Whew, What a Weekend!

There's SO much to do that it took me an extra day to compile this list (so I apologize for being a bit late). Let's get right to it:



ONGOING



1. Holidays In The Village. Starting Saturday through December 22, "take an enchanting tour around the Village, Saturday evenings only during the holidays - Free horse-drawn carriage rides pick-up in front of Barnes & Noble. Enjoy the costumed carolers, 125,000 lights, and beautiful holiday decor."



Place: University Park Village, University Drive just South of I-30

Time: Saturday evening

Cost: FREE



2. Frosty the Snowman at Casa Manana. Runs starting Friday, November 23 through Sunday, December 23. From the website: "Casa Manana continues its 2007-2008 Children’s Playhouse series with a special holiday treat – the world premiere of an all-new musical adventure, Frosty the Snowman. The entire family is sure to enjoy this tuneful retelling of the legend of Frosty, the man of snow who magically comes to life one cold winter’s day, and creates good will and cheer wherever he goes!"



Place: Casa Manana

Time: See website for performance times

Cost: $15-$18



3. Picturing the Bible: The Earliest Christian Art. From now through March 30, the Kimbell Art Museum will feature early Christian art. From their website: "When and where were the first illustrations of the Old and New Testaments created? It had long been believed that there were no Jewish illustrations of the Old Testament in ancient times, in observance of the ban on idolatry. But the discovery in 1932 of the richly decorated narrative frescoes in the third-century synagogue at Dura-Europos (Syria) dramatically changed scholars' