‘Tis the season to spend time with friends and family. Plano is a magical place to spend the winter season with loved ones. From dinosaurs and dazzling lights to exquisite drinks and food, there is no shortage of engaging activities for you to do alongside your family and friends. Huffines CJDR Plano has done all the hard work for you and compiled a list of the best local winter events in the Plano area.
Dinosaurs Live!
Dinosaurs are alive and well at the Heard Museum. Take a journey back in time and experience Dinosaurs Live!, featuring ten life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Watch them move and hear them roar as you explore a half-mile nature trail. The path is stroller friendly, so you can bring even the youngest paleontologists along. Kids can also play and explore an area with a Hadrosaur fossil dig. Your family’s imagination will run wild at this prehistoric exhibit.
You may meet the likes of the ferocious Tyrannosaurus Rex or the spitting Dilophosaurus. The dinosaurs are powered by a pneumatic system that allows them to move seamlessly in their natural setting. Dinosaurs Live! is included in the general admission price. Running now through Feb. 20, 2023, be sure to catch them before they become extinct once more.
Lights on the Farm
The Heritage Farms Museum will be illuminated with more than a million lights when Lights on the Farm returns for the holiday season. The event features a gloriously illuminated quarter-mile trail throughout the property and an interactive holiday light display created by First Choice Lights.
Create a new family tradition and bring the kids along. The farm will have a 20-foot Christmas tree and various refreshments, such as s’mores and hot cocoa. Kids can also visit with Santa, and there will be plenty of photo opportunities throughout the property. To ensure that you can participate in the event, advance registration is encouraged. The Farmstead will open at 6 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. Guests will be admitted every 20 minutes, with the last entry granted at 9 p.m.
Day 1 Dallas DFW
Day 1 DFW is a fun-filled event for kids and families to celebrate New Year’s Day together. Located at The Irving Center in Frisco, this all-day affair features interactive games, activities, and various live performances. The night culminates with a dazzling fireworks display at Toyota Stadium. All sponsor contributions directly benefit Vogel Alcove’s mission to provide for homeless children and their families.
Crayola Experience Plano
Add some color to your life at Crayola Experience Plano, where kids and adults alike can explore the world of art and technology through interactive activities. Located at The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, Texas, this one-of-a-kind attraction allows families to enjoy a full day of creative fun. The colorful, hands-on experiences help children and adults develop their creativity and imagination.
Families typically spend around two to three hours exploring 25 unique exhibits. Engage in fun activities such as starring in your own coloring book page, learning how crayons are made, and embarking on a 4-D coloring adventure. Then, recharge with pizza, chicken fingers, and more at Café Crayola. While taking a break, don’t miss the entertainment on the Café Stage, where you can learn about the science and magic of color.
The Crayola Experience is open year-round and offers various events and activities. Admission is required for all guests ages 3+, and starts at $24.99 per person. Guests ages 2 and younger get in free.
Jarcuterie and Whiskey Tasting
Leave the kids at home and join The Whiskey Spot for a whiskey tasting and personalized Jarcuterie event. The Whiskey Spot is dedicated to finding the best whiskeys from around the world, sourcing small batches and limited-edition products. This exclusive night features a walk through the whiskey-tasting process and various craft cocktail creations.
Part of the fun at this event is tasting samples from world-class, small whiskey distillers that you may not be familiar with. During the whiskey tasting and discussion, indulge in premium meats, cheeses, and other ingredients. Create your own unique charcuterie in a jar — or Jarcuterie — and the most creative one will win a prize. The event takes place at The Whiskey Spot on Dec. 7 from 7-9 p.m. Tickets start at $39.
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience Dallas
Make the trip to Dallas and visit the captivating Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience where you can get lost in art — literally. Through this immersive art installation, you can surround yourself with the works of Van Gogh in an experience filled with vibrant colors and brushstrokes. Interact with his most famous works, incorporating yourself into his sunny landscapes and portraits. The Dallas installation includes “Starry Night,” “The Potato Eaters,” “The Bedroom,” “Sunflowers,” and more.
The exhibit, designed and created by Massimiliano Siccardi, is a captivating and imaginative experience that will leave you feeling like you live in Van Gogh’s work. The soundtrack was composed by Luca Longobardi, who pioneered the use of immersive digital art in France. Many different event packages are also available during the exhibit’s run, including immersive yoga, sound bath and meditation, and date night packages. Tickets to enter the venue begin at $39.99, depending on your chosen date.
Lightscape
The popular holiday light display, Lightscape, is returning to Fort Worth in November. This year, it will be located in the Fort Worth Botanical Garden. The one-mile-long trail will allow visitors to experience a magical winter wonderland. As you meander along the enchanting path, spectacular artistic attractions come to life after dark. Gaze in awe at suspended strands and tunnels of light, a fire garden, waves of bluebonnets, treetop sculptures, and singing trees. To further delight you and your family, you can toast marshmallows over a fire and warm up with hot chocolate at various stations along the trail.
Lightscape is held nightly from 5:45-9 p.m., and the event runs from Nov. 18 to Jan. 8. Tickets are required for entry and can be purchased at the event. To ensure you get a good view of the amazing displays, purchase your tickets before they sell out.
We hope you enjoyed learning about these fun events in and around Plano, Texas. With so much happening, even during the winter, there is never a shortage of activities. Whether you’re looking for a memorable family excursion or a special night out with friends, the Plano area has something for everyone all year round. Did we miss any of your favorites? Be sure to contact us at Huffines CJDR Plano and let us know. We love to discover new, exciting events in Plano.