Dallas weekly e-newsletter |
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Sat, Dec 20: Oak Cliff Vendor Marketplace: Kwanzaa at Ujima Socials
Sun, Dec 21: Chanukah Story Hour at Renner Frankford Branch Library
Fri, Dec 26: Mrs. Doubtfire at WINSPEAR OPERA HOUSE
Sat, Dec 27: 7th Annual Jerry Pinkney Day & Kwanzaa Celebration at Forest Green Branch Library
Wed, Dec 31: Lone
Star NYE 2026 at Reunion Tower
Wed, Dec 31: 2026 New Year’s Eve Bash at Grandscape
Thu, Jan 1: Day 1 DFW at Irving Convention Center
Sun, Jan 11: STOMP Presented by the Coppell Arts Center
Sat, Jan 17: Dallas Area Train Show at North Texas Council of Railroad Clubs
Fri, Jan
23: Open House- Dallas Academy
Sat, Jan 24: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at Dallas Children's Theater
Sat, Jan 31: Little Sweetheart Dance at Plano Event Center |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When my husband and I started planning a family, we talked a lot about the kind of parents we hoped to be. Naturally, we looked back on our own childhoods. David had story after story about his parents—their quirks, what they cared about, who they were. But when I tried to do the same, I came up oddly blank. I could tell you what I loved as a kid, but not much about what made my
own parents’ hearts sing. I remembered that my dad had a garden when I was little, but I couldn’t say whether he enjoyed digging in the dirt, liked making things grow, or was just trying to save money on vegetables. That realization stuck with me. I didn’t want my kids to grow up seeing me as a blur in the background of their story; I wanted them to see me clearly: as someone who had favorite things, real interests, and a sense of enjoyment they could understand. I wanted them
to grow up expecting that adulthood could be full of that, too... all of the vivid experiences that make up the inner life of a regular person, especially the joys. I started using the phrase "live what you love" as a kind of parenting guidepost. Our kids are always watching, taking cues about what adulthood looks like. If all they ever see is grownups stressed, rushing, and tired, they’ll assume that’s the default. But if they also see us delighted by a song, energized by a
game, inspired by something we've learned, genuinely laughing with people we love... that’s powerful. It shows them that joy isn’t something you age out of, it’s something you grow into. The holidays are packed with tasks and to-do lists, but they’re also full of opportunities for joy. So tune your radar to what YOU love, and if you catch yourself smiling at paper snowflakes or belting out a corny carol, don’t downplay it. Let yourself have that moment. When your kids see the
joy you've just pushed into the room; it's a gift to their present and to their future.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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Experience the beauty of the holiday season in nature at Holidays at the Heard from December 12-14 at Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney, Texas. Stroll through twinkling light displays along a beautiful nature trail, get a glimpse of the Dinosaurs Live! exhibit, and immerse your family in the festive spirit. With interactive activities, live music, and a chance to meet Santa, there's something to delight everyone. You’ll also enjoy a variety of vendors with hot beverages, food, and gifts. Don't miss out on this unforgettable family adventure. Get tickets now and make family holiday memories that will last a lifetime!
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The parade takes place in the downtown area of Allen. It will begin at the intersection of North Cedar Drive and St. Mary’s Drive, proceed southbound to Main Street, turn right on Main Street, turn right on Allen Drive, and end at Allen Drive and St. Mary’s Drive at the traffic circle.
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Please join us for BL Sunday, Bishop Lynch High School’s annual open house, and learn what the Friar high school experience is all about! The event kicks off with an opening session in the Competition Gym, followed by classroom visits, information sessions, campus tours, and more. All faculty, coaches, and current students will be on campus to answer your questions about Bishop Lynch. Come find out why more than 11,000 families have chosen BL as the next step in their child’s educational journey during the school’s proud 60-year history!
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This holiday season, your family is invited to journey across the pond for a visit to the old Irish village of Killarney! This special concert overflows with holiday traditions and features your favorite Christmas songs. But that’s not all! You’ll also witness Irish dancers leaping through the air and tapping along to the music and harmonies of the season. This trip to the Emerald Isle will show what it means to celebrate Christmas the “Irish” way - where some of the most iconic Christmas traditions originated.
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The Cross Church Wylie and the City of Wylie present the annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade down Ballard Avenue. Join us after the parade for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Olde City Park, 112 S. Ballard Ave. Mayor Porter will read Night Before Christmas, and Wylie High School's Tempo choir will sing songs of the season before the big switch is thrown to light the community Christmas tree.
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Join us for an enchanting morning filled with holiday cheer! Mrs. Claus is coming all the way from the North Pole to share heartwarming Christmas tales that will whisk you away into a world of festive magic and wonder! Presented by Melissa Public Library
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The Gift of Christmas is a Prestonwood tradition and has become one of the highlights of the Christmas season, with thousands of guests attending every year. This visually stunning multimedia event is complete with special effects, a nearly 1,000-member cast and choir, live orchestra, flying angels and much more!
