Dallas weekly e-newsletter |
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Fri, Dec 26: Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland at Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland National Touring Production
Fri, Dec 26: Mrs. Doubtfire at WINSPEAR OPERA HOUSE
Sat, Dec 27: 7th Annual Jerry Pinkney Day & Kwanzaa Celebration at Forest Green Branch Library
Thu, Jan 1: Day 1 DFW at Irving Convention Center
Sat, Jan 3: Plano Metropolitan Ballet presents The Little Mermaid at Plano Courtyard Theater
Sat, Jan 17: MLK Parade &
Program at City of Carrollton
Sat, Jan 17: Dallas Area Train Show at North Texas Council of Railroad Clubs
Mon, Jan 19: Bricks 4 Kidz Camp Jan. 19th All Day at Bricks 4 Kidz Texas - Plano, Frisco
Mon, Jan 19: School's Out Camps- Eagle's Wings Athletics
Sat, Jan 24: Calvary School's Open House at Calvary Lutheran School
Sat, Jan 24: Gazillion Bubble Show! Presented by the Coppell Arts Center
Sat, Jan 24: PlayStation: The Concert at AT&T Performing Arts Center
Thu, Jan 29: Popovich Comedy Pet Theater at Uptown Theater in Grand Prairie
Sat, Jan 31: Little Sweetheart Dance at Plano Event Center
Sat, Feb 14: Ennis Czech Music Festival at Sokol Hall
Sat, Feb 21: Grapevine Vintage Railroad Season Opener Excursions |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: This Sunday marks the Winter Solstice—Robert Frost’s “darkest evening of the year.” It’s when we in the Northern Hemisphere most appreciate human inventiveness: We flip a switch, and light floods the room. It feels like magic, but it’s not. It’s the result of generations of curious, determined humans trying to make life better, brighter, safer. That’s why my
family celebrates Lightbulb Day every December 21. It’s our homegrown holiday honoring the inventors and problem-solvers whose insights fuel our lives. We toast our favorite technologies, learn some history, imagine the future. Past years’ MVPs include contact lenses, antibiotics, the internet, veterinary science,
and the Covid vaccine. This year’s front-runner: artificial intelligence. Last weekend, I had breakfast with a friend and her 13-year-old daughter, Lily. Lily said she loves math and science but struggles with how her teachers approach the humanities, especially writing. When I showed her how AI can help her learn in the way she learns best, her face lit up. So I went home and wrote a how-to article for Lily, her mom, and any of you with kids in middle school or older: How Students Can Use AI to Learn to Write (Without Giving Away their Brains). AI isn’t here to think for us. It’s here to help us think more effectively with our own minds. That’s a message worth repeating, especially to our kids. In this new AI age, the real danger isn’t
the technology itself, it’s the temptation to hand our brains over to it and say, “Here, you do all the work.” So this Lightbulb Day, I’m raising an Erlenmeyer flask, not just to the great inventors of the past, but to Lily, and to every young person learning to think with tools rather than letting tools do the thinking. Because the real magic isn’t flipping the switch; it’s understanding where the current comes from, and imagining what we’ll power with it in the
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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I'm thrilled to announce that my new book The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities (co-authored with Jamie Carter) is now published and shipping across North America! It’s packed with inspiring, true stories of everyday leaders who stepped up during the 2024 eclipse to bring people together, spark change, and strengthen their communities. Told with warmth and insight, this book makes a perfect holiday gift for the visionary, organizer, or community-builder in your life. Click the graphic to order from Amazon on print or Kindle; for other ordering options (including educator and bulk orders), or to see an annotated table of contents and the introduction, head to https://theeclipseeffect.com.
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Curious how your AI know-how compares to other parents? We surveyed over 300 of you, and the results are in! The big takeaway? You aren't alone in feeling overwhelmed. While most parents have a basic grasp of the technology, over 52% feel unequipped to actually guide their kids through it. The number one thing you requested help with was "Digital Defense"—specifically, how to spot misinformation and fake news. You can read the full, fascinating report at kidsoutandabout.com/research. Ready for round two? Help us dive deeper by taking our new, quick 13-question survey here: https://forms.gle/1nTsaG384SW8cUpL7.
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From November 7, 2025, to January 18, 2026, the Tianyu Lights Festival brings families together for a magical evening at Texas Trust CU Theatre Festival Grounds in Dallas. This year’s theme, Koda’s Adventure to the Magical Ocean, invites guests to explore an enchanting wonderland of glowing art installations and larger-than-life lanterns that bring Koda’s dreams to life. Children will love the interactive playground and whimsical magic car ride, while families enjoy dazzling displays at every turn. The festival also features a marketplace filled with unique souvenirs and a food court offering delicious food and drinks, making it the perfect night out for all ages.
