Things to do and Local Events this Weekend

📢 UPDATE: Many local businesses have new safety rules and some locations may still be closed. Always check with the venue to verify event details, hours of operation, and any new requirements before heading out.

Dallas Events this Weekend

Fun Things to do This Weekend

There are some great things to do and fun events happening nearby!

Friday December 18

The Trains at NorthPark

The Trains at NorthPark™ features trains rolling along 1,300 feet of track on a journey across America. The exhibit encompasses train-themed environments with all the trimmings of the holiday train travel experience—steam engines, coach cars, a ticket booth, and a train station. All proceeds from ticket sales go to helping families at Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. Find out more.

When: through January 3, 2021, 10 am – 9 pm
Where: NorthPark Center, Dallas
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children (aged 2 – 12)

Saturday December 19

Plano Parking Lot Pictures: Elf

Join in for a socially-distanced movie night outside Plano’s Courtyard Theater in Historic Downtown Plano! About the movie – After discovering he is a human, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole decides to travel to New York City to locate his real father. Rated PG. Please note: This event occurs in the parking lot. Your ticket includes access for everyone in your vehicle. Please remain in your vehicles. Public restrooms will be available.

When: December 19, 7.30 pm
Where: Courtyard Theater, Plano
Cost: $10 per vehicle

Sunday December 20

Dallas Zoo Lights

Dallas Zoo Lights has been reimagined so you can now drive through a holiday safari of lights in your own vehicle! Cruise through a newly constructed pathway – and through familiar parts of the Dallas Zoo – while marveling at more than one million lights in elaborate displays, silk-covered animal lanterns depicting all your Zoo favorites, an ice palace fit for a trio of penguins, and so much more along the way. More info.

When: select nights through January 3, 6.30 pm – 9.30 pm
Where: The Dallas Zoo
Cost: $65 per car/$50 per car for Zoo Members

Ongoing Events

Holiday Events

I Love Christmas Movies Pop Up Exhibition

When: November 13 – January 3, 2021, 10 am – 10 pm
Where: Gaylord Texan
Cost: from $23.99 per adult and $14.99 per child (value day pricing)

Radiance Frisco

When: November 13 – January 1, 2021, 5.30 pm – 11 pm
Where: Dr Pepper Ballpark Center
Cost: $30 per vehicle

Virtual Visits with Santa

When: November 14 – January 4, 2021, 12 am – 11 pm
Where: Online hosted by Stonebriar Center
Cost: from $24.95

Photos with Santa

When: through December 24
Where: Stonebriar Centre
Cost: photo packages from $39.99

Handmade Holidays

When: through January 4
Where: Crayola Experience
Cost: included with admission

Santa’s Winter Woods

When: through December 24
Where: Fairview Town Center
Cost: book online for photo packages

Gingerbread Village

When: through Jan 4, 10 am – 11 pm
Where: The Shops at Legacy
Cost: FREE

Santa Portraits at Legacy West – Photography by Misty

When: December 19, 11 am – 2 pm
Where: Legacy West
Cost: $59

Santa is Here!

When: through December 24, 10 am – 8 pm
Where: Watters Creek
Cost: from $25.95

The Grinch’s Grotto

When: through December 31, 11 am – 8 pm
Where: Stonebriar Centre
Cost: from $50

Illumination Celebration

When: through December 24, noon, 2pm, 4pm & 6 pm
Where: Galleria
Cost: FREE

Home for the Holidays

When: December 19 – 20, 4pm
Where: Plano Symphony Orchestra
Cost: $25 – $35

Journey of Lights: Walk Through Experience

When: through December 19, 6 pm – 9 pm
Where: St Andrew’s UMC Plano
Cost: $5 per person

Our list of all the best places to see Santa & get photos

Where are the Best Places in Dallas to see Christmas Lights?

Farmers Markets

Dallas: Saturday 9 am – 5 pm & Sunday 10 am – 5 pm, 920 S. Harwood, Dallas

Plano Farmers/Artisan Market, Saturday 9 am – 2 pm, The Shops at Willow Bend

McKinney: Saturday 8 am – 12 noon, Downtown McKinney Square

Richardson: Saturday 9 am – 1 pm, 101 S. Coit Road, Richardson

Carrollton: Sunday 10 am – 2 pm, 2722 N. Josey Lane, Carrollton

More Fun Weekend Events

Dinosaurs Live at the Heard Museum

When: through February 15, 2021
Where: Heard Museum
Cost: Price included with Heard Museum admission and free for Members

McKinney Trade Days

When: December 18 – 20, 8am – 5 pm
Where: 4550 W University Drive, McKinney
Cost: $5 parking

Meet the Reptiles

When: December 18, 1 pm – 4 pm
Where: Sci Tech Discovery Center, Frisco
Cost: free with admission

More Things to Do

Are you ready to plan ahead or want to see what a list of things to do this month?

Plano Area Monthly Events

Family Friendly Weekend Events {December 18 – 20, 2020}