What: Gaylord Texas Resort presents 13th Annual Lone Star Christmas
When: Thurs. Nov. 24th – Sun. Jan. 1st @ 10:00AM – 9:00PM
Where: Gaylord Texan
1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX 76051
Why: Gaylord Texan Resort’s annual Lone Star Christmas event offers a variety of holiday activities, live entertainment and grand displays to celebrate the season in the Lone Star State. Enjoy two million twinkling lights, 15,000 ornaments and dozens of lavish holiday displays that include larger-than-life decorations. Admission to view the decorations is free. Visitors can also enjoy these paid attractions: Santa’s Wild Workshop Snow Tubing, Glacier Glide Ice Skating, Cookies & Milk with Mrs. Claus, Photos with Santa, Gingerbread Decorating Corner, Santa’s Snowball Throwing Workshop.
What: Panther Island Ice
When: Thurs. Nov. 24th – Mon. Jan. 16th @ 11:00AM – 9:00PM
Where: Coyote Drive-In (Fort Worth)
223 NE Fourth St., Fort Worth, TX 76051
Why: Fort Worth is about to get a lot cooler as the city’s favorite holiday tradition, Panther Island Ice, returns for another season beginning Nov. 18. Fort Worth’s only outdoor skating rink remains open 7 days a week, including all holidays, through Jan. 16. Hours will vary during school holiday breaks and on each holiday. Regular admission is $12 and includes skate rental. Admission is only required for those wishing to skate. If you would like to sit back and watch friends and family on the ice, you are welcome to do so free of charge. Parking is free.
What: Thanksgiving Hoopfest
When: Fri., Nov. 25th – Sat., Nov. 26th @ 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Where: Duncanville High School
900 W. Camp Wisdom, Duncanville, TX 75116
Why: Enjoy great basketball match-ups, food, music, interactive stations, celebrity athlete appearances and more at the 8th annual Thanksgiving Hoopfest. The nation’s top high school basketball players will compete against each other and showcase their talent in front of notable coaches, scouts, fans, and basketball enthusiasts during the two-day event named by USA Today High School Sports as a Top 10 High School Tournament.
What: 2016 Texas Christkindl Market
When: Fri., Nov. 25th – Fri., Dec. 23rd @ 5:00PM (Fri) and 10:00AM & 12:00PM
Where: Globe Life Park in Arlington
1000 Ballpark Way, Arlington, TX 76011
Why: Now in its 6th year, the Texas Christkindl Market is one of the largest open-air holiday markets in the Southwest. Inspired by a cherished German tradition, this free, family-friendly market features a unique shopping experience for holiday gifts, decorations, and unique one-of-a-kind finds. Guests can shop for traditional handcrafted gifts and collectibles straight from Germany including exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt merchandise and designs from the iconic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village. Indulging in authentic German treats and eats while enjoying festive music and entertainment throughout the Market is always a crowd pleaser. Several new features, including Peppermint Park and a 200 foot long Artic Blast Tubing Run, have been added this year.
What: The Trains at NorthPark
When: Fri., Nov. 25th – Sun., Jan. 8th @ 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Where: NorthPark Center
8687 N. Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75225
Why: The Trains at NorthPark, presented by Bank of Texas and benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, has been a NorthPark Center tradition for 18 years. The most elaborate miniature toy trains exhibit in Texas, The Trains at NorthPark features trains rolling across 1,800 feet of track on a journey across America. Cityscapes include New York City’s Time Square and Grand Central Station, Washington D.C.’s White House, New England’s fall foliage, the Grand Canyon, Route 66, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Albuquerque’s hot air balloons, and of course, Dallas’ Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, State Fair of Texas, Cotton Bowl, Perot Museum, Southern Methodist University and more. The exhibit encompasses train-themed environments, with all the trimmings of the holiday train travel experience – steam engines, coach cars, a ticket booth and a train station. More than 80,000 people visit The Trains at NorthPark each season as a part of their holiday tradition.
What: Scrooge Puppet Theatres
When: Fri., Nov. 25th – Sat., Dec. 24th @ 11:30AM – 8:30PM (M-S) and 12:30 (Sun)
Where: NorthPark Center
8687 N. Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75225
Why: NorthPark Center’s whimsical Scrooge Puppet Theatre has been a holiday tradition for 4 decades. Charles Dickens’ famous character creates a funny scene through the magic of puppetry by Le Theatre de Marionette. Children of all ages giggle with delight as everyone’s favorite despicable holiday character emerges from his cottage at the bottom of every hour. Come back time and again for this improvisational performance, and be sure to catch the final show on Christmas Eve when Scrooge finally is filled with the holiday spirit. Scrooge is located on Level 1 near Dillard’s.
