It’s here! It’s here! The holidays are here! The smells of Thanksgiving are already filling the air, and moms everywhere are starting to think about how they’ll fill their calendars with parties, events, and traditions.
Before you get too far in your planning, take a moment to enjoy this time with your family. Let others do the work for you and make some new memories by spending some quality time together! Once the dishes are done and the Cowboys have (hopefully) won, head to Historic Downtown McKinney for a weekend that will surely be a magical and joyful kick off to the holiday season.
Here’s your Activity Guide for Home for the Holidays…A McKinney Christmas!
Friday, November 25, 2016
10am – 8pm :: The city’s square will be transformed into a winter wonderland of shopping, entertainment, activities, and food! There will be holiday shopping at more than 120 locally-owned stores and boutiques, and will be the ultimate destination to shop local for Black Friday.
Throughout the day, there’s a little something for everyone! All weekend long, you can bring the little ones and get professional photos with Santa Claus in Santa’s Village (located on East Virginia St.) Pricing includes 1 5×7 for $15 and 4 5×7’s $25.
When you’re not visiting Santa or waiting on the tree lighting, enjoy some of the many family-friendly attractions. View the Live Nativity by Living Life UMC, take a spin on the Carousel and Ferris Wheel, or step inside Bouncy the World’s Tallest Snowman Bouncehouse!
2pm & 5pm :: Bring the whole family and watch McKinney Repertory Theatre present “A Christmas Carol”. This adaptation places special emphasis on the ghostly apparitions in the spirit of Dickens’ original text, and is full of Victorian music played on a vintage theatre pipe organ. Tickets are required, and can be purchased HERE. (General Admission is $11/person with discounts for seniors, students, and chilren.)
6:15pm :: Don’t miss the lighting of McKinney’s Christmas Tree; a 34 foot Blue Spruce tree in the middle of city square. Bring the family and take holiday photos and sight see as you stroll the square with live entertainment by Emerald City Band.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
8am :: Wake up early with Believe! 2016! This annual 5K, 10K, and 1 Mile Fun Run supports the Holy Family School of McKinney who’s mission is to offer the highest quality childcare and learning environment for Collin County’s diverse population without financial bias. Registration is $35-$40 per person depending on the length of the race you’re competing in. The Annual 100 yard dash Santa Chase is FREE (and only available to children ages 10 and younger).
10am – 8pm :: The fun continues for holiday shoppers on Small Business Saturday. Leisurely shop in downtown McKinney and enjoy unique a shopping experience as you support local businesses.
Santa Claus will continue to be around all weekend in Santa’s Village as families enjoy the activities on the square! Other activities include a petting zoo, Frosty’s train rides, a visit to Whoville and photos with the Grinch, and, you can’t miss sliding on Snowzilla Jr.!
2pm & 5pm :: The McKinney Repertory Theater will present two more showings of “A Christmas Carol”. Again, tickets are required, but can be purchased online HERE.
6:00pm :: If you’re not able to make the fun on Friday night, there’s still more fun to be had on Saturday night! Enjoy live holiday entertainment by Le Freak beginning at 6:00pm.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Don’t have FOMO! If Sunday is the only day you can make it, McKinney is keeping their “doors” open for you! Enjoy many of the same shopping deals, events, and activities all weekend long — with adjusted hours.
12pm – 5pm :: Home for the Holidays continues with family-friendly activities including, Frosty’s Train Rides, a petting zoo, Bouncy the World’s Tallest Snowman Bouncehouse, Snowzilla Jr., Ferris Wheel & Carousel rides, Whoville and photos with the Grinch, and live nativity by Living Life UMC.
Santa Claus won’t be heading back to the North Pole anytime soon! Visit him anytime on Sunday between 12-5pm, but he’ll be back daily starting December 2nd – December 15th from 3-5pm. Get your tickets here: http://www.santaonthesquaremckinney.org/
1pm :: It’s the final showing of McKinney Repertory Theater Presents “A Christmas Carol”. Make sure to grab tickets to see this show before the weekend comes to an end!
More details and information for Home for the Holidays…A McKinney Christmas can be found online on their website or on their Facebook page.
Historic Downtown McKinney will be hosting a wide range of events this holiday season! Be sure to add as many to your calendar as you can because I know you won’t want to miss a thing!
December 1 :: Polar Express Pajama Party (5:30pm) at the McKinney Performing Arts Center – A Fundraiser for the McKinney PAC. VIP Tickets ($59 per 1 adult & child) include a visit and picture with Santa, Games, Hot Cocoa & Sandwiches, Christmas Crafts, a viewing of The Polar Express, and Cookie Decorating. Reserve your ticket here.
December 2 :: MPAC Presents Swing’n the Holidays: The Jive Aces (8pm) at the McKinney Performing Arts Center – A performance the whole family can attend as on of the UK’s top jive and swing bands entertain during this Holiday Series. Tickets are on sale here.
December 8 :: WFAA’s Santa’s Helper Toy Drive (5pm-8:30pm) in Historic Downtown McKinney – Participate in the 2nd year by bringing unwrapped, new toys to Kentucky Street to support WFAA-TV’s Santa’s Helpers Toy Drive. Channel 8 will be doing live broadcasts throughout the night as toys are being delivered.
December 10 :: Erica Lane “Christmas Joy” (8pm) at the McKinney Performing Arts Center – Make it a date night with holiday music, live and in-person at Erica Lane’s holiday concert “Christmas Joy”. Tickets can be found here.
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Is there an event or activity we’ve missed? Leave a note in the comments below for others to see!
Happy start to the Holidays!
