35th Annual Holiday Lighting Festival

Capture the true spirit of a small-town holiday celebration

The Denton Holiday Festival Association, Inc. (DHFA), established in 1988, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. Their primary mission is to host the annual holiday lighting festival. Originally organized to raise funds to put lights in the trees on the Courthouse-on-the-Square lawn, the DHFA continues the tradition of the Holiday Lighting Festival.

WHEN

December 2nd, 2023
3 PM - 9:00 PM

WHERE

Downtown Denton Square
110 W. Oak St., Denton, TX 76201
Get Directions

DETAILS

holiday lighting map 1

holiday lighting map 2

Toy Drive

Once again, the festival will be hosting a toy drive. Toys gathered will be distributed to Cumberland Youth & Family Services. There will be a specific drop off spot on the square at the event. If carrying a toy with you seems cumbersome, that’s ok! You can virtually donate a toy to a child in need here.

Find the full event schedule here

WHAT'S FREE & WHAT REQUIRES A WRISTBAND

A big goal of the Denton Holiday Lighting Festival is to provide free entertainment and holiday fun for adults and children of all ages. The following destinations are free to the public:

Downtown wassail tasting

CHOS Museum: Make a Clay Ornament (Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum)
All the joyful performances spread throughout the downtown square

So what’s the wristband for? In order for the Holiday Lighting festival to pursue its purpose and put on a fantastic show every year, several of the rides require a $10 or $35 wristband per person (lap children are free). You may pre-order wristbands in advance through Eventbrite, but we will also sell wristbands on-site at each location that requires them. This wristband provides unlimited access to the following rides:

All Access Wristband: $10

The All Access Wristband provides UNLIMITED rides on the snow hill, trackless train, and a photo from the official Santa Claus photo station!

VIP Access Wristband: $35

The VIP Access Package includes

Denton Holiday Lighting Festival's official t-shirt
Commemorative ornament
VIP Access Wristband - gives you PRIORITY LINE ACCESS and provides UNLIMITED rides on the snow hill, the train, and for a photo with Santa!