Ho! Ho! Ho! Here’s plenty of Christmas fun to go!
Friday – Sunday
Comedian John Witherspoon at Improv (Arlington) – according to their website, “You probably remember John Witherspoon as Ice Cube”s (Craig”s) outrageously funny, dog-catching dad in New Line Cinema”s smash urban trilogy Friday, Next Friday & Friday After Next, or as “Pops” on the long-running syndicated sitcom The Wayans Brothers or as “Spoon” on NBC”s The Tracy Morgan Show. One thing”s for sure, once you’ve seen Witherspoon you completely understand why he has earned the reputation as one of America”s funniest dads. His scene-stealing roles in Boomerang, Little Nicky, House Party, Vampire in Brooklyn, and I”m Gonna Git You Sucka, made him one of the most memorable funny men in America. You’ve seen him in everything from popular music videos alongside Jay Z and Sugar Ray to blockbuster movies alongside Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Chris Tucker and Ice Cube, among others. Not only does Witherspoon”s work span over four decades to include blockbuster movies, hit-television shows, commercials, and top-rated music videos, but he”s coined his own catch phrases”as in “Bang!Bang!Bang!Bang!” and “You Gotta Co-ordinate!” Witherspoon will have America laughing once again this fall in his wickedly funny role in the highly anticipated animated series, The Boondocks (The Cartoon Network). He stars as the eccentric “Grandad” in the series based on the award winning and politically charged comic strip. Additionally, Witherspoon has lent his voice to other top-rated animated shows including, The Proud Family and Kim Possible, among others. Witherspoon continues to tour around the country with his wildly popular stand-up show and recently launched The John Witherspoon Collection —a complete line of humorous greeting cards called Spoon Cards.
Broadway Christmas Wonderland at Music Hall at Fair Park – per their website, “is one of the most delightful and enchanting Christmas shows ever. This most loved Christmas show features glittering costumes, a dazzling cast, and the highest kicking Chorus Girls this side of the North Pole. Start Christmas in style as Santa and his merry helpers take you on an unforgettable nostalgic Christmas journey. Songs include “White Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Chestnuts Roasting,” “Jingle Bells,” “Away in a Manger,” “Silent Night,” “Deck The Halls,” “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” “O Holy Night” and many more. This sparkling Holiday Show is ideal for the whole family
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Christmas Pops at Meyerson Symphony Center – their website notes, “Bring the whole family to experience the magic of the most wonderful time of the year as the magnificent Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Chorus return in an all-new production featuring Christmas classics, holiday favorites and sing-along carols.*The Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas will only be performing at DSO Christmas Pops matinee performances (not evening).
Saturday
Treats of Christmas at NorthPark Center – join NorthPark Center for the ultimate holiday bake sale benefiting the North Texas Food Bank. Presented by the Texas Chefs Association, dozens of premier chefs from area restaurants and catering companies present an assortment of gourmet cakes, sweets, pies and cookies available for purchase. Click here to visit the NorthPark Center Holiday pages for more events.
Christmas In The Square Special Event Night at Frisco Square – 5-10pm –
Trackless Train Rides $3 PP (12/10 6-10 pm & 12/17 5-10 pm)
Parachuting Santa (5:00 pm 12/17 ONLY)
Visits with Santa (12/17 ONLY)
4 Lane Inner-Tubing Snow Slide (12/17 ONLY)
Holiday Treats (12/17 ONLY)
NEW* Interactive Snow Play Area (12/17 ONLY)
NEW* Santa and his Workshop (12/17 ONLY)
NEW* Holiday Vendors (12/17 ONLY)
NEW* Inflatables (12/17 ONLY)
Skate the Square Real Outdoor Ice Rink $10 PP
Nov. 25, 2016 – Jan. 1, 2017
Closed Christmas Day and during inclement weather.
Mon-Thurs 4-9 pm
Fri-Sunday 12-10 pm
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides $6 PP
Thursday – Sundays 6-10 pm
November 25, 2016 – January 1, 2017
except December 3 and 25 and during inclement weather.
Light and Music Show
November 25, 2016 – January 1, 2017
6-10 pm nightly
Snow Flurries every 15 minutes
Friday and Saturdays
November 25, 2016 – January 1, 2017
Macy’s Grand Tree Lighting Celebration at Galleria Mall – according to Guidelive.com, “A visit to the Galleria Dallas to see the lighting of the country’s tallest indoor Christmas tree has become a treasured holiday tradition. Each holiday show features Missile Toes – the Galleria’s ice-skating, back-flipping, pyrotechnic Santa Claus – live performances from Olympic and National ice skating champions along with local children. The shows are free and can be viewed from all mall levels.”
Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular at Dr. Pepper Arena – their website notes, “Produced by TCG Entertainment, Cirque Musica has multiple productions touring the world. A Cirque Musica production blends the grace and thrills of the world’s greatest cirque performers with stunning symphonic music. Audiences are treated to a full sensory experience that will have them on the edge of their seats and in awe of the beauty, thrills, and majesty that is….Cirque Musica.”
Sunday
A Christmas Story at Majestic Theatre
Now – Dec. 21
A Charlie Brown Christmas at Dallas Children’s Theater/Rosewood Center For Family Arts – per their website, “Christmas time is here, and we’re fortunate that it brings Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang to DCT! Charles Schulz’s classic animated television special comes to life as you’ve never seen before. The young and the young at heart will be tapping their toes and oohing and ahhing as the live combo band surrounds the audience in a magical, memorable holiday spectacle. Make sure you’re front and center as Charlie Brown and his friends discover the real meaning of Christmas!
