The holidays will be even more magical with the expansion of The Pauline and Austin Neuhoff Christmas Village at the Dallas Arboretum. Inspired by European Christmas Markets, or Christkindlmarket, The Christmas Village is comprised of charming shops and façades representing a quaint European hamlet. In total, 14 delightful shops and façades debuted in 2019, and more will be added this year.
The holidays will be even more magical with the expansion of The Pauline and Austin Neuhoff Christmas Village at the Dallas Arboretum. Inspired by European Christmas Markets, or Christkindlmarket, The Christmas Village is comprised of charming shops and façades representing a quaint European hamlet. In total, 14 delightful shops and façades debuted in 2019 and more will be added this year.
The Christmas Village opened on November 27th and runs through December 31st. Timed tickets are required and can be purchased online at www.dallasarboretum.org or by calling 214-515-6615. No walk-ups are available for purchase.
Known for their beautiful handiwork and woodwork, German artisans from Erzgebirge region (Ore mountains) created the octagon-shaped Christmas Pyramid. Carving each figure by hand, 15 workers spent 2,150 hours to design and build this handmade, one-of-a-kind pyramid. Each of the four levels spins and is illuminated by four candles.
Alan Walne, Dallas Arboretum board chairman, said, “We wanted to add another showstopping feature to the popular Christmas Village, and this colorful Christmas Pyramid is that ‘wow factor.’ There is no other one like it in the world, and we invite many to experience the holidays at the Dallas Arboretum.”
The levels include:
1st level (bottom): A nativity of the Holy Family includes Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Three Wise Men, a donkey, and a camel.
2nd level: There are six flower children that are unique and special. Each child holds a beautiful flower symbolizing the Dallas Arboretum’s ties.
3rd level: Four shop keepers that would tend the shops in Christmas Village are on this level. Resembling nutcrackers, these include an apothecary (pharmacist), a cobbler, a clockmaker, and a bookmaker.
4th level: On the top level are four sweet angels playing their trumpets.
At the very top is a spinning propeller. The Marilyn and Ben Weber Family sponsored the Christmas Pyramid as a gift to the city and Dallas Arboretum. Mrs. Weber remarked, “My family has had a long history with the
Dallas Arboretum as my mom was one of the original Women’s Council members, and my dad was the first Gatsby at a fundraiser for the garden. We wanted our family to continue supporting this jewel in our city.
Christmas Pyramid Fun Facts:
2,150: Number of hours it took to build
23: The height of the pyramid – 23 feet tall
22: Total number of hand-carved figurines on each level
19-35: Height in inches of the figures
16: Electric candles that light up at night
15: Number of German workers it took to build the Christmas Pyramid
8: Number of sides to the pyramid, which is octagon shaped
6: Number of months it took the German team to build the pyramid
4: Levels that are colorful and spin
1: The Marilyn and Ben Weber Family, the donor who made this pyramid possible
About The Christmas Village:
Inspired by the European Christmas Markets, or Christkindlmarket, The Christmas Village is comprised of charming shops and façades that represent a quaint European hamlet with 14 delightful shops and façades. Measuring 16 to 19 feet tall, each house is themed and large enough so that several children and adults can enter at a time and experience that
particular business. During the day, children can learn from the portrayals of the shops’ interiors on its muralled walls, have fun, and explore these shops as they would a playhouse. At night, The Christmas Village shines with a holiday glow of lights strung throughout the trees and outlining the roof of each shop. The Christmas Village is a generous donation from Pauline and Austin Neuhoff as a gift to the city and the Dallas
Arboretum.
Safety
The Dallas Arboretum is limiting capacity based on city, county, and state regulations. The garden follows all safety precautions in each structure including a safe environment for Santa visits and photos, as volunteers pass out samples, and socially distanced markings throughout the Christmas Village and near the eateries and the Edelweiss Haus. Masks are
required for the duration of a person’s visit, and each house is limited to one family unit at a time.
Sponsors
In addition to Reliant as the presenting sponsor of Holiday at the Arboretum, the other sponsors include Century Glass & Mirror, Inc., Gil’s Elegant Catering, Movestar, Park Place Dealerships, SHM Architects, and Southwest Data Systems.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.dallasarboretum.org or by calling 214-515-6615. No walk-ups are available for purchase.
