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The Top Scoop On This And Next Week's DFW Events
Looking for Santa? Click here for the Scoop on Holiday Events - we are adding more daily so please check back next week for more!
Holiday Spotlights:
The Trains at NorthPark™
Now in its 12th year at NorthPark Center, the Trains at NorthPark™ debuts a beautiful new set design which immerses visitors in a magical experience from the moment they walk through the door. Each holiday season, more than 80,000 visitors visit Texas' most elaborate train exhibit featuring 30 locomotives on a journey through America's greatest cities and national landmarks. Proceeds from The Trains at NorthPark™ provide almost one-third of the annual operating budget for the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. All ages. 11/20-1/2; Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 12-6pm. Early closing dates are Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. The exhibit is closed on Thanksgiving Day and on Christmas Day. In Dallas at NorthPark Shopping Center, Level One between Macy's and Dillard's. Adults/$6, children ages 2 to 12 years and seniors 65 years and older/$3, children 2 years or younger/free. Tickets may be purchased at the entrance to the exhibit at NorthPark Center, and discount tickets are available at Tom Thumb stores. For more info: http://www.northparkcenter.com/.
Prairie Lights
Drive through almost 2 miles of holiday displays featuring hundreds of holiday themed, lighted displays and over 3 million lights. Half way through you will stop in Holiday Village where you can get out of your car and purchase seasonal eats and drinks, take a picture with Santa, pick gifts for everyone and visit Holiday Magic, a 10 minute light show choreographed to music that takes the viewer from the night before Christmas to a magical winter dreamland and back. See the lights dance, chase and transform from one scene to another all right before your eyes. The show runs every 20 minutes throughout the event. All ages. Sun-Thurs 6-9pm, Fri-Sat, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Day, New Year's Eve 6-10pm 11/26-12/31 in Grand Prairie at Lynn Creek Park. Mon-Thurs & nonholiday $15/car, Fri-Sun & Holiday $20/car; Holiday Magic Light Show and Walk-Through Forest, $3 adults/$2 child for one event or $5/adult, $3 child for both events . For more info: http://www.prairielights.org/.
Christmas in the Square Lights Show
The largest choreographed holiday lights and music display in Texas is combined with family-oriented activities to produce a "signature destination event" for Frisco. All ages. 11/26-1/9, 6-10pm in Frisco Square (Driving Directions). Free. For more info: http://www.friscosquare.com/.
Christmas on Main Street
Be sure to stop and enjoy Christmas on Main in Historic Downtown Grapevine. The event features Santa, jolly Christmas characters, complimentary carriage rides and decorations adorning the mile-long stretch of road. Special guests include Ellie the Elf, Frosty the Snowman, Santa on stilts and children can play Reindeer Games, while parents enjoy the nostalgic taste of holiday Kettle Korn. All ages. Weekends 11/26-12/19 Fri 2-6pm, Sat 12-7pm, Sun 2-5pm in Grapevine (Driving Directions). Free. For more info: ###-###-####, http://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/.
Dickens of a Christmas Festival
The 30th annual Dickens of a Christmas "Home for the Holidays" is an old fashioned Christmas festival with horse drawn carriages, strolling carolers, visits with Santa Claus, the Christmas tree lighting and activities. Seasonal music, food and children's activities provided by local organizations will take center stage during the event. All ages. 11/26-28 in McKinney; please check website for entertainment, locations and Santa schedule. Admission is free; charges apply for some activities. For more info: http://www.downtownmckinney.com/.
Other spotlights
Disney On Ice Princess Wishes
Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine and Mulan all make their wishes come true in this collection of celebrated tales wonderfully told through artistic skating and acrobatics. Starting one hour before each performance, families will be treated to the Disney Princess Pre-Show, an exclusive fairy tale collection of gowns and treasures from the Disney Princess stories. This bonus experience is free with ticket purchase and includes a special appearance by a live Disney Princess. All ages. 11/24 @ 7:30pm; 11/26 @ 2:30pm, 6:30pm; 11/27 @ 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm; 11/28 @ 1:30pm, 5:30pm in Allen at Allen Event Center (Driving Directions). $30-$75. For more info: http://www.disneyonice.com.
Thursday 11/19
Late Night At The Museum
Visitors of all ages will enjoy performances, concerts, readings, film screenings, guided Starbucks Coffee tastings, tours, family programs, complimentary Starbucks Coffee, and more. All ages. 6pm-12am in Dallas at Dallas Museum of Art. $10; under 12/free. For more info: ###-###-####, http://www.dallasmuseumofart.org.
Saturday 11/20
Light the Night
A shimmering and spirited event called Light the Night will kick off the holiday season at Watters Creek. Children will be invited to toss magical "fairy dust" into the air illuminating over half-a-million LED lights and large glowing icicle ornaments adorning the center's historic 100-year-old pecan tree. Live holiday entertainment, a holiday window décor contest, Chamberlain's Performing Arts fairies, a charming lighted horse-drawn carriage parade, and Santa's arrival are also on the joyful agenda. Guests should check in at the reception table between Chico's and Mi Cocina for an event program, fairy dust, voter's ballot, complimentary seasonal refreshments. All ages. In Allen at Watters Creek. 6-9pm. 6pm: Victorian carolers; 6:30pm: Tree lighting ceremony; 7pm: Lighted horse-drawn carriage parade with Santa's arrival. Free. For more info: ###-###-####, http://www.watterscreek.com.
Main Street Holiday Parade
Kick off the holiday season with the tradition of the Noon Exchange Club's Annual Holiday Parade. The theme for this year's Parade is "A Musical Christmas." After the parade, families are invited to stay and enjoy all the exciting events and entertainment. Not only will the children get to talk to Santa, but also there will be performances from local school choirs and bands, and plenty of children's activities including bounce houses, face painting, pony rides, mini-train rides and a chance to make holiday arts and crafts. All ages. 10am in Rowlett, right down Main Street. Free. For more info: http://www.rowlettexchangeclub.org/.
Home for the Holidays Tree Lighting
In the blink of an eye Downtown will be transformed into a magical twinkling Wonderland. Children will delight in the arrival of Santa in his horse drawn carriage. Festivities will feature photos with Santa, letters to Santa, face painting and live entertainment. In Southlake Town Square. 5:30-8:30pm. Free. For more info: http://www.cityofsouthlake.com/.
Friday 11/26
Santa Arrives at NorthPark
Join the fun as Santa Claus makes his ceremonial grand entrance with the Salvation Army Band and a full cast of characters, including 9-foot-tall toy soldiers, Dr. Seuss' "The Grinch" and "The Nutcracker's Mother Ginger, Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy. At the conclusion of the free parade through the shopping center, share in the giving spirit with the kick-off of The Salvation Army Angel Tree and enjoy a special holiday performance by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas. All ages. 10:30am in Dallas at NorthPark Shopping Center, the parade begins and ends in NorthCourt, on Level One between Macy's and Nordstrom. Free. For more info: http://www.northparkcenter.com/.
Holiday Fun Zone and Parade of Lights
Gather the family for an afternoon of fun-filled activities planned for your enjoyment presented by XTO Energy. There will be lots of live entertainment, crafts for kids, tasty treats and so much more from 2-5:30. At 6pm, Downtown Fort Worth's skyline will provide a stunning backdrop for the sights and sounds of the 28th annual Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights. Join the thousands of spectators as they line the streets to see the brilliantly-colored floats, beautiful antique cars, marching bands, equestrian groups and a cast of delightful holiday characters including the most lovable of all - Santa Claus. At 7:30pm, join the crowds for the official lighting of the Downtown Fort Worth Christmas Tree. All eyes will be cast upward as Santa pulls the switch and the majestic 52-foot tree comes to life with thousands of sparkling lights and ornaments. Santa will be available for photos after the tree lighting ceremony, too. All ages. In Fort Worth's Sundance Square Chisholm Trail Parking Lot, Main & Fourth. For more info: ###-###-####, http://www.sundancesquare.com.
http://www.playinaroundtown.com/PAT_Magazine
Playin' Around Town is giving away a One Night Stay at the Gaylord Texan, this holiday season! You can win just by sharing Playin' Around Town with your family and friends!
Free Family Activities in the DFW area!
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