Farmers Branch is celebrating the holiday season with 40 days of Christmas beginning the day after Thanksgiving. Walk into a real life Christmas card and experience festive sights, pretty lights, and all things nice.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of Christmas in the Branch. Each year the Farmers Branch events team takes it up a notch and the 2022 event is expected to be everything you look for in a holiday experience.

Farmers Branch City leaders believe it’s important to provide recreation and entertainment opportunities that are accessible to all of the community, which is why much of Christmas in the Branch is free. While there are a few ticketed activities, such as ice skating, all of the kid’s activities, visits with Santa, concerts, holiday village and more are free and open to the public.

This year’s event will feature three holiday markets, each with their own special features.

WEEKEND ONE | DEC. 3 | 5-9 P.M.

Celebrate the annual 50-foot Christmas tree lighting alongside a holiday market and drone show.. Visit Santa from 5-9 p.m. with a small break from 6:50-7:10 p.m. for the Tree Lighting.

Other attractions include:

Kids Zone filled with carnival rides, face painters, balloon artists and strolling characters

Local vendors selling unique handmade/homemade gifts at the Holiday Marketplace at The Grove

A low-level fireworks show at 9 p.m.

WEEKEND TWO | DEC. 10 | 5-9 P.M.

It's an Elvis Christmas: Enjoy live music by Kraig Parker, who pays an award-winning tribute to Elvis. Parker's powerful voice, electric moves and tasteful charisma will leave you “all shook up.”

Other attractions include:

Holiday Marketplace with local vendors

outdoor ice skating

carnival rides, face painting and strolling characters

visits with Santa

WEEKEND THREE | DEC. 17 | 5-9 P.M.

It’s a holiday market with a Latin twist. Enjoy a free performance by LAS FENIX and 5 hermanas de Houston, Texas. Enjoy some Latin food and cha-cha through the marketplace.

Other attractions include:

Holiday Marketplace with local vendors

outdoor ice skating

carnival rides, face painting and strolling characters

visits with Santa

Whether you make it out to the event on a market night or not, ice skating is available almost every day now through January 3. Ice skate among festive lights and holiday music at Skating Under the Stars, an outdoor ice skating experience that is a partnership between the City of Farmers Branch and the Dallas Stars.

Admission for ages 4 and up is $10. Youth admission (3 and under) is free. Skate rental is $5. The city is also offering Free Skate Sundays as a special perk for residents of Farmers Branch.

The rink does have a maximum capacity, and to secure a spot, event staff recommends registering for skate times in advance through at christmasinthebranch.com. Opening day is Nov. 25 with skate times from noon-9:45 p.m. From Nov. 26 through the rest of the year, participants can sign up for skate times Monday through Friday as well as certain Saturdays and Sundays. The rink will be closed Christmas Day and New Years Day.

One more attraction to look for is the #FBAngelWings photo contest. A heavenly pair of glowing white angel wings with golden twinkling lights has been installed in The Grove at Mustang Station. Guests are invited to “try them on,” take a photos and tag #FBAngleWings on Facebook or Instagram. One winner will be selected each week and will receive 4 ice skating passes and skate rentals at Skating Under the Stars. The Angel Wings photo contest will begin December 3.

To read more about Christmas in the Branch and see the entire lineup of events, visit the website here.

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