by Mallory Arnold
The holiday season has officially arrived. This time of year can be stressful, but that’s nothing a bit of thoughtful planning can’t thwart – especially when it comes to deciding which festive events you intend to attend.
Holiday must-see-and-do lists can grow lengthy with the multitude of light shows, festivals, concerts and other events that are scheduled throughout North Texas. In our own back yard is Frisco’s beloved Christmas in the Square event, happening Nov. 18-Jan. 3, with such seasonal activities as ice skating, visits with Santa, massive choreographed lights show and carriage rides, among others (additional details are available at friscosquare.com).
To help keep your schedule on track, Frisco STYLE has compiled this non-inclusive list of holiday events happening in an around our city. No matter where you choose to celebrate the season this year, there is certain to be plenty of joy to go around.
Nov. 10-13
’Neath the Wreath
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday
Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel & Convention Center, 777 Watters Creek Blvd., Allen
This 27th annual holiday gift market by the Junior League of Collin County features such items for sale as home decor, clothing, jewlery and gourmet food, among others. Proceeds benefit area educational and community projects and programs.
jlcollincounty.org
Nov. 17-Jan. 1
Dallas Zoo Lights
5:30-10 p.m. nightly
Dallas Zoo, 650 S.R.L. Thornton
Freeway, Dallas
Be dazzled by more than a million lights twinkling throughout the zoo, including larger-than-life animal lanterns and holiday-themed displays. Visits with Santa will also be available.
dallaszoo.com/zoolights
Nov. 18-Jan. 8
Grapevine Main Station
Times vary
Grapevine Main Station, 815 S. Main St., Grapevine
Acitivities in the proclaimed Christmas Capital of Texas are set to include a 4,500 square-foot ice rink, train trips on the North Pole Express, photos with Santa and a Christmas Village.
grapevinetexasusa.com
Nov. 18-Dec. 31, 2022
Radiance Frozen in Frisco
Times vary
7300 Roughriders Trail, Frisco
Activities at this customizable winter carnival-style event include ice skating, a two-story tubing hill and opportunities to build snowmen.
radiancechristmas.com
Nov. 19-Dec. 18
Cowboys Christmas
Extravaganza
6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
The Star, One Cowboys Way, Frisco
This fifth annual event will feature a 20-minute show that begins with the lighting of The Star’s 67-foot Christmas tree. Performances by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue Dancers and Rookie Squad, Dallas Cowboys Drumline, mascot Rowdy and Santa are scheduled as well as appearances by Dallas Cowboys players.
thestarinfrisco.com
Nov. 25-Dec. 27
Lights on The Lake
Little Elm Park, 701 W. Eldorado
Parkway, Little Elm
6-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays
The lakeside event will feature a glittering light show, a hot air balloon glow, a ferris wheel, carousel, ice skating, live holiday music and dance performances.
littleelm.org
Nov. 25-26
Home for the Holidays
Beginning at 10:30 a.m. Friday
Downtown McKinney, 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
The City of McKinney’s 41st annual holiday festival will encompass 14 downtown blocks and feature a tree lighting ceremony, family friendly activities and seasonal favorite foods.
mckinneytexas.org
Dec. 20-21
The Nutcracker
7:30 p.m.
Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson
It isn’t Christmas without performances of this classic holiday ballet, being presented by Collin County Ballet Theatre with the Plano Symphony Orchestra. (Dates and times for additional performances at Centennial High School, 6901 Coit Road, Frisco, will be announced.)
collincountyballettheatre.com/the-nutcracker
Nov. 25-Dec. 18, Dec. 21-Dec. 30
Lights on the Farm
6-9 p.m.
Heritage Farmstead Museum, 1900 W. 15th St., Plano
This annual event transforms the museun into a winter wonderland with more than one million lights and animated holiday displays.
heritagefarmstead.org
Dec. 2-4
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Times vary
Art Centre Theatre, 1400 Summit Ave., Suite E, Plano
The classic holiday film is brought to life onstage by the players of Art Centre Theatre, re-enacted as though it is on a 1940s radio station.
artcentretheatre.com
Dec. 2-11
Christmas Pops
Times vary
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., Dallas
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra performs classic holiday songs and sing-along carols during this holiday concert.
dallassymphony.org
Dec. 2-4, 7-11
The Gift of Christmas 2022
Times vary
Prestonwood Baptist Church, 6801 W. Park Blvd., Plano
This event attracts thousands of guests annually with stunning multimedia displays, a 1,000-member cast and choir and a living Nativity.
prestonwoodgoc.org
Dec. 3
Frosty 5K & Merry Mile presented by Texas Health Hospital Frisco
8:30 a.m.
Simpson Plaza, 6101 Frisco
Square Blvd., Frisco
Get your blood pumping during this festive race, sponsored by Texas Health Hospital Plano. Proceeds benefit Play Frisco’s recreation and special event scholarship program that funds events year round.
friscotexas.gov
Dec. 3
Merry Main Street
3:30-8 p.m.
Simpson Plaza, 6101 Frisco Square
Blvd., Frisco
This festive event, presented by Texas Health Hospital Frisco, will feature the Santa & Friends parade, a holiday gift market, Frisco ISD school choir performances and a tree lighting ceremony.
friscotexas.gov
Dec. 3 and 10
Family Christmas Pops
11 a.m.
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., Dallas
The hour-long concert will feature the Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus.
dallassymphony.org
Dec. 13
Charlie Brown Christmas
6 p.m.
Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St., Dallas
This adaptation of the holiday classic television special re-creates the atmosphere of the comic strips and features the familiar jazzy score. Christmas sing-a-longs will follow the performance.
majestictheatredallas.com
Dec. 16-18
Home Alone in Concert
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., Dallas
Celebrate the favorite Christmas comedy film and its beloved score by composer John Williams as played by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
dallassymphony.org
Dec. 18
Home for the Holidays
4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Rd., Plano
This concert by the Plano Symphony Orchestra will include seasonal-favorite songs and an audience sing-along as well as guest artists the Plano Civic Chorus and singer Fela.
planosymphony.org
Dec. 21
Christmas at the Meyerson
7:30 p.m.
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., Dallas
Enjoy beloved holiday carols as the Dallas Winds perform under Conductor Shiree Williams and with narrator Carol Johnson.
dallassymphony.org
Dec. 22
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland
7 p.m.
Comerica Center, 2601 Avenue of the Stars, Frisco
This musical journey transports audiences to a magical land during a fun-filled, unforgettable holiday-themed show featuring acrobats, aerialists and others.
visitfrisco.com
Dec. 28
Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
3 and 8 p.m.
American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave., Dallas
The orchestra caps off the holiday season with powerful performances of its show.
americanairlinescenter.com
Mallory Arnold is a freelance writer who enjoys long walks, crime podcasts and hanging out with her cat, Ariana Grande.
