‘Tis the Season in Plano!

Holiday Event Guide photo collage

Holiday Event Guide

Plano is such a lively city to shop and stay for the holidays. Many find themselves here for the seasonal cheer offered by high-end shopping, charming boutiques, and remarkable restaurants and hotels. Plus, there are more than 20 holiday events of all kinds for you to take part in across the city. With so much to offer, we hope you visit us soon. After all, ’tis the season!

Ladies’ Night Out Private Shopping and Silent Auction at ‘Neath the Wreath Holiday Gift Market
November 9 at 7 p.m.
Come in your favorite winter white outfit and enjoy a night to remember sipping cocktails, getting early access to the fabulous ‘Neath the Wreath vendors, and bidding on valuable items from the DFW area’s hottest shopping, dining, sports, and entertainment venues. General admission tickets are $50 and ticket sales close November 7 at 10 a.m.

‘Neath the Wreath Holiday Gift Market
November 10-13. Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Over ten thousand attendees join in holiday shopping during the Junior League of Collin County’s annual ‘Neath the Wreath Holiday Market at Plano Centre. This fundraiser features the best in holiday and home decor, ladies clothing and accessories, gifts, jewelry, children’s items, and gourmet food from over 100 carefully selected merchants. There is something for everyone on your shopping list, so you won’t want to miss Collin County’s largest holiday shopping event! Tickets are $10 in advance at Tom Thumb stores or on the Junior League’s website. Tickets are $13 at the door and children under 12 are free. Due to limited space, no strollers please.

Plano Christmas Market
November 19-20. Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
This fun event will showcase handmade holiday gift items made of fabric, wood, ceramic, and glass. Other exhibitors will have jewelry and clothing for adults and children along with candles and soap. There will also be a wonderful selection of salsas, jams, nuts, and dips for gifts or holiday parties. In addition, Collin County seniors will stock the Hip Hip for Gray booth with a variety of crafts including quilts, baby items, ornaments, and more! Admission is free.

IMG_1318The Lights at Legacy presented by The Shops at Legacy
November 20 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Kick-off the holiday season with The Lights at Legacy event at The Shops at Legacy! Enjoy photos with Santa, musical entertainment, balloon artists, face painting, magic with Mr. Scrooge, train rides, food sampling from participating restaurants, plus the lighting of the 65 foot Christmas tree at 6:30 p.m. Free to attend.

The Nutcracker presented by Chamberlain Performing Arts

November 25 at 7 p.m., November 26 at 2 p.m., and November 27 at 2 p.m.
Come enjoy this fabulous holiday tradition of one of the most famous ballets the world has ever known. Chamberlain Performing Arts’ production of The Nutcracker features New York City Ballet principal dancers Tiler Peck and Tyler Angle. Tickets range from $15-$100.

Sugar Plum Tea presented by Chamberlain Performing Arts
November 26 at 4:15 p.m.
Chamberlain performing Arts will host its annual Sugar Plum Tea on November 26 following the matinee performance of The Nutcracker. The highlight of the tea will be the arrival of the Sugar Plum Fairy herself, accompanied by her Cavalier. Tea guests will have the chance to meet these special guest artists and have photographs taken with them. During the tea, children can decorate cookies, mingle with a multitude of cast members from Chamberlain’s Nutcracker, and collect autographs from cast members. A selection of tasty treats will include sandwiches and special occasion cupcakes. Reserve your spot today. Tickets are $35.

Deerfield Lights Display
December 1-30 from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. nightly, except during extreme rain.
Drive through this famous Plano neighborhood in December for a spectacular holiday lights display!  There will be a special tree lighting ceremony on December 1 with cookies and hot cocoa for purchase. Deerfield is located between Preston Road and Coit Road.  Enter from Legacy Drive, heading north on Colonnade or Archgate (noting one-way and restricted-turn signs along Old Pond Drive and Hallmark). View the rout map here. Carriage rides and holiday Segway tours may be available (reservations recommended) .

Dickens in Historic Downtown Plano
December 2 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
If you hear the familiar sound of jingle bells or a conductor’s whistle, stop by the Interurban Railway Museum in Haggard Park. Costumed staff and volunteers re-enact roles from the early 20th century and read “The Polar Express” to the young and young at heart. A special Santa mailbox is located nearby for children to deliver their letters to Santa Claus. These “Special Delivery” posts are hand-delivered to Santa upon his arrival. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. the community stage hosts performances of local musicians and creative talent, while familiar carols played by Plano’s Community Band set the tone for a festive family event. Hand bell performances ring throughout the evening at Event 1013. Don’t miss free horse-drawn wagon rides, along with balloon artists and children’s activities from local non-profit organizations. Be sure to visit Santa at the gazebo and bring your camera to capture the moment. Food vendors are onsite to offer an assortment of tasty treats during the evening: hot drinks, soft drinks, beer and wine, kettle corn, smoked turkey legs, sausage on a stick, hot dogs, fried fish and shrimp, corn dogs and funnel cakes. Downtown restaurants offer signature fare and a special Dickens menu of delicious local cuisine. Many downtown businesses extend their hours for this annual event and invite you to browse for the perfect holiday gifts for everyone on your “nice” list. Street vendors join the festivities with inspired gifts to check off your list. The event is located in Haggard Park, McCall Plaza and on a limited section of 15th Street in Downtown Plano. Free parking is available at the Plano Municipal Center (1520 K Avenue) and public lots off 14th Street. Free to attend.

