Our guide to Frisco and Dallas holiday events near The Grove Frisco

From festive tree lighting ceremonies to twinkling trails of lights, here’s our list of holiday highlights in Frisco, Dallas and North Texas. The fun starts in mid-November, so read on and start enjoying!

November 8 – January 5 – Get into the holiday spirit with the Animated Christmas Tree in The District at Willow Bend in Plano. This one-of-a-kind synchronized Christmas tree delights visitors of all ages with video and music every day during the holiday season. The official lighting ceremony is Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Visit the website for this popular shopping, dining and entertainment destination for details on more holiday events, including the Santa Stroll, Sounds of the Season concerts, the Salvation Army Angel Tree, and Pet Pics with Santa.

November 9 – December 31 – Enjoy Holiday at the Arboretum at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, with more than 1 million twinkling lights and decorated historic homes. The 12 Days of Christmas exhibit features 25-foot-tall Victorian-style gazebos depicting scenes from this traditional carol. Other activities at the Arboretum include holiday teas and dinners, visits from Santa, performances by local choirs and much more. Visit the website to see the full lineup.

November 18 – December 24 – Painting with a Twist in Frisco offers a series of fun holiday events, offering the opportunity to complete paintings with themes such as Ethereal Christmas Tree, Rustic Christmas Snowman Set, Gnome for the Holidays and Snowgazing. Guests are welcome to bring beer, wine and other beverages. All art supplies are provided.

November 22 – December 21 – The Christmas Spectacular at The Star in Frisco is a free 20-minute light show that happens every Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. It begins with the lighting of The Star’s amazing 67-foot Christmas tree, followed by holiday performances by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, mascot Rowdy, Santa, and special Dallas Cowboys guest appearances. Also at The Star, fans can take photos with Santa from 10-8 every day during the holiday season, with an advance reservation, starting with Santa’s arrival on Nov. 18.

November 29 – December 1 – McKinney’s Home for the Holidays celebration takes over a festive 14-block area of the city’s historic 165-year-old downtown district with family activities, food and entertainment. This free event features live traditional Christmas music, ice skating, costumed characters, a Ferris wheel, carousel, children’s arts and crafts, a petting zoo, and much more. Unique shopping from local artisans will also be offered.

November 29 – December 23 – Visit the Christmas Capital of Texas, aka Grapevine, for 1,400 holiday events during the holiday season. Highlights include excursions aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad’s North Pole Express, holiday concerts and classic holiday movies at the historic Palace Theatre, and holiday shopping and sightseeing throughout charming downtown Grapevine. ICE! at the Gaylord Texan is an extraordinary and magical display of elaborate life-sized sculptures, slides and monuments, all created from 2 million pounds of ice and displayed with dramatic lighting.

November 29 – January 6 – Christmas in the Square in charming downtown Frisco attracts more than 750,000 visitors each holiday season with the largest choreographed show of holiday lights and music in North Texas. Now in its 15^th year, Christmas in the Square features ice-skating, a Christmas tree maze, and a toy drive benefitting military families. You can also purchase your Christmas tree from the tree lot, with proceeds benefiting Frisco’s Boy Scout Troop 51.

December 7 - Merry Main Street in downtown Frisco is a great event for ringing in the holiday season, featuring children’s choirs, lighting of the official City of Frisco Christmas tree, kids’ activities, a curated holiday market, and food and drinks. At the Kid’s Holiday Store, kids can shop for their parents with the help of Santa’s elves.

December 7 – Breakfast with Santa at the Frisco Senior Center will serve some of Santa’s (and kids’) favorites, including cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, and holiday cookies. Santa will be joined by his friends, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. Holiday craft activities will also be offered. There are three seating times at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11 a.m. Tickets are limited and usually sell out, so advance reservations are recommended.

December 7 – The Prosper Christmas Festival begins with the Prosper Rotary Club Christmas Parade at Town Hall in downtown Prosper, followed by an artisan craft market, Santa’s Workshop, horse-drawn carriage rides, a Kids Fun Zone with inflatable games, a petting zoo, and photo opps in the Big Red Chair. The Cookie Decorating station will feature complimentary cookies and decorating supplies. This free family event concludes at 7 p.m. with a community tree lighting ceremony and fireworks display.

December 21 – The Frisco Rotary Farmers Market offers a great opportunity to stock up on farm-fresh fruits and veggies, fresh-baked breads, and meats from local ranchers for your holiday entertaining. Do some last-minute holiday shopping from local arts and crafts vendors, and local delicacies such as honey and preserves will make great stocking stuffers.

Learn more about places to eat, shop and be entertained near The Grove Frisco during this holiday season.