The holiday season is in full swing with a variety of festive happenings this weekend. Avoid the parking hassle and ride DART to these cheery events.

Thurs., Nov. 29

Christmas on the Square showcases Downtown Garland’s old-fashioned charm. It also dazzles the senses with 100,000 lights that pulse and “dance” to music. It runs throughout December, but kicks off Friday with the Tree Lighting Ceremony.Take the Blue Line to Downtown Garland Station to enjoy the family fun. The square is two and a half blocks away.

Friday, Nov. 30

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” Live on Stage brings all your favorites from the Peanuts gang to the Majestic Theatre. When Charlie Brown becomes discouraged, Lucy convinces him to direct the school Christmas play. Of course, things go wrong before Linus reminds everybody of the true meaning of Christmas. The Majestic Theatre is only a couple of blocks from St. Paul Station on all four DART Rail lines.

Deck the Plaza is a festive, family-friendly event at Dallas City Hall Plaza. You get to watch a 40-foot tree light up, plus enjoy a visit from Santa Claus, live music and holiday treats such as hot chocolate, apple cider and cookies. City Hall Plaza is a 10-minute walk from Union Station, served by the Red and Blue lines, plus the Trinity Railway Express (TRE). The event goes on from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Dickens in Downtown Plano is a favorite holiday tradition. The Downtown Plano Arts District is transformed into a picture-book wonderland, with caroling, a visit from Santa and a tree lighting in Haggard Park. Take the Red Line to Downtown Plano Station and you’re right there.

Saturday, Dec. 1

The Dallas Holiday Parade winds down Commerce, Harwood and Young streets beginning at 10 a.m. The beloved event is an annual tradition for many North Texas families. West End, Akard and St. Paul stations – each served by all four DART Rail lines – put you within easy walking distance of the joy and spectacle.

The Klyde Warren Park Holiday Show and Tree Lighting really turns up the dazzle with an amazing Christmas tree. There will be activities throughout the day, including an appearance by Santa, before the show and tree lighting begin at 5:45 p.m. The M-Line Trolley drops you off right at the park, and the D-Link gets you within a couple blocks.

Reliant Lights Your Holidays Concert & Fireworks Spectacular is an evening of holiday magic in the Dallas Arts District. There will be lots of lights, kids' arts and crafts, photos with Santa and a gigantic fireworks show. Sheila E. and Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico perform at the event. It all begins at 5:30 p.m. It’s free, but you should reserve seats. Sammons Park is a 5-minute walk from Pearl/Arts District Station on all four DART Rail lines.

Farmers Branch Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Marketplace features ice skating, fun activities for children, hot chocolate and cookies and festive holiday music. The lighting of the Christmas tree will include a visit from Santa. You can also shop for unique handmade gifts from local vendors. The event takes place from 4-8 p.m. at Liberty Plaza, 12400 N. Stemmons Freeway - about a 10-minute walk from Farmers Branch Station.

Irving Holiday Extravaganza lights up Centennial Park with a series of holiday-themed displays. The event starts at 4 p.m. with a parade through the Irving Heritage District and finishes with a tree lighting at City Hall. You can get there by taking the TRE to Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing Station.

Santa's Village is a miniature town of 16 holiday dwellings in Richardson. Each colorful building offers children a fun activity. You can also can enjoy live performances and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. The event happens from 6-9 p.m. at Richardson City Hall, 411 W. Arapaho Road. You can get there by taking the Red Line to Arapaho Center Station, then catching Bus Route 361. The village will be open on select evenings through Dec. 13; check the website for dates.

Sunset Santa 5k & Main Street Festival features vendors, performances, food and a tree lighting at 5:45 p.m. It all happens at The Village of Rowlett Downtown, a very short walk from Downtown Rowlett Station on the Blue Line.

Sun., Dec. 2

Illuminate puts the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in a whole new light. Amazing lights, as well as light-themed science displays, create memorable images. You can also see prehistoric light up in the Life Then and Now Hall, where spectacular lights will illuminate the imposing T. rex and others. The exhibit runs through Jan. 6. The Perot Museum is about a 9-minute walk from West End or Akard station, both served by all four DART Rail lines.

