December is coming in hot with the Fa-La-La-La season kicking into high gear.
There are lots of holiday events going on right now in the North Texas area, but where do you find them? And how do you choose?
Good news! We are here to help with our weekly holiday event guide. We鈥檝e scoured the internet looking for the best holiday events, so you don鈥檛 have to.
Take a look at our favorite picks happening this week.
LIGHTS
Where: Lynn Creek Marina at Joe Pool Lake 鈥� 5700 Lake Ridge Pkwy, Grand Prairie
When: Nightly at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. through Jan. 1
Cost: Adults $25; kids under 13, $10
Looking for a unique way to experience the holiday lights? Climb aboard the Wave Party boat for a Christmas cruise around Joe Pool Lake, where you get a lakeside view of Prairie Lights at Lynn Creek Park. The two-story party boat is all decked out with lights and holiday music and there's hot chocolate and cookies to enjoy on the 60-minute cruise, or you can BYOB your own drinks.
HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTINGS & FESTIVALS
Where: Downtown Denton, Quakertown Park & Denton Civic Center
When: Wassill Festival Dec. 5 from 6-9 p.m.; Holiday Lighting Dec. 6 from 3-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Downtown Denton will get lit this Saturday. The community gets together on the Courthouse lawn at 5:30 and sings until the flip of the switch, when the Courthouse and the surrounding downtown area light up. Afterwards, enjoy a night of live entertainment, dancing, a trackless train, a snow hill and visits with Santa.
The Holiday Lighting Celebration coincides with another Denton holiday tradition--Wassail Weekend. That's when downtown merchants stir up their wassail recipes (a fancy word for hot cider) and serve it to tasters on Friday night. Tasting is free and open to all. After you鈥檙e done tasting, cast a vote for your favorite at the wassail competition.
Where: Dallas City Hall Plaza 鈥� 1500 Marilla Street, Dallas
When: Dec. 5 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Grab the family and head to Dallas City Hall for a free holiday celebration. The 50-foot-tall holiday tree will be lit at 5:45 p.m. on the plaza at Dallas City Hall. Afterwards, enjoy live entertainment, take a ride down a real snow hill, and say hello to Santa Claus and special interactive characters. The evening culminates in a fireworks show displayed from the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Arena.
DOG-FRIENDLY FESTIVALS
Where: Barney Wood Bark Park 鈥�14090 Heartside Place, Farmers Branch
When: Dec. 5 from 6-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Head to Farmers Branch on Friday for a doggy-friendly holiday celebration filled with make & take holiday crafts, treats for pups and humans, a DJ and plenty of paw-some photo ops.
Where: Paws Colinas Dog Park 鈥� 1300 California Crossing Rd., Irving
When: Dec. 6 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Pet parents and their pups can ring in the holiday season with activities like a paw print ornament workshop, festive holiday photo ops and a costume contest where you and your doggo can win for best dressed holiday duo, ugliest sweater pair and most festive pup.
Where: Mutts Canine Cantina 鈥� 2889 Cityplace West Blvd., Dallas
When: Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: free
Bring your pup in to Mutts Canine Catina for fun, treats and a holiday photo with Santa. While you're there, enjoy festive cocktails and shop local at a Christmas-themed vendor market.
PARADES
Where: Downtown Dallas, at the intersection of Houston and Commerce Streets
When: Dec. 6 at 8:30 a.m.
Cost: Free; bleacher seats available for $35.50
The annual Dallas Holiday Parade happens this Saturday morning in downtown Dallas. The parade draws an estimated 500,000 spectators and features marching bands, giant helium balloons, floats and unique performances.
THEATER
Where: Bishop Arts Theatre Center鈥�215 South Tyler Street, Dallas
When: Dec. 4-21
Cost: $20-$35
Bishop Arts Theatre retells the story of the Nativity through the lens of the African American community. The production combines Langston Hughes's poetry with gospel music, dance, and spoken word.
Where: Theatre Arlington 鈥� 305 West Main Street, Arlington
When: December 5 - 21
Cost: $30-$35
Theatre Arlington presents a hilarious holiday whodunit. Set in December 1936, it follows Broadway star William Gillette, who's admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes. When one of his fellow cast members is stabbed to death in his Connecticut castle, Gillette assumes the Holmes persona to track down the killer before the next victim appears.
DANCE
Where: Moody Performance Hall 鈥� 2520 Flora Street, Dallas
When: Dec. 4-7
Cost: $27-$85
Avant Chamber Ballet tells the story of Clara and her adventures through the Land of Sweets this weekend at Moody Performance Hall in Dallas. The holiday ballet, by choreographer Paul Mejia, includes music from a live orchestra and a professional cast of dancers. For the Sunday matinee, there's the "Short & Sweet" Nutcracker. This one-hour version is the perfect introduction for younger audiences or those who need a sensory-friendly performance.
Where: Majestic Theater 鈥�1925 Elm St., Dallas
When: Dec. 6 & 7
Cost: $32-$89
The Dallas Conservatory will put you in a New York state of mind at the 18th Annual Rockefeller Christmas. The holiday show features jazz and hip-hop dancing, singing and Act II of The Nutcracker--complete with live gingerbread children and snow falling on stage.
Where: Texas Theatre 鈥� 231 Jefferson Blvd., Dallas
When: Dec. 6 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $19.75-$25
Bishop Street Ballet's performance of The Nightmare Before Nutcracker is a gothic twist on Tchaikovsky鈥檚 iconic ballet. The troupe is accompanied by The Invincible Czars, a band known for its blend of rock, classical, and cinematic sounds. Stick around after the show for a screening of Tim Burton鈥檚 The Nightmare Before Christmas.
MUSIC
Where: Music Hall at Fair Park 鈥� 901 1st Ave., Dallas
When: Dec. 6 at 7 p.m
Cost: Check the website for ticket prices
Broadway Dallas hosts this Yuletide concert, which transforms the Music Hall at Fair Park into a magical, candlelit space. Experience world-class musicians and vocalists perform holiday classics such as鈥疻hite Christmas, Holy Night,鈥疉ve Maria, Sleigh Ride, The Christmas Song and many others, among 2000 flickering candles.
Where: Palace Theatre 鈥� 300 S. Main St., Grapevine
When: Dec. 6 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $34
If you're feeling nostalgic for swingin鈥� holidays of the past, you won't want to miss The Merry Little Christmas Show. Ricki Derek and his Ho, Ho, Ho Orchestra draw inspiration from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Bing Crosby鈥檚 Christmas TV specials in this one-night-only performance.
Where: Broadway Baptist Church鈥� 305 W. Broadway, Fort Worth
When: December 7 at 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Experience the unique opportunity to sing along on the choruses from Handel鈥檚 Messiah, accompanied by musicians from the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Scores are provided or bring your own.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Where: Craft and Growler 鈥� 3601 Parry Ave., Dallas
When: Nov. 3
Cost: $65-$80
Make sure your front door is properly decked with this festive DIY workshop. Participants 21 and up can enjoy holiday music and vibes while creating a one-of-a-kind wreath in either classic red and gold or a soft neutral winter gold. No experience is necessary, and all the supplies you will need are provided.
