‘Tis the season to celebrate cooler weather, enjoy holiday breaks and spend time with family. The McKinney area has plenty of events and activities to explore this winter. This list is noncomprehensive.
Nov. 9
Peruse a holiday craft fair
Browse through wares from a variety of vendors, including many McKinney Senior Recreation Center Members, who will be selling handcrafted items.
Free. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
McKinney Senior Recreation Center
1400 S. College St., McKinney
972-547-7494
www.mckinneytexas.org
Nov. 22-24
Vintage Market Days returns to McKinney
This upscale market will feature more than 100 hand-selected vendors from Texas and across the U.S.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. $11 (Fri.), $6 (Sat.), $6 (Sun.).
Myers Park & Event Center
7117 CR 166, McKinney.
918-688-0142
www.vintagemarketdays.com
Nov. 29
Attend a tree lighting and entertainment
At the city’s annual tree lighting, guests can enjoy live entertainment by Ricki Derek and the Ho, Ho, Ho Orchestra.
Free. Tree lighting starts at 6:15 p.m.
Historic Downtown McKinney
111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney.
972-547-2660
www.mckinneytexas.org/1875/tree-lighting
Nov. 29-Dec. 1
Celebrate the holidays the McKinney way
McKinney celebrates Christmas with family, activities, food and entertainment. The festivities kick off with the tree-lighting ceremony and continue with live music, ice skating, visits with Santa, arts and crafts, a Ferris wheel, a carousel and a petting zoo.
Free. Fri.-Sat. 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m.
Historic Downtown McKinney
111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
972-547-2660
www.mckinneytexas.org/677/home-for-the-holidays
Nov. 30
Kick off the holidays with a 5K
The Believe! McKinney 5K, 10K and 1-mile fun run will have chipped runs and an opportunity for children to chase Santa.
$30 (5K registration on or before Nov. 24), $35 (5K registration after Nov. 24).
8 a.m.-noon.
Mitchell Park
300 W.Lousiana St., McKinney
972-984-8594
www.playtri.com/all-races/believe-mckinney-5k-10k-1mile-fun-run
Nov. 29-Dec. 14
Witness a ‘Christmas Carol
The McKinney Repertory Theatre is presenting their production of “The Christmas Carol.” The one-hour annual performance will tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his lessons from the ghosts of the past, present and future.
Free (ages 3 and under), $8 (ages 4-12),
$10 (seniors, students 13 and older),
$13 (adults, nonstudents 18 and older).
2 p.m., 5 p.m. (general admission Nov. 29-30, Dec. 14),
3 p.m. (general admission Dec. 1),
7:30 p.m. (general admission Dec. 13)
McKinney Performing Arts Center, Courtroom Theater
111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
14-544-4630
https://tickets.mckinneyperformingartscenter.org
Dec. 5-24
Experience the wonder
The Apex Centre presents its “Wonder” event with a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree, Santa, food trucks, vendor booths and more, operating Thursday-Sunday.
$8 (children), $10 (adults). 6-10 p.m., including Dec. 23-24.
Gabe Nesbitt Community Park,
7001 Eldorado Parkway, McKinney
972-547-2739
www.apexcentre.org/wonder
Dec. 7
Enjoy a free concert from the McKinney Community Band
The McKinney Community Band will celebrate all things Christmas at this annual concert for all ages.
Free. 7-9 p.m.
McKinney North High School
5100 Wilmeth Road, McKinney
214-208-3692
www.mckinneyband.com
Dec. 7-8
McKinney homes invite guests in for the holidays
Explore private residences in McKinney in Historic District of McKinney. The homes will be decorated for Christmas and showcased for the community. Guests can enjoy brunch or tea in the Bevel House and Christmas activities at Chestnut Square.
$25. Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.,
Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Heritage Village at Chestnut Square
315 S. Chestnut St., McKinney
972-562-8790
www.chestnutsquare.org
Dec. 13-14
See holiday lights and decor with dinosaurs
Guests can gaze at lights and decorations as they walk a half-mile nature trail at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary.
