Here comes Santa Claus – and also Thanksgiving turkeys and Hanukkah menorahs – eager to give you numerous reasons to surround yourself with loved ones. If you want to find a massive light display, you’re covered. If you’re seeking an encounter with that old Scrooge guy, never fear. And if visions of sugarplums (and Sugar Plum Fairies) are more your speed, look no further than this holiday guide with traditions old and new throughout Collin County.
The following list is organized alphabetically by city, then chronologically by start date. Pricing information (including numerous free events) and links to get more information make it easy to see what’s in store. (All information is subject to change.) You can also check out happenings in Dallas and Tarrant counties, as well as outlying areas just a short drive away.
Allen
Thanksgiving Puppet Show
Thanksgiving stories, songs and a puppet show.
Free
Nov. 20
Allen Public Library, Children’s Program Room, 300 N. Allen Dr., Allen
Turkey Skate
Annual ice-skating event to burn off those Thanksgiving calories.
Admission: $7
Skate rentals: $3 (free with nonperishable food donation)
Nov. 25, 1-4 p.m.
Allen Community Ice Rink at Credit Union of Texas Event Center, 200 E. Stacy Road, Suite 1350, Allen
Letters to Santa
Fun opportunity to get wish lists to the North Pole.
Free
Nov. 25-Dec. 14
Joe Farmer Recreation Center or the Don Rodenbaugh Aquatics Center, Allen
Holly Jolly Celebration
5K and Fun Run, tree lighting, food trucks and kid-friendly activities.
Free
Dec. 2, 4-9 p.m.
Allen Dr. & Main St., Downtown Allen
The Nutcracker
The Allen Civic Ballet, along with guest artists Stephanie Rae Williams and Elias Re from Dance Theater of Harlem and the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra, join together for a live musical presentation of the holiday favorite.
Tickets: $20-$38
Dec. 9 and 10
Allen High School Performing Arts Center, 300 Rivercrest Blvd., Allen
Holidays on Ice Show
Festive ice performance featuring the Allen Academy of Skating and Allen Community Ice Rink Skaters.
Free with nonperishable food donation.
Dec. 10, 3-5 p.m.
Credit Union of Texas Event Center, 200 E. Stacy Road, Suite 1350, Allen
Holiday Skate
Annual ice-skating event with music and a holiday sweater contest.
Admission: $7
Skate rentals: $3 (free with nonperishable food donation)
Dec. 16, 1-4 p.m.
Allen Community Ice Rink at Credit Union of Texas Event Center, 200 E. Stacy Road, Suite 1350, Allen
OnStage @ APL
Live holiday music with the Allen Community Jazz Band.
Free
Dec. 17, 3 p.m.
Allen Public Library, Civic Auditorium, 300 N. Allen Dr., Allen (also online at actv.org)
New Year’s Double 2023/2024
Two back-to-back days of runs, including a marathon.
Registration: $40-$110
Dec. 31-Jan. 1
Celebration Park, 701 N. Angel Pkwy., Allen
Carrollton
Christmas at the Perry
Festivities include a look at a Victorian-style Christmas.
Free
Thursdays, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14, 5:30-8 p.m.
A.W. Perry Homestead Museum, 1509 N. Perry Road, Carrollton
Santa on the Square
Toy soldier stilt walkers, live reindeer, tree lighting, photos with Santa and crafts.
Free
Dec. 2, 4-8 p.m.
Historic Downtown Carrollton, 1106 S. Broadway St., Carrollton
Fairview
Holiday Kickoff & Holiday Celebration
Fundraiser featuring Christmas music, magic show, jugglers, bounce house, live reindeer, snow area and toy drive.
Tickets: $20
Nov. 18 & Dec. 9, 1-5 p.m.
The Park at Fairview Town Center, 329 Town Pl., Fairview
Breakfast with Santa
Brunch buffet, storytime with Santa and the chance to take pics with your own camera.
Tickets: Free-$35
Saturdays, Dec. 2, 9, 16
Profound Foods, 163 Fountain Ct., Fairview
A Christmas Line, a North Pole Musical
Holiday-themed musical parody of A Chorus Line.
Tickets: $12-$25
Dec. 14-17
NTPA Fairview Youth Theatre, Cornerstone Black Box, 302 Town Place, Fairview
Frisco
Tamalada
Private, three-hour tamale-making get-together with up to 30 guests, taught by chef/GM Rambo Saucedo.
Tickets: Varies by group size
Through Dec. 20
Cantina Laredo, 1125 Legacy Dr., Frisco
The Light Park
Magical, mile-long drive-through holiday light experience.
