‘Tis the season for giving, which is why the DFW area is packed with toy drives and marathons for a good cause. There are also plenty of light shows, from your neighborhood competitions to a boat parade!
Dec. 1, 2009 – Jan. 3, 2010 – Six Flags Holiday in the Park
Roller coasters and thrill rides are not the only things you will find at Six Flags during the Christmas season; extra holiday happenings include a sledding hill of faux-snow, carolers throughout the month, thousands of lights and, of course, appearances by the one and only Santa Claus.
Time: Sat. – 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; times vary for other days – see Web site calender for days open
City: Arlington
Admission: ticket – $24.99; parking – $15www.SixFlags.com
Dec. 1 – 6; 11 – 24 – The Nutcracker
Texas Ballet Theater presents the classic dance between Clara and her toy prince in The Nutcracker, filled with scurrying mice and graceful snowflakes all dancing to the music of Tchaikovsky.
Time: varies each performance, check Web site
City: first session – Winspear Opera House in Dallas; second session – Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth
Admission: $19 to $109, depending on seatwww.texasballettheater.org
Dec. 5 – Twinkle Light Boat Parade
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, and deck your boat with tons of lights! This is not your average light parade as the floats will literally be floating across Lake Grapevine, the water reflecting every light to give twice the twinkle.
Time: Dusk
City: Grapevine
Admission: Freewww.grapevinetexasusa.com
Dec. 5 – Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis
Join the sounds of Santa’s sleigh as hundreds of participants walk and/or run the 5 kilometer route in downtown Fort Worth with bells tied to their shoes and a hop in their step. Wear a Christmas outfit to participate in the costume contest!
Time: Festival opens – 2:30 p.m.; Costume contest – 3 p.m.; 5K Run/Walk – 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
City: Fort Worth
Admission: Timed run – $27; non-timed run – $25www.fwjinglebellrun.org
Dec. 6 – LightCatcher Winery Toys for Tots Toy Drive
Be merry and drink wine! That is fitting for this toy drive located at Fort Worth’s LightCatcher Winery. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and be ready to listen to the live music and drink some wine.
Time: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
City: Fort Worth (outskirts)
Admission: a $10+ toyhttp://www.lightcatcher.com/events.htm
Dec. 6 – MetroPCS Fair Park Holiday
This holiday hullabaloo will include the lighting of the Dallas Christmas Tree, a performance by the Dallas Wind Symphony Quintet, free admission to all Fair Park museums, a synchronized light and music show, and gifts, crafts and decorations for sale by 500 Inc. Holiday Market.
Time: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
City: Dallas
Admission: free; $10 parkingwww.fairpark.org
Dec. 7, 10 and 17 – Cowboy Santas Christmas Tree Toy Drives
On selected days throughout the season, the Cowboy Santas program will be posted up at the 52′ Sundance Square Christmas Tree taking new-toy donations that will be given to children across Tarrant County. Anchors from Fox Channel 4 and CBS Channel 11 will be among the guests at the toy drives.
Time: December 7 – 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; December 10 – 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.; December 17 – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
City: Fort Worth
Admission: Toys!http://www.sundancesquare.com/events.aspx
Dec. 12 – The NOTcracker
Tired of the same old Nutcracker performance? Come see The NOTcracker, a mix of modern dance, contemporary dance and performance art presented by the Barefoot Brigade at the Dallas Museum of Art for one show and one show only!
Time: 2 p.m.
City: Dallas
Admission: freewww.dm-art.org/www.dallasmuseumofart.org/events
Dec. 19 – 31 – Interlochen Display of Lights
If you’re interested in some serious Christmas neighborhood lights then Interlochen is the place to go. This neighborhood has been hanging, wrapping and streaming Christmas lights from their homes for more than 30 years and participate in yard competitions each year, so you know they mean business. The route through the neighborhood starts at Randol Mill and Westwood.
Time: After Dark
City: Arlington
Admission: freewww.ci.arlington.tx.us/events