The holiday events in Dallas can't stop, won't stop, as six out of the 10 things on our weekend list are holiday-related. They include two touring theater productions, three local events, and even a concert from a well-known national singer. You can also catch three very timely theater productions or a visit from one of the biggest singers on the planet.
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.
Thursday, December 7
AT&T Performing Arts Center Broadway Series: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday-loving Whos. Magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations help transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville and remind us of the true meaning of the holiday season. The musical, which features songs from the original TV special, will run at Winspear Opera House through December 17.
Dallas Summer Musicals presents Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Irving Berlin's White Christmas tells the story of two showbiz buddies putting on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn, and finding their perfect mates in the bargain. The musical, playing at the Music Hall at Fair Park through December 10, is full of dancing, romance, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, including “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” “Happy Holiday,” “Sisters,” “Blue Skies,” and the title song.
Dallas Theater Center presents Fade
When Lucia, a young Mexican born novelist, begins her dream career as a television writer in L.A., she finds herself much more comfortable with the only other Latino around, one of the janitors, than with anyone in the writers’ room. This new comic-drama by Tanya Saracho, a writer for HBO’s Girls and ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder, poses tricky questions about identity and community, as Lucia struggles to bridge the distance between where she came from and where she’s going. The play will run at Wyly Theatre through January 7.
Jewel in concert
Grammy-nominated songwriter Jewel, who also counts New York Times bestselling author and poet on her credits, will bring her holiday tour to the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, performing holiday classics, holiday originals, and classic Jewel songs. She'll be joined by her father and brothers, Atz, Atz Lee, and Nikos Kilcher.
Kitchen Dog Theater presents Trump Lear
Award-winning performer David Carl returns to Kitchen Dog Theater with his latest critically-acclaimed show, Trump Lear. Carl channels America’s Commander-in-Chief, performing a one-man adaptation of King Lear in this unsettlingly uncanny, comedic tour-de-force. The play will have four performances at Trinity River Arts Center through Sunday.
Oak Cliff Cultural Center & Latino Cultural Center present Stand-Up Tragedy
For the first time, two of Dallas' cultural centers are teaming up to produce a professional theatrical production from the ground up. Stand-Up Tragedy, which features a cast of professional actors and local high school students, tells the story of a group of young students and the teachers that all face one seemingly insurmountable obstacle: the statistics that say that most of these kids are not going to make it. The play will run at Latino Cultural Center through December 16.
Friday, December 8
Lady Gaga in concert
Lady Gaga is as big as any singer on the planet right now — Adele, Beyonce, Taylor Swift — anyone. She has notched four straight No. 1 albums in the 2010s, the first female artist to do so, including her latest, 2016's Joanne. She'll bring her Joanne World Tour to American Airlines Center; if past visits are any indication, you might also catch her in a local club or two.
Saturday, December 9
Dallas Heritage Village presents 46th Annual Candlelight
This annual holiday event is the largest public fundraiser for Dallas Heritage Village and has a "Cultures of Candlelight" theme this year. It features carriage and hay wagon rides, holiday storytelling, Victorian carolers, musical entertainment, crafts, St. Nicholas, hand-weaving, blacksmithing, and many other festive activities such as the American Flyer model train exhibit in the Depot. The event will take place on both Saturday and Sunday.
The Polyphonic Spree 15th Annual Holiday Extravaganza
The Polyphonic Spree's 15th Annual Holiday Extravaganza is an all ages, family-friendly event at Majestic Theatre, featuring face painting, balloons animals, and photos with Mr. & Mrs. Claus. Dallas' favorite hometown band will lead sing-alongs in songs of the season, with a variety of special guests also taking the stage. Guests are asked to bring a new toy for Toys for Tots and a canned food item for the North Texas Food Bank.
Sunday, December 10
Local Honey's Holiday Mix
For the 11th year, East Dallas-based vocalist Kelly Brown will serve up a wildly eclectic night of holiday music. Brown brings together a mix of Dallas’ all-star musicians to perform original holiday arrangements in a set that includes everything from big-band swing and bluegrass to alt-pop and rocked up classical pieces. The concert will take place at Granada Theater.
Lady Gaga will play at American Airlines Center on December 8.
