What: Illumination Celebration
When: Thurs. Dec. 22nd – Sat. Dec 24th @ 12:00PM – 8:00PM
Where: Galleria Dallas
13350 Dallas Pkwy., Dallas, TX 75240
Why: Billed as the nation’s tallest indoor Christmas tree illuminates in grand fashion choreographed to traditional sounds of the season. The light shows occur daily through Dec. 24 at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m On Sat. 24th also enjoy, Chanukah Menorah Lighting (Guest reception, level 1), Slappy’s Holiday Circus (Nordstrom’s, Level 1, 1&3)
What: Extreme Ornament Making Blowout
When: Thurs. Dec. 22nd – Fri. Dec. 30th @ 2:00PM – 7:00PM & 10:00AM -1:00PM (Fri & Wed)
Where: Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Gallery
701 S. Main St., Grapevine, TX 76051
Why: Bring the whole family to the Vetro Studio for a fun and unique experience. Due to the overwhelming SUCCESS of Vetro’s Extreme Ornament Experience in 2015 that goes beyond our Traditional Ornaments, we continue our Extreme Ornament Making Blowout! You get to select and apply the colors to the hot molten glass gather while an artist finishes your creation on the spot. These events are first come, first served. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
What: Animated Double Feature: Charlie Brown & The Grinch
When: Thurs. Dec. 22nd & Fri. Dec. 23rd @ 2:00PM
Where: Palace Arts Center
300 S. Main St., Grapevine, TX 76051
Why: A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) 25 min.-Repelled by the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find the true meaning of Christmas. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) 25 min.- A grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.
What: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
When: Thurs. Dec. 22nd @ 3:30PM & 8:00PM
Where: American Airlines Center
2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX 75219
Why: The progressive rock orchestra is celebrating its 20th anniversary with “The Ghost of Christmas Eve.” follows the journey of a runaway who breaks into an abandoned vaudeville theater on Dec. 24. While seeking shelter from the cold, the teen is discovered by the theater’s caretaker who uses the ghosts and spirits from the building’s past to turn her life around. The rock opera features many enduring fan-favorites as “Christmas Eve,” “O’ Come All Ye Faithful,” “Christmas Canon,” “Music Box Blues,” “Promises To Keep,” & “This Christmas Day.”
What: Elves, Inc.
When: Thurs. Dec. 22nd @ 5:00PM – 7:00PM
Where: Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm
970 Garden Park Dr., Allen, TX 75013
Why: Located at Blue House Too, the Allen Arts Alliance space on the south end of Market Street, Elves, Inc. offers fun holiday craft projects kids can participate in creating their own special holiday craft project. It’s open to preschool ages through elementary and is free.
What: A Very Electric Christmas
When: Thurs. Dec. 22nd & Fri. Dec 23rd @ 5:30PM – 6:30PM
Where: Neiman Marcus (Downtown)
1618 Main St., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: The iconic Neiman Marcus holiday window display plugs in for a nightly mini-performance of “A Very Electric Christmas” by Lightwire Theatre. Visitors can stand outside the store on Main Street & Ervay and enjoy Lightwire’s electroluminescent artistry featuring friendly caroling worms, dancing poinsettias, Nutcracker soldiers and more. A full-length version of the show comes to the Winspear Opera House on Jan. 1.
What: Gift of Lights
When: Thurs. Dec. 22nd – Fri. Dec 30th @ 6:00PM – 10:00PM
Where: Texas Motor Speedway
3545 Lone Star Circle, Fort Worth, TX 76117
Why: Featuring 200 unique displays and 2 million LED lights, the Gift of Lights is a 2-mile drive through the Speedway. Gates are open nightly from 6-10 p.m. through Dec. 30. Admission is $25 per car (large vehicles such as RVs and buses are more). The Gift of Lights is a Toys for Tots drop-off center. Bring a new, unwrapped children’s toy and receive a $5 discount at the gate. At the completion of the drive-through park, bring your family and friends to Santa’s Village in the TMS infield for photos with Santa and other holiday fun.
What: John Denver- Rocky Mountain Christmas
When: Fri. Dec 23rd @ 7:30PM
Where: Meyerson Symphony Center
2301 Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: The Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Jim Curry in a John Denver Christmas tribute. Curry and his band will perform Denver classic’s including “Annie’s Song,” “Rocky Mountain High” as well as Christmas hits, “Christmas for Cowboys” and “A Baby Just Like You.”
What: The Hip Hop Nutcracker
When: Fri. Dec 23rd @ 7:30PM
Where: Eisemann Center
2351 Performance Dr., Richardson, TX 75082
Why: “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” is an evening-length production performed by a supercharged cast of a dozen all-star dancers, DJ and violinist. Through the spells cast by the mysterious Drosselmeyer, Maria-Clara and her Nutcracker prince travel back in time to the moment when her parents first meet in a nightclub. The dance celebrates love, community and the magic of New Year’s Eve.
What: Die Hard Movie Party
When: Sat. Dec. 24th @ 8:00PM
Where: Alamo Drafthouse (Dallas)
1005 S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75215
Why: Twelve terrorists. One cop. The odds are against John McClane…that’s just the way we like it. The Drafthouse’s DIE HARD Movie Party is a spectacular (and explosive) celebration of the movie. Not only will we enjoy all the iconic lines that pour out of McClane and Gruber’s mouths, but we’ll be upping the interactivity with themed props! We’ll have cap guns so you can shoot along, lighters for use anytime McClane sparks up (often), and a Twinkie to eat when they’re mentioned in the film.
What: Last Christmas! Christmas Eve Party
When: Sat. Dec. 24th @ 8:00PM – 11:00PM
Where: Free Play Arcade (Richardson)
1730 E. Belt Line Rd., Richardson, TX 75081
Why: An 80s Christmas Montage, Half- price entry, crazy awesome food & drink specials, a free spin on our naughty & nice present wheel with every purchase $5 or greater, presents include: coal (or coal like substance), free play swag, free play gift cards and brewery swag. 21+ event beginning at 9PM.
What: Lone Star Circus: La Fete
When: Tues. Dec. 27th – Sun. Jan. 1st @ 7:30PM, 1:30PM & 5:30PM
Where: Dallas Children’s Theater/ Rosewood Center for Family Arts
5938 Skillman St., Dallas, TX 75231
Why: Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Lone Star Circus at this all-new merry circus show. It’s an extraordinary gathering of circus artists from across Texas and the globe. See acrobats, aerialists, equilibrists, jugglers, four-legged performers and, of course, clowns.
What: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
When: Thurs. Dec. 29th @ 7:30PM
Where: Bass Performance Hall
525 Commerce St., Ft. Worth, TX 76102
Why: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
