KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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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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This holiday season, experience the magic of cirque like never before with the all-new Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland! A thrilling blend of world-class circus artistry and your favorite holiday music, this spectacular production will transport you to a winter wonderland of awe and enchantment. With breathtaking acrobatics, soaring aerial performances, and an all-new production for this year, Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland delivers an unforgettable holiday experience for the whole family. Tickets for Cirque Musica at Will Rogers Auditorium on Saturday, December 27th are available exclusively on DICE - a secure, fan-first platform that protects you from fraud, eliminates scalpers, and keeps your ticket safely on your phone. Tickets are on sale now! https://bit.ly/CirqueMusica-FW
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SPRING 2026 — MYTHS & LEGENDS Every story has a hero and this semester, they get to become one. This spring at Theatre Arlington, our students will step into the exciting world of Myths & Legends where imagination takes center stage and every performer gets to explore what makes a story unforgettable. From ancient tales and folklore favorites to modern musicals inspired by iconic heroes and history, students will dive into characters who rise to challenges, form unlikely friendships, and discover their own unique strengths. Through acting, music, and movement, they’ll explore: Big storytelling Bold character choices Teamwork and ensemble building Comedy, drama, and musical theatre styles How legends are created in ANY era, not just “once upon a time” Whether they’re interpreting a scene from a Broadway hit, re-imagining a well-known hero, or creating brand-new stories together this semester encourages creativity, confidence, and the joy of performing.
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Come out and join us on Saturday, December 6th and 7th 2025 from 9am-4pm on Sat and 10am-4pm on Sun at the Ellis County Youth Center for the It's Christmas Holiday and Foodie Market. Bring the kids out to visit with Santa. We will have craft and food vendors GALORE! There will be holiday music, 1000s of unique holiday gift items, FREE drawings, prizes, food trucks and more!
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The play based on the classic Charles Dickens novel recounts the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a crotchety curmudgeon who has lost faith in his fellow man and the spirit of Christmas – rejecting an invitation from his nephew, Fred, and bemoaning having to give the day off to his overworked clerk, Bob Cratchit. Then, one night, the spirit of his former business partner visits and later sends three ghosts who to show the old miser Christmases past, present, and future. Scrooge must decide whether to continue on his path of gloom or change his ways.
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Experience So Much Christmas with dazzling displays, tempting treats, holiday shows, and festive activities. ICE! features beloved scenes from Elf™ brought to life through colorful, colossal ice sculptures. Whether you're staying overnight or visiting for the day, it's the ultimate way to create lasting holiday memories together! ICE! is presented by PEPSI® and Lexus.
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Step into a magical winter wonderland at Main Event’s Pancakes at the North Pole! Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast, meet Santa for unforgettable photo ops, and enjoy festive winter wonderland activities.
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Teens, enjoy a brunch bar brimming with an array of tasty foods like French toast sticks, bacon, a waffle bar, and more! While you eat, we will play a festive movie to get you into the holiday spirit. For ages 13 to 18 only. While supplies last. Foods containing dairy and gluten will be present.
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The Burleson Rotary Club hosts the annual lighted Christmas parade followed by the City's tree lighting and drone show. The parade begins at 6 p.m. Get ready to feel the holiday magic at BTX-MAS, where the heart of Burleson will be bursting with festive cheer! The evening will come alive with enchanting performances by talented singers and dancers, filling the air with the sounds of the season.
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It’s that time of year again. Holiday music, lights and garland, peppermint-flavored everything, and with this holiday season approaching, that means one thing for small town in Texas: Christmas Parades. This is our Favorite time of the year!! Come celebrate the Holidays, grab your blankets, hot chocolate, and enjoy our most anticipated night of the year! Our Lighted Christmas Parade keeps growing and we are so excited for this event! Please stay after the parade to shop our Wonderful Downtown Merchants during Moonlight Madness!
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Tasting wassail is a fun and festive way to celebrate the winter holidays and bring our community together. You will have the opportunity to taste many varieties of wassail this evening and we invite you to recognize your favorite by casting a vote in our annual wassail competition.
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Join us as we kick-off the holiday season with Holly Days. This event is the first Friday of December and includes The Very Merry Light Parade, pictures with Santa, Christmas Tree lighting, and more!
