Weekend Event Planner

These are 8 best things to do in Dallas on Christmas weekend

While many events in and around Dallas have either been postponed or canceled during the coronavirus pandemic, some organizations have pivoted to virtual or socially-distanced events to continue offering the masses some entertainment while we need it the most.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time over Christmas weekend. While not every event is out of the house, they all promise to provide a nice distraction from the everyday life.

For the best restaurants to take holiday guests, click here. For the most spectacular Christmas light displays around town, click here.

Wednesday, December 23

Holiday events galore
There is no shortage of in-person, drive-thru, and virtual holiday events to see, and most of them will be available every day this weekend. Options include The Trains at NorthPark, SnowDay Dallas, Holiday at the Arboretum, Lone Star Christmas, Luminova Holidays, Radiance!, Prairie Lights, Candy Cane Lane, Dallas Zoo Lights, In the Bleak Midwinter, The Nutcracker, and more.

Dinosaur Drive-Thru
Taking place in the parking lot at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Arlington, Dinosaur Drive-Thru features over 60 animatronic dinosaurs. Throughout the 45-minute show, visitors will stay in their vehicles to see dinosaurs displayed in chronological order, which will go along with an interactive audio tour guide describing all of the interesting facts, and some jokes, about each dinosaur, in both English and Spanish. The show will take place on various days through January 10.

Veracruz Cafe presents Oak Cliff's Holiday Cocktail Stroll
The Oak Cliff Holiday Cocktail Stroll takes place at participating venues in Bishop Arts and Trinity Groves every Wednesday in December. Participants can enjoy one complimentary holiday cocktail at each restaurant and discounted food and drinks all night. Venues will include Veracruz Cafe (check-in point), Chimichurri, Avoeatery, and Holy Crust. There will be complimentary shuttle service from Bishop Arts to Trinity Groves every 30 minutes.

Uptown Players presents Helen Holy's Holiday Streaming Spectacular
Wednesday is the final day to stream Uptown Players' special holiday edition of Sister Helen Holy’s 701 club, starring Paul J. Williams as his most popular "altar" ego, Sister Helen Holy of the First Southern Fried Self-Satisfied ‎"Babatist" Church. The production is a mix of holiday music, news, scripture interpretation, special guest performances, and interviews. Once activated, the video must be viewed by December 24.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Cyrus Chestnut Trio: A Charlie Brown Christmas
The holidays don't officially arrive until you hear Vince Guaraldi's classic score from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Virtuosic and playful, pianist Cyrus Chestnut infuses these classic charts with his soulful sound. The concert, taking place at Meyerson Symphony Center, will include favorites like "Linus and Lucy," "Christmas Time is Here," "O Tannenbaum," and more.

Theatre Three presents Twas the Night at Theatre Three
In hopes of sharing a little holiday cheer from afar, the Theatre Three team has arranged an evening full of festive illustrations, heartwarming musical performances by Cherish Robinson and Sammy Rat Rios, and a reading of a holiday classic by Emily Gray from the Theatre Three stage. Viewers should consider each viewing opportunity as a performance that begins at the published time; videos must be accessed within 30 minutes of the start times for each show. There will be performances on Wednesday and Thursday.

Sunday, December 27

Dallas Museum of Art presents "To Be Determined" closing day
After three months on display, "To Be Determined" will close at the Dallas Museum of Art. The exhibition explores individual and collective meanings through works of art, sacred objects, and design. Drawing from the museum’s encyclopedic collection, including 13 new acquisitions and three major paintings by Dallas-based artists, the exhibition juxtaposes works from across time, geography, and cultures, from the 13th century to the present day, to trace how the resonance of art can shift when presented in new contexts and as viewers imbue them with their own personal meanings.

Dallas Children's Theater presents Heroes for the Pages
Dallas Children’s Theater's three-week free virtual series, which provides families with a chance to learn more about three December holidays and the children’s book authors who have written about them, will come to a close with an event highlighting author Donna L. Washington’s book L’il Rabbit’s Kwanzaa. The show will include a singalong, author Q&A, and a feature on the hero’s culture.

Dinosaur Drive-Thru will be in the parking lot at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Arlington through January 10.

Photo courtesy of Dinosaur Drive-Thru

Dinosaur Drive-Thru will be in the parking lot at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Arlington through January 10.

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Store closure

Beloved Dallas boat and kayak shop Mariner Sails to close after 50 years

Facebook/Mariner Sails

Mariner Sails will be missed by boaters, kayakers, and fishermen.

After more than five decades serving North Texas paddlers, sailors, and watersports enthusiasts, Dallas watercraft store Mariner Sails is coming into harbor for good.

Founder and owner Aris Tsamis announced the store closure in an email to customers and on the shop website, saying he has decided to retire after more than 50 years in business.

Located at 11110 N. Stemmons Fwy. in north Dallas, Mariner Sails has long been a go-to for kayaks, canoes, sailboats, paddleboards, accessories, repairs, and expert advice. Over the years, the store built a loyal following among everyone from competitive racers to casual weekend paddlers.

"Thank you for your business and support for over 50 years," Tsamis wrote to customers. "We have been fortunate to navigate the retail and service world for over 50 years, and we couldn't have done it without you."

Mariner Sails was known for stocking hard-to-find inventory and taking the time to personally assist customers with questions, purchases, and even helping them load up new watercraft to haul home. As a fun tradition, they took photos of happy customers standing next to their new boats and kayaks outside the store and posted them to their Facebook page.

Tsamis credited customers for helping sustain the business since 1975 and for creating a community centered around life on the water.

"You are the reason we have worked for so many years to help make sure our watersports community can get on the water and enjoy the peace, the competition, the comradery, the friendships, and the satisfaction of being on the water," he said.

Social media posts about the closure have drawn more than 100 comments from longtime customers recounting experiences buying watercraft or seeking expertise on parts and repairs. One likened it to "a death in the family." Others wonder why no one has stepped in to buy the business.

While calling the decision bittersweet, Tsamis said retirement will allow him to spend more time enjoying the sports he has spent a career supporting.

"I'm going to miss my Mariner Sails family and friends, and I have enjoyed every minute of my time with you," he wrote. "On the flip side, I'm very excited about the opportunity to get out on the water more and enjoy the sports we all love."

In news that softens the blow just slightly, the closure means the launch of a major liquidation sale. Mariner Sails closed its doors to customers June 9-10 to prepare for the event, with the store-closing sale beginning Thursday, June 11. Tsamis described it as the company's "biggest, best, and FINAL SALE," adding that "everything MUST GO."

The sale will take place in-store only, with additional details expected through the company's email and social media channels. (The website will not show sale pricing, they note.) Customers are encouraged to shop early for the best selection. Doors will open at the regular time of 9 am June 11.

"Our doors will be closing forever soon, so please visit us and help celebrate our time together," Tsamis said.

No final closing date has been announced, but a Facebook post says it'll be "a few short weeks."

"It has been my privilege to be a part of your watersports community," Tsamis wrote. "We here at Mariner Sails wish you all the time on the water you can stand!"

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