Photo from thetrainsatnorthpark.com The holidays arrive in full force this weekend, with the kickoff of several seasonal events and exhibits. There’s other stuff, too – an artists’ studio tour, the closing performances of some acclaimed theatrical productions, and more.

Friday, Nov. 17

Ring in the holidays with the Addison Circle Tree Lighting Ceremony in Beckert Park, a short walk from Addison Transit Center. WaterTower Theatre will give a special performance, and the tree lighting will feature Santa Claus, carriage rides, kids’ entertainment, gift shopping, music and more.

Today the Dallas Zoo debuts a new holiday event – Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant. Once the animals go to bed, the grounds will be transformed into a winter wonderland, with a million twinkling lights. The must-see spectacle is free with regular zoo admission; you can visit the zoo during the day, and stay for the holiday celebration. Of course, you can come in the evening for just for the lighted holiday festivities, too.

Saturday, Nov. 18

Cedars Open Studios Tour lets you visit the neighborhood’s artists at their homes and studios. An enclave of painters, photographers and sculptors, The Cedars continues to evolve, and this is a great chance to get your finger on the pulse of a vibrant artistic community. Cedars Station is the perfect starting point.

Shop for handmade gifts, vintage curios, and other unique items at Farmers Branch Holiday Market. There will be live music, concessions, beer and wine, and lots of shopping. Don’t miss it! The market takes place at The Grove @ Mustang Crossing, a very short walk from Farmers Branch Station.

The Trains at NorthPark is a beloved local tradition that kicks off today. Generations have enjoyed the exhibit, which includes 1,600 feet of track rolling on a scenic rail journey across a miniature America – from the autumn foliage of New England to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Along the way, the trains stop at New York City, Washington, D.C., the Grand Canyon and, of course, Dallas. DART has a NorthPark Center Shuttle (Route 702) that departs from nearby Park Lane Station frequently.

Sunday, Nov. 19

The final performance of Texas in Paris, a musical by local playwright Alan Govenar, happens at the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson. It’s the story of a white man and a black woman who are performing in a musical show in France. At first apprehensive of each other, they forge a spiritual bond that transforms them both. The original Off-Broadway production was nominated for numerous awards.

The regional premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, at the Majestic Theatre, ends its run today. The lushly scored retelling of Victor Hugo's epic story of love, acceptance and heroism features songs from the Disney animated feature, as well as new songs by the award-wining team of Menken and Schwartz. The Majestic is a short walk from St. Paul Station.

Curtain Call is a concert by the Plano Community Band promising music "from the stage, screen and everything between." The band is made up of approximately 70 musicians from all walks of life who share a passion for music, and the program should be entertaining for movie lovers and music fans alike. Enjoy the free concert at the Eisemann Center, adjacent to Galatyn Park Station.  

Photo from thetrainsatnorthpark.com The holidays arrive in full force this weekend, with the kickoff of several seasonal events and exhibits. There’s other stuff, too – an artists’ studio tour, the closing performances of some acclaimed theatrical productions, and more.

Friday, Nov. 17

Ring in the holidays with the Addison Circle Tree Lighting Ceremony in Beckert Park, a short walk from Addison Transit Center. WaterTower Theatre will give a special performance, and the tree lighting will feature Santa Claus, carriage rides, kids’ entertainment, gift shopping, music and more.

Today the Dallas Zoo debuts a new holiday event – Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant. Once the animals go to bed, the grounds will be transformed into a winter wonderland, with a million twinkling lights. The must-see spectacle is free with regular zoo admission; you can visit the zoo during the day, and stay for the holiday celebration. Of course, you can come in the evening for just for the lighted holiday festivities, too.

Saturday, Nov. 18

Cedars Open Studios Tour lets you visit the neighborhood’s artists at their homes and studios. An enclave of painters, photographers and sculptors, The Cedars continues to evolve, and this is a great chance to get your finger on the pulse of a vibrant artistic community. Cedars Station is the perfect starting point.

Shop for handmade gifts, vintage curios, and other unique items at Farmers Branch Holiday Market. There will be live music, concessions, beer and wine, and lots of shopping. Don’t miss it! The market takes place at The Grove @ Mustang Crossing, a very short walk from Farmers Branch Station.

The Trains at NorthPark is a beloved local tradition that kicks off today. Generations have enjoyed the exhibit, which includes 1,600 feet of track rolling on a scenic rail journey across a miniature America – from the autumn foliage of New England to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Along the way, the trains stop at New York City, Washington, D.C., the Grand Canyon and, of course, Dallas. DART has a NorthPark Center Shuttle (Route 702) that departs from nearby Park Lane Station frequently.

Sunday, Nov. 19

The final performance of Texas in Paris, a musical by local playwright Alan Govenar, happens at the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson. It’s the story of a white man and a black woman who are performing in a musical show in France. At first apprehensive of each other, they forge a spiritual bond that transforms them both. The original Off-Broadway production was nominated for numerous awards.

The regional premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, at the Majestic Theatre, ends its run today. The lushly scored retelling of Victor Hugo's epic story of love, acceptance and heroism features songs from the Disney animated feature, as well as new songs by the award-wining team of Menken and Schwartz. The Majestic is a short walk from St. Paul Station.

Curtain Call is a concert by the Plano Community Band promising music "from the stage, screen and everything between." The band is made up of approximately 70 musicians from all walks of life who share a passion for music, and the program should be entertaining for movie lovers and music fans alike. Enjoy the free concert at the Eisemann Center, adjacent to Galatyn Park Station.  

Photo from thetrainsatnorthpark.com The holidays arrive in full force this weekend, with the kickoff of several seasonal events and exhibits. There’s other stuff, too – an artists’ studio tour, the closing performances of some acclaimed theatrical productions, and more.

Friday, Nov. 17

Ring in the holidays with the Addison Circle Tree Lighting Ceremony in Beckert Park, a short walk from Addison Transit Center. WaterTower Theatre will give a special performance, and the tree lighting will feature Santa Claus, carriage rides, kids’ entertainment, gift shopping, music and more.

Today the Dallas Zoo debuts a new holiday event – Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant. Once the animals go to bed, the grounds will be transformed into a winter wonderland, with a million twinkling lights. The must-see spectacle is free with regular zoo admission; you can visit the zoo during the day, and stay for the holiday celebration. Of course, you can come in the evening for just for the lighted holiday festivities, too.

Saturday, Nov. 18

Cedars Open Studios Tour lets you visit the neighborhood’s artists at their homes and studios. An enclave of painters, photographers and sculptors, The Cedars continues to evolve, and this is a great chance to get your finger on the pulse of a vibrant artistic community. Cedars Station is the perfect starting point.

Shop for handmade gifts, vintage curios, and other unique items at Farmers Branch Holiday Market. There will be live music, concessions, beer and wine, and lots of shopping. Don’t miss it! The market takes place at The Grove @ Mustang Crossing, a very short walk from Farmers Branch Station.

The Trains at NorthPark is a beloved local tradition that kicks off today. Generations have enjoyed the exhibit, which includes 1,600 feet of track rolling on a scenic rail journey across a miniature America – from the autumn foliage of New England to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Along the way, the trains stop at New York City, Washington, D.C., the Grand Canyon and, of course, Dallas. DART has a NorthPark Center Shuttle (Route 702) that departs from nearby Park Lane Station frequently.

Sunday, Nov. 19

The final performance of Texas in Paris, a musical by local playwright Alan Govenar, happens at the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson. It’s the story of a white man and a black woman who are performing in a musical show in France. At first apprehensive of each other, they forge a spiritual bond that transforms them both. The original Off-Broadway production was nominated for numerous awards.

The regional premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, at the Majestic Theatre, ends its run today. The lushly scored retelling of Victor Hugo's epic story of love, acceptance and heroism features songs from the Disney animated feature, as well as new songs by the award-wining team of Menken and Schwartz. The Majestic is a short walk from St. Paul Station.

Curtain Call is a concert by the Plano Community Band promising music "from the stage, screen and everything between." The band is made up of approximately 70 musicians from all walks of life who share a passion for music, and the program should be entertaining for movie lovers and music fans alike. Enjoy the free concert at the Eisemann Center, adjacent to Galatyn Park Station.