Thanksgiving weekend is when the holidays officially kick off in the Dallas area. Eight of the 12 events we're featuring are holiday themed, including ones with ice sculptures, theater, shopping, mazes, classical music, dancing, and lights galore. You can also catch Disney characters skating, some truly talented basketball players, a great Broadway musical, or some heavenly singing.
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Wednesday, November 21
Gaylord Texan presents Lone Star Christmas: ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
ICE! is the signature holiday attraction at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, and this year guests can experience their favorite scenes from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer brought to life in the walk-through winter wonderland. The attraction features two million pounds of ice sculptures, six ice slides, colorful ice sculptures, and more. As a bonus, use the promo code JOLLY at online checkout to receive 40 percent off tickets for November 26-29 and December 3-6. ICE! will be open through January 1.
Disney on Ice presents Frozen
It's been five years since the behemoth that is Frozen was unleashed on the world, and the popularity of Anna, Elsa, and Olaf shows no signs of slowing down. You can discover the full story at this ice skating production as Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven search for Elsa and bring back summer. Hosted by Mickey and Minnie, the musical production will also feature special appearances by favorite Disney stars. It will be at Allen Event Center through Sunday.
Dallas Theater Center presents A Christmas Carol
Dallas Theater Center will present its annual production of A Christmas Carol, in which three spirits come to visit the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and take him on a fantastic journey through Christmases past, present, and future. Brimming with joyful songs, magical spirits, and holiday cheer, this year's production will feature Alex Organ as Scrooge. It will play at Wyly Theatre through December 30.
Thursday, November 22
Grand Prairie Parks, Arts and Recreation presents Prairie Lights
Prairie Lights, taking place through December 30 at Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie, is the always-popular two-mile drive featuring 4 million lights that drew 250,000 visitors in 2017. It will be better than ever in 2018 with new custom displays, along with carnival rides, a holiday show, a holiday magic walk-thru forest, pictures with Santa, gift shop, and more.
Friday, November 23
The Original Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters will bring their 2018 “Amazing Feats of Basketball World Tour” to both Frisco and Dallas this weekend. The Globetrotters will celebrate the special blend of basketball and entertainment that has made the team iconic, showcasing the high-flying, fun, and memory-making moments that they are known for. They'll play twice at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco on Friday, and on Saturday and Sunday at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Texas Christkindl Market
This free, family-friendly market, inspired by a cherished German tradition, features holiday gifts, decorations, and other traditional festive goods, as well as live entertainment. Holiday shoppers can look for exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas decorations and designs from the renowned Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village in Germany. The event will be at Texas Live in Arlington through December 23.
Enchant: World's Largest Christmas Light Maze & Market
Enchant will once again illuminate North Texas skies with its World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze & Market. This year, the event will move inside Globe Life Park in Arlington, where guests can enjoy the light maze, an all-new skating trail, an artisans market, appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, and much more. The event will be open daily through December 30.
Vitruvian Lights: A Magical Night of Lights
Vitruvian Park in Addison transforms into a magical holiday wonderland during Vitruvian Lights, running through January 1. With each tree in the park decked out in different solid colors, it's a unique experience that's unmatched in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Opening Night on Friday will feature a performance by the Jordan Kahn Orchestra, food trucks, free photos with Santa, Metrocrest Services Donation Drive, and more.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty
Dallas Symphony Orchestra will present two of Tchaikovsky's grandest ballet scores, The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, to kick off the holiday season. In addition, pianist Andrew von Oeyen will perform Grieg’s much loved concerto. The concert, conducted by Andrew Grams, will have three performances through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.
Rock of Ages 10th Anniversary Tour
The jukebox musical Rock of Ages officially opened on Broadway in 2009, so this "10th Anniversary Tour" is getting to Dallas a little early, but fans will probably have no complaints. The production is built around classic rock songs from the 1980s, including songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison, and Europe. It will play three times through Saturday at The Theatre at Grand Prairie.
Texas Ballet Theater presents The Nutcracker
Texas Ballet Theater's production of The Nutcracker is perhaps the definitive one in Dallas-Fort Worth. A magical Christmas Eve comes to life in the ballet that features Clara and her Nutcracker Prince battling an army of mice led by the evil Rat King, and traveling through a winter wonderland to the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Kingdom of Sweets. The production runs through December 2 at Winspear Opera House before making its way to Fort Worth.
Sunday, November 25
Pentatonix in concert
Arlington's own Pentatonix got their big break when they won the third season of NBC's The Sing-Off in 2011. Since then, the a cappella group has gone on to release seven albums, including three Christmas albums. They'll perform at The Theatre in Grand Prairie in support of their new Christmas album, Christmas is Here!, featuring songs like "What Christmas Means to Me" and "When You Believe."
The Harlem Globetrotters will play at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco on November 23 and American Airlines Center in Dallas on November 24 and 25.
This underwater shot was taken in San Marcos.Still from Deep in the Heart 2: Texas Rivers
Amazing cinematography was a hallmark of the original film, and the sequel offers more beautiful shots.Still from Deep in the Heart 2: Texas Rivers
Some unexpected guests in the Rio Grande.Still from Deep in the Heart 2: Texas Rivers