Cheapskate Alert

DFW Restaurant Week 2014 reveals lengthy list of participants

The list of participating restaurants has been released for the annual DFW Restaurant Week. The grand total is 131, if you count all the branches of the chains involved. (If you subtract the branches, it's 111.)

Celebrating 17 years in 2014, DFW Restaurant Week was founded by radio station KRLD 1080-AM in 1997. Since its creation, the event has become a popular marketing and fundraising opportunity and has helped raise money for the North Texas Food Bank and Lena Pope Home.

The original plan was to give diners the chance to eat at fancy restaurants for $35 for three courses of food, plus tax, tip and beverages.

With every year, the event sees more extensions and permutations. The official week is August 11-17, but some restaurants also participate for two weeks, extending it through August 18-24; some go for three weeks, from August 25-31.

There are restaurants that include a fourth course via Central Market, the ones adding a specialty cocktail, the ones doing a lunch option and the alternative premium dinner for $45 instead of $35.

This year there are yet more extensions, with a new preview weekend, from August 8-10, and a pre-party on August 7 — i.e., at this point, why don't we just call it DFW Restaurant Month.

Here's the full list:

III Forks, 17776 Dallas Pkwy., Dallas. 972-267-1776
Abacus, 4511 McKinney Ave., Dallas. 214-559-3111
Al Biernat’s, 4217 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas. 214-219-2201
Arthur’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, 15175 Quorum Dr., Addison. 972-385-0800
Asador, 2222 Stemmons Fwy., Dallas. 214-267-4815
Barter, 3232 McKinney Ave. #150, Dallas. 214-969-6898
Belly & Trumpet, 3407 McKinney Ave., Dallas. 214-855-5551
Bijoux, 5450 W. Lovers Ln. #225, Dallas. 214-350-6100
Bistecca, 2300 Highland Village Rd., Highland Village. 972-318-0515
Bite City Grill, 2600 W. Seventh Street #153, Fort Worth. 817-877-3888
Boi Na Braza, 4025 William D. Tate Rd., Grapevine. 817-251-9881
Bonnell’s, 4259 Bryant Irvin Rd., Fort Worth. 817-738-5489
Cacharel, 2221 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington. 817-640-9981
Cadot, 18111 Preston Rd. #120, Dallas. 972-267-5700
Cafe Pacific, 24 Highland Park Village, Dallas. 214-526-1170
Canary by Gorji, 5100 Belt Line Rd. #402, Dallas. 972-503-7080
The Capital Grille – Dallas, 500 Crescent Ct. #135, Dallas. 214-303-0500
The Capital Grille – Fort Worth, 800 Main St., Fort Worth. 817-348-9200
The Capital Grille – Plano, 7300 Dallas Pkwy., Plano. 972-398-2221
Chamberlain’s Fish Market Grill, 4525 Belt Line Rd., Addison. 972-503-3474
Chamberlain’s Steak & Chop House, 5330 Belt Line Rd., Dallas. 972-934-2467
Citrus Bistro, 5005 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville. 817-281-6282
Clay Pigeon, 2731 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth. 817-882-8065
The Crescent Club, 200 Crescent Ct, 17th Floor, Dallas. 214-953-4343
Culpepper Steakhouse, 309 E. I-30, Rockwall. 972-771-1001
Dakota’s, 600 N. Akard St., Dallas. 214-740-4001
Dallas Chop House, 1717 Main St. #5630, Dallas. 214-736-7300
Dallas Fish Market, 1501 Main St. #100, Dallas. 214-744-3474
Dee Lincoln’s Steak & Burger Bar, 2626 Howell St. #100, Dallas. 214-754-4949