The holiday season is in full swing with a variety of festive happenings this weekend. Avoid the parking hassle and ride DART to these cheery events.

Thurs., Nov. 29

Christmas on the Square showcases Downtown Garland’s old-fashioned charm. It also dazzles the senses with 100,000 lights that pulse and “dance” to music. It runs throughout December, but kicks off Friday with the Tree Lighting Ceremony.Take the Blue Line to Downtown Garland Station to enjoy the family fun. The square is two and a half blocks away.

Friday, Nov. 30

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” Live on Stage brings all your favorites from the Peanuts gang to the Majestic Theatre. When Charlie Brown becomes discouraged, Lucy convinces him to direct the school Christmas play. Of course, things go wrong before Linus reminds everybody of the true meaning of Christmas. The Majestic Theatre is only a couple of blocks from St. Paul Station on all four DART Rail lines.

Deck the Plaza is a festive, family-friendly event at Dallas City Hall Plaza. You get to watch a 40-foot tree light up, plus enjoy a visit from Santa Claus, live music and holiday treats such as hot chocolate, apple cider and cookies. City Hall Plaza is a 10-minute walk from Union Station, served by the Red and Blue lines, plus the Trinity Railway Express (TRE). The event goes on from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Dickens in Downtown Plano is a favorite holiday tradition. The Downtown Plano Arts District is transformed into a picture-book wonderland, with caroling, a visit from Santa and a tree lighting in Haggard Park. Take the Red Line to Downtown Plano Station and you’re right there.

Saturday, Dec. 1

The Dallas Holiday Parade winds down Commerce, Harwood and Young streets beginning at 10 a.m. The beloved event is an annual tradition for many North Texas families. West End, Akard and St. Paul stations – each served by all four DART Rail lines – put you within easy walking distance of the joy and spectacle.

The Klyde Warren Park Holiday Show and Tree Lighting really turns up the dazzle with an amazing Christmas tree. There will be activities throughout the day, including an appearance by Santa, before the show and tree lighting begin at 5:45 p.m. The M-Line Trolley drops you off right at the park, and the D-Link gets you within a couple blocks.

Reliant Lights Your Holidays Concert & Fireworks Spectacular is an evening of holiday magic in the Dallas Arts District. There will be lots of lights, kids' arts and crafts, photos with Santa and a gigantic fireworks show. Sheila E. and Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico perform at the event. It all begins at 5:30 p.m. It’s free, but you should reserve seats. Sammons Park is a 5-minute walk from Pearl/Arts District Station on all four DART Rail lines.

Farmers Branch Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Marketplace features ice skating, fun activities for children, hot chocolate and cookies and festive holiday music. The lighting of the Christmas tree will include a visit from Santa. You can also shop for unique handmade gifts from local vendors. The event takes place from 4-8 p.m. at Liberty Plaza, 12400 N. Stemmons Freeway - about a 10-minute walk from Farmers Branch Station.

Irving Holiday Extravaganza lights up Centennial Park with a series of holiday-themed displays. The event starts at 4 p.m. with a parade through the Irving Heritage District and finishes with a tree lighting at City Hall. You can get there by taking the TRE to Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing Station.

Santa's Village is a miniature town of 16 holiday dwellings in Richardson. Each colorful building offers children a fun activity. You can also can enjoy live performances and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. The event happens from 6-9 p.m. at Richardson City Hall, 411 W. Arapaho Road. You can get there by taking the Red Line to Arapaho Center Station, then catching Bus Route 361. The village will be open on select evenings through Dec. 13; check the website for dates.

Sunset Santa 5k & Main Street Festival features vendors, performances, food and a tree lighting at 5:45 p.m. It all happens at The Village of Rowlett Downtown, a very short walk from Downtown Rowlett Station on the Blue Line.

Sun., Dec. 2

Illuminate puts the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in a whole new light. Amazing lights, as well as light-themed science displays, create memorable images. You can also see prehistoric light up in the Life Then and Now Hall, where spectacular lights will illuminate the imposing T. rex and others. The exhibit runs through Jan. 6. The Perot Museum is about a 9-minute walk from West End or Akard station, both served by all four DART Rail lines.