What: Six Flags Holiday in the Park
When: Fri., Nov. 25th – Mon., Jan. 2nd @ 2:00PM – 10:00PM
Where: Six Flags Over Texas
2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington, TX 76010
Why: Six Flags Over Texas transforms into a winter wonderland for Holiday in the Park, running Nov. 19 through Jan. 2. Thrilling rides, holiday shows, delicious hot cocoa, Santa’s workshop and more than a million twinkling lights await guests looking to get into the holiday spirit.
What: A Charlie Brown Christmas
When: Fri., Nov. 25th – Wed., Dec. 21st @ 7:30PM
Where: Dallas Children’s Theater
5938 Skillman St., Dallas, TX 75231
Why: Christmas time is here, and we’re fortunate that it brings Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang to DCT. Charles Schulz’s classic animated television special comes to life as you’ve never seen before. The young and the young at heart will be tapping their toes and oohing and ahhing as the live combo band surrounds the audience in a magical, memorable holiday spectacle. Make sure you’re front and center as Charlie Brown and his friends discover the real meaning of Christmas.
What: Texas Ballet Theater presents The Nutcracker
When: Fri., Nov. 25th – Sun., Dec. 4th @ 8:00PM & 2:00PM
Where: Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House
2403 Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201
When: Fri., Dec. 9th – Sat., Dec. 24th @ 8:00PM & 2:00PM
Where: Bass Performance Hall
525 Commerce St., Fort Worth, TX 76102
Why: Texas Ballet Theater will once again welcome a holiday tradition like no other as they present The Nutcracker.
What: Polar Express Pajama Party
When: Sat., Nov. 26th – Sat., Dec. 10th @ 9:00AM – 12:00PM & 5:45PM (SAT Only)
Where: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
1600 Gendy St., Fort Worth, TX 76107
Why: It’s festive fun in your jammies! The Museum of Science and History is again offering extra wintry fun to complement certain showings of The Polar Express: The IMAX Experience at the Omni Theater Pajama Parties are your chance to enjoy hot chocolate, wintry hands-on activities and photos with Dynamo in his holiday attire! Also, don’t miss special appearances by Santa during evening parties. Activities are included with a ticket to the following showings of The Polar Express.
What: Universal Pictures presents Sing Saturday
When: Sat., Nov. 26th @ 10:00AM
Where: Multiple AMC Locations in DFW
Why: After the craziness of Black Friday, in cooperation with AMC Theaters, Universal Pictures will present Sing Saturday, during which they will present a round of free first-come, first-served screenings at participating AMC Theaters around the country starting at 9 am. At least 200 free tickets will be available at every location. In the new animated film Sing, a koala named Buster Moon has one final chance to restore his theater to its former glory by producing the world’s greatest singing competition. The all-star cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, and more. Participating theaters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area include AMC NorthPark in Dallas, AMC Firewheel in Garland, AMC Irving Mall in Irving, AMC Stonebriar in Frisco, AMC Grapevine Mills, AMC Highland Village, and AMC Mesquite.
What: GreyStore Holiday Boutique!
When: Sat., Nov. 26th – Sun., Nov. 27th @ 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Where: The Plaza at Preston Center
8311 Preston Center Plaza, Dallas, TX 75225
Why: At the 14th annual GreyStore Holiday Boutique, visitors can get holiday and everyday gifts for your four legged friends (dogs & cats) including Thunder Shirts, toys, decorative collars, and other surprises, plus gifts for their humans and pet lovers includingvintage Hermés scarves, Arthur Court serve ware, accessories, gifts for home and garden, jewelry, Riedel etched glassware, loungewear, and other goodies. Also, visitors can get a head start on holiday family portraits taken w Santa or bring Fido for fun photos by professional photographer John Hudson.
What: Deep Ellum Mimosa Walk- Small Business Saturday Celebration!
When: Sat., Nov. 26th @ 12:00PM – 3:00PM
Where: Kettle Art Gallery
2650-B Main St., Dallas, TX 75226
Why: For the second year in a row, the small business owners in Deep Ellum and the team behind the monthly Deep Ellum Wine Walk invite you to shop local this holiday season while sipping delicious mimosas and enjoying exciting, in-store events and special promotions.
What: 5th Annual Great Turkey Skate
When: Sat., Nov. 26th @ 12:00PM – 4:00PM
Where: Allen Community Ice Rink
200 E. Stacy Rd. #1350, Allen, TX 75002
Why: This fifth annual family event features Thanksgiving- themed games on the ice and activities including turkey bowling. (All on-ice participants must wear skates.) $5 admission, $3 skate rental. Take a nonperishable item for donation and receive a free skate rental.
What: Community Beer Co. presents Small Business Saturday
When: Sat., Nov. 26th @ 12:00PM – 5:00PM
Where: Community Beer Company
1530 Inspiration Dr. #200, Dallas, TX 75207
Why: Community Beer Co. will present their annual celebration of small makers and small beer on Small Business Saturday. There will be seasonal beers on tap from Community, 50+ local vendors, live music, and food.
What: Lights of Broadway- Dinner Theatre
When: Sat., Nov. 26th @ 7:30PM
Where: Repertory Company Theatre
650 North Coit Rd., Richardson, TX 75080
Why: Tired of turkey and football? Treat your family and out of town guests to a dinner buffet (featuring roasted chicken, coffee bar, frozen yogurt dessert bar) and a show featuring Dallas’ best performers singing Broadway favorites.
What: Tig Notaro in concert
When: Sat., Nov. 26th @ 8:00PM
Where: Texas Theatre
231 W. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, TX 75208
Why: Tig Notaro is a standup comedian, storyteller, and writer originally from Mississippi. Tig writes, produces, and stars in the semiautobiographical comedy series One Mississippi, premiering this fall through Amazon Studios. Her memoir, I’m Just A Person, released this year through Harper Collins Publishing, is a New York Times Bestseller. The Television Academy has acknowledged Tig with an Emmy nomination for her HBO standup special Boyish Girl Interrupted. Her Netflix Original documentary, TIG, premiered to critical acclaim and is available for streaming. You can also see Tig as “Barb” on Amazon’s Emmy Awardwinning series Transparent.
What: Love Jones: The Musical
When: Sun., Nov. 27th @ 3:30PM & 8:00PM
Where: Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
1001 Performance Pl., Grand Prairie, TX 75050
Why: What happens after love at first sight? Chrisette Michele, Musiq Soulchild, Marsha Ambrosius, and more join forces to tell the classic and iconic love story of Darius and Nina in Love Jones: The Musical. Set in Chicago, Darius and Nina’s lives collide in spectacular fashion in the upscale nite club, Sanctuary, where an unassuming open mic event, quickly turns into an explosive spoken word give and take that leaves the audience speechless. Through some quick thinking, and a bit of luck, Darius manages to turn the tables with a brilliant performance of his own, and with that we are off in running in this fast paced, witty, visually stunning adaptation of the coming of age love story that captured the hearts, minds and souls of an entire generation.
What: Henry Rollins: Spoken Word Tour
When: Sun., Nov. 27th @ 8:00PM
Where: House of Blues Dallas
2200 N. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75202
Why: On this tour, fans can expect Henry Rollins to mix timely commentary on the current state of politics with anecdotes on his latest L.A. experiences, as well as perspective gained from his extensive world travels. Always wanting to present fans with the best possible experience, Rollins’ live talking shows are known for their energy, wit, anger, and humor.
What: iHeart Radio Jingle Ball
When: Tues., Nov. 29th @ 7:30PM
Where: American Airlines Center
2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX 75219
Why: iHeartMedia will celebrate the holiday season across the nation with its annual “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One” – the season’s spectacular music event, which captures the music and holiday spirit of the iHeartRadio app with performances by this year’s biggest recording artists. The Dallas lineup includes: Meghan Trainor, The Chainsmokers, Fifth Harmony, Backstreet Boys, Alessia Cara, Charlie Puth, Daya, Lukas Graham and Hailee Steinfeld. 106.1 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball in Dallas will work with the Kidd’s Kids program of the Kraddick Foundation, which is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children with special medical needs in the Dallas community. The event will allocate a portion of ticket sales to its benefitting organization as well as offer exclusive packages to the nonprofits for both live and online auctions leading up to the events.
