Here is a selection of events in and around Richardson celebrating Christmas and the New Year. This is not a comprehensive list.



Christmas lights:


Richardson City Hall

Beginning Dec. 5

In lieu of the traditional Santa’s Village and Richardson Christmas Parade, the city of Richardson invites residents to stroll the fountain plaza outside City Hall and view the lighted trees and building beginning Dec. 5. The city’s two annual Christmas events were canceled due to the pandemic.

Free.

Richardson City Hall, 411 W. Arapaho Road, Richardson.

972-744-4100.

www.cor.net/santa

Radiance! Frisco

Nov. 11-Jan. 3

The roughly 1.5-mile drive-thru lights experience at the Dr. Pepper Ballpark is paired with a radio soundtrack for a socially-distanced Christmas experience.

Tickets start at $30 per vehicle

Dr. Pepper Ballpark, 7300 Roughriders Trail, Frisco

www.radiancechristmas.com

Dallas Zoo Lights

Select nights Nov. 20-Jan. 3

Visitors can cruise along a newly constructed pathway through parts of the Dallas Zoo set up in elaborate light displays, including silk-covered animal lanterns and an ice palace.

$65 percar for non-members; $50 per car for members

Dallas Zoo, 650 SRL Thornton Freeway, Dallas.

469-554-7500

www.dallaszoo.com/zoolights

Holiday Lights Spectacular

Nov. 27-Jan. 3

Visitors can drive or walk through the lights display at Vitruvian Park in Addison, Texas, beginning Nov. 27.

Free

Vitruvian Park, 3875 Ponte Ave., Addison

214-526-6262

www.udr.com/vitruvian-park

Deerfield Holiday Lights

Dec. 1-30

The Plano neighborhood Deerfield turns on its elaborate display of holiday lights from 7-10 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 7-11 p.m. Sat.-Sun. from Dec. 1-30. Guests can walk or drive through.

Free

Deerfield, Plano

www.deerfieldplano.org


Events:


Nov. 22-Jan. 4: Gingerbread Village at the Shops at Legacy

The north side of The Shops of Legacy transforms into the Gingerbread Village, with life-sized gingerbread and sugar cookie characters, trees, candy canes and snowflakes. Visitors can drive through the village or walk around and pose for photos. The event will take place north of Legacy Drive near The Capital Grille and Seasons 52. Free. 5741 Legacy Drive, Plano. 469-467-9995. www.shopsatlegacy.com

Nov. 27-Dec. 23: Grapevine’s North Pole Neighborhood

Grapevine’s North Pole Neighborhood looks a little different this year. The North Pole Express will operate at 50% capacity, and train guests will receive mugs and recipes to make special holiday drinks at home. Guests can also participate in crafts and other activities around the neighborhood. Times vary. $3 (each activity), $8 (activities with Grapevine Christmas Passport); $34-$38 (North Pole Express reservations; $5 for children under 12 months). 705 S. Main St., Grapevine. 817-410-3185.
www.grapevinetexasusa.com/christmas-capital-of-texas

Dec. 11-21: Christmas at St. Andrew United Methodist Church

The church is offering more than one Christmas event, with a week of light experiences and two days of drive-in concerts. The Journey of Lights features three settings across the church’s 21 acres with snow, music, lights, a live nativity and an appearance from Santa. A drive-in live stream of VOCES8 and the Academy of Ancient Music will take place Dec. 20, with audio available through the radio. Imperial Brass will perform Christmas favorites the next day live, with a drive-in performance by the Ladies Liberty Show Troupe. $5 per person (lights); starts at $20/car (concerts). Times vary (lights); 6 p.m. (concerts). 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano. 972-380-8001. www.standrewumc.org

Dec. 18 "The Hip Hop Nutcracker": A virtual Eisemann Center event

The Eisemann Center presents a virtual viewing of “The Hip Hop Nutcracker,” which follows the same storyline and is set to the original music as “The Nutcracker” but features contemporary dances by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Digital graffiti and visuals create an updated New York City background for the hip-hop performance. The show, originally recorded in 2016 at the Eisemann Center, will be available to stream Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. Tickets include a limited on-demand viewing after the show and are available through the Eisemann Center events webpage. $20. 972-744-4650. www.eisemanncenter.com

Dec. 19-25: Home for the Holidays concert

The Plano Symphony Orchestra will continue its tradition of holiday concerts with an in-person performance Dec. 19 and a live stream concert Dec. 20. The performances will feature Hector Guzman and Steve Amerson. Masks will be required for the in-person performance. Those who purchase a ticket to the live stream will be able to watch the stream on-demand after 4 p.m. Dec. 20 through Dec. 25. In-person performances are at 4 p.m. Dec. 19, 20. Starting at $25. 972-473-7262. St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano; online. www.planosymphony.org

Dec. 31: Pegasus Theatre New Years Eve Stream

The Eisemann Center is offering a streamed performance of “A Trifle Dead!” featuring the Pegasus Theatre to ring in the new year. Tickets for the murder mystery are available through the Eisemann Center events webpage. 8 p.m. $18. 972-744-4650. www.eisemanncenter.com