Whether you are an athlete, a patron of the arts or you are looking for a place to take the kids to build excitement for Christmas, Frisco has something for everyone to enjoy throughout the holiday season. These events are Frisco traditions, many of which have become annual activities for local families. The Christmas season can be hectic, but there are many events that encourage friends and families to enjoy each other’s company and create memories that will last a lifetime. Will you discover something new that will become a family tradition for many years to come?
“The Nutcracker” by the Frisco Ballet
The first Frisco Ballet performance of “The Nutcracker” was back in 1998. It was a low-budget event, but a lot of fun things have grown dramatically since. Sheena Laramore of Sheena’s Dance Academy, the home of the Frisco Ballet, says support from the community has been great. Each year the performance has grown more elaborate in terms of costumes and sets. “Originally, we made everything all on our own, but now we have funding to help,” she adds.
This year’s performance has 45 dancers, ranging from the age of 8 all the way to dancers in their early thirties. The show is set for an afternoon at 3 p.m. and evening performance at 6 p.m., both on December 9, at Reedy High School. The auditorium can seat between 550 and 650 guests, but you will want to buy tickets early because the show sells out every year! “I love things that bring people together. That is what this production does,” Ms. Laramore says. She has had families tell her it has become a tradition — something Frisco families attend every year as a part of their holiday celebrations. To learn more about the event or to purchase tickets, go to thefriscoballet.org.
Christmas in the Square
If you are looking for outdoor activities to take part in around Christmas, look no further than Frisco Square. The magic of this annual attraction returned November 24 and runs through December 31. This year will be Frisco Square’s thirteenth Christmas in the Square and the activities are endless! The music and lights displayed nightly are a staple created by Jeff Trykoski. The display includes more than 175,000 lights, 11.5 miles of wiring and eight miles of extension cords. You can tune in to 107.3 FM to hear the music in your car or through the speakers placed all over the square to listen while you walk around. Lara Hansen, the marketing manager for Frisco Square, says, “Mr. Trykoski’s house used to be an event for people to visit and he has been working with the Square to master the light show ever since. We pick five songs that go through the show every year, with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra being a repeated constant.”
There are also carriage rides, an ice skating rink, a Christmas tree lot, a toy drive and so much more. On Fridays and Saturdays, visitors can enjoy snow flurries every fifteen minutes and see the area turn into a rare Texas winter wonderland. December 16 is the event’s special night from 5-10 p.m. Upward of 15,000 people have attended this night in the past and they anticipate even more this year. With trackless train rides, a snow slide, holiday vendors, holiday treats and, of course, parachuting Santa, there is no question Frisco Square is the place to be. “He is probably one of the biggest hits,” Ms. Hansen adds, talking about celebrity guest Santa Claus.
For more details, visit friscosquare.com/cits. For the latest updates, to plan around weather changes or other event information, be sure to follow the Frisco Square Facebook page or Twitter feed.
Merry Main Street
On December 2, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department is putting on their annual Merry Main Street, held at Simpson Plaza at City Hall from 5-9 p.m. There are opportunities to take photos with Santa, children’s choirs, holiday treats, a host of vendors and a special kid’s holiday store where children between the ages of three and 12 can shop for their parents. Santa’s Helpers will help children shop and no gift is more than $5 in the store. Kids get to surprise their parents because adults are not allowed in the store and kids leave with their gifts wrapped. Parents wait in a waiting area while kids shop and the store works diligently to make sure it is not too crowded and shoppers do not take too long finding the right gifts. For more details,gorto friscotexas.gov/916/merry-main-street.
Frosty 5K and Merry Mile
If you are like many people around the holidays, you are looking for ways to avoid the weight gain from all the holiday treats. Look no further than the 12th Annual Frosty 5K and Merry Mile, hosted by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. On December 9, join other local runners in Simpson Plaza at City Hall to participate in the Merry Mile, which starts at 8 a.m., or the 5K run, which starts at 8:30 a.m. Registration for both start at 7 a.m. and awards start at 9:30 a.m., leaving plenty of time to enjoy additional festivities later in the day. There are team awards for the largest team, the best t-shirt or costume, the most creative team name and the best team spirit. This is a fun-filled, family event where you can run with the hope of spreading holiday cheer, as well as burn some extra calories to enjoy an extra slice of fruit cake this year. For details on registration and more, visitrfriscotexas.gov/1184/frosty-5K.
A Night in Bethlehem
On December 17, families can travel back in time to see a recreation of Bethlehem with a live nativity scene. This takes place at First Frisco United Methodist Church from 5-7:30 p.m. and Julie Shearer, the director of communications, says, “This is a spectacular ‘you are there’ Bible adventure.” This nativity re-creation is more than just hearing about the birth of Jesus — you get to see, hear, feel and smell what it was like during this important time in history. It is a free event to attend.
In addition to the one-of-a-kind history lesson, the church creates an event for the entire family. There will be a petting zoo, bakery, photo booth, painting, hands-on shops with pottery and more. Bring the kids, enjoy an evening with your family and make sure you do not miss an opportunity to remember the true meaning of Christmas. “It gives you a chance to slow down during this hectic season and be reminded why we celebrate,” Mrs. Shearer says.
For more information, you can go to friscofumc.org.
Whether you have lived in Frisco your entire life and have taken part in its many exciting holiday events or your family has moved here within the last year, you can start new holiday traditions this year! You and your loved ones can create memories that will truly last a lifetime. Merry Christmas! Have fun out there!