Photo opportunities with Father Christmas and Mother Nature will also be available.
$6 (ages 3-12), $9 (ages 13 and up). 6:30-9 p.m
Heard Museum
1 Nature Place, McKinney
972-562-5566
www.heardmuseum.org/holidays
Dec. 14
McKinney Rotary parade of Lights See a parade to ring in the season
The McKinney Rotary Club presents its Parade of Lights, featuring dozens of floats, antique cars and performing groups.
Free. 6:30-9 p.m.
Downtown McKinney Square
111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
www.mckinneyparadeoflights.com
Dec. 21
Raise funds for a local nonprofit at a concert
Enjoy a performance from Texas Mosaix, a professional Christian musical organization. Mosaix will perform tunes by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael E. Smith and Motown Christmas as well as songs by Sidewalk Prophets and MercyMe. Ticket prices will be donated to Direction61:3 ministries.
7-9:30 p.m. $35.
Sperry Performance Hall at the MHS Performing Arts Center
1400 Wilson Creek Parkway, McKinney
214-544-9055
www.direction613.org/events/christmas/
Photos with Santa:
Nov. 29-Dec. 1
Home for the Holidays
McKinney Main Street has Santa make stops in McKinney to hear what children want for Christmas. No reservations are required. Times vary.
Price: Free.
Address: 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
972-547-2660
www.mckinneytexas.org/1872/photos-with-santa
Dec. 5-21
Santa on the Square in Historic Downtown McKinney
Volunteer McKinney’s Santa on the Square returns Dec. 5-21 with time slots available Thursday through Sunday.
Times: Thu.-Fri. 3-7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m., closed Monday.
Price: $29.99-$39.99
Address: 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
www.santaonthesquaremckinney.org
Dec. 13-14
Father Christmas at the Heard
Children can take photos with Mother Nature and Father Christmas at the Heard Museum.
Time: 6:30-9 p.m.
Price: Free (kids 2 and younger), $6 (children 3-12), $9 (attendees 13 and older, seniors).
Address: 1 Nature Place, McKinney
972-562-5566.
www.heardmuseum.org/holidays
Browse through wares from a variety of vendors, including many McKinney Senior Recreation Center Members, who will be selling handcrafted items.
Free. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
McKinney Senior Recreation Center
1400 S. College St., McKinney
972-547-7494
www.mckinneytexas.org
Nov. 22-24
Vintage Market Days returns to McKinney
This upscale market will feature more than 100 hand-selected vendors from Texas and across the U.S.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. $11 (Fri.), $6 (Sat.), $6 (Sun.).
Myers Park & Event Center
7117 CR 166, McKinney.
918-688-0142
www.vintagemarketdays.com
Nov. 29
Attend a tree lighting and entertainment
At the city’s annual tree lighting, guests can enjoy live entertainment by Ricki Derek and the Ho, Ho, Ho Orchestra.
Free. Tree lighting starts at 6:15 p.m.
Historic Downtown McKinney
111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney.
972-547-2660
www.mckinneytexas.org/1875/tree-lighting
Nov. 29-Dec. 1
Celebrate the holidays the McKinney way
McKinney celebrates Christmas with family, activities, food and entertainment. The festivities kick off with the tree-lighting ceremony and continue with live music, ice skating, visits with Santa, arts and crafts, a Ferris wheel, a carousel and a petting zoo.
Free. Fri.-Sat. 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m.
Historic Downtown McKinney
111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
972-547-2660
www.mckinneytexas.org/677/home-for-the-holidays
Nov. 30
Kick off the holidays with a 5K
The Believe! McKinney 5K, 10K and 1-mile fun run will have chipped runs and an opportunity for children to chase Santa.
$30 (5K registration on or before Nov. 24), $35 (5K registration after Nov. 24).
8 a.m.-noon.
Mitchell Park
300 W.Lousiana St., McKinney
972-984-8594
www.playtri.com/all-races/believe-mckinney-5k-10k-1mile-fun-run
Nov. 29-Dec. 14
Witness a ‘Christmas Carol
The McKinney Repertory Theatre is presenting their production of “The Christmas Carol.” The one-hour annual performance will tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his lessons from the ghosts of the past, present and future.
