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From wineries, live Opry-style entertainment, festivals, shopping and a vintage railroad Grapevine knows how to show visitors of all ages a great time!
Located just a short drive from Central Texas in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Grapevine is a tourist haven with not only a variety of events and festivals, but also an abundance of shopping, live entertainment and cultural activities. Known as the Christmas Capital of Texas, Grapevine is also home to the Texas Wine Industry headquarters and is recognized as a World Festival & Events City by the International Festival & Events Association.
THE ULTIMATE HOST Grapevine was named for wild mustang grapes that covered the plains for as far as the eye could see in 1844 when the land was settled. The city pays tribute to its namesake during the annual Grapefest held the second weekend of September. Grapefest is considered the largest wine festival in north Texas. Now in its 28th year, the four-day event offers visitors the chance to taste new wines and enjoy old favorites alongside five stages of entertainment and a children’s area to keep the little ones busy. Tennis and golf tournaments round out the festival. For those who prefer tall mugs of cold beer to wine, Grapevine gives visitors the chance to go back to its roots with the 30th annual Main Street Days in mid-May. The three-day event celebrates American Craft-Brew Week in which restaurants offer 30 different styles of craft brews paired with a variety of foods chosen by the brewmasters and chefs. Of course, the event also offers wine events and activities for children. As Texas’ Christmas Capital, Grapevine truly sparkles during the holidays. More than a million lights line streets, businesses and homes during a 40-day celebration offering 1,400 Christmas events starting in November and running through New Year’s Day. Grapevine offers a variety of other events throughout the year, including Chocolate Fest the first weekend in April, a spring festival at Nash Farm the last Saturday in April and SummerBlast, featuring a fireworks display over Grapevine Lake 58
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every Friday night from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Butterfly Flutterby held in September at Grapevine’s Botanical Gardens celebrates the migration of the monarch butterfly from Canada to Mexico.
ALL ABOARD FOR ENTERTAINMENT The Grapevine Vintage Railroad will make a train lover out of everyone. With the oldest continuously operating steam engine in the South, the railroad features a 1896 Victorian-style locomotive named Puffy and a 1953 GP-7 diesel locomotive named Vinnie. The engine keeps passengers rolling on a 21-mile round trip along the historic Cotton Belt Route between Grapevine and the Fort Worth Stockyards. Put your hands up! Experience a real train robbery that is family-friendly starting Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. As the train chugs from Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards, all boys and girls get deputized to
Main Street Days brings food, fun, beer, crafts and music to historic downtown Grapevine.