A Tinsel Touchdown

Dallas Cowboys kick off Christmas with a bang at The Star in Frisco

The Dallas Cowboys knows what North Texas wants: a return of the 7th annual Christmas at The Star (and a national championship, but we'll take this in the meantime).

These free, family-friendly events and experiences begin November 17 and run throughout the holiday season, all held at The Star in Frisco.

Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza
Powered by Reliant, this electrifying 20-minute show ignites The Star with a powerful mix of game-day excitement and Christmas cheer on Tostitos Championship Plaza. The show kicks off with a dazzling performance by the world-famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, followed by the lighting of The Star’s 67-foot LED Christmas tree.

A magical lineup of 65 game-day performers includes Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue, Cowboys Rookie Squad, Rowdy, and a special appearance by Santa Claus. This event takes place every Friday and Saturday at 6 pm from November 17-December 16, outdoors on Tostitos Championship Plaza.

Special appearances by Dallas Cowboys football heroes include:

Friday, November 17: Tyron Smith & Family
Saturday, November 18: Darren Woodson & Family
Friday, November 24: Chad Hennings & Family
Saturday, November 25: Drew Pearson & Family
Friday, December 1: Bradie James & Family
Saturday, December 2: Tyrone Crawford & Family
Friday, December 8: TBA
Saturday, December 9: DeMarcus Ware & Family
Friday, December 15 :Gene & Jerry Jones
Saturday, December 16: Dat Nguyen & Family
And more to be announced soon (all appearances are subject to change).

Admission and parking for the event are free.

Santa at The Star
Monument Realty helps welcome Santa Claus to his Cowboys-themed set in the heart of The Star District, November 17-December 24. You can schedule an appointment to visit Santa inside his custom Dallas Cowboys cottage by visiting here. Walk-ins will also be welcome, but with limited availability.

Photo packages include a printed 5×7 photo and an exclusive Cowboys gift for each child. Save $5 when they book your appointment before December 9 using code STAR5. Santa’s cottage is located centrally in The Star District across from Ascension. Free parking is available in the Silver Parking Garage located off Gaylord Parkway.

Christmas Tours of The Star
Fans are invited to experience the magic of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters during Christmastime Tours of The Star, presented by SeatGeek. Tours happen November 17-December 16.

Tickets are $65 and include VIP viewing of Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza, a 45-minute Christmas-themed guided tour of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters, a takeaway Santa hat, and limited-edition Dallas Cowboys ornament.

Check-in will occur at 5:45 pm prior to the start of Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza. To book your tour for an individual or group, email TheStarTours@DallasCowboys.Net or call 972-497-4720.

Youth camps
Additional Cowboys-related holiday activities include Dallas Cowboys Holiday Youth Football and Dance Camps presented by Invisalign. These happen at AT&T Stadium on December 22 and December 23. To learn more and register visit here .

Feast for the fest
In addition to The Star’s marquee holiday events, The Star’s dining, shopping and entertainment district features 36-plus shops and restaurants which offer a a festive place to toast, break bread, and gift-shop throughout the holiday season.

To stay up to date on holiday menus, sales, events, and more, visit here.

Photo courtesy of The Star in Frisco

Are you ready for a Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza?

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Hits for a Good Cause

CultureMap writer and Cowboys crush it for charity in home run derby

CultureMap's Alex Bentley competing in the Media League part of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby

Photo courtesy of Reliant

CultureMap's Alex Bentley competed in the Media League part of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby.

There was some friendly rivalry on and off the field at the 13th annual Reliant Home Run Derby at Riders Field in Frisco on May 14, where members of the Dallas Cowboys and a dozen local media members stepped up to the plate to raise money for North Texas charities.

Before Cowboys fans showed up for the main event, the day kicked off with the 10th annual Reliant Media League, featuring 12 reporters from around Dallas-Fort Worth - including CultureMap's Alex Bentley - taking their hacks for a charity of their choice.

On what was said to be one of the hottest days in the event's history, each media participant got 10 swings in the first of three rounds, earning $100 for every hit and $300 for every home run.

Bentley, a first-time competitor, advanced to the second round with four others, and with a strong second-round performance - including a home run on his final swing - made the three-swing final round against WFAA reporter Sean Giggy.

CultureMap's Alex Bentley celebrating a home run in the Media League part of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby. Photo by Brandon Wade/AP Content Services for Reliant

With Kristi Scales, sideline reporter for the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network, calling the action, Giggy narrowly edged Bentley by hitting two home runs compared to Bentley's two hits and one home run.

Collectively, the media members raised $36,220 for local North Texas charities, including $4,335 by Giggy for his charity, Keeper of the Game, and $4,135 by Bentley for his charity, The Street Dog Project.

The Street Dog Project is comprised of a small group of volunteers who, since 2016, have rescued hundreds of dogs from the streets and found them loving homes.

WFAA reporter Sean Giggy celebrating his win the Media League portion of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby WFAA reporter Sean Giggy and his son celebrating his win in the Media League portion of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby. Photo by Brandon Wade/AP Content Services for Reliant

Reached for comment, Bentley said: "For a 50-year-old man who hadn't touched a baseball bat in 16 years to even compete was amazing, but to be one of the finalists was beyond all my expectations. I'm very happy with my performance, but even happier that I was able to raise a lot of money for a good cause."

Ten Cowboys players then took the field in front of hundreds of fans, trading in their pads for a bat for a chance at baseball glory.

Participants included Bryan Anger, Brandon Aubrey, Jake Ferguson, DeMarvion Overshown, Dak Prescott, Luke Schoonmaker, Trent Sieg, Tyler Smith, Terence Steele, and Sam Williams.

With each hit and home run earning a donation from Reliant, the teammates raised a total of $80,000 to benefit The Salvation Army of North Texas.

Ferguson, the Cowboys tight end, was named the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby Champion with $20,600 raised and 22 home runs.

As the winner, Ferguson also received a $10,000 bonus from Reliant for his chosen charity, the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson celebrating his win at the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby.Photo by Brandon Wade/AP Content Services for Reliant

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