Free (ages 3 and under), $8 (ages 4-12),
$10 (seniors, students 13 and older),
$13 (adults, nonstudents 18 and older).
2 p.m., 5 p.m. (general admission Nov. 29-30, Dec. 14),
3 p.m. (general admission Dec. 1),
7:30 p.m. (general admission Dec. 13)
McKinney Performing Arts Center, Courtroom Theater
111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
14-544-4630
https://tickets.mckinneyperformingartscenter.org
Dec. 5-24
Experience the wonder
The Apex Centre presents its “Wonder” event with a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree, Santa, food trucks, vendor booths and more, operating Thursday-Sunday.
$8 (children), $10 (adults). 6-10 p.m., including Dec. 23-24.
Gabe Nesbitt Community Park,
7001 Eldorado Parkway, McKinney
972-547-2739
www.apexcentre.org/wonder
Dec. 7
Enjoy a free concert from the McKinney Community Band
The McKinney Community Band will celebrate all things Christmas at this annual concert for all ages.
Free. 7-9 p.m.
McKinney North High School
5100 Wilmeth Road, McKinney
214-208-3692
www.mckinneyband.com
Dec. 7-8
McKinney homes invite guests in for the holidays
Explore private residences in McKinney in Historic District of McKinney. The homes will be decorated for Christmas and showcased for the community. Guests can enjoy brunch or tea in the Bevel House and Christmas activities at Chestnut Square.
$25. Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.,
Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Heritage Village at Chestnut Square
315 S. Chestnut St., McKinney
972-562-8790
www.chestnutsquare.org
Dec. 13-14
See holiday lights and decor with dinosaurs
Guests can gaze at lights and decorations as they walk a half-mile nature trail at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary.
Photo opportunities with Father Christmas and Mother Nature will also be available.
$6 (ages 3-12), $9 (ages 13 and up). 6:30-9 p.m
Heard Museum
1 Nature Place, McKinney
972-562-5566
www.heardmuseum.org/holidays
Dec. 14
McKinney Rotary parade of Lights See a parade to ring in the season
The McKinney Rotary Club presents its Parade of Lights, featuring dozens of floats, antique cars and performing groups.
Free. 6:30-9 p.m.
Downtown McKinney Square
111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
www.mckinneyparadeoflights.com
Dec. 21
Raise funds for a local nonprofit at a concert
Enjoy a performance from Texas Mosaix, a professional Christian musical organization. Mosaix will perform tunes by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael E. Smith and Motown Christmas as well as songs by Sidewalk Prophets and MercyMe. Ticket prices will be donated to Direction61:3 ministries.
7-9:30 p.m. $35.
Sperry Performance Hall at the MHS Performing Arts Center
1400 Wilson Creek Parkway, McKinney
214-544-9055
www.direction613.org/events/christmas/
Photos with Santa:
Nov. 29-Dec. 1
Home for the Holidays
McKinney Main Street has Santa make stops in McKinney to hear what children want for Christmas. No reservations are required. Times vary.
Price: Free.
Address: 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
972-547-2660
www.mckinneytexas.org/1872/photos-with-santa
Dec. 5-21
Santa on the Square in Historic Downtown McKinney
Volunteer McKinney’s Santa on the Square returns Dec. 5-21 with time slots available Thursday through Sunday.
Times: Thu.-Fri. 3-7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m., closed Monday.
Price: $29.99-$39.99
Address: 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney
www.santaonthesquaremckinney.org
Dec. 13-14
Father Christmas at the Heard
Children can take photos with Mother Nature and Father Christmas at the Heard Museum.
Time: 6:30-9 p.m.
Price: Free (kids 2 and younger), $6 (children 3-12), $9 (attendees 13 and older, seniors).
Address: 1 Nature Place, McKinney
972-562-5566.
www.heardmuseum.org/holidays