Tickets: $29-$49 per vehicle ($150 for a season pass)
Through Jan. 1
Riders Field, 7300 Rough Riders Tr., Frisco
Kidsgiving
A “Friendsgiving”-style event for children with food, crafts/activities, and a kid-friendly movie.
Tickets: Free-$45
Nov. 18, 9 a.m.-noon
The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa, 1549 Legacy Dr., Frisco
Christmas in the Square
Largest choreographed light and music show in North Texas, featuring 180,000 lights.
Free
Nov. 18-Jan. 8, 6-10 p.m.
Frisco Square, 8843 Coleman Blvd., Frisco
North Texas Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving Day 1-mile, 5K, 10K and virtual fun runs benefiting the Miracle League of Frisco.
Tickets: $25-$47.50
Nov. 23, 7:55 a.m.
6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco
Home on the Range for the Holidays
Activities and experiences throughout the resort, including real reindeer, “Putting for Presents,” a holiday express train and a tree lighting.
Tickets: Free to $30
Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 1-23, 5-9 p.m.
Omni PGA Frisco Resort/Monument Realty PGA District, 3255 PGA Pkwy., Frisco
Merry Main Street
Santa & Friends Parade, school choirs, holiday gift market and tree lighting.
Free
Dec. 2, 3-7:30 p.m.
Simpson Plaza in Frisco Square, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco
Santa Brunch
Family-friendly full brunch, visit with Santa Claus and multiple activity stations from decorating cookies to gingerbread houses.
Tickets: $30-$45
Dec. 9, 16, 23, 10 a.m.-noon
The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa, 1549 Legacy Dr., Frisco
Home for the Holidays
Plano Symphony Orchestra, Midtown Quartet and Plano Civic Chorus concert.
Tickets: $15-$25
Dec. 16, 4 p.m.
Memorial High School, 12300 Frisco St., Frisco
Nutcracker Tea
Family-friendly high-tea holiday brunch with a Nutcracker theme.
Tickets: $30-$45
Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-noon
The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa, 1549 Legacy Dr., Frisco
Harry Potter New Year’s Eve Party
Harry Potter-themed New Year’s Eve party for the entire family.
Tickets: TBD
Dec. 31
The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa, 1549 Legacy Dr., Frisco
Garland
A Garland Christmas on the Square
Festive celebration featuring tree lighting, music, ice skating and snow hill.
Free
Dec. 7, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Fruitcakes
Company of Rowlett Performers present a nuttier-than-fruitcakes southern-set comedy.
Tickets: $15-$20
Dec. 8-16
Plaza Theater, 521 W. State St., Garland
McKinney
4th Annual Tour of Trees
Tour model homes, 10 of which feature spectacular Christmas trees and holiday decor, with themes from Barbie to Dallas Mavericks.
Free with registration
Nov. 18-Dec. 17
Trinity Falls, 7801 Trinity Falls Pkwy., McKinney
Home for the Holidays
Holiday displays and events kick off Thanksgiving weekend.
Free
Nov. 24-26 (tree lighting is Nov. 24)
McKinney Main Street, 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
Believe! 5K/1-Mile Fun Run
Annual family-friendly race, benefiting The Holy Family School of McKinney.
Registration: Free-$30
Nov. 25, 8-10 a.m.
Dr. Glenn Mitchell Memorial Park, 300 W. Louisiana St., McKinney
50th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes
Two sets of private residences in historic downtown McKinney all decked out for the holidays over two weekends.
Tickets: $5-$50
Dec. 2-10
Chestnut Square, 315 S. Chestnut St., McKinney
Santa’s Workshop: Gift-Making Extravaganza
Holiday-themed creativity, including painting, drawing, crafting and soap-making.
Tickets: $80
Saturdays, Dec. 2, 9, 16
Jump Into Art Studios, 404 N. Church St., McKinney
Holidays at the Heard
Outdoor evening of lights and holiday entertainment on a half-mile trail, including some decked-out dinosaurs.
Tickets: Free-$15
Dec. 8-9
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl., McKinney
McKinney Christmas Parade of Lights
“Christmas Movie Magic”-themed parade by the McKinney Rotary Club.
Free
Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m.
Dr. Glenn Mitchell Memorial Park, 300 W. Louisiana St., McKinney.
Murphy
Christmas in the Park
Bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center to this outdoor party.
Free
Dec. 7, 6-8 p.m.