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Join us in 2025 for the 38th Annual Dallas Holiday Parade presented by Verizon Saturday, December 6, 2025. 38 Years of memories and magic, right in the heart of downtown Dallas!
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The City of Wylie and the Public Arts Advisory Board are proud to present the Wylie Arts Festival in historic Downtown Wylie. Shop for art, handmade crafts, and unique gifts, and enjoy festive fair foods. Admission and parking are free.
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for KING + COUNTRY has always operated under three guiding principles: to love on the brokenhearted, spread the hope in Jesus, and take the Gospel wider. When the Smallbone family migrated from Australia to the United States, they would not have survived without the kindness of their newfound community and the love they received from their local church. The Unsung Heroes Fund: A for KING & COUNTRY Foundation is a vehicle to help bless like minded organizations that are carrying out the work of God and loving on families in need.
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A true holiday favorite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams’ charming and delightful score 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. Hilarious and heart-warming, Home Alone is holiday fun for the entire family!
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This December, A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL comes to life at Bass Hall in a holiday classic packed with laughs, nostalgia, and Christmas cheer.
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Each month, this program presents a different theme that highlights the heritage skills that you could use to enrich your life today. Registration is required and space is limited.
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The Dallas area offers a delightful selection of Christmas tree farms that bring the magic of the holiday season to life. Families can enjoy the cherished tradition of selecting the perfect tree while exploring picturesque landscapes and engaging in festive
activities.
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KidsOutAndAbout's 2025 holiday events list for Dallas -ways to make the holidays special in our area for 2025. Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.
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- Santa Is Here At Watters Creek - Watters Creek Village - 970 Garden Park Dr, Allen, TX 75013, December 5, 2025, see website for times
- Christmas in the Square - 8874 Coleman Blvd, Frisco Square - Frisco, TX 75034, December 5, 2025, 6-10 pm
- Illumination Celebration at Galleria Dallas - Galleria Dallas - 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75240, December 5, 2025, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm and 6 pm
- Free
mini photo session with Shoott! - Dallas - Fort Worth - Shoott, Broadway - Dallas, TX, December 5, 2025, see link for times
- Saturday Make & Take Crafts - Coppell Arts Center - 505 Travis St, Coppell, TX 75019, December 6, 2025, 9 am
- Free First Saturdays at the Nasher Sculpture Center - Nasher Sculpture Center - 2001 Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201, December 6, 2025,
11:00AM - 5:00PM
- Klyde Warren Park's Movies in the Park - Klyde Warren Park - 2012 Woodall
Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201, December 6, 2025, varies
- Saturday Family Days at the The Samurai Collection - The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum: The Samurai Collection - 2501 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201, December 6, 2025, 1-3 pm
- Grand Prairie Farmers Market - 120 W. Main St., Grand Prairie, TX 75050, December 6, 2025, 8 am- 1 pm
- SaturYAY - Kaleidoscope Park - 6635 Warren Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034, December 6, 2025, 10 am- 4 pm
- Prosper Christmas Festival - Prosper Town Hall - 250 W First St., Prosper, TX 75078, December 6, 2025, 3-7 pm
- Dickens in Historic Downtown Plano - Downtown Plano, East 15th Street, Plano, TX, December 6, 2025, 5-9 pm
- Wylie Arts Festival - The Cross Church - Event Center
- North Ballard Avenue, Wylie, TX, December 6, 2025, 9 am - 4 pm
- Christmas in the Park - Westlake Park, Gross Road, Mesquite, TX, December 6, 2025, 2-8 pm
- Santa's Village at Huffhines Park - Huffhines Park, North Plano Road, Richardson, TX, December 6, 2025, 6-9 pm
- Richardson’s Annual Christmas
Parade - Richardson, TX, December 6, 2025, 9 am
- Main St. Fest/Holiday Parade- Rowlett - Rowlett, TX, December 6, 2025, 5-9 pm
- Merry Main Street presented by Texas Health Hospital Frisco - Simpson Plaza, Frisco Square Boulevard, Frisco, TX, December 6, 2025, 3 - 7:30 pm
- Holiday in the Park- The Colony - Perryman Park, Blair Oaks Drive, The Colony, TX, December 6, 2025, 5- 8 pm
- Christmas Spectacular Light Show - The Colony Fire Department
- 4900 Blair Oaks Drive, The Colony, TX, December 6, 2025, 5:30 - 10:30 pm Sunday - Thursday, 5:30 - 10:50 pm Friday - Saturday
- Christmas Parade of Lights & Tree Lighting Ceremony - Flower Mound, TX, December 6, 2025, 5:30-9 pm
- Santa On The Square-Carrollton - Historic Downtown Carrollton, Elm Street, Carrollton, TX, December 6, 2025, 4 - 8 pm
- Dallas Holiday Parade - 2956 Congressman Lane, Dallas, TX 75220, December 6, 2025, 9 am
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Dallas area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This is the page where we showcase the Dallas-area winners for 2025. (Click here to see the full list of nominees.)
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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