Holiday Happenings for the Kiddos!

My trio and I can't wait to start attending all the activities the Arlington area offers during the Christmas season! From the lights at Interlochen to the Santa Adventure at Parks Mall to activities at Christkindlmarkt, there is lots of fun to be had during the most wonderful time of the year!

Love Actually and Elf start on a continuous loop at my house the day after Thanksgiving- which is also when the tree goes up and Sparkle, our Elf on the Shelf, returns. Peppermint mochas become my dietary staple and the girls wear red and green for pretty much all of December. I seriously love the holidays!

We are taking Santa photos with a great photographer in Mansfield today to get a jump on the holiday photo card rush (did you see the giveaway I shared? With Event Paperie? You need to enter- do you need an incentive beyond FREE Christmas cards?!) and I've queued up some holiday music to put me in this spirit while I compile this list (and simultaneously fill my planner for December). Happy Holidays!

Ongoing Events

Texas Christkindl Market, Rangers Ballpark, 11/25- 12/23. Event is free to walk in.
One day, I will attend the original Christkindlmarkt in Germany, but, for now, this event is fabulous and so close to home! This year, they are debuting Peppermint Park for the kiddos. PP is open on the weekends when school is in session and then all week leading up to Christmas. Activities include games, a trackless train, a petting zoo, crafts, a stage with entertainers and more! Some activities may cost. Also new this year is the Artic Blast Tubing Run, a 200-ft. slide you travel down in a tube. Awesome! While you are there, stop by and visit Father Christmas, Germany's version of Santa Claus.

Adventure to Santa, Parks Mall, 11/4-12/24, hours vary. Event is free; Photos available for purchase.
Join the characters from Kung Fu Panda as you embark on a virtual adventure to Santa Claus. At the end of the journey, you'll meet the jolly guy himself and pose for a photo. Picture pricing varies, but the journey is free and totally fun for littles! I highly recommend making a reservation at adventuretosanta.com beforehand so you can skip the line to the North Pole!

Holiday in the Park, Six Flags Over Texas, through January 2, hours vary. Event free with park ticket.
Enjoy all the wonderful rides at Six Flags without the warm summer air! Thousands of lights make for visual delight as you stroll the park. Enjoy a lights show set to music, fake snow and a sledding hill that replicates the kind of snow-sledding I grew up doing in northern Illinois! Hot chocolate is available for purchase and there are warming stations throughout the park.

Santa at Lincoln Square, November 25- December 24. 
Visit Santa to tell him what you want to find under your tree; Santa will also be taking donations to benefit Safe Haven. Find a full list of items needed here: http://www.lincolnsquarearlington.com/event/13th-annual-santa-land/2145480708

Prairie Lights, Lynn Creek Park in GP, open nights and weekends from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. Per-car cost.
Drive through a spectacular lights display set to music! More than four million lights stretch across two miles of track with displays that stretch over the road and dance to the music that fills your car. Grab your friends and your hot cocoa and enjoy the magic of the season! You can stop and get out half-way through the path and shop, grab hot cocoa or hot cider and visit Santa himself. Some activities cost extra.

Theatre Arlington presents A Christmas Carol: Scrooge & Marley, December 2-18, matinee and evening show times available. Tickets start at $18.50.
Experience the entertaining tale of Scrooge, Marley and, of course, Tiny Tim, as they discover the true meaning of Christmas.

The Lights at Interlochen, December 16-25, 7-11p, free.
Drive through one of Arlington's iconic neighborhoods as its residents spread holiday cheer. The lights are sure to impress even the grumpiest of Scrooges.

Events

Third Thursdays Mansfield- Decorate Main St.; Thursday, November 17, 5p-8p, free. Some activities may cost extra. 
Local businesses have sponsored 10 trees to be decorated during Third Thursdays in November! Lots of activities, giveaways and fun to be had!

Prairie Lights Sneak a Peek Walk and Stroll, November 20, 6:30. Cost per participant.
If you've never been to Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie, well, why not?! It's a light spectacular synced to music you can ride through in your warm car with kids and friends! Holiday-themed light displays await. But you can go on November 20 and walk the route with kids in strollers and wagons and get a leg-up on Thanksgiving eating! Lynn Creek Park hosts the spectacular, must-see holiday event. Less than 70 spots available for this event at last check!

Hot Cocoa with Santa for Mommy and Me, November 25th at 1:30p, A Moment in Time Princess Tea Parties, 406 W. Main St., Arlington. $27.99 per person, advance ticket purchase is required.
A decadent menu awaits all princes and princesses in attendance, including popcorn balls and milk-chocolate dipped marshmallows. Cost includes a photo with Santa and one-on-one time with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Polar Express Reading with Mrs. Claus, Barnes at Noble at Parks Mall, November 30, 7p. Free. 
Slip into your PJs and come support the Mansfield Library. A portion of anything bought during the reading (even at the cafe) will benefit the Mansfield Library. Be sure and bring your camera!

Mainstage Classic Theatre Presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. St. John Lutheran Church in Mansfield. December 2, 7p; December 3, 2p and 7p. Tickets starting at $8.
Enjoy a local theater's production of an adorable holiday tale.

ChristmasSpectacular at Arlington Music Hall, December 2-4 and 9-11, matinee and evening show times available. Tickets start at $20.
This show will feature spectacular dancers and performers in fabulous holiday attire kick-lining and singing to holiday music. This show is the vision of a former Disney show writer and director.

City of Mansfield Hometown Holidays, Friday, December 2- Sunday December 4.
Friday: 5p-9p, free. Meet Santa, tree lighting, penguins, holiday market, ice slide, shopping.
Saturday: 9a Kiwanis 5K; 12p The Music Place performs Elf Jr. The Musical; 2:30p parade downtown.
Sunday: 1-6p, Parade of Homes.

Olde Town Christmas at Dottie Lynn, Saturday, December 3, 10a-3p. Event is free, some activities cost extra.
I won't lie... This caught my eye because, new this year, they are having an "Elf Workshop" for kids! For $1 per kid, kids can enjoy crafts and activities without mom and dad! I can shop without the pleas for "Can I have this?," "But I need that," "Why don't you ever let me buy anything?," and they can have fun crafting and hanging out with the other kids! And I can support local crafters and sellers in my hunt for the perfect Christmas gifts. Win-win!

Arlington Parade of Lights, downtown Arlington, Saturday December 3, 6:30p. Free.
Bring the kiddos downtown to watch a fun and spirited parade sponsored by the City! Dozens of floats decorated by local groups (my oldest and I will be walking in the parade with her Girl Scout Service Unit this year! Our first time being in the parade!) will glide through downtown. Be sure to bring something to sit on, some hot chocolate and a light up thing or two (so your kids don't beg you for the ones being sold onsite!).

Kennedale Christmas Tree lighting, Kennedale Town Center, Tuesday December 6, 5:30-8p, free.
Santa arrives at 6p so be there with your camera! Sing along to carols and enjoy treats from local businesses.

Breakfast with Santa, Cliff Nelson Recreation Center, 8a-11a Saturday December 10. $10/person, advance ticket purchase required.
Children can make crafts and play games and eat a hearty breakfast with the man in red himself. This event will sell out so get your tickets now!

Breakfast with Santa at Dave & Buster's at the Highlands, 8a- 11a Saturday December 10. $19.99 per person, includes a $10 game card.
Unlimited video game play plus activities. Hot breakfast. Santa.

Holiday Safari with Symphony Arlington, December 15 at 7:30p. Tickets start at $15.
Enjoy a holiday-themed night with the Symphony.

Breakfast with Santa, Alley Cats Bowling, December 17th 9:30-11:30a. $14.99 per child includes breakfast, a picture with Santa, $10 game card and crafts.
Enjoy a morning of arcade games and a hot breakfast with Santa!

Art Ballet Academy Presents The Nutcracker, Saturday, December 17, shows at 2p and 6p at the Mansfield Center for Performing Arts. Tickets start at $12.
Bring your kiddos to see one of the timeless classic that captures the magic of the holiday season. Local dancers from Art Ballet Academy will perform and delight audiences of all ages... You are never too young to fall in love with The Nutcracker!