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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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Trail of Campfires! Family Christmas Event! Fun for your whole family! There will be a hayride, cookies and hot chocolate, live Christmas music, coloring pages, face painting and a guided tour of the Life of Christ given by Mary. Check in at the front of the building and your group will be called to begin your tour! This is the 9th year for this community service! New costumes and additions to the scenes. Let your Christmas come alive as you travel from campfire to campfire! Free! We look forward to meeting you!
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The City's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on Friday, December 5 at Old Bedford School from 5 - 8pm. Bedford's annual Christmas Tree Lighting includes musical performances from HEB ISD students, a children's activity area, games, holiday market with vendors, photos with Santa and friends, live reindeer, smores, and food trucks. The evening is topped off with the lighting of the City of Bedford tree.
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The Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth -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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- Christmas Tree Lighting - The Link Plaza - The Link Plaza,
Richland Hills, TX, USA, Friday, December 5, 2025, 6-8:30 pm
- Fun Friday Free Admission - Explorium Denton Children's Museum - North Interstate 35, Denton, TX, USA, Friday, December 5, 2025, 3-5 pm
- KPR Holly
Days - 1100 Bear Creek Parkway, Keller, TX, USA, Friday, December 5, 2025, 6 pm
- Christmas Tree Lighting in
Bedford - Old Bedford School, School Ln, Bedford, TX, USA, Friday, December 5, 2025, 5-8 pm
- Whistle Stop
Christmas - Hulen Park, West Westhill Drive, Cleburne, TX, USA, Friday, December 5, 2025, see website for times
- Trail Of
Campfires - Buffalo Creek Fellowship, Hillsboro Street, Cleburne, TX, USA, Friday, December 5, 2025, 7-9 pm
- Wassail
Fest - Denton Main Street Association, West Oak Street, Denton, TX, USA, Friday, December 5, 2025, 6-9 pm
- SaturYAY - Kaleidoscope Park - 6635 Warren Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10 am-4 pm
- Saturday Make & Take Crafts - Coppell Arts Center - 505 Travis St, Coppell, TX 75019, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 9 am
- Grand Prairie Farmers Market - 120 W. Main St., Grand Prairie, TX 75050, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 8 am-1 pm
- Prosper Christmas Festival - Prosper Town Hall - 250 W First St., Prosper, TX 75078, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 3-7
pm
- Kimbell Kids Drop-In Studio - Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX
76107, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 1-1:45 pm
- Merry Main Street presented by Texas Health Hospital Frisco - Simpson Plaza, Frisco Square Boulevard, Frisco, TX, USA, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 3-7:30 pm
- Holiday in the Park- The Colony - Perryman Park, Blair Oaks Drive, The Colony, TX, USA, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 5-8 pm
- Christmas Spectacular Light Show - The Colony Fire Department, 4900 Blair Oaks Drive, The Colony, TX, USA, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 5:30 - 10:50 pm
- Dallas
Holiday Parade - 2956 Congressman Lane, Dallas, TX 75220, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 9 am
- Roanoke's Hometown Holiday - Roanoke City Hall, 500 S Oak St, Roanoke, TX 76262, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 12-8 pm
- Decatur Chamber Parade Of Lights - Decatur Chamber Of Commerce, South Trinity Street, Decatur, TX, USA, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 6 pm
- Christmas Tyme in Aledo - Aledo, TX, USA, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 3-8 pm
- Photos with Santa at Fort Worth Aviation Museum - Fort Worth Aviation Museum, Ross Avenue, Fort Worth, TX, USA, Saturday, December 6, 2025,
10 am-1 pm
- Teen Holiday Brunch Bar - Bedford Public Library - 2424 Forest Ridge Dr,
Bedford, TX 76021, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 3-4 pm
- Open Studio: Found Objects Accessories - Dallas Museum of Art - Dallas Museum of
Art, Saturday, December 6, 2025, 12:00 PM
- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Dallas - Fort Worth - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, December 5, 2025 (also available Saturday and Sunday, see link for times)
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Fort Worth 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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2025's Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Fort Worth Area, as voted by thousands of parents! Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like Top Arts Educator, Top Sports Educator, and Top STEM
Educator!
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Here's to seizing opportunities to learn wherever they appear!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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