The holiday season is upon us with its cheerful messaging and joyful activities. Plano, Texas, is home to a wide variety of Christmas events that are suitable for kids and adults. Head into downtown for the various festivities, markets, and local stores offering unique merchandise for Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers. Plenty of locations offer events that include pictures with Santa and annual holiday plays to satisfy those personal Christmas traditions.
At Huffines CJDR Plano, we want to share with you our list of favorite holiday festivities for you to check out. Here’s a list of what we think you shouldn’t miss during the holidays:
Lights on the Farm
Image via Flickr by Charles Patrick Ewing
The Heritage Farmstead Museum is a living historical farm that interprets the Texas Blackland Prairie across its 4.5-acre site. The museum is turned into a winter wonderland of lights, holiday-themed activities, and treats every holiday season. A quarter-mile trail travels through the property that has stopped with animated displays and light creations. Stop at the 20-foot Christmas tree for pictures, or take advantage of the selfie photo opportunities throughout the farm. Finish off your visit with hot cocoa and s’mores that you can make.
The proceeds from the event are put back into the farm so future generations can get a first-hand look at what living on a farm used to be like. This event runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Nov. 26 to Dec. 26, 2021, from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. The event is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Art Center Theatre put on the Best Christmas Pageant Ever and is suitable for young adults to adults. The play is adapted from the novel written by Barbara Robinson and tells the story of the six Herdman siblings who put their own spin on the story of the birth of Christ, which they had never heard of until they decided to take over the pageant. Instead of applying reverence and understanding to the story, the Herdman kids turn the Wise Men into spies and try to give Herod a beating.
Along the way, the Herdman kids learn about the story and come to understand the meaning of Christmas. They may be awful, rotten kids who try to ruin the pageant for the audience, but they prove that even the most rotten kids can be angels. Watching the play at The Art Centre Theatre is a great way to spend an afternoon with young adults during the holidays. The play runs from Dec. 10 through Dec. 19, 2021, and showtimes vary.
Christmas Village at Warehouse Church
The Christmas Village at Warehouse Church has it all with a petting zoo, live music, food trucks, and over 50 vendors. Visitors can also take pictures with Santa and enjoy other holiday fun at the event, which runs from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. on Dec. 4, 2021. The event is held outdoors, and tickets are free.
Stories With Santa at Legacy Hall
Stories with Santa at Legacy Hall takes place on Dec. 18, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Box Garden and is a free event for all. Storytimes are at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. and followed by a free screening of The Santa Clause. All good girls and boys can visit the Letters to Santa Station and write down their holiday wishes and mail them off to the North Pole.
The SusieCakes Cookie Decorating Station offers a decorating kit for sweet treats. You will also find a life-size snow globe that’s perfect for taking pictures in front of. The event is first-come, first-served, so make sure to get there early enough to grab a seat.
Christmas Holiday Art Camp
The Christmas Holiday Art Camp is hosted by the Carpenter Park Recreation Center and geared for kids between 5 and 13 years old. Kids are allowed to explore the arts in various mediums and expand their creative thinking skills. This runs from Dec. 20 to Dec. 23 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and participants create up to six finished pieces of art by the end of the camp. It’s a great place for kids to hang out and create during their winter vacation, and it allows parents to get shopping done in the days before Christmas.
Dickens at Downtown Plano Arts District
Dickens is a free annual event on Dec. 4, 2021, located in the Downtown Plano Arts District that offers seasonal fun for everyone. It’s located in Haggard Park, McCall Plaza, and a portion of 15th Street and runs from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Free parking is available at the Plano Municipal Center and in public lots off 14th Street. Free photos with Santa are available throughout the event, and there are plenty of activities, including a snow slide for kids, a reading of “The Polar Express,” and tours of the Masonic Lodge. Three stages offer live entertainment ranging from dance groups to musical acts.
The Downtown Plano Mistletoe Market
The Downtown Plano Mistletoe Market takes place in historic downtown Plano on Dec. 12, 2021, and features local vendors selling their unique wares. You’ll find everything from savory treats to amazing home goods being sold at the market. The restaurants and cafes also join in the festivities with special offers and promotions for shoppers. This event runs from noon to 6 p.m.
Deerfield Holiday Lights
During the month of December, the neighborhood of Deerfield is famous for its incredible Deerfield Holiday Lights displays. Neighbors get together to install Christmas displays and hang millions of twinkling lights for a holiday experience like no other. It’s recommended to go during the week when traffic is lighter, and to use the multiple entrances to the neighborhood to avoid getting stuck in a line. You can see the magic of these lights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends.
During the holidays, this is our list of fun things to do in Plano, Texas. Did we miss something that you feel should be included? Drop us a line at Huffines CJDR Plano and let us know! We’ll be sure to include your submission when we update the list.