Happy Holidays! Shows + Performances to Ring in the Season in the Arlington Area

Nothing delights this time of year like a holiday performance. If you are looking to spread some holiday cheer by seeing local performance of one of your favorite holiday shows, look no further! EA has your comprehensive guide to Arlington-area holiday shows.

I can still remember my favorite holiday show I've ever seen live- The Radio City Rockettes at the Rosemont Horizon in the Chicagoland area. I must have been 13 or so the first time we went, and, WOW, those high kicks! As someone who grew up dancing, I love nothing more than watching those talented women dance their hearts out in flashy, sparkly dresses up on stage. I hope to take my own daughters to see the Rockettes some day.

Until then, though, I love seeing all the fun performances of my holiday favorites all around the Arlington area. Forget professional actors- I adore nothing more than seeing a local student (or young child!) tackle the role of Buddy the Elf or Tiny Tim. And to see tiny dancers perform The Nutcracker... It's truly what the holiday season is all about! 

This year we are lucky enough to have multiple performances spanning multiple weeks of some of our favorite holiday shows right here in the Arlington area. Whether you want funny, or serious, or heartfelt, you are sure to find something that will give you the warm fuzzies this December and leave you ready to spread some holiday cheer. No need to drive to Fort Worth or hoof it all the way to Dallas- Arlington and the surrounding area has tons of opportunities for you to see your favorite shows.

So dust off your Sunday best and get ready to get in the holiday spirit!

Holiday performances in the Arlington area

The Nutcracker

Leap of Faith Dance & Performing Arts presents The Nutcracker- 

Friday, December 3 at Arlington Music Hall. Tickets start at $15. 

The United Performing Arts Guild presents The Nutcracker- 

December 3 & 4 at the AISD Center for Visual and Performing Arts. $20 per ticket. 

Art Ballet Academy presents The Nutcracker-

Saturday, December 18 at the Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets start at $20. 

Rhythmic Souls Tap Company presents The Nutcracker Untapped-

Monday, December 20 at Uptown Theater in Grand Prairie. Tickets start at $10. 

Elf

Grand Prairie Arts Council presents Elf the Musical-

Weekends, December 3 & 10 at Uptown Theater in Grand Prairie. Tickets start at $13.

Kennedale Wildcat Theater presents Elf Jr.- 

December 16-19 at the Kennedale Performing Arts Center. Tickets start at $15. 

A Christmas Carol

Kennedale Community Theatre in the Park presents A Christmas Carol-

December 11 &12 at Kennedale Town Center. Free. 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Mainstage Classic Theater presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever-

December 3 & 4 at First Methodist Mansfield. Tickets start at $8. 

Everything Arlington's Fall Festival Guide for Arlington, Mansfield, Kennedale & GP 2021

Eep!

Not only is this weekend a four-day weekend if your kids attend AISD, but it's the start of all the amazing Fall Festivals in the area!

This is the most comprehensive list I can come up with. This includes all events that I have been sent, told about or found on the interwebs. If I miss any, please send them my way and I will do my best to get them added.

Happy Fall Festival Season y'all!

Fun Fall Festivals in Arlington Area for October 2021

Fall Festival Guide 2021.

Weekend of October 9

River Legacy Fall Festival- Saturday, October 9, 11am- 9pm. Arlington. $8/person, some activities extra.

Animal encounters, live music, climbing wall, food trucks and much more!

Weekend of October 23

Arlington FFA Booster Club Fall Festival- Saturday, October 23. 9am-12pm.

Crafts and more. 

Advent Lutheran Church Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat- Saturday, October 23, 4-6pm. Arlington. Free.

Candy, toys, hot dogs and more. First come, first served. 

Trinity United Methodist Church Trunk or Treat- Saturday, October 23. 5:30-7:30pm. Arlington. Free.

Candy, pizza, bounce houses and more! 

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North Davis Church Fall Festival- Sunday, October 24. 4-6pm. Arlington. Free.

Food trucks, trunk-or-treat, inflatables and much more. 

Trunk or Treat & Fall Festival with Mansfield Church of Christ- Sunday, October 24. 5:30-7:30 pm. Free. 

Candy, games, activities and food trucks. Feel free to wear your costume!

Halloween Tot Party at Dottie Lynn- Wednesday, October 27, 10-11 am. Arlington. $6 per child.

Fun indoor party for little ones. You must pre-register. 

 Weekend of October 30

Trunk or Treat- Friday, October 29, 4-6pm. Arlington. Free.

Drive through trunk or treat with a local senior center. 

Trunk or Treat at Revive Church- Friday, October 29, 6:30-9pm, Arlington. Free.

Bounce houses, games, food for purchase and more. 

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Trunk or Treat with First Presbyterian Church Arlington- Saturday, October 30. 3pm. Free.

Games, prizes, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and more. 

Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat with City Chapel- Saturday, October 30. 4-6pm. Arlington. Free.

Petting zoo, bounce houses, candy and more. Some events may cost money. 

Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat at UTA- Saturday, October 30, 4-7pm. Arlington. Free.

Free food giveaway open to everyone. You must pre-register. 

TownCenter Trunk or Treat- Saturday, October 30, 5-7pm. Kennedale. Free.

Candy and trunk or treating. 

Fall Family Extravaganza with First Methodist Mansfield- Saturday, October 30. 5-7pm. Free.

Games, hayrides, burgers and more. 

Inspired to Live Church Fall Festival- Saturday, October 30. 5-7:30pm. Arlington. Free.

Games, prizes and much more. 

Pantego Trunk or Treat- Saturday, October 30, 6-8pm. Pantego. Free.

Costumes contests, trunk or treat and more.

St. Barnabas UMC- Saturday, October 30, 6-8pm. Arlington. Free.

Outdoor fun and games. (I can't find a link for this one!)

Trail or Treat- Friday, October 29, 6-8pm. Arlington. Free.

Register in advance and receive a free dinner! Bounces houses, games, candy and more. 

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Connect Church Arlington- Sunday, October 31, 4-6pm. Free.

Games, prizes, candy and much more. 

Fall Festival with Missionary Baptist Church- Sunday, October 31, 4-6:30 pm. Arlington. Free.

Candy and more. 

Trunk or Treat with Community of Hope Methodist Church- Sunday, October 31. 4-8pm. Mansfield. Free.

Trunk or treating plus a showing of Coco. 

Get Your Sweat On: Fun Spots to Workout in the Arlington Area!

I'm a runner.

Not a fast runner or a professional runner, but a runner. I love to log miles all over Arlington and beyond. I'm training for the Cowtown Half (I was *supposed* to run the full this year even though I swore I would never run another full... I think the Universe is sending me a message!), and I'm following Peloton's Road to 26.2 (and adapting it to the half). I love that the program integrates weight training into the plan.

But I've decided to look into other workout options in the area. I love to run- but I need to add weights. I realize that weight training will make me a stronger and better runner. So I've rounded up some awesome workouts in the Arlington area that offer more than just cardio and weight machines!

Check out my article for Zulily here about ways to workout at home! 

Great spots in Arlington, Texas, to get your heart pumping!

Unique Workouts in the Arlington Area

 1. TexasFitt- This local spot offers onsite childcare during select hours as well as classes and personal training. There are yoga classes, classes just for women and a few just for seniors, as well as a Butt & Gut class that is calling my name...

2. Momentum Fitness- Momentum offers private training as well as small group sessions and boot camps. Yoga is also offered onsite. 

3. CrossFit Power Method- CrossFit is one of those workouts that totally intimidates me. It looks downright tough and exhausting, but I can only imagine how accomplished you must feel at the end of a grueling workout! One of these days...

4. PureBarre- Barre workouts are low-impact but so powerful! I tried a class here when they first opened and fell in love. If I didn't live 30 minutes from this spot I would absolutely have a membership. This workout is intense! 

5. The Epic Grand Prairie- I wish I lived closer to The Epic- you'd find me there every day for sure! Group fit classes, CrossFit, Aquatic workouts. This spot offers something to all fitness levels and has something for everyone. I love swimming laps- being near a pool like this would be great!

6. Fit4Mom Arlington/Mansfield- If you are a mom of young kids, you need to join Fit4Mom. Not only will you meet a bunch of awesome moms (like you!), you'll get in a great workout WITH your kids! Seriously. I loved this group when I was the mom of little ones. Workout and socialize with your kids!

7. Camp Gladiator- CG is an outdoor workout with friends. Bring your own yoga mat and free weights and your trainer will whip you into shape with an hour-long bootcamp workout. 

8. OrangeTheory Fitness- This spot in the Highlands puts you through an hour of HIIT (high intensity interval training) to get your heart pumping and blood flowing. This workout is aimed at getting your metabolism going!

9. HotWorx- Workout in an infrared sauna 24 hours a day. Do a 15-minute HIIT session solo or a 30-minute isometric session at this new Viridian-area spot.

10. Premier Yoga & Fitness- This Mansfield spot offers everything from Zumba to barre and yoga to HIIT. You won't get bored with workouts at this spot because the schedule has such a variety of activities to choose from! 

Have fun and get fit at these local workout hot spots.