Weekend Event Planner

These are the 8 best things to do in Dallas this Christmas weekend

It's the weekend before Christmas, so it's time for a little ... Broadway? That will be the case in Dallas, as not one but two different classic Broadway musicals will be playing. In addition, you can enjoy a holiday pop-up experience, two different holiday-themed concerts, a galaxy far, far away with live orchestra accompaniment, a celebration of winter, and horse riding.

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 20

Holly Jolly Pop-Up
The Holly Jolly Pop-Up boasts five holiday-themed rooms, each designed to evoke different holiday memories and feelings. Room names include “Candy Cane Lane,” “Frolic in the Snow,” “Meet Under the Mistletoe,” “Presents and Bows,” “Naughty or Nice” (with a holiday spice), and a bonus room set up to help “Bring in the New Year.” The pop-up will be open every day at Level Gallery through January 5.

Dallas Summer Musicals presents The Phantom of the Opera
Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera boasts many exciting special effects, including the show’s legendary chandelier. The beloved story and thrilling score, with songs like “Music of the Night,” “All I Ask Of You,” and “Masquerade,” will play at the Music Hall at Fair Park through January 6.

AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Broadway Series: Chicago
There’s never been a better time to experience Chicago, Broadway’s razzle-dazzle smash. The hit musical, which won six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, and a Grammy, is now the No. 1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history. The universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show-stopping song after another, will play at Winspear Opera House through Sunday.

Vocal Majority presents The Greatest Snowman
The Greatest Snowman is a two-act show in which Frosty the Snowman decides to get into show business with a solo act at Christmastime. Ticket sales are slow, so Frosty livens up the performance and he invites the Vocal Majority to join him. Act 2 will consist of beloved and sacred Christmas songs to put the audience in the Christmas spirit. There will be five performances through Sunday at Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts in Richardson.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Star Wars: A New Hope
Nothing says the holiday like Star Wars, right? Dallas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jayce Ogren, will perform the Oscar-winning music of John Williams as Luke, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Chewbacca try to take down Darth Vader in the intergalactic classic. There will be three performances through Saturday at the Meyerson Symphony Center.

Friday, December 21

Perot Museum of Nature and Science presents Winter Solstice Sunrise Celebration
You can celebrate the official start to winter at this event at Perot Museum of Nature and Science. It will feature yoga surrounded by dinosaurs in the Life Then and Now Hall; a sound-centered experience in the Gems and Minerals Hall using singing bowls, the voice, and other instruments; and a sunrise dance party in the lobby with music by DJ Sober and other performers.

Saturday, December 22

Southfork Ranch presents Trail Ride with Santa
Southfork Ranch will present its famous trail rides with a fun and festive addition: Santa Claus. The rides, taking place at 10 am, 11:30 am, and 1 pm, feature a Santa-led horseback ride through the property’s ranch land, as well as photo opportunities with Jolly Old Saint Nick in his “cowboy boot chair” or in a classic Southfork stagecoach. There will also be candy canes for all. Riders must be at least 8 years old.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert
Trans-Siberian Orchestra's 2018 tour is a completely updated presentation of their unforgettable The Ghosts of Christmas Eve. The rock opera features such fan favorites like "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24," "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Good King Joy," "Christmas Canon," "Music Box Blues," "Promises To Keep," and "This Christmas Day." There will be two performances on Saturday at American Airlines Center.

Chicago will play at Winspear Opera House through December 23.

Photo by Paul Kolnik

Chicago will play at Winspear Opera House through December 23.

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Show business

Texas’ ban on certain drag shows ruled unconstitutional — again

Photo by Dave Soto on Unsplash

Prominent Mexican drag queen Mikaela La Brava.

Texas once again cannot enforce its restrictions on some public drag shows after a federal judge declared a 2023 law unconstitutional for the second time.

U.S. District Judge David Hittner initially declared Senate Bill 12 unconstitutional in September 2023 only a few months after it was passed by the Texas Legislature, citing First Amendment violations. More than two years later in November, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unblocked the law and returned the case to Hittner with specific instructions on how to reassess it.

Hittner reaffirmed his ruling Tuesday, August 25, stating in his order that besides removing several plaintiffs and defendants from the lawsuit, the appellate court’s decision “did not disturb” his prior decision declaring SB 12 unconstitutional. The ruling again pauses the law, which had gone into effect in March after the 5th Circuit’s decision.

The ruling described SB 12 as overly broad in its definitions of performance and nudity, stating that provocative cosplay at conventions, swimming athletes, or Dolly Parton and Elvis impersonators could potentially be penalized under the law.

“The vast majority of the law’s numerous applications violate the First Amendment because all the performances that it has an actual impact on are constitutionally protected and are targeted for prohibition based on content and viewpoint,” Hittner wrote.

The suit was originally filed against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, two counties three district attorneys, and one county attorney by two community pride groups, two entertainment groups, and Brigitte Bandit, a drag queen and longtime Texas LGBTQ+ rights activist. After the 5th Circuit’s ruling, the two pride groups were removed as plaintiffs and Paxton was left as the sole defendant, which Hittner said satisfied the higher court’s instructions.

Tiffany Epiphany and Brigitte Bandit Tiffany Epiphany with local celeb and activist Brigitte Bandit at an Austin Pride parade. Photo by Natalie Grigson

“We use our performances to assert liberation, power, and joy with our community,” Bandit said in a statement provided by the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, which represented the plaintiffs. “As a lifelong Texan, I’m sick of this state trying to censor art and stoke hatred and violence against drag artists and the LGBTQIA+ community.”

SB 12 as adopted in law contains no language explicitly referencing drag performances, however a previous version while in the Legislature specifically included references to drag. Hittner noted in Tuesday's ruling that opponents of drag performances are not obligated to attend them.

“Finally, for those who find such activities as described in this case offensive, the solution is relatively simple … just don’t go,” he wrote.

Hittner also denied a request from Paxton for a supplemental trial and new discovery in the case. Paxton, in a social media post Tuesday, said his office would seek an appeal to the ruling to protect Texas kids.

“This is a profoundly flawed decision that endangers our children and is an affront to Texas values,” he said.

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This story was originally published by The Texas Tribune and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

drag show texas politics

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Show business

Texas’ ban on certain drag shows ruled unconstitutional — again