I can’t believe it’s time to consider holidays but yet, here we are. This entire year seems to be a blur! Everyone has had to think on their feet and come up with something new to accommodate the many twists and turns this year has taken. This time of pandemic has taught us to use our creativity and imagination to celebrate special events in new ways.
I am a traditionalist at heart. I’ve always liked the traditional red and green Christmas colors boldly announcing the start of the season. My family has cookie decorating traditions and customs around watching our favorite Christmas movies. I put up my Christmas tree on a certain day and take it down on a specific day. I line the stockings from oldest to youngest, and we all enter the living room on Christmas Day at the same time. It’s those traditions that make me smile as I’ve watched children and now grandchildren know which traditions our family holds as special.
In this year of the non-traditional, I have been on the hunt to find creative ways we as a family can do something fun and festive together. With many things closed this year, I’ve had to research options to make new memories. The search required a little more effort, but here are seven local Christmas events happening around town this month:
1. Prestonwood Tree Lighting Festival
Wednesday, December 2, 5-8 PM
Ring in the Christmas Season with a fun and festive event featuring food trucks, trains and hayrides, photo stations, games, and live entertainment. For more information, click
here.
2. Candlelight at Dallas Heritage Village
Saturdays Through December 19
Travel back in time for this annual Candlelight holiday celebration, where you can sing along with strolling carolers, tell St. Nicholas your holiday wishes, and make holiday crafts. The Village will be decked in festive lights and traditional décor as local groups perform from three stages all evening. Festive foods are available for purchase from local food trucks. Although large weekend events will not be hosted this year, guests can enjoy the decorated grounds during special holiday hours. For more information, including holiday hours and ticket prices, look
here.
3. Holiday at the Dallas Arboretum
Now Through December 31
This favorite holiday tradition features Victorian-style gazebos decorated for each of the 12 Days of Christmas. Over one million lights illuminate the gardens at night, and the Christmas Village offers visits with Santa Claus, entertainment, shopping, and festive food options. Reservations are required for both members and non-members to accommodate social distancing. For more information, or to purchase reserved tickets, click
here.
4. Dallas Zoo Lights
Now Through January 3, 2021
Enjoy this revised holiday light safari experience from the comfort of your own car. Silk-covered animal lanterns, elaborate light displays, a penguin ice palace, and more will greet guests as they drive along a newly-constructed pathway through the zoo. Tickets are timed and priced per vehicle. For a more detailed schedule of events, and to reserve your tickets, click
here.
5. Magical Breakfast at the North Pole
Saturday, December 12, 9-12 PM
Bring the family for a festive morning meal, hot chocolate bar, photos with Santa, inflatables, and a chance to see a sleigh with live reindeer at Craig Ranch Fitness + Spa. The event will be outdoors and in compliance with social distancing guidelines. Click
here for more information, or email
events@craigranchfitness to register.
6. Feed My Starving Children
Ongoing
For the family that makes a holiday tradition of volunteering together, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) has opportunities to help pack food to benefit children in need worldwide. Detailed safety protocols and reservation information for their Richardson permanent packing facility can be found at their
website.
7. Merry & Bright Christmas Festival
Saturday, December 6, 4:30-6:30 PM
You are warmly invited to
Merry & Bright, a free outdoor Christmas festival that will feature live animals, take-home crafts, walk-thru activity booths, and Christmas music to welcome the holiday season. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors along to one of our
Chase Oaks campus locations for a fun and safe evening that everyone will enjoy. This is also the last opportunity to drop off donations for
ToyZone, our annual holiday "market" for families in need.
Even in this season of the non-traditional, we can all still delight and savor our time together as families. Let's make new memories as we "...come and adore Him" and remember the meaning of the season.
Join us as we celebrate the Christmas season at Chase Oaks with Candles and Carols and our online Christmas @ Chase Oaks special.