Dee Lincoln’s Steak & Burger Bar, 4701 W. Park Blvd, #101, Plano. 972-519-1642
Del Frisco’s, 5251 Spring Valley Rd., Dallas. 972-490-9000
Del Frisco’s, 812 Main St., Fort Worth. 817-877-3999
Del Frisco’s Grille, 3232 McKinney Ave. #175, Dallas. 972-807-6152
Dish, 4123 Cedar Springs Rd. #110, Dallas. 214-522-3474
Dragonfly, 2332 Leonard St., Dallas. 214-550-9500
Eddie V’s, 4023 Oak Lawn Ave. #110, Dallas. 214-890-1500
Eddie V’s, 3100 W. Seventh St., Fort Worth. 817-336-8000
Estilo Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse, 8650 State Hwy. 121, Frisco. 214-618-6150
Ferrari’s Italian Villa, 14831 Midway Rd., Addison. 972-980-9898
Ferrari’s Italian Villa, 1200 William D. Tate Ave., Grapevine. 817-251-2525
Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck, 300 Reunion Blvd. East, Dallas. 214-741-5560
Grace, 777 Main St., Fort Worth. 817-877-3388
Grain, 5954 Luther Ln., Dallas. 469-232-4962
The Grape, 2808 Greenville Ave., Dallas. 214-828-1981
The Grill on the Alley, 13270 Dallas Pkwy., Dallas. 214-459-1601
Hibiscus, 2927 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas. 214-827-2927
iL Calabrese Ristorante, 1281 E. Hwy 114, Southlake. 817-251-8798
India West, 5290 Belt Line Rd. #114, Dallas. 972-503-5000
Javier’s, 4912 Cole Ave., Dallas. 214-521-4211
Kenichi, 2400 Victory Park Ln., Dallas. 214-871-8883
Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill, 5000 Belt Line Rd. #775, Dallas. 972-392-9663
Kirby’s, 3305 E. Hwy. 114, Southlake. 817-410-2221
Kirby’s, 3525 Greenville Ave., Dallas. 214-821-2122
The Kitchen Table at Sheraton Dallas, 400 N. Olive St., Dallas. 214-922-0374
The Landmark, 3015 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas. 214-224-3152
Lavendou, 19009 Preston Rd., Dallas. 972-248-1911
Lawry’s The Prime Rib, 14655 Dallas Pkwy., Dallas. 972-503-6688
Lazaranda, 5000 Belt Line Rd. #850, Dallas. 972-866-8900
Little Red Wasp, 808 Main St., Fort Worth. 817-877-3111
Lonesome Dove, 2406 N. Main St., Fort Worth. 817-740-8810
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas. 214-443-4747
Max’s Wine Dive – Dallas, 3600 McKinney Ave. #100, Dallas. 214-559-3483
Max’s Wine Dive – Fort Worth, 2421 W. Seventh St. #109, Fort Worth. 817-870-1100
The Melting Pot, 4900 Beltline Rd. #200, Addison. 972-239-6358
The Melting Pot, 4000 Five Points Blvd. #119, Arlington. 817-472-9988
Mercat Bistro, 2501 N. Harwood, Dallas. 214-953-0917
Mercury Chop House, 301 Main St., Fort Worth. 817-336-4129
Mesero Miguel, 2822 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas. 214-821-6426
Meso Maya, 1611 McKinney Ave., Dallas. 214-484-6555
Meso Maya, 11909 Preston Rd #1426, Dallas. 469-726-4390
Misto Bistro, 3720 N. Josey Lane #118, Carrollton. 972-492-3933
Mortons The Steakhouse, 2222 McKinney Ave., Dallas. 214-741-2277
Naan Sushi, 7161 Bishop Rd #G2, Plano. 972-943-9288
Nick & Sam’s Grill – Park Cities, 8111 Preston Rd. #150, Dallas. 214-379-1111
Nick & Sam’s, 3008 Maple Ave., Dallas. 214-871-7444
Nicola’s Ristorante, 5800 Legacy Dr. #C-1, Plano. 972-608-4455
Nobu Dallas, 400 Crescent Ct., Dallas. 214-252-7000
Nola Grill, 8898 Coleman Blvd., Frisco. 972-377-6652
Nonna, 4115 Lomo Alto, Dallas. 214-521-1800
Ocean Prime, 2101 Cedar Springs Rd., Dallas. 214-965-0440
