There is no shortage of things to do in downtown Dallas this holiday season. First, you can get a lot of your shopping done right in the heart of the city at the holiday pop-up shop Unbranded.
It's a great complement to such downtown flagship retailers as Neiman Marcus and Forty Five Ten. Through December 22, on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 11 am-7 pm, you can pick up unique gifts — everything from handmade jewelry to watercolor dog portraits — and take advantage of the free gift-wrapping station.
The yearly pop-up is more than just a shopping experience, however. Longhorn Photo Booth is open from 5-7 pm on Thursdays and Fridays, you can treat yo' self with $5 mini-manicures from Pink Toes Nail Bar on Fridays from 2-4 pm, and there are arts and craft classes on Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 pm.
Happy hour happens from 4:30-7 pm on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the month, plus 11 am-2 pm on Saturdays, thanks to Katy Trail Vodka and Pegasus City Brewery. You can also enjoy complimentary coffee from Flying Horse Cafe, and there's super-fast Wi-Fi provided by AT&T. Unbranded 2018 is conveniently located in the historic Dallas Power and Light building at 1508 Commerce St. Be sure to come often, because the vendors change each weekend.
Unbranded is part of a bigger holiday program put on by Downtown Dallas, Inc. called Downtown Wanderland. On December 22, there'll be a Stocking Stroll that starts at Unbranded — you can get your stocking stuffed from 3:30-7 pm. Bring your own stocking and you can get free photos with Santa from 4-7 pm.
Be sure to check out some of the holiday decorations scattered throughout downtown. The tree is up at Main Street Garden, along with a giant lighted wreath that is perfect for photo opportunities. One of the more popular and unique holiday staples is the Car Tree in Pegasus Plaza, which is constructed from the trunk sections, tail lights, and fins of 13 classic cars and was lovingly restored by longtime Neiman Marcus holiday window display designer Lonnie Hanzon. The Car Tree was first displayed in the Neiman Marcus flagship store in 2003.
On the west side of downtown, keep an eye out for the 20-foot-tall LED butterflies that have returned to Belo Garden through December 31. The eight metal butterflies hung gracefully from the walls of the downtown Neiman Marcus from 2005-2010 and have now been restored to display each holiday season.
Pose for a pic at Unbranded.