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Celebrate the holidays with North Texas Performing Arts, the region’s largest youth-focused theatre organization dedicated to developing character through performing arts education and family entertainment. With nearly 200 productions annually, including youth shows, community theatre, Silver Theatre, Deaf Theatre, and our Starcatchers program for actors with disabilities, NTPA truly has something for every family. Don’t miss our 15th annual production of Scrooge the Musical, December 10–21 in Plano! Featuring a cast of 150 youth and adult performers, Scrooge is the longest-running musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol in Texas and a beloved North Texas tradition. Get tickets at NTPA.org/tickets.
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Through March 1, 2026, visitors to Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney, Texas will be able to let their imagination run wild as they travel back in time along a half-mile nature trail with 14 life-size animatronic dinosaurs. During the 20th Annual Dinosaurs Live! Life-Size Animatronic Dinosaurs exhibition, these animatronic dinosaurs will move and roar, providing an experience sure to captivate visitors. New this year, the nature trail where the exhibit is located has been paved, making it even easier for families to visit. The Heard is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing nature and people together. More information and tickets are available now at https://www.heardmuseum.org/
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Get ready for the ultimate adventure as you scale the 30-foot peak of the mighty Everest Slide! Once you reach the top, take your pick of paths and race down the winding slopes for an unforgettable rush of adrenaline. With room for tons of climbers every hour, this towering attraction is guaranteed to be the main event thrill everyone’s talking about!
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Anastasia: The Musical, brings the legendary story of the lost Russian princess to life in a breathtaking stage production filled with romance, adventure, and unforgettable music. Inspired by the beloved animated film, this epic tale follows Anya, a brave young woman seeking to uncover her past, as she travels from revolutionary Russia to the dazzling lights of 1920s Paris.
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Celebrate Chanukah with a story and a craft! Manya Zajac will be joining us from the Chabad of Dallas.
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Join a ranger on a hike celebrating the first day of Winter! Strap on your winter boots and join a ranger for a 2.2 mile hike on the Cross Timbers Trail celebrating the shortest day and longest night of the year.
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Get ready for a fun-filled event of vendors, creativity, and community spirit at the 12/20 Oak Cliff Vendor Marketplace! Come join us for a fun-filled Oak Cliff Vendor Marketplace event on December 20th! Our theme this month is Kwanzaa. This free event will be held at 4107 W Camp Wisdom Rd ste 235, so mark your calendars and bring your friends and family along. Let's celebrate the diversity and creativity of our community together! Free raffle tickets and swag bags available while supplies last.
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Start Winter Break on the ice with festive music, themed activities, and the annual holiday sweater contest. Bring a non-perishable food donation for ACO and receive a free skate rental. All on-ice participants must wear skates.
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Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) is a progressive rock band founded as an outlet for the many rock operas late rock industry veteran, producer, composer, and musician Paul O’Neill was writing. TSO was created to push the boundaries of what was possible for a band to create – both musically and visually. Paul O’Neill dreamed of a different kind of “band” that is not limited by the confines of traditional rock acts and instead established one with multiple singers who could inhabit the various characters he was writing into his rock operas.
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Snapshot those beautiful family moments just in time for the holidays with a free family portrait session provided by the Dallas Public Library. A photographer will be on-site to conduct individual photo sessions with each family.
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Enjoy dinner in the Heritage District or from one of the on-site food vendors, while you enjoy a live musical holiday performance and movie. Make sure to bring blankets or lawn chairs.
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Celebrate Chanukah at Temple Shalom! Join us on Friday, December 19, for a joyful community celebration open to all ages – especially families with children! We’ll begin the evening right after our Shabbat service, with a festive congregational dinner. Bring your Hanukkiah and candles to take part in a beautiful moment as we light them together, filling the room with warmth and light. Enjoy spinning dreidels, singing familiar songs, and sharing the joy of the holiday with friends old and new. This special evening is hosted by Brotherhood, Sisterhood, and Young Adults, and lovingly planned by our chairs, Jason Fishman and Shelley Byer.
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Our Parents love the opportunity to drop their children off at our safe and secure Dojo, where they will be surrounded by learning opportunities while they have the opportunity to unwind however they see fit! Let your child go wild with a board game Parents night out.
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Ready to discover what sets St. Monica Catholic School apart? Join us for our Bearcat Chats, where you'll have the chance to discover our dynamic curriculum, tour our vibrant campus, and experience our welcoming community.
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EXPERIENCES create memories much more than stuff does. As you're considering gifts for family and friends, consider giving the gift of a family membership to one of our local attractions in and around Dallas. Here are local organizations that offer
memberships.
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Ring in the New Year with a little help from KidsOutAndAbout! Our Big List of family-Friendly celebrations is just what you need to find ball drops, fireworks displays, NOON Year's Eve fun, activities, parties and more! If your favorite isn't on the list be
sure to send us an email and we'll add it pronto.