Murphy Municipal Complex, 206 N. Murphy Road, Murphy
Plano
Photos with Santa
Pictures with the jolly old guy in red, with sensory-friendly and pet-friendly photo sessions as well.
Photo Packages: From $39.99
Nov. 16-Dec. 24
The Shops at Willow Bend, 2405 Dallas Pkwy., Plano
Saturday Flurries at The Shops at Willow Bend
Celebration featuring Santa, live reindeer, carolers and snowfall.
Free
Nov. 18
The Shops at Willow Bend, 2405 Dallas Pkwy., Plano
Plano Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving Day 5K run/walk with Hypnotic Donuts at the finish line.
Registration: Free-$60
Nov. 23, 7:30 a.m.
Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, 5901 Los Rios Blvd., Plano
Lights on the Farm
Historic farmstead gets transformed into a beautiful wintry spectacle.
Tickets: Free-$12
Nov. 24-Dec. 30
Heritage Farmstead Museum, 1900 W. 15th St., Plano
A Christmas Story
Art Centre Theatre presents an adult and youth production of the treasured book-turned-movie by Jean Shepherd.
Tickets: $18-$21.50
Dec. 1-17
Art Centre Theatre, 1400 Summit Ave. Suite E, Plano
Dickens in Downtown Plano
Annual event with tree lighting and other merry traditions.
Free
Dec. 2, 4-9 p.m.
Haggard Park, 901 E. 15th St., Plano
Repeal Day Pairing Dinner
Celebration of the 90th anniversary of Prohibition’s repeal with a five-course dinner-and-bourbon pairing and 1930s-era costumes.
Tickets: $120
Dec. 5, 7 p.m.
Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar, 3601 Dallas Pkwy., Plano
Scrooge
Community production with more than 130 local actors.
Tickets: Free on community nights (Dec. 6 and 13); $18-$28 for other performances
Dec. 6-17
Courtyard Theater, 1509 H Ave., Plano (Dec. 6-10); Rodenbaugh Theatre at the Shops at Willow Bend, 6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano (Dec. 13-17)
Seussical: The Musical
Shortened, child-focused production starring staff members and students.
Tickets: $12-$18
Dec. 15-17
Genesis Children’s Theatre, 3100 Independence Pkwy., #324B, Plano
Home for the Holidays
Plano Symphony Orchestra, Midtown Quartet and Plano Civic Chorus concert.
Tickets: $34-$81
Dec. 17, 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Rd., Plano
Richardson
CityLine LIGHTS
Dazzling light displays throughout the shopping district.
Free
Through Jan. 5
CityLine Plaza, 1150 State St., Richardson
Chamberlain Ballet Nutcracker
The Sugar Plum Fairy and the rest of the gang kick off the Christmas season.
Tickets: $22-$102
Nov. 24-26
Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations, 2351 Performance Dr., Richardson
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Perennial favorite about a man who gets help from an angel to get in the spirit of the season.
Tickets: $18-$22
Dec. 1-17
Richardson Theatre Centre, 518 W. Arapaho Rd. # 113, Richardson
Richardson’s 51st Annual Christmas Parade
Themed “The Parade of Misfit Toys,” this celebration benefits the Network of Community Ministries.
Free
Dec. 2, 9 a.m.
Downtown Richardson (begins at Richardson High School)
Santa’s Village at Huffhines Park
Santa, musical performances and an opening-night tree-lighting ceremony.
Free
Dec. 2-17
Huffhines Park, 1500 Apollo Road, Richardson
CityLine Merry Market
Market with more than 50 vendors, local artisans and holiday-themed crafts for kids.
Free
Dec. 9, noon-8 p.m.
CityLine Plaza, 1150 State St., Richardson
Menorah Lighting
Menorah Lighting to celebrate the start of Hanukkah as Chabad of Richardson lights the Menorah located in The Plaza.
Free
Dec. 10 (Time TBD)
CityLine Plaza, 1150 State St., Richardson
The Nutcracker
Tuzer Ballet presents the classic holiday show during two dynamic performances.
Tickets: $29-$85
Dec. 16-17, 2 p.m.
Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations, 2351 Performance Dr., Richardson
Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas
Rick Schuler embodies John Denver to sing the legend’s top hits and holiday tunes.
Tickets: $46-$52
Dec. 16-17
Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations, 2351 Performance Dr., Richardson
Nochebuena
Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuellar present a Mexican cultural experience for the holidays.
Tickets: $32-$42
Dec. 29, 8 p.m.
Hill Performance Hall at the Eisemann, 2351 Performance Dr., Richardson