Oceanaire, 13340 Dallas Pkwy., Dallas. 972-759-2277
Olenjack’s, 770 Rd To Six Flags E #100, Arlington. 817-226-2600
One2One, 1339 Legacy Dr., Frisco. 214-618-2221
Origin Kitchen, 4438 McKinney Ave. #150, Dallas. 214-484-3970
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, 10477 Lombardy Ln., Dallas. 214-366-2000
Perry’s Steakhouse, 2000 Mckinney Ave., Dallas. 214-855-5151
Piccolo Mondo, 829 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington. 817-265-9174
Piola, 3700 Mattison Ave., Fort Worth. 817-989-0007
Place at Perry’s, 2680 Cedar Springs Rd., Dallas. 214-871-9991
Pyramid, 1717 N. Akard St., Dallas. 214-720-5249
Queenie’s Steakhouse, 115 E. Hickory St., Denton. 940-442-6834
Randy’s Steakhouse, 7026 Main St., Frisco. 972-335-3066
Reata, 310 Houston St., Fort Worth. 817-336-1009
The Sanford House, 506 N. Center St., Arlington. 817-801-5541
Rick’s Chophouse, 107 N. Kentucky, McKinney. 214-726-9251
Roy’s, 2840 Dallas Pkwy., Plano. 972-473-6263
Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 17840 Dallas Pkwy., Dallas. 972-250-2244
Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 813 Main St., Fort Worth. 817-348-0080
Saint Ann, 2501 North Harwood, Dallas. 214-782-9807
Salum, 4152 Cole Ave. #103, Dallas. 214-252-9604
Sambuca, 2120 McKinney Ave., Dallas. 214-744-0820
San Salvaje, 2100 Ross Ave #100, Dallas. 214-922-9922
Seasons 52 – NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central Expwy., Dallas. 214-361-5252
Seasons 52 – Plano, 7300 Lone Star Dr., Plano. 972-312-8852
Second Floor Bistro, 13340 Dallas Pkwy., Dallas. 214-450-2978
Ser, 2201 N. Stemmons Fwy., Dallas. 214-761-7479
Shinsei, 7713 Inwood Rd., Dallas. 214-352-0005
Silver Fox Frisco, 1303 Legacy Dr., Frisco. 214-618-5220
Silver Fox Fort Worth, 1651 S. University Dr., Fort Worth. 817-332-9060
Silver Fox Grapevine, 1235 William D. Tate, Grapevine. 817-329-6995
Silver Fox Richardson, 3650 Shire Blvd., Richardson. 972-423-8121
Sissy’s, 2929 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas. 214-827-9900
St. Martin’s Wine Bistro, 3020 Greenville Ave., Dallas. 214-826-0940
Stampede 66, 1717 McKinney Ave., Dallas. 214-550-6966
Steel, 3102 Oak Lawn Ave. #100, Dallas. 214-219-9908
Stephan Pyles, 1807 Ross Ave. #200, Dallas. 214-580-7000
Steve Fields Steak & Lobster, 5013 W. Park Blvd., Plano. 972-596-7100
Stratos, 2907 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas. 214-352-3321
Table 13, 4812 Belt Line Rd., Addison. 972-789-9558
Tei An, 1722 Routh St. #110, Dallas. 214-220-2828
Texas de Brazil – Addison, 15101 Addison Rd., Addison. 972-385-1000
Texas de Brazil – Fort Worth, 101 N. Houston St., Fort Worth. 817-882-9500
Texas de Brazil – Dallas, 2727 Cedar Springs Rd., Dallas. 214-720-1414
Tillman’s Roadhouse – Fort Worth, 2933 Crockett St., Fort Worth. 817-850-9255
Tillman’s Roadhouse – Dallas, 324 W. Seventh St., Dallas. 214-942-0988
Tower Club, 1601 Elm St., 48th Floor, Dallas. 214-220-0403
Truluck’s Dallas, 2401 McKinney Ave., Dallas 214-220-2401
Truluck’s Southlake, 1420 Plaza Pl., Southlake 817-912-0500
Waters, 2901 W. Crockett St., Fort Worth. 817-984-1110
Wild Mushroom Steakhouse, 1917 Martin Dr., Weatherford. 817-599-4935
Y.O. Ranch, 702 Ross Ave., Dallas. 214-744-3287

