Christmas in the Square Returns

This massive Christmas celebration is unlike any other in North Texas

Twelve days of Christmas isn't nearly enough for Frisco Square, where the celebrating begins as soon as there are Thanksgiving leftovers. From November 25 through January 1, more than 675,000 visitors will experience Christmas in the Square, a treasured tradition that's back for its 12th year.

The magic starts with the largest choreographed holiday light and music show in North Texas, a breathtaking display that runs nightly from 6-10. You can marvel at the more than 175,000 lights as they twinkle to holiday tunes that are broadcast throughout the square or on station 107.3, if you're driving.

Another event you'll want to pause and enjoy is the weekend "snow flurries" that occur every 15 minutes on Fridays and Saturdays. Either stroll hand-in-hand through the snowflakes or see them from your horse-drawn carriage, which offers evening rides for $6 Thursday through Sunday.

Want to keep holding hands with someone? Then head for Skate the Square, an outdoor ice skating rink that's open daily. Entry fee is just $10 per person.

And if December 17 isn't already marked on your calendar, it should be. That's when Christmas in the Square really goes all out, with holiday vendors, a trackless train, inflatables, a four-lane inner-tubing snow slide, and a very special visitor who really knows how to make an entrance. At 5 pm on the dot, look up to see Santa Claus parachuting into the square. Once he sheds his gear, Old Saint Nick will then head into his workshop to visit with all the eager little girls and boys.

To keep the spirit of giving alive, Christmas in the Square also partners with Operation Once in a Lifetime for a toy drive. From November 21 through December 19, bring a new, unwrapped toy or clothing item to any of the 10 drop boxes around the square. On December 20, uniformed soldiers will pick up the donations and distribute them to military families

When you leave, stop by the tree lot run by Boy Scout Troop 51 and find your perfect evergreen. It's a little piece of Christmas in the Square that you can take home and enjoy all season long.

It wouldn't be Christmas without Santa Claus.

Frisco Square/Facebook

It wouldn't be Christmas without Santa Claus.

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REEL TALK

Evil Dead star Bruce Campbell brings surprising new film to Dallas

Photo courtesy of Ernie & Emma.

Bruce Campbell mourns his wife in 'Ernie & Emma.'

Cult cinema icon Bruce Campbell is making a cross-country trek, but he won’t be screening The Evil Dead. Instead, he is skipping traditional distribution to bring his newest film, Ernie & Emma, directly to the people.

The actor will be in the Dallas area on October 2 for a showing at Alamo Drafthouse Las Colinas (320 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving). The tour features a behind-the-scenes conversation with Campbell and a live Q&A.

Ernie & Emma may be a surprise for viewers who are used to his oddball horror comedies like Bubba Ho-Tep. The film — entirely scripted, directed, produced, and funded by Campbell and his wife, Ida Gearon — is billed as a romantic comedy, albeit one with a little edge.

The story follows Ernie Tyler, a rural pear salesman mourning the loss of his beloved wife. Guided by a detailed list of instructions Emma Tyler left before her death, Ernie sets off on a life-changing road trip. You can watch the trailer below.

The story hits close to home for the comic-con legend. It was filmed in Pear Valley near his Oregon home, and he reportedly based Ernie’s character on his dad. Campbell has also had to contemplate his own mortality after a March cancer diagnosis. On X, he described the cancer as “treatable” but not “curable.”

“It’s incredibly special to share this film with audiences across the nation. Getting to bring it directly to communities and experience those conversations in real time is the reason you make something like this in the first place,” said Campbell in a release. “Loss is universal, and so is the challenge of finding your way forward.”

Ticketing information and times for the screening will be announced at a later date. Still, audiences will have several chances to see the star, who canceled his usual convention schedule to focus on the tour and his health. Besides Dallas, Ernie & Emma will screen at the following Texas Alamo Drafthouse locations:

October 3 — Alamo Drafthouse Stone Oak, 22806 US-281 N, San Antonio
October 9 — Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline, 4028 US-183 Bldg F, Austin
October 10 — Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane, 5701 W. Slaughter Lane, Bldg. F, Austin

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