If a visit to the Dallas Arboretum has been on your family’s list, 2026 is the year to make it happen.
Not only are there ways for Dallas families to visit the Arboretum for less, but this year’s holiday season will be especially significant: 2026 will be the final year of the Arboretum’s beloved 12 Days of Christmas display.
The longtime holiday tradition has become one of the Arboretum’s signature attractions, featuring elaborate Victorian-style gazebos filled with larger-than-life characters, animals, music, and holiday scenes inspired by the classic Christmas carol.
So if your family has never experienced it—or if you’ve been meaning to go back—this is the year.
🌿 About the Dallas Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a 66-acre garden overlooking White Rock Lake, with seasonal gardens, special exhibits, family programming, and the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden.
It’s one of Dallas’ best-known outdoor destinations for families, but regular admission can make a visit expensive when you’re buying tickets for everyone.
That’s why it’s worth knowing about the ways Dallas families can save.
🎟️ How Dallas Residents May Get Free Arboretum Tickets
The City of Dallas Park & Recreation Department has offered free Dallas Arboretum tickets to city residents through local recreation centers.
The important word here is may.
Free tickets aren’t necessarily available year-round or at every recreation center. Distribution can depend on the program, season, location, and available supply.
If you’re interested in getting free tickets, contact your local City of Dallas recreation center and ask whether Arboretum tickets are currently available.
Before You Go
If tickets are being distributed, be prepared to:
- Show proof of Dallas residency
- Follow the recreation center’s ticket-distribution requirements
- Pick up tickets while supplies last
- Check whether there is a limit on the number of tickets per person
Because availability can change, call before making a special trip.
🎄 2026 Is the Final Year for The 12 Days of Christmas
Here’s the big reason we’re putting this on your family’s radar:
The 2026 holiday season will be the final year of The 12 Days of Christmas at the Dallas Arboretum.
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth reports that the popular holiday display is coming to an end after the 2026 season.
That makes this year’s visit a little more special.
The exhibit debuted as a major holiday attraction more than a decade ago and features 12 elaborate Victorian-style gazebos, each representing one of the verses of The 12 Days of Christmas. The displays are enclosed in glass and decorated with detailed characters and scenes, creating a walk-through holiday experience.
The Arboretum has also offered special nighttime opportunities to see the displays illuminated, accompanied by holiday entertainment and seasonal treats.
🎁 WeekendSprout Tip
If your family has visited The 12 Days of Christmas before, 2026 is the perfect year to make it a final family tradition.
Take a photo at your favorite display. Let the kids choose their favorite day. Recreate a picture from a previous visit if you’ve been going for years.
And if you’ve never been?
This is your last chance to experience the original display before it disappears.
💳 What If You Can’t Get Free Tickets?
Don’t worry. There are other ways to make an Arboretum visit more affordable.
Museums for All: Just $3 Per Person
The Dallas Arboretum participates in Museums for All, providing daytime admission for $3 per person to guests who receive SNAP or WIC benefits.
Up to six people can receive the discounted admission with a SNAP EBT card, and the cardholder must present the card along with valid identification.
The Arboretum also provides complimentary parking for Museums for All visitors.
For a family of four, that’s just $12 for admission—a significant savings compared with regular admission.
🎟️ Other Ways to Save
The Arboretum offers additional discounts and special programs throughout the year.
Military members and first responders can receive Buy One, Get One Free daytime admission with valid identification, while Dallas-area educators can receive complimentary daytime admission for a guest with a valid teacher ID.
If your family plans to visit several times throughout the year, an annual membership may also make sense.
🌳 Why the Arboretum Is Worth Visiting With Kids
The Arboretum isn’t just a place to look at flowers.
Families can explore the gardens, enjoy seasonal exhibits, visit the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, and participate in special events throughout the year.
The gardens also provide plenty of space for children to walk, explore, and experience nature.
And during the holiday season, the atmosphere changes completely.
Between the lights, decorations, music, seasonal activities, and 12 Days of Christmas, it becomes one of Dallas’ most recognizable holiday destinations.
🎄 Make 2026 the Year You Go
If you’ve been putting off a trip to the Dallas Arboretum because of the cost, check your local recreation center for potential free-ticket opportunities.
If your family receives SNAP or WIC, the Museums for All $3 admission is another excellent option.
And if you’ve always said, “We’ll go see the 12 Days of Christmas sometime,” don’t wait another year.
There won’t be another one.
The 2026 holiday season will be the final year of The 12 Days of Christmas at the Dallas Arboretum, making this a particularly meaningful Dallas tradition for families to experience together.
WeekendSprout Tip: Add the Arboretum’s holiday season to your calendar now and watch for the 2026 12 Days of Christmas dates and ticket information. If this is a tradition your family loves, make 2026 the year you go one last time.