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- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Dallas - Fort Worth - Shoott - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, See link for times
- Santa Is Here At Watters Creek - Watters Creek Village, 970 Garden Park Dr, Allen, TX 75013, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, see website
- Santa's Village
at Huffhines Park - Huffhines Park, North Plano Road, Richardson, TX, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, 6-9 pm
- Christmas Spectacular Light Show - The Colony Fire Department - 4900 Blair Oaks Drive, The Colony, TX, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, 5:30 - 10:30 pm Sunday - Thursday 5:30 - 10:50 pm Friday -
Saturday
- Christmas in the Square - 8874 Coleman Blvd, Frisco Square, Frisco, TX 75034, Friday, December
19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, 6-10 pm
- Illumination Celebration at Galleria Dallas - Galleria Dallas - 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75240, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm and 6 pm
- Holiday Performances at Galleria Dallas - Galleria Dallas - 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75240, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 6pm
- Holiday Lights in the Park- Andrew Brown Park East - Andrew Brown Park East, Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, TX, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21, 2025, 6 - 10 pm
- Bearcat Chat - St. Monica Catholic School, Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX, Friday, December 19, 2025, 10:00AM
- Santa Experience - Hillside Village Shopping Center, Farm to Market Road 1382, Cedar Hill, TX, Friday, December 19, 2025 to Sunday, December 21,
2025, 11:00PM
- Holidays at Heritage: Dance Performances & Movie Night - Heritage Park, 217 S Main
St, Irving, TX, Friday, December 19, 2025, 6 pm
- Family Story Time at Farmers Branch Manske Library - Farmers Branch Manske Library, 13613 Webb Chapel Rd, Farmers Branch, TX 75234, Friday, December 19, 2025, 10:30-11:30 am
- Sensory
Storytime - Fretz Park Branch Library, 6990 Belt Line Road, Dallas, TX 75254, Friday, December 19, 2025, 10:30-11:30 am
- Toddler Time (16 Months-3 Years) - John and Judy Gay Public Library - 6861 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75070, Friday, December 19, 2025, 10:30-11:15 am
- Winter Wonderland - Epic central, State Highway 161, Grand Prairie, TX, Friday, December 19, 2025, 11 am- 1 pm
- Poco Poco Kids Music Time For Homeschoolers - Fort Worth Public Library - Golden Triangle - Golden Triangle
Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, Friday, December 19, 2025, 1:00PM - 3:00PM
- SaturYAY - Kaleidoscope Park - 6635 Warren Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034,
Saturday, December 20, 2025, 10 am- 4 pm
- Christmas at the Commons - Commons at Agora, Agora Way, Corinth, TX, Saturday,
December 20, 2025, 3-8 pm
- Open Studio: Found Objects Accessories - Dallas Museum of Art - Dallas Museum of Art, Saturday, December 20, 2025
to Sunday, December 21, 2025, 12:00 PM
- Winterfest: Le Theatre de Marionette presents the Peppermint Twist - Valley Ranch Library, Cimarron Trail, Irving, TX, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 10:30 am
- Oak Cliff Vendor Marketplace: Kwanzaa - Ujima Socials, 4107 W Camp Wisdom Rd, Dallas, TX 75237, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 12-2 pm
- Learn & Make: Holiday Heritage &
Handcrafts - Timberglen Branch Library - 18505 Midway Road, Dallas, TX 75287, Saturday, December 20, 2025, varies
- Crafternoon: Kwanzaa Kinaras - Forest Green Branch Library, Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 2-3 pm
- North Pole in The Plaza - 1251 State Street, Richardson, TX, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 1-5 pm
- Art Lab: Holiday Edition! - Audelia Road Branch Library - 10045 Audelia Road, Dallas, TX 75238, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 2-3
pm
- Play & Learn (Ages 0-5) at the Central Library - 713 Austin Street, Garland, TX, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 10
am- 12 pm
- The Nutcracker at the Youth Discovery Center! - J. Erik Jonsson Central Library - 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX 75201, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 1-2 pm
- Saturday Chess Meetup (All Ages) - John and Judy Gay Public Library - 6861 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75070, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 11 am- 1 pm
- Kid's Art Club - Mountain Creek Branch Library - 6102 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75249, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 2-3:30 pm
- Holiday Family Portraits - Prairie Creek Branch Library - 9609 Lake June Rd, Dallas, TX 75217, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 1-3 pm
- Saturday Morning Kids - Richardson Public Library - 900 Civic Center Dr, Richardson, TX, Saturday, December 20, 2025, 10:30 - 11 am
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Take out your calendar - you have a lot of scheduling to do to fit in all the incredible Holiday Break camps taking place in and around our area! If we're missing a camp that should be on this list, please email us to let us know.
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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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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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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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