With only one week to go until Christmas weekend, this weekend across Dallas will be holiday heavy. Among others, there will be three separate versions of The Nutcracker, a classic movie accompanied by an orchestra, and a variety of concerts. There will also be a non-holiday theater production and two big college sports showcases.
Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events. Looking for the best Christmas lights in town? That list is here.
Thursday, December 15
Soul Rep Theatre Company presents Travisville
Soul Rep Theatre Company will present the regional premiere production of Travisville, a straightforward and brutally honest statement to the world by African-Americans of their plight in gentrification. Through the efforts of an alliance of black church leaders, a wary peace has been maintained with the city’s white mayor and citizens. But when the mayor partners with a private developer to gentrify the black neighborhood and uproot its residents, the Minister’s Alliance will need to choose between the non-confrontational status quo and standing up for the interests of their community. The production runs through Sunday at Margo Jones Theatre at Fair Park.
Coppell Arts Center presents A Merry Cirque: A Family Holiday Spectacular
A Merry Cirque, presented by Lone Star Circus, features thrilling daredevils, electrifying jugglers, mesmerizing acrobats, and hilarious clowns. It's a holiday show packaged for the whole family to enjoy. There will be six performances through Sunday at Coppell Arts Center.
Friday, December 16
Sammons Center for the Arts presents Making Spirits Bright with Linda & Larry Petty and Friends
Sammons Center for the Arts will present Linda and Larry Petty for a magical evening with nostalgic melodies and audience sing-alongs. Other highlights include seasonal treats and appearances by some of their talented friends and maybe a special visitor from the North Pole.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Home Alone in Concert
A true holiday favorite, Home Alone is a beloved comedy classic. Renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score will be performed live to picture by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who’s accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation, and who must defend his home against two bungling thieves. The concert, conducted by Jayce Ogren, will feature the Dallas Symphony Chorus. There will be three performances through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.
Ballet North Texas presents The Nutcracker
Ballet North Texas will celebrate the magic of the season with their annual production of The Nutcracker. In this distinctly Dallas production of the holiday classic, Clara, her Nutcracker prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy go on a journey into the Kingdom of Sweets. Five fanciful scenes, more than 150 unique costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s enduring score make The Nutcracker a can’t-miss holiday tradition. There will be four performances through Sunday at Moody Performance Hall.
Saturday, December 17
Tuzer Ballet presents The Nutcracker
Tuzer Ballet presents its annual production of the holiday ballet, Peter Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. Audiences will be transported to the wondrous world of swirling snowflakes, magical gifts, and the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The performances will feature Ukrainian-born dancer Vsevolod "Seva" Maevsky as the guest principal soloist, alongside young dancers performing the choreography by Tanju and Pat Tuzer. There will be performances on both Saturday and Sunday at Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts in Richardson.
Turtle Creek Chorale presents Love is All You Need
Turtle Creek Chorale will present their annual holiday concert, Love Is All You Need. The concert will feature some of the chorale's holiday moments, new works, and selections not expected on a holiday program. The performances takes place at First United Methodist Church in Richardson. (A second performance on December 19 at Meyerson Symphony Center is sold out.)
Plano Symphony Orchestra presents "Home for the Holidays"
With over 150 musicians, “Home for the Holidays” includes seasonal favorites for orchestra, vocalist, and chorus, the popular audience sing-along, visitors from the North Pole, humor, and surprises. Joining the Plano Symphony Orchestra will be singer Fela and the Plano Civic Chorus. There will be one performance on Saturday at Frisco High School and two performances on Sunday at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano.
Allen Civic Ballet and Allen Philharmonic present The Nutcracker
The Allen Philharmonic Orchestra & Symphony Chorus will accompany the Allen Civic Ballet with live music for its 2022 production of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, The Nutcracker, featuring guest artist Tiit Helimets, principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet. There will be performances on both Saturday and Sunday at Allen High School.
Frisco Bowl: Boise State vs North Texas
The first of four college football bowl games in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this bowl season, the Frisco Bowl will feature a matchup between the Boise State Broncos of the Mountain West Conference and University of North Texas Mean Green of Conference USA. Both teams are making their debut in this bowl game, which is now in its fifth year. It takes place at Toyota Stadium in Frisco.
Sunday, December 18
Pac-12 US LBM Coast-to-Coast Challenge
Some top flight college basketball will be on display at American Airlines Center on Sunday as part of the second annual Pac-12 US LBM Coast-to-Coast Challenge, featuring a quadruple-header of marquee men's and women's programs. The afternoon session will feature Stanford vs. No. 7 Texas (men) and USC vs. Texas (women), followed by an evening session featuring No. 20 Arizona vs. No. 18 Baylor (women) and Washington State vs. No. 11 Baylor (men).
Jared's Epic Blaster Battle Holiday Edition
Jared's Epic Blaster Battle, hosted by YouTuber Jared Guynes, will present their first ever holiday edition event for what they promise will be the largest and most incredible foam blaster battle of all time. The event, taking place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, will feature appearances by other popular YouTube and TikTok creators.
Dallas Opera presents Holiday Concert
Dallas Opera, as part of the first partnership with Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, will present a free community holiday concert featuring soprano Sara Gartland, star of the upcoming Così fan tutte, tenor Anthony León, and mezzo-soprano Sabatina Mauro. The concert, featuring members of The Dallas Opera Orchestra, will include holiday favorites like "O Holy Night," "Ave Maria," and selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.
Photo by Sharen Bradford
Tuzer Ballet presents The Nutcracker (shown here from a previous year) at Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts in Richardson, December 17 and 18.