Kathy Burkes Theatre of Puppetry Arts: The Nutcracker at Dallas Children’s Theater/Rosewood Center For Family Arts – according to their website, ” No holiday season is complete without Tchaikovsky’s THE NUTCRACKER! This unique and acclaimed puppet interpretation brings the classic story to life with innovative passion and artistry.
Now – Dec. 24
Texas Ballet Theater: The Nutcracker at Bass Performance Hall
Now – Dec. 28
A Christmas Carol at Wyly Theatre – their website notes, “Scrooge is back! And she’s cranky as ever! Come kick off the holiday season with us as A Christmas Carol returns to the Wyly Theatre. In this delightfully re-imagined take on Dickens’ enduring classic, the audience is immersed in the story with magical ghosts flying above, scary ghosts bursting out of the floor, and snow falling from the sky. Full of traditional Christmas hymns in fresh, toe-tapping musical arrangements, joyful bursts of choreography, and eye-popping special effects, A Christmas Carol is Dallas’ “must-see” Holiday tradition. Don’t miss this all-ages, musical treat the Dallas Morning News calls “socially conscious… and theatrically spectacular.”
Now – Dec. 30
The Farmers Branch Tour of Lights – according to their website, “Millions of twinkling, festive lights beckon thousands of visitors throughout the season to come to the Farmers Branch Christmas Tour of Lights, now through December 30. Starting at the intersection of I-35E and Valley View Lane, the driving tour continues down Denton Drive, which now features animation synced to music, and on to the Farmers Branch Historical Park where a veritable ‘Winter Wonderland’ will be presented in a bigger-than-ever show with even more twinkling lights, holiday music and Christmas displays. The lights will be on each evening during the season from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., with the Historical Park portion of the tour closed two nights only, December 3 and 25. Admission is a suggested $5 donation per vehicle to the various non-profit groups and agencies working the tour each night. Weather updates and other info are at fbspecialevents on Facebook or by visiting fblights.com.
The Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway – continues with more than 150 NEW light displays and over 3,000,000 lights!
Now – Dec. 31
Reunion Tower – Santa and his elves are sharing Christmas cheer with weekly trips to the GeO-Deck., where guest can take a pic with Santa. Plus, Jangles the balloon artist elf will be there and tasty treats from Cloud Nine Café! Santa will visit each Saturday thru the 24th.”
Now – Jan. 1
ICE! 2016 – featuring Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town at Gaylord Texan – their website notes, “Learn how Santa Claus started giving toys to good girls and boys in the retelling of the classic television special, Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town. Our ice sculptures and ice slides are fun for the whole family and part of a Lone Star Christmas at Gaylord Texan Resort.”
Village Lights at Hillside Village – Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand, plus FREE carriage rides, holiday crafts, caroling, and face painting, ajust to name a few attractions. Free cookies from Mrs. Claus. Plus, Santa will light up at 30-ft. Christmas tree at 6:30pm, with Holiday Season music and lights synchronized together. All happening thru New Year’s Day! Beginning Nov. 25, look for Snow Flurries, Friday and Saturday nights in the Village Green, in 15 increments, 6:30-8:30pm.
Vitruvian Lights at Vitruvian Park – enjoy the beautiful view during a holiday stroll and attend these free Magical Nights of Lights with special musical performances:
Saturday, Dec. 3, 6 p.m. – Dallas String Quartet
Saturday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m.– Chris Rivers Band
Saturday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m. – The Georgia Bridgewater Orchestra
Magical Nights of Lights is a FREE outdoor event. Mingle with family and friends, take a photo with Santa, dance and sing along to your favorite holiday songs, and browse through the holiday shopping village for gifts. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from gourmet food trucks on Magical Nights of Lights. FREE parking available at Vitruvian Park and additional event parking locations.
Prairie Lights at Lynn Creek Park – as noted on their Facebook page, “Prairie Lights is the state’s premier holiday drive-through park featuring more than 4 million lights along the shores of beautiful Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake. Visitors will be amazed by the world’s longest light tunnel and the Holiday Village out-of-car experiences that will make this Christmas season one to remember!
Now – Jan. 2
The 12 Days Of Christmas at The Dallas Arboretum – per their website, “Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with Holiday at the Arboretum, featuring the return of the magnificent 12 Days Of Christmas outdoor exhibit, open every weekend for the first time ever!
Now – Jan. 8
Holiday In The Park at Six Flags Over Texas – congrats to all 98.7K-LUV ticket winners.
The Trains at NorthPark at NorthPark Center – their website notes, “The exhibit encompasses more than 4,000 square feet of train themed environments, with all the trimmings of the holiday train travel experience. More than 60,000 people visit The Trains at NorthPark each season. Since 1987, The Trains at NorthPark presented by Bank of Texas, has raised money for the children and families served by the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. The 2016-2017 exhibit will open on November 19th.”
Now – Jan. 16
Panther Island Ice at Coyote Drive-In Ft. Worth – per their website, “Fort Worth is about to get a lot cooler as the city’s favorite holiday tradition, Panther Island Ice, returns for another season on November 18, 2016. Fort Worth’s only outdoor skating rink remains open 7 days a week, including all holidays.
Now – Feb. 28
Penguin Days – $7 Admission – Dallas Zoo – according to their website, “Everyone age 3 and up, including adults and seniors, can visit the African penguins and all the other animals at the Dallas Zoo for just $7 per person during the months of December, January and February. Think of it as our holiday gift to you!
Have a fun weekend while listening to 98.7K-LUV!
Stay up on interesting, fun and even weird stories by following me at www.facebook.com/BlakePowers, and on Twitter at @BlakePowersRdio and my NEW Twitter page @987KLUVBlakeP
©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed