Revel in the season by checking out what's happening this month. Whether you are wanting to strap on your running shoes or check out a festive celebration, we've got you covered.
Festive
SNACKS WITH SANTA
DECEMBER 1
THE MARQ | Enjoy a beautiful spread while your kids create holiday crafts at this year's Snacks With Santa. The big guy will be swinging by The Marq to enjoy a sweet treat and listen to children's Christmas wishes before delivering presents to Southlake. Pre-registration is required, and Breakfast with Santa has already sold out, so make sure to get your family's tickets early.
DECK THE PAWS AT FAIR PARK
DECEMBER 1-2
FAIR PARK | Santa Claus doesn't just love kids. He also has a soft spot in his heart for his four-legged friends! Dog and/or cat parents and their paw-some friends are invited to Deck the Paws at Fair Park, which benefits Artists for Animals, DFW Pup Patrol Fans and Operation Kindness. Take your pet's picture with Old Saint Nick, wander through the first North Texas art exhibit for dogs, get a treat at Simba's Barkery Holiday #DogBar and enter in the ugly sweater contest for owners and animals. Human kids can enjoy the event as well—especially the free train rides, Kids' Zone and other holiday-themed treats and entertainment. Deck the Paws will have everyone barking for joy by the end of the weekend.
4TH ANNUAL CHANUKAH AT SOUTHLAKE TOWN SQUARE
DECEMBER 2
RUSTIN PARK | Locals are invited to come out and celebrate the festival of lights at the fourth annual Chanukah at Southlake Town Square celebration. The night will include season's greetings, the lighting of the menorah and the highly anticipated gelt drop. Your kids will love running around collecting chocolates dropped by firefighters 25 feet up in the air. After, the whole family can grab donuts and hot latkes to help wrap up the night.
PAJAMA STORYTIME AND ACTIVITIES FEATURING “THE POLAR EXPRESS”
DECEMBER 7
SOUTHLAKE'S BARNES & NOBLE | Introduce your kids to a holiday favorite while sipping on hot chocolate at Barnes & Noble's Pajama Storytime and Activities Featuring “The Polar Express.” Locals can come out in their favorite seasonal pajamas and listen to the story of a young boy venturing out to the North Pole to get his Christmas wish. If that wasn't sweet enough, attendees will also get a free cookie from their cafe.
FORT WORTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA “SOUNDS OF THE SEASON”
DECEMBER 13
WHITE'S CHAPEL UMC SOUTHLAKE | Christmas music can be heard pretty much everywhere you go this month, but nothing compares to hearing your favorite songs performed live by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. At “Sounds of the Season,” the FWSO will be celebrating the holiday season with a concert full of jolly tunes. The FWSO was formed in 1912 and has become one of the most successful orchestras in the U.S. It's currently led by music director Miguel Harth-Bedoya and performs 200 concerts each year for more than 250,000 adults. This event is a Christmas party for your ears, guaranteed to fill you with holiday cheer.
SANTA'S VILLAGE
THROUGH DECEMBER 16
RICHARDSON | The North Pole may be known for housing Santa's Workshop, but it is actually made up of an entire community of homes, businesses and public buildings. Visit Santa's Village to see for yourself, where you can explore 16 tiny dwellings that include everything from Santa's fire station and library to Frosty's house and Santa's reindeer shed. Each building features a different activity for the kids like making a wintery craft, writing a letter to Santa, cuddling puppies and eating delicious cookies. And it all comes together when your family meets with Santa at his house. The North Pole is even more magical than you imagined!
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA
DECEMBER 22
AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER | For 20 consecutive years, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra has gone on amazing winter tours to showcase their beautiful holiday melodies. This month, the legendary Christmas musicians will be presenting “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve.” The tale follows a runaway who ends up in a mysterious abandoned theatre, written by the late TSO founder Paul O'Neill. Some of their greatest hits will be played, such as “Christmas Canon” and “Carol of the Bells.” For first-timers, don't expect your average orchestral concert: A performance by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra includes extravagant staging, impressive lighting and effects and rock opera music that will make you question everything you thought you knew about holiday music.
DALLAS THEATER CENTER'S
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
THROUGH DECEMBER 30
WYLY THEATRE | Ebenezer Scrooge has been saying “Bah! Humbug!” since 1843 when Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” was first published. This famous story has been adapted countless times for plays, TV shows and movies, with actors like Bill Murray, Jim Carrey, Tom Hanks and others playing Scrooge. Now, you can see the heartwarming holiday tale live, as Dallas Theater Center's “A Christmas Carol” returns to town. Follow along as three spirits take the grumpy Scrooge through Christmases past, present and future to show him the joys of the season. Audiences will discover the spirit of Christmas in this fun tale complete with music, miracles and holiday magic.
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
THROUGH DECEMBER 31
DALLAS ARBORETUM | Twelve drummers are drumming, seven swans are a-swimming and a partridge is resting gracefully in a pear tree at the Dallas Arboretum's 12 Days of Christmas. Each scene from the famous Christmas carol is displayed inside 25-foot glass gazebos spread out over a three-quarter mile path in the garden. The stunning exhibit entertains guests with its moving pieces, realistic characters, elaborate sets and delightful holiday music. To make your experience even more special, come at night to see everything lit up, featuring more than 500,000 lights strung throughout the Arboretum.
ICE! FEATURING RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
THROUGH JANUARY 1
GAYLORD TEXAN | Wear your thickest scarves and warmest sweaters to see ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a winter wonderland full of ice sculptures based on the 1964 animated movie. All your favorite characters will be there including Sam the Snowman, Hermey the Misfit Elf, Santa Claus and, of course, Rudolph, set against colorful backdrops. The display is made of two million pounds of ice, which was carved by 35 talented artists from China. Warm coats will be available to borrow before you walk through because the exhibit is kept below freezing at 9 degrees. This exhibit is probably the closest thing Texans will get to a white Christmas this year!
Fitness
ELVES ON THE RUN 5K
DECEMBER 1
GRAPEVINE | Don your best green tights and festive hats and join the rest of Santa's helpers for the Elves on the Run 5K and Fun Run. Little elves in strollers and furry elves on leashes are welcome as well. After crossing the finish line, say “hello” to your boss (Santa Claus), browse vendor booths and enjoy delicious refreshments from on-site food trucks. Embrace the holiday spirit to win prizes such as best elf costume and best-dressed group in costume. Afterward, leave feeling good knowing that your participation supported the Women's Division of the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce, which assists the local community in many ways including giving school supplies to students and holiday gifts and essential items to senior citizens.
JINGLE BELL RUN
DECEMBER 2
PLANO | Twinkling bells, shiny tinsel and sweaty smiles — the perfect combination for a wonderful December morning. Support a good cause and have fun at the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run, the longest-running, holiday-themed 5K. Dress like you just stepped out of a Christmas card (the more bells the better!) and run like each step helps conquer arthritis. One hundred percent of your registration fee and fundraising efforts go to supporting the foundation's mission of curing America's number one cause of disability: arthritis. So chug some peppermint coffee, lace up your shoes and get ready for a good time.
Shows
THE PRICE IS RIGHT LIVE
December 7
Verizon Theatre | Who wouldn't want to win cash right before the holidays? “The Price is Right” Live offers everyone in the audience the opportunity to play fun games like plinko and cliffhangers, spin the big wheel and enter the showcase for a chance to win money and prizes. The live version, based on “The Price is Right” Emmy-winning TV show that has aired since 1972, has given away more than $10 million in cash and prizes since it started touring almost nine years ago. Put on your craziest T-shirt, bring your good luck charms and “Come on down!”
BRIAN REGAN
DECEMBER 8
TOYOTA MUSIC FACTORY | It's not just his sharp writing and easy charm that makes Brian Regan so popular. It's also the way he takes relatable situations and makes them hilarious in a clean way. He started recording his stand-up in 1997, and since then has released many specials including Comedy Central's “Brian Regan: Live from Radio City Music Hall” and Netflix's “Brian Regan: Nunchucks and Flamethrowers” and has appeared with Jerry Seinfeld on “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” If you are looking for some light-hearted fun and want to find comfort in knowing other families aren't perfect either, then you'll love Brian Regan.
ELTON JOHN
DECEMBER 14-15
AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER | A wearer of iconic round glasses. A champion of LGBTQ rights. A voice so beautiful, people around the world stop to listen. Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, can only be described as a legend. For more than 50 years, he has sold more than 300 million records worldwide, performed in more than 80 countries and became the third most successful artist in America, behind Elvis Presley and the Beatles. Hear the “Candle in the Wind 1997,” the biggest selling single of all time, and other songs at Elton John's “Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour.” The stunning visuals, costumes and music in this show mark the end of an era. Don't miss the last chance to see this wonderful man perform live.
CHRIS YOUNG
DECEMBER 28
WINSTAR WORLD CASINO | Ever since winning the “Nashville Star” singing competition in 2006, country music star Chris Young has proven that he's not going anywhere. His deep, Southern voice and upbeat music provide the perfect mix for Friday night dancing, Sunday afternoon barbecuing and hanging out with friends any day of the week. From receiving the CMA Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2011 to becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2017 — and releasing many great songs along the way — Chris Young just keeps getting better. Bring your crew to Winstar World Casino this month to sing along to hits like “I'm Comin' Over,” “Aw Naw,” “The Man I Want to Be” and “Losing Sleep.” Cowboy hats are not required (but highly recommended).