Where: Historic Downtown McKinney \u2013 222 North Tennessee Street, McKinney
When: Nov. 28-30
Cost: Free<\/p>\n
Thanksgiving weekend marks the 41st year of McKinney’s Christmas celebration. The 14-block historic downtown creates the perfect backdrop for this 3-day holiday event. The event kicks off on Friday with a tree lighting ceremony and features a variety of activities including, pictures with Santa, a yuletide market, family-friendly rides and games and a petting zoo.<\/p>\n
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The Dallas Arboretum will be transformed into a holiday wonderland for Holiday at the Arboretum, which runs Nov. 13 through Jan. 5. <\/p>\n
LIGHTS<\/p>\n
HOLIDAY AT THE ARBORETUM<\/a> The garden is aglow with over a million lights. for the annual event. Twinkly decorated paths guide you to each verse of the 12 Days of Christmas display and to the European-inspired Neuhoff Christmas Village. And new this year is the unique after-dark installation \u201cNight Glow,\u201d which transforms four parts of the garden into light-filled canvases using projection mapping.<\/p>\n LIGHTS ON THE FARM<\/a> More than two million lights adorn the 19th-century buildings at the Heritage Farmstead Museum in Plano.. Take a walk around the museum\u2019s four acres and snap a holiday photo at one of the many displays. Enjoy s\u2019mores, hot cocoa, donuts, popcorn and more while listening to holiday music. The event kicks off Friday and features several theme nights, such as Princess Night, Galaxy Night and Ugly Sweater Night, throughout its month-long run. Lights on the Farm is cashless this year, so don\u2019t forget those debit cards.<\/p>\n THEATER<\/p>\n A SHERLOCK CAROL<\/a> When a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Sherlock Holmes to investigate the death of Ebenezer Scrooge, the famous detective must use his gifts to solve a \u201cDickens\u201d of a Christmas mystery. Mesquite Arts Theatre presents this holiday mashup of characters from Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens is suitable for audiences of all ages.<\/p>\n EBENEZER SCROOGE <\/a> The intimate and aptly named Pocket Sandwich Theatre brings back its annual production of Ebenezer Scrooge. Now in its 43rd year, the musical is an adaptation of the Dickens\u2019 classic about the miserly Scrooge who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve.<\/p>\n THE PIGEON GETS A BIG TIME HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA<\/a> The Pigeon is feeling left out of the holiday festivities. He decides to head to the North Pole to find the greatest gift ever, only to discover his real gift is being part of his found family of friends. This holiday musical for children ages 3 and older includes silly stories, audience participation and focuses on the big feelings little kids have about the season, including being overwhelmed or anxious.<\/p>\n DANCE<\/p>\n TEXAS BALLET THEATER\/ THE NUTCRACKER<\/a> Tchaikovsky\u2019s score and Ben Stevenson\u2019s choreography bring snowflakes, sweets and a Sugar Plum fairy to life, in this glittery and magical annual production. Families and children with tickets to matinee performances are invited to join the company before the show at the Ballet Interactive area to touch a tutu, hold a pointe shoe, and even meet a real ballerina.<\/p>\n CHAMBERLAIN BALLET\/THE NUTCRACKER<\/a> Chamberlain Ballet captures the spirit of the season with its production of The Nutcracker. Guest artists include American Ballet Theatre\u2019s newest principal dancer, Chloe Misseldine as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Tyler Angle of New York City Ballet as the Cavalier and soloists from Bruce Wood Dance Dallas. MUSIC THE FWSO PRESENTS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS<\/a> One of Fort Worth\u2019s favorite holiday traditions returns to Bass Hall. Sing along with the Fort Worth Symphony orchestra as it performs traditional carols and modern holiday favorites. The evening also includes selections from the I.M. Terrell Academy Choir and a visit from Santa.<\/p>\n A VERY ELVIS CHRISTMAS<\/a> Fans of the King of Rock and Roll won’t want to miss this special concert featuring Elvis tribute artist Jimmy Holmes. The show also includes performances of Elvis’s Christmas songs by David Allen.<\/p>\n ICE SKATING<\/p>\n GARLAND SQUARE ON ICE<\/a> Grab the family and start a Thanksgiving tradition at Garland’s brand-new outdoor skating rink located in the heart of the city’s Downtown Square. It’s the perfect size for first\u2011time skaters or those with a little more skating experience and features holiday lighting, seasonal music and hot cocoa.<\/p>\n PEACE PLAZA ICE RINK<\/a> Grapevine is the Christmas Capital of Texas, and that means they do everything big, including its Texas-sized ice-skating rink on Historic Main Street. The 4,500-square-foot outdoor rink is surrounded by holiday decorations and a 60-foot live Christmas tree.<\/p>\n Leo Wesson Photography, compliments of the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth<\/p>\n Costumes and funny hats are encouraged at the YMCA of Fort Worth\u2019s Turkey Trot<\/p>\n TURKEY TROTS<\/p>\n YMCA OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS TURKEY TROT<\/a> Grab the family (especially those energetic kids) and head to the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas\u2019 58th annual Turkey Trot. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting out, this Thanksgiving tradition has a race for everyone, including an 8-mile race, a 5K race, a virtual trot and a diaper dash. And don\u2019t forget to bring your four-legged friends. The first 750 dogs get a medal of their own.<\/p>\n
Where: Dallas Arboretum \u2013 8525 Garland Rd., Dallas
When: Nightly through Jan. 4
Cost: Admission $15-$40, parking $15<\/p>\n
Where: Heritage Farmstead Museum \u2013 1900 West 15th St., Plano
When: Nov. 28-Dec. 28
Cost: Advance purchase: $12-$17; Onsite: $12-$20<\/p>\n
Where: Mesquite Arts Center \u20131527 N. Galloway Ave., Mesquite
When: Nov. 28 \u2013 Dec. 14
Cost: $20-$25<\/p>\n
Where: Pocket Sandwich Theater \u20131104 S Elm Street, Carrollton
When: Nov. 28 \u2013 Dec. 23
Cost: $35-$40<\/p>\n
Where: Dallas Children\u2019s Theater \u2013 5938 Skillman St., Dallas
When: Through Dec. 21
Cost: $33-$95<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Where: Winspear Opera House\u2013 2403 Flora St., Dallas
When: Nov. 28-30
Cost: $30-$162<\/p>\n
Where: Eisemann Center\u2013 2351 Performance Dr., Richardson
When: Nov. 28-30
Cost: $33-$113<\/p>\n
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Where: Bass Performance Hall \u2013 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth
When: Nov. 28-29
Cost: $43-$116<\/p>\n
Where: Granville Arts Center \u2013 300 N. 5th St., Garland
When: Nov. 29 at 6 p.m.
Cost: $34-$65<\/p>\n
Where: Downtown Garland Square \u2013 520 W. State St., Garland
When: Nov. 28-Jan. 3
Cost: $17<\/p>\n
Where: Peace Plaza at Grapevine Main Station \u2013815 S. Main St., Grapevine
When: Through-Jan. 6 (Closed Thanksgiving Day)
Cost: $20<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Where: Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla Street, Dallas
When: Nov. 27 at 8:30 a.m.
Cost: $44 for timed 5K and 8-mile entries and $39 for untimed 5K and 8-mile entries<\/p>\n