private pod, where they can enjoy the holiday magic while safely distanced. Pods safely hold 2-4 people and can be purchased online closer to the show dates.
Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. featuring Amber Glenn
Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. featuring Marai Nagasu
Tickets, $150 per pod, go on sale in November
CHANUKAH MENORAH LIGHTING
Level 1, near Grand Lux Café
Celebrate the first night of Chanukah at our large-scale Menorah. The menorah will be lit each successive night of Chanukah.
Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.; lightings nightly through Chanukah
SANTA CARES AT SANTALAND
Level 1, near Banana Republic
Children with special needs and their families are invited to a private photo session with Santa in an environment set up to support their sensory, physical and other developmental needs. Visits are limited and by appointment only. See galleriadallas.com/holiday for reservation information.
Dec. 18 from 8 to 11 a.m.
