‘Amazing’ employees work their magic to make Grapevine the ‘Christmas Capital of Texas’

Grapevine has a population of around 54,000. But during the Christmas holidays the number of folks inside the city limits grows exponentially — to about 1.5 million, city officials estimate.

But then, when you’re the Christmas Capital of Texas, as named officially by the State Senate, folks want to see why you’ve been bestowed such an honor. Well, more than 1,400 activities in a span of about 40 days offers more than a hint.

And while the event is big — huge, in fact — it’s put together by a small, dedicated group.

Who takes care of the placement of the enormous Christmas decorations that find their spot for the tens of thousands of photos that are captured annually? From Main Street to Northwest Highway (and let’s not forget North Pole Express), the Grapevine Parks and Public Works employees create the Christmas magic that warms many hearts as they visit historic Downtown Grapevine.

From now through Jan. 5, over a million LED lights, along with a plethora of Christmas decor that includes a 30-foot singing Christmas tree, and a big red reindeer that proudly adorns the intersection of Main Street and Northwest Highway highlight the event.

Dozens of delightfully decorated Christmas trees, several animated characters, and multiple photo-op spots within what city officials call the merriest half-mile radius in all of North Texas are also abundant. Visitors will also enjoy nightly snowfall at the gazebo and around the singing snowmen (in a separate location).

“A small number of amazing city employees make all of this happen,” said Mona Quintanilla, Marketing/Communications Manager and public information officer. “Synchronized light shows are also programmed and choreographed by four talented city employees. Their talents are showcased all over the front of City Hall, Liberty Park, our 30-foot singing Christmas tree, and the singing snowmen. These tech wizards work behind the scenes to ensure the symphony of lights and music dance and perform perfectly each night.”

Grapevine has long decorated and celebrated Christmas, with city leadership continually finding ways to add events and larger decorations to enhance Main Street. Then, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad started hosting North Pole Express trains, and hotels began adding their own Christmas events. In 2009, the State Senate proclaimed Grapevine the “Christmas Capital of Texas.”

“Christmas in Grapevine is so special because it provides more of a traditional Christmas feel. Grapevine takes great pride in its 175 years of rich history and heritage, and we feel that people still long for nostalgia and a ‘Norman Rockwell’ type of Christmas,” Grapevine Director of Marketing and Brand Management Kimberly Foster said.

“The shops and restaurants lining Historic Main Street are all locally-owned, so there’s a familial vibe throughout. We pride ourselves on being a friendly destination where all visitors are warmly received.”

With such a big event comes big planning. The Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau and Parks & Recreation department meet early in the year to discuss placement of decorations and which decorations need to be replaced. The decorating process typically starts immediately after Halloween, and hundreds of volunteers help create the magic.

The event traditionally kicks off the Monday before Thanksgiving, after the pardoning Tom T. Turkey, a local resident at Grapevine’s Historic Nash Farm. It begins with the Carol of Lights street lighting event, with longtime Mayor William D. Tate doing the honors.

“Boasting the honor of being the Christmas Capital of Texas is incredibly fitting for Grapevine,” Tate said. “I am proud that we welcome 1.5 million visitors from around the world during our Christmas season, and our citizens and business owners share the same sentiments.”

New this year is the Grapevine Christmas Passport — Elf Adventure. This contains four different activities, of which are hands-on heritage activities in the North Pole Neighborhood.

Guests can participate in stamping a brass luggage tag at Millican’s Blacksmith Shop, decorate a wooden train ornament at the Cotton Belt Route Section Foreman House, or crafting a piece of Christmas tinsel.

The final stop on the Elf Adventure includes a trip to “Hometown Christmas,” a Norman Rockwell-inspired interactive photo opportunity space. Vignettes include a toy shop, bakery, Christmas tree farm, reindeer stables, post office, bandstand and an area with people decorating the town center Christmas Tree. Cost is $8 per person.

Highlights also include ICE! at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge (which also presents North Pole Express), Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops, Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Scuba Diving Santa at Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium, Hand-blown glass Christmas ornament-making workshops at VETRO Glassblowing Studio, 1.8 million square feet of shopping and entertainment at Grapevine Mills, Breakfast with Santa at Rain Forest Cafe, classic Christmas movies and concerts at the Palace Theatre, and the Christmas Wine Trail.

Most of the activities along Main Street are free, but some have admission fees. Also, Foster said a special treat awaits some visitors.

“Something most people aren’t aware of is the fact that every Christmas Eve, at the conclusion of North Pole Express excursions, the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau offers complimentary live Christmas trees to anyone who would like to pick one up,” she said.

And it’s largely because of the small group of people folks don’t see that the visible wonders keep bringing people back each year.

This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 7:00 AM.