Lantern Light: America’s Winter Wonderland presented by Heritage Farmstead Museum
December 3 from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Join us for the 30th anniversary of this wonderful holiday event! Traditionally, over 100 kerosene lanterns adorn the property. This year, to hark back to the first Lantern Light in 1986, they will reenact the tour by Lantern Light.  A Presidential Tour is on exhibit in the Farrell Wilson House allowing for the presidential themed Christmas tree (presidents pre-1930), and so much more. There will be children’s choirs singing in the PoleBarn from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and a special Winter Wonderland activity in the Meadow.  Kids will enjoy crafts and horse driven wagon rides. Enjoy tasty treats in the PoleBarn, candle dipping, and North Texas Story Tellers from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Santa Claus will be on hand from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children; children under 2 are free. Register early on their website for a discount.

Men of Note Christmas Concert: The Polar Express
December 2 at 8 p.m. and December 3 at 2 p.m.
Take a musical journey on the Polar Express with the Men of Note Chorus featuring traditional and contemporary holiday music in the A Capella style. Guest performances include OneSound, an A Cappella pop vocal group, singing in the style of Pentatonix and other contemporary stars.  They’ll also present The MadriGals, a women’s group from the popular Sweet Adelines International. Dressed in period costumes and performing in the Renaissance and early Baroque styles, the Madrigals put a lively contemporary twist on holiday favorites. Tickets for the evening show are $20 and $15 for the matinee. 

The Gift of Christmas 2The Gift of Christmas presented by Prestonwood Baptist Church
December 3 – 11. Times vary.
The Gift of Christmas is a Prestonwood tradition and one of the highlights of the holiday 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! The program will keep you fully engaged for a powerful 90 minutes, the perfect length for every family member to enjoy.  It is complete with all your Christmas favorites, including the Living Nativity.  With camels and kings, flying angels and beautiful virtual scenery, the Christmas story comes to life in a breathtaking way.  The scenic pieces, costumes, and choreography are highlighted by a brilliant, original musical score, arranged and orchestrated just for Prestonwood. Tickets range from $16-$55.

Plano Lions Christmas Parade

December 10 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
It wouldn’t be the holidays without the Plano Lions Christmas Parade! The parade starts in the parking lot of the Plano ISD Administration building and travels west on 15th Street then north on Independence, east on Parkhaven, and ends at Plano Senior High School. 

The Santa Run
December 10 at 9 a.m.
Santa Run Texas is a 5K run and 1 mile fun-walk where everyone can enjoy festivities and gather with thousands of other people all dressed up like Santa. Yes, a 5-piece Santa Suit is included with your registration. There will be a live performance by the Jordan Kahn Orchestra and a variety of different activities will be available for all members of the family to enjoy.  Take photos in a life-sized snow globe, meet a few storm troopers, or even jump in the largest bounce house in the U.S.  There is something for everyone! Santa Run Texas is an official Toys for Tots donation site. Participants are encouraged to bring an unwrapped present to packet pickup or on race day. All proceeds from the event benefit My Possibilities, a continued learning and vocational training program in Plano for adults with cognitive disabilities in the North Texas community. Registration ranges from $30-$40.

Elf the Musical JR presented by Edge Dance & Performing Arts Center
December 8-11. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m.
Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole.  The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity.  Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and that his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. Tickets are $15.

Fun on the Farm: Breakfast with Santa
December 16 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Join the Heritage Farmstead for breakfast with Santa! Tickets include breakfast for one adult and one child, one picture with Santa, a tractor driven wagon ride, a story, and a craft. Tickets are $20 for one parent/child combo, $18 for Heritage Farmstead members, $7 for an additional breakfast (child or adult), and $12 for an additional breakfast (child or adult) plus an additional picture with Santa. Breakfast will be held in the historic Pole Barn so make sure you dress for the weather. Registration is required so get your tickets by calling 972-881-0140 or visit their website.

Plano Symphony Home For Holidays Credit-Larry PollisHome for the Holidays presented by the Plano Symphony Orchestra
December 18 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Over 3,100 patrons attended the Home for the Holidays concerts, one of Collin County’s most popular traditions, in 2015. With over 150 musicians, Home for the Holidays includes seasonal favorites for orchestra and chorus, the popular audience sing-along, visitors from the North Pole, humor, the great pipe organ at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, and plenty of surprises. The 2016 concert also features a newly commissioned Christmas Concerto by Dr. Jonathan Gregoire. Patrons continuously comment that Home for the Holidays is a mandatory part of their holiday celebration. Tickets range from $20-$49.

It’s a Wonderful Life – Radio Play presented by Rover Dramawerks

December 15-24. Times vary.
A beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940’s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage with live sound effects, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. Tickets range from $16-$22.

A Very Brady Christmas presented by The ArtCentre Theatre
December 15-21. Times TBA.
Your favorite sitcom characters from the 70’s are forced to save Christmas. Cultures clash when 1972 meets 2016. Carol’s long-lost East coast cousins, Vinnie and Vivian, come for a visit. The kids learn of Vinnie’s plan to steal from their parents and find a way to teach them the true meaning of Christmas.  Join The ArtCentre Theatre for this unique family adventure. Plan to dress up 70’s-style and sing along to some of your favorite holiday songs in this entertaining trip down memory lane. Tickets are $15.

Please visit the event’s individual websites for the most up-to-date information. For more events in Plano, click here.

Happy Holidays!

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