Let’s call this week “Feast of the Seven Fishes Week.” Multiple Dallas restaurants will celebrate the traditional Italian dinner – typically held on Christmas Eve. Why the number seven? Symbolic representations range from the seven days of creation to the seven days it took Mary and Joseph to reach Bethlehem. Regardless of religious background, everyone is welcome to enjoy various versions of the dinner at multiple eateries all week long.

Wednesday, December 21

Watercolor & Wine at Ellie’s
Learn the art of watercolor with a glass of wine in hand at the Hall Arts Hotel restaurant. This artist-led workshop will teach different techniques to create an original masterpiece based on a theme. The $75 ticket includes wine, light bites, paint supplies, and valet parking. Class will run from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Thursday, December 22

Feast of the Seven Fishes at Meddlesome Moth
An Italian-American celebration typically held on Christmas Eve, the tradition features many dishes of seafood and fish. Meddlesome Moth’s version will offer a Feast special ($59) of lobster with cognac cream, fried smelts, colossal shrimp, mussels, little neck clams, diver scallops, and black bass over a bed of linguini. The special will run Thursday through Saturday.

Feast of the Seven Fishes at Sassetta
This version of the Italian Christmas traditional dinner does indeed feature seven courses. Taking place at Sassetta inside The Joule, the dinner will offer scallop crudo, cioppino with mussels, clams, white fish, and calamari, two kinds of seafood pasta, branzino al forno, and cannoli with ricotta cream filling. The dinner is $130, plus tax and gratuity, and includes a cocktail upon arrival. Reservations are available both Friday and Saturday beginning at 5 pm.

Saturday, December 24

Feast of the Seven Fishes at Urban Crust
The Plano pizzeria and Italian eatery will feature three specialty courses to celebrate the Italian Christmas Eve tradition. Dinner is $49.90, plus tax and gratuity, and seating is first-come, first-serve beginning at 3 pm. Wine pairings will also be available.

Feast of the Seven Fishes at The Kimpton Pittman Hotel
The Deep Ellum hotel will host the traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner inside Elm & Good, along with live acoustic music. The multicourse menu will include octopus carpaccio with fennel, grapefruit and pumpkin seeds, mussels in saffron broth, linguini with clams, shrimp cocktail, and much more. Dinner is $95, and reservations are available between 5-10 pm.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day dining
Christmas will be a two-day dining extravaganza, with celebratory meals served from Christmas Eve through Christmas night. Check this list for restaurants serving brunches and dinners both days, along with some to-go options for at-home celebrations. Looking for restaurants to take out-of-town guests throughout the week? Find some great options here.