December 2, Hurst is lighting up its Christmas tree with the only holiday fireworks show in the area. Snow tubing, Santa photos, a petting zoo, and that spectacular finale – all free and all happening in one night.
Mark your calendar for 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Hurst Conference Center, 1601 Campus Drive. This isn’t just a tree lighting – it’s a full evening of Christmas magic packed into three and a half hours.
Snow Tubing in Texas
Real snow tubing slides will be set up for kids and adults to race down. You’re in Texas, it’s December, and you can actually go snow tubing without driving to Colorado. That’s the kind of unexpected fun that makes this event worth attending.
A Christmas train will be running throughout the evening, giving kids rides around the venue. There’s something about a train during the holidays that brings out the magic – and it’s another activity to keep everyone entertained.
Skip the Santa Line
Here’s the smart move: reserve your Santa photo time slot online starting October 31 at 7 a.m. One ticket per family. Walk right past the long lines and get your family photo done while everyone else waits.
Reserve your spot at eventbrite.com/e/santa-photos-2025-hurst-christmas-tree-lighting-tickets-1873249131579
Your photos will be digitally downloadable within three to five business days after the event. No waiting for prints, no extra fees – just digital files you can share, print, or use for Christmas cards.
Arrive during your reserved time window. If you miss your slot, you’ll need to join the general Santa line with everyone who didn’t reserve. Santa will be set up in the Ballroom of the Hurst Conference Center.
One important note: Santa takes a break from 6:50 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. to help with the tree lighting ceremony. Plan your reservation around that 20-minute window if you want to catch both Santa photos and the main event.
What Else Is Happening
Holiday crafts let kids make ornaments and decorations to take home. Face painters will turn your little ones into reindeer, snowmen, or whatever festive character they dream up.
A food court will be on-site, so you can grab dinner, snacks, or hot chocolate without leaving the event. This means you can arrive hungry and stay fed through all the activities and the fireworks finale.
Santa’s Christmas Marketplace brings local vendors selling unique gifts – the kind you won’t find at the mall. Shop for handmade items, artisan goods, and one-of-a-kind presents while your kids are occupied with activities.
Costumed characters roam the event for photos and meet-and-greets. The petting zoo features gentle animals that kids can pet and feed, giving families a chance to slow down and enjoy some quiet moments between the excitement.
The Grand Finale Nobody Else Has
The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off at 7:00 p.m., followed immediately by the fireworks show. The tree lighting builds anticipation, then boom – fireworks light up the Hurst sky. This is the only holiday fireworks show in the area, so you’re not going to see this anywhere else nearby.
Fireworks for Christmas? Absolutely. And you’ll understand why when you’re standing there watching the sky explode with color while your kids’ faces light up brighter than the tree.
Important Planning Details
Parking is available at Tarrant County Community College Northeast Campus. There is no on-site parking at the Conference Center. Limited handicap parking is available in the Conference Center parking garage, but only for vehicles displaying a visible handicap placard.
Arrive early if you want to experience everything. With three and a half hours of activities, you could easily fill the entire evening and still miss something. Early arrival also means shorter lines for the popular attractions before the crowds build.
Dress in layers. December evenings in Texas can surprise you – chilly one minute, comfortable the next. You’ll be outside for most of the event, so comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing make the night more enjoyable.
Bring a blanket or lawn chairs if you want to stake out a good spot for the fireworks finale. The tree lighting and fireworks are the main events, so positioning yourself with a clear view matters.
Why This Beats Mall Santa
Mall Santas are fine, but they’re also crowded, expensive, and rushed. This event gives your family the full Christmas experience – activities, atmosphere, and that Santa photo – all in one location without the price tag.
The marketplace lets you actually shop for presents while your kids are entertained. Try doing that at a mall with children in tow. Here, they’re busy with crafts and snow tubing while you browse local vendors selling gifts you’ll actually want to give.
The community atmosphere makes it feel like Christmas instead of just looking like it. Families are laughing, kids are running between activities, vendors are chatting with customers, and everyone’s waiting together for that magical tree lighting moment.
Make It a Full Evening
If you have multiple kids, assign each parent a “buddy” so nobody gets lost in the crowds. These events get packed, especially as the tree lighting approaches. A buddy system means everyone stays together and nobody misses the fireworks.
Take photos throughout the evening, not just with Santa. The snow tubing action shots, the kids with face paint, the family in front of the lit tree – these become the photos you’ll actually want to look at years from now.
The Real Reason to Go
You could stay home and watch Christmas movies. You could drive around looking at light displays. Or you could spend one Monday evening making actual Christmas memories with your family at an event designed specifically for that purpose.
The fireworks alone make it worth the trip. But the snow tubing, the Santa photos, the crafts, the marketplace, and the whole festive atmosphere? That’s what turns a regular December Monday into the night your kids remember when they think about Christmas.
Hurst went all out on this event. The least you can do is show up and enjoy it.
Event Details
Hurst Christmas Tree Lighting Monday, December 2, 2025 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location Hurst Conference Center 1601 Campus Drive Hurst, TX 76054
Admission Free
Tree Lighting Ceremony & Fireworks 7:00 p.m.
Parking Park at Tarrant County Community College Northeast Campus Limited handicap parking in Conference Center garage (valid placard required)
Santa Photo Reservations Open online October 31 at 7 a.m. Reserve at: eventbrite.com/e/santa-photos-2025-hurst-christmas-tree-lighting-tickets-1873249131579
What to Bring Blanket or lawn chairs for fireworks viewing Layers for changing weather Camera for photos Money for food court and marketplace vendors
