Weekend Event Planner

These are the 9 best things to do in Dallas this Christmas weekend

With Christmas falling on a Monday this year, the number of new events over the long holiday weekend is significantly diminished. There are holiday events wrapping up their runs, a special holiday race, a national tour of a beloved musical, two comedians, a big soccer match, a holiday drag show, a holiday-themed circus, and a chance to get a little crazy at an iconic sports venue.

Below are more best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend before Christmas. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events. Looking for the best Christmas lights to see this weekend? Find those lists here and here.

Thursday, December 21

Ongoing holiday events
There are plenty of great holiday events continuing this weekend and beyond in and around Dallas, including Holiday at the Arboretum, The Trains at NorthPark, Christmas at the Anatole, Vitruvian Lights, Prairie Lights, and Dallas Theater Center's A Christmas Carol. Check out the full calendar for all ongoing holiday events.

$National tour of Les Mis\u00e9rables$

Photo by Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

The national tour Les Misérables will be at the Music Hall at Fair Park through December 31.

Dallas Jingle Bell Run
The Jingle Bell Run is a festive family-friendly event with a nighttime 5K run/walk, 1 Mile walk, and a huge afterparty. Participants are encouraged to run dressed up in their favorite holiday attire. The afterparty includes live entertainment, complimentary food and beverages, and more. The run takes place at the Hilton Anatole.

Broadway Dallas presents Les Misérables
Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption - a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. The epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. The production runs through December 31 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

Improv Arlington presents Mark Curry
Mark Curry is an American actor, comedian, and host best known as the star of the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and as one of the various hosts of the syndicated series It's Showtime at the Apollo. He'll perform five times through Saturday at Improv Arlington.

The Match: FC Barcelona vs Club America
FC Barcelona is one of the most accomplished ~~soccer~~ football teams in the world, having won 27 La Liga titles, 31 Copa del Rey titles, and five UEFA Champions League titles. Club America has been equally dominant in Mexico, winning 14 Liga MX titles, six Copa Mexico titles, and seven CONCACAF Champions Cup titles. The two storied franchises will play a special match at Cotton Bowl Stadium to support the victims of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco.

Friday, December 22

Dallas Comedy Club presents Myles Weber
Myles Weber has racked up over 60 million views across all platforms, was featured on MTV’s Greatest Party Story Ever Told, and had a top 10 Special on the Dry Bar Comedy App in 2021, leading to a second upcoming special with the company. He'll perform four times through Saturday at Dallas Comedy Club.

Murray & Peter present A Drag Queen Christmas
For the ninth consecutive year, Murray & Peter present A Drag Queen Christmas, the longest running drag tour in America. Host Miz Cracker and other favorite queens will perform live on stage, joined by special guest Todrick Hall. The event takes place at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving.

Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland is a musical journey that will transport audiences to a magical land far away for a holiday-themed show experience. The show will feature acrobats, aerialists, hijinks, and holiday cheer. The show blends the spellbinding grace and daredevil athleticism of today’s greatest circus performers with a musical mix of timeless seasonal favorites. There will be three performances through Saturday at Winspear Opera House.

Saturday, December 23

Jared's Epic Blaster Battle: Holiday Edition 2
Jared's Epic Blaster Battle will hold a "Holiday Edition" version of the largest foam dart blaster battle of all time. The event will feature an all-new theme, music, special guests, and special battles. Visitors can join team red or team green and get ready to have a blast on the climate-controlled turf of AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

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Movie Review

Hugh Jackman channels Neil Diamond in biopic Song Sung Blue

Photo courtesy of Focus Features

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson in Song Sung Blue.

Neil Diamond - a member of both the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame with 10 No. 1 songs and over 56 million albums sold - is such a music legend that it would be easy to do a straight-up biopic of him. Instead, the new Song Sung Blue - named after Diamond’s 1972 hit song - serves as a shadow Diamond biopic, with his songs showcased through a real-life husband-and-wife tribute act known as Lightning & Thunder.

Based on the 2008 documentary of the same name, the film focuses on Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman), who comes up with the idea for a Diamond-centric act when he meets Claire (Kate Hudson). The duo soon grows in popularity locally in Milwaukee, headlining not just restaurants and bars but also some larger venues. As their legend spreads, they even start to get the attention of the media and bigger names outside of Wisconsin.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a good biopic without a little turbulence, and — without spoiling things — Mike and Claire learn that good times never seemed so good when they face more than their fair share of troubles. The couple endures their ups and downs with the help of their combined family, including children Rachel (Ella Anderson) Angelina (King Princess), and Dana (Hudson Henley), as well as a community of fellow tribute acts.

Written and directed by Craig Brewer (Dolemite is My Name), the film’s appeal lies mainly in the irrepressible enthusiasm of Mike, a man born to entertain if ever there was one. Neither his long-dormant alcoholism nor health problems nor location in the Upper Midwest can stop Mike from demonstrating his showmanship skills. Of course, it helps that he’s portrayed by Jackman, who - despite getting a little long in the tooth - gives every performance his all.

What the story can never quite answer, though, is why this particular couple is worth an entire feature film. Sure, they have a somewhat interesting arc, especially when it coincides with a certain early ‘90s grunge band, but otherwise there’s little that separates them from other tribute acts toiling around the country. Brewer struggles to define them outside of their singing lives, and when things get really bad for them, the emotional connection is at a minimum.

Then there’s the aspect of incorporating Diamond’s music, some of which has endured across the decades more than others. Naturally, “Sweet Caroline” gets a notable showcase, but whither “America” or “Heartlight?” The title song is featured the most often, as Mike uses it to celebrate his yearly “sober birthday,” but it’s not a barnburner. Mike also has an obsession with the relatively obscure "Soolaimón," an odd choice both for him and for the movie to include so much.

Jackman and Hudson have good chemistry together, and when the film puts them together in singing scenes, their bond becomes infectious. Each of them has naturally melodic voices as well, lending an extra boost to that part of the film. Supporting actors like Anderson, King Princess, Michael Imperioli, and Fisher Stevens complement them well, but Jim Belushi, playing their promoter, gives a hammy performance that seems to be in a completely different movie.

While it’s unclear who the audience for Song Sung Blue might be other than hardcore Diamond fans, it has just enough crowd-pleasing moments to make for a solid watch. The entertainment factor of the film comes and goes, but Jackman using every ounce of his abilities mostly makes up for any deficiencies.

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Song Sung Blue opens in theaters on December 25.

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