The holiday season is in full swing with a variety of festive happenings this weekend. Avoid the parking hassle and ride DART to these cheery events.

Thurs., Nov. 29

Christmas on the Square showcases Downtown Garland’s old-fashioned charm. It also dazzles the senses with 100,000 lights that pulse and “dance” to music. It runs throughout December, but kicks off Friday with the Tree Lighting Ceremony.Take the Blue Line to Downtown Garland Station to enjoy the family fun. The square is two and a half blocks away.

Friday, Nov. 30

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” Live on Stage brings all your favorites from the Peanuts gang to the Majestic Theatre. When Charlie Brown becomes discouraged, Lucy convinces him to direct the school Christmas play. Of course, things go wrong before Linus reminds everybody of the true meaning of Christmas. The Majestic Theatre is only a couple of blocks from St. Paul Station on all four DART Rail lines.

Deck the Plaza is a festive, family-friendly event at Dallas City Hall Plaza. You get to watch a 40-foot tree light up, plus enjoy a visit from Santa Claus, live music and holiday treats such as hot chocolate, apple cider and cookies. City Hall Plaza is a 10-minute walk from Union Station, served by the Red and Blue lines, plus the Trinity Railway Express (TRE). The event goes on from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Dickens in Downtown Plano is a favorite holiday tradition. The Downtown Plano Arts District is transformed into a picture-book wonderland, with caroling, a visit from Santa and a tree lighting in Haggard Park. Take the Red Line to Downtown Plano Station and you’re right there.

Saturday, Dec. 1

The Dallas Holiday Parade winds down Commerce, Harwood and Young streets beginning at 10 a.m. The beloved event is an annual tradition for many North Texas families. West End, Akard and St. Paul stations – each served by all four DART Rail lines – put you within easy walking distance of the joy and spectacle.

The Klyde Warren Park Holiday Show and Tree Lighting really turns up the dazzle with an amazing Christmas tree. There will be activities throughout the day, including an appearance by Santa, before the show and tree lighting begin at 5:45 p.m. The M-Line Trolley drops you off right at the park, and the D-Link gets you within a couple blocks.

Reliant Lights Your Holidays Concert & Fireworks Spectacular is an evening of holiday magic in the Dallas Arts District. There will be lots of lights, kids' arts and crafts, photos with Santa and a gigantic fireworks show. Sheila E. and Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico perform at the event. It all begins at 5:30 p.m. It’s free, but you should reserve seats. Sammons Park is a 5-minute walk from Pearl/Arts District Station on all four DART Rail lines.

Farmers Branch Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Marketplace features ice skating, fun activities for children, hot chocolate and cookies and festive holiday music. The lighting of the Christmas tree will include a visit from Santa. You can also shop for unique handmade gifts from local vendors. The event takes place from 4-8 p.m. at Liberty Plaza, 12400 N. Stemmons Freeway - about a 10-minute walk from Farmers Branch Station.

Irving Holiday Extravaganza lights up Centennial Park with a series of holiday-themed displays. The event starts at 4 p.m. with a parade through the Irving Heritage District and finishes with a tree lighting at City Hall. You can get there by taking the TRE to Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing Station.

Santa's Village is a miniature town of 16 holiday dwellings in Richardson. Each colorful building offers children a fun activity. You can also can enjoy live performances and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. The event happens from 6-9 p.m. at Richardson City Hall, 411 W. Arapaho Road. You can get there by taking the Red Line to Arapaho Center Station, then catching Bus Route 361. The village will be open on select evenings through Dec. 13; check the website for dates.

Sunset Santa 5k & Main Street Festival features vendors, performances, food and a tree lighting at 5:45 p.m. It all happens at The Village of Rowlett Downtown, a very short walk from Downtown Rowlett Station on the Blue Line.

Sun., Dec. 2

Illuminate puts the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in a whole new light. Amazing lights, as well as light-themed science displays, create memorable images. You can also see prehistoric light up in the Life Then and Now Hall, where spectacular lights will illuminate the imposing T. rex and others. The exhibit runs through Jan. 6. The Perot Museum is about a 9-minute walk from West End or Akard station, both served by all four DART Rail lines.