Mercat is new to DFW Restaurant Week.

Photo by Marc Lee

Mercat is new to DFW Restaurant Week.

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Opening News

Stunning Latin restaurant El Carlos Elegante makes Dallas Design District debut

El Carlos Elegante

Pretty and eclectic plateware is one of the many beautiful design elements.

The latest super-chic restaurant from Dallas-based Duro Hospitality has arrived. Called El Carlos Elegante, it's their Mexican-inspired restaurant in the Dallas Design District, at 1400 N. Rivertfront Blvd., just a taco fling from its sibling restaurant The Charles.

According to a press release, El Carlos aims to capture the essence of Latin culture, in food, cocktails, and interior design.

Diners can expect large cuts of Argentinian-style wood-fired meats and fish, crudo, house-made tortillas, traditional masa-based dishes, seasonal craft cocktails, and a standout Mezcal program, including no-additive natural Mezcals for true enthusiasts, as well as a global list of wines and champagnes.

Menu highlights include:

Surf & Turf One-Hitter: A5 Wagyu, Ostera Caviar, Crispy Shell
Beef Aguachile: Charred Onion, Soy, Fresno
Mole Negro Masa: Ricotta Tamale
Chorizo Molotes: Refried Beans, Salsa Roja
Mayan Hummus: Sikil Pak, Baby Carrots, Pepitas
Pork al Pastor: Pork Blade Chop, Pineapple, Adobo
Osso Bucco Carnitas: Veal Shank, Costeño Rojo
Whole Fish: Mint Mojo, Fennel, Herbs

Duro Hospitality Group has become one of the hottest entities in Dallas restaurants right now, with a portfolio that includes The Charles, Bar Charles, Sister, Café Duro, and Casa Duro.

Duro's Benji Homsey says in a statement that on this one, they "colored outside of the lines."

"Each one of our concepts possesses unique personalities, and El Carlos represents a new character in our portfolio, whose story is told throughout the design of the space as well as represented on the menu," Homsey says. "The entire experience at El Carlos is unlike any other in Dallas, and we hope everyone loves it just as much as we do."

The space is designed to feel multi-generational and cozy.El Carlos Elegante

Rendered by Corbin and Ross See of Sees Design, the inspiration for the restaurant's design came from the idea of a Mexican hacienda handed down through multiple generations. Decorative elements include midcentury modern pieces, unexpected color combinations, eclectic textiles, and furniture sourced almost exclusively from Mexico.

A front courtyard contains an oversized fireplace and retractable roof, while the interior features a second fireplace, plus colorful custom wallpapers, ironwork, and a tableau of El Carlos "Family Portraits."

A private dining room houses a custom Pierre Frey mural and opens to the back courtyard, which also includes a retractable roof.

Ross See says they started with four walls and built from there: front and back courtyards, fireplaces, and fountains. Corbin See says their vision was similar to Sister in some regards.

"We wanted it to feel multigenerational and cozy," Corbin says. "The space has a residential feel, and we aimed for the pieces to feel collected and added over time. The dishes, for example, aren’t all matching. It’s an eclectic mix so it feels replaced over time."

Check it out at dinner: El Carlos is open Sunday-Thursday from 5-10 pm and Friday–Saturday from 5-11 pm.

openings

This week in gluttony

These are the 10 best food & drink events in Dallas this week

Four Seasons/Facebook

The Four Seasons in Las Colinas will launch holiday afternoon tea this weekend.

Tacos and margaritas come with a motorcoach-led Christmas light tour this week, but tickets are going fast. Also on the menu is a whiskey pairing dinner, release of a popular bourbon barrel-aged beer, the launch of holiday afternoon tea service at a five-star hotel, and one of those silly but festive Christmas-themed bar crawls. But don’t sleep on the mezcal pairing dinner happening Monday.

Monday, November 28

Meet and Greet with Pastry Chef Molly Wilkinson at Bisous Bisous Pâtisserie
Mentioned on NBC Today as "Instagram's answer to Julia Child," Molly Wilkinson is a Dallas native and pastry chef currently based in Versailles who's been published in the Wall Street Journal and other media. She was one of the very first employees at Bisous Bisous, the award-winning bakery known for its macarons, cruffins, croissants, tarts, eclairs, and custom cakes. Wilkinson will be selling and signing her 2021 cookbook, called French Pastry Made Simple, from 5-7 pm.

The Pinky Cole Experience: Eat Plants B*tch Tour at Echo Lounge
Aisha "Pinky" Cole is the celebrated owner and operator of Slutty Vegan, a plant-based burger restaurant chain based in Atlanta, with a big following among non-vegans as well as vegans. She's launched an extremely limited five-city tour in celebration of her first cookbook, called Eat Plants, B*tch, which includes a stop at Echo Lounge (owned by the very vegan-friendly Mark Cuban). The show includes celebrity moderators, DJs, chefs, and Slutty Vegan food trucks. Tickets are $70. Doors are at 6 pm and the all-ages show begins at 7 pm.

Tuesday, November 29

Central Market Feast of Sharing at Fair Park
Central Market/H-E-B brings back its annual Feast of Sharing after a two-year hiatus. This free holiday celebration typically serves 10-15,000 residents with a traditional holiday meal paired alongside a celebration with live music, kids' zone, and Santa & Mrs. Claus. The event takes place in the Automobile Building at Fair Park, at 1010 1st. Ave. It runs from 3-7 pm and is open to all.

WhistlePig Pairing Dinner at Whiskey Cake Plano
Indulge in blue cheese fondue with tortellini, cream of mushroom soup with crispy pancetta, pot roast with gristmill polenta, and more during this five-course whiskey pairing dinner featuring WhistlePig whiskey. Save room for bacon cannoli with butter pecan filling. Dinner is $100, plus tax and gratuity, and begins at 7 pm.

Friday, December 2

Lakewood Brewing Co. Bourbon Barrel-Aged Temptress X Release Party
Lakewood Brewing will release the 2022 edition of Bourbon Barrel-Aged Temptress during an exclusive VIP Party. The brew is the 10th iteration of Lakewood’s annual barreling project. Tickets are $65 and include an eight-beer sample card, box of the brew, limited-edition glass and knit beanie, and private brewery access with samples of past editions. There’ll also be live music, and the event begins at 6 pm.

Tacos, Margarita, and Christmas Lights Tour
See the radiant Christmas lights of Park Cities and other posh Dallas neighborhoods during this motorcoach tour that starts with tacos and a marg. Guests will get a taco dinner and margarita at Desperados Mexican Restaurant then board the bus to a secret dessert stop before embarking on the light tour. Tickets are $86 and the event will run from 6:30-10 pm.

Saturday, December 3

Holiday Afternoon Tea at Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas
The Las Colinas hotel and golf resort will begin its weekend holiday tea service starting Saturday. Guests can enjoy fine hot teas paired with sweet and savory bites at the hotel restaurant LAW while overlooking the resort pool and manicured grounds. Reservations are $50, plus tax and gratuity, and tea service will run on Saturdays and Sundays through December 18, and on Thursday and Friday, December 22-23. Also, Santa will make appearances during breakfast on Saturdays through December 17 and Sunday, December 11 from 8-11 am.

Fifth Annual 12 Bars of Christmas Crawl
Holiday onsies, Santa suits, ugly sweaters, and elf costumes are encouraged for this Christmas-themed bar crawl, which will guide participants to Dallas bars for drink specials and holiday cheer. The $18 ticket ($16 each for a group of four or more) includes a color-changing Santa stadium cup, Christmas light necklace for the first 50 at registration, Santa hat while supplies last, and a wristband good for free entry and drink specials at participating bars. Start at Playground Uptown – registration is from 12-2 pm and all specials run through 8 pm.

Monday, December 5

Del Maguey Mezcal Dinner at Te Deseo
The downtown Dallas Mexican restaurant will showcase mezcal during this prix-fixe dinner from chef Ryan York. Dinner will be paired with Del Maguey mezcal cocktails. Dinner is $140 and will run from 6-9 pm.

Repeal Day Prohibition Party at Bourbon & Banter
The Statler’s underground speakeasy celebrates the day the 21^st Amendment was ratified – December 5, 1933 – with a big party. Guests are encouraged to don flapper garb and zoot suits to enjoy traditional Prohibition-era cocktails (Pisco Sours, Harvey Wallbangers, Sidecars) for $10 all night, plus Osadia Tequila specials from 7-9 pm. The party starts at 4 pm; reserve here.

dinner holidays craft-beer news-you-can-eat

Silent nights

Texas parks beckon throughout 2022 holidays with festive events and peaceful escapes

Photo courtesy of Texas Parks & Wildlife

Campers are encouraged to decorate their sites at parks this season.

If roasting s'mores and hiking in the great outdoors sounds fun, pack up your family and visit one of Texas’ state parks this holiday season.

Texas state parks and historic sites are ringing in the holidays with a number of festive events. There are drive-thru light tours, special holiday hikes, arts and crafts for the kiddos, and more.

Reservations fill up quickly, so be sure to visit an individual park's website before you head out. And check the Holidays in the Parks page for many more fun options, pricing information, and more information.

Dallas-Fort Worth-area parks

Tyler State Park
Enjoy Reading Ranger Campfire Stories around a cozy campfire at 3 pm December 3. Head back December 9-10 for A Pineywoods Christmas, when you can stroll or drive through the Lakeview and Big Pine campgrounds to take in campers' elaborately decorated sites and take a Winter Wonderland Hike.

Lake Tawakoni State Park
Drive through or stay at the park and decorate your campsite with your favorite Christmas decorations to receive your second night of camping free during your stay. There will be a decorating contest, complete with awards, as well as a reading of The Night before Christmas — all part of Twinkle Tour 2022, 5-8 pm December 3.

Daingerfield State Park
Drive through the park lit up like Santa Land during the 10th annual Christmas in the Park drive thru lights tour December 14-17 (times vary). Marvel at the decorated campsites and lights, and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while waiting for a chance to visit with Santa.

Eisenhower State Park
Help those in need and spread holiday cheer — and as a bonus, get free entry to the park — by bringing one unwrapped donation item to the park’s Holiday Donation Drive through December 19. Visit December 9-10 to visit the Light Up the Park drive-thru lights event, featuring milk and cookies with Santa. This year, the park is taking unwrapped toys to donate instead of collecting entrance fees for the event.

Cleburne State Park
Enjoy Pancakes With Santa and make pinecone bird feeders 9-11 am December 10.

Cedar Hill State Park
Search for birds taking their winter break at the park during their Winter Birding Walk, which takes place 7:30-8:30 am December 13. Explore Christmas on Penn Farm on December 17: Learn about the history and pioneers of the Penn Family and the farm they built 150 years ago.

Lake Mineral Wells State Park
Experience Christmas, cowboy style, at Cross Timbers Cowboy Christmas, December 3. Park ranger and cowboy poet David Owens will gather guests around a campfire at the Lone Star Amphitheater for an evening of cowboy culture through songs, stories and poems.

Dinosaur Valley State Park
In partnership with Toys for Tots, the park is hosting Christmas in the Valley, a full day of ranger-led events, programs, family friendly activities, arts and crafts, food and more. Bring a new and unwrapped toy for free admission for the whole family. The event takes place 1-4 pm December 17.

Austin/San Antonio-area parks

Bastrop State Park
Follow ornaments with clues through the park every day in December during the annual Fa La La Through The Forest Scavenger Hunt. Enjoy the Lost Pines Christmas Parade, a collaborative event with Bastrop and Buescher Parks, at 6 pm December 10. Tour the inside of the historic Refectory and see how the Civilian Conservation Corps celebrated Christmas away from home during A Lost Pines CCC Christmas 9 am-12 pm December 17.

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
Visit the popular attraction during December to learn how the farm staff get ready for das Weihnachten (Christmas). Return to the park at 5:30 pm December 18 for the 53rd Annual Tree Lighting, a holiday tradition started by President and Mrs. Johnson.

Garner State Park
Join the Buffalo Soldiers program and friends as they stop into Garner State Park before leaving for Christmas break during the Marching Towards Christmas event 10 am-2 pm December 10. Christmas activities will include hand-dipped candles, frontier Christmas painting, Christmas-themed hard tack in Dutch ovens, and stories of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Buescher State Park
On the Fa La La in the Forest Scavenger Hunt, you can follow ornaments with clues through the park to secure a prize at the end, December 1 to January 1. Enjoy the Smithville Festival of Lights and Lighted Parade, a collaborative effort between Buescher and Bastrop parks, on December 3.

Hill Country State Natural Area
See how art, history and state parks are connected; learn some basic watercolor techniques and paint a card or two to take home during the Watercolor Christmas Cards event 2:30-4 pm December 3. Come back for Horses in History & Ornament Craft from 2:30-4 pm December 22 and learn how horses played important roles in the lives of vaqueros, native people, ranchers and more. Then, play a round of horseshoes and paint a horse ornament to take with you.

South Llano River State Park
At Christmas at the Ranch, 2-5 pm December 3, guests can warm up with hot chocolate and cider, listen to live entertainment, enjoy crafts and cookie decorating, and anticipate Santa's visit while taking in the twinkling lights and Christmas decorations at the historic Ranch House that now serves as Park Headquarters.

Houston and Gulf Coast-area parks

Brazos Bend State Park
Holiday in the Park is an all-day affair on December 10. Events include a self-guided "Elf Hike," Christmas crafts, "Pup Parade," s'mores, and more.

Goose Island State Park
See the park in lights, enjoy holiday activities, and camp for free when you decorate your campsite during Christmas in the Park on December 17. Guests are invited to "Santa's Village" at the CCC Recreation Hall for holiday crafts, games, hot chocolate around the campfire, and to drop off letters to Santa in the North Pole Mailbox.

Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Get in the holiday spirit with the second annual Holiday Light Drive Thru, 6-9 pm December 10. Visitors can enter the park for a drive through the lighted areas of Javelina and Opossum Bend camping loops, plus the Old Pavilion.

West Texas and the Panhandle-area parks

Franklin Mountains State Park
On December 3, make ornaments and holiday cards with recycled materials as part of the Art in the Parks series. During Cookies and Cocoa, you can decorate and take home your own Christmas treat while sipping on a cup of hot chocolate 2-4 pm December 23. Come back on Christmas Eve for a guided, two-mile Santa Hike at 11 am.

Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site
Bring your family out for Home for the Holidays guided family hike on December 10 and moderate hike on December 17.

San Angelo State Park
Enjoy a drive-thru tour of lights and optional pictures with Santa and Smokey Bear during Holly-Days in the Park, 6-8 pm December 10.

holidays texas vacation parks

Cheapskate Alert

DFW Restaurant Week 2014 reveals lengthy list of participants

Mercat is new to DFW Restaurant Week.

Where to eat on Thanksgiving at Dallas restaurants: 2022 edition

Indoor amusement park with cheeky carnival twist makes Dallas debut

What to expect at 'Lightscape,' North Texas' new walk-thru winter wonderland

Opening News

Stunning Latin restaurant El Carlos Elegante makes Dallas Design District debut

Where to eat on Thanksgiving at Dallas restaurants: 2022 edition

Indoor amusement park with cheeky carnival twist makes Dallas debut

What to expect at 'Lightscape,' North Texas' new walk-thru winter wonderland

This week in gluttony

These are the 10 best food & drink events in Dallas this week

Where to eat on Thanksgiving at Dallas restaurants: 2022 edition

Indoor amusement park with cheeky carnival twist makes Dallas debut

What to expect at 'Lightscape,' North Texas' new walk-thru winter wonderland

Silent nights

Texas parks beckon throughout 2022 holidays with festive events and peaceful escapes

Where to eat on Thanksgiving at Dallas restaurants: 2022 edition

Indoor amusement park with cheeky carnival twist makes Dallas debut

What to expect at 'Lightscape,' North Texas' new walk-thru winter wonderland

Cheapskate Alert

Mercat is new to DFW Restaurant Week.

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Opening News

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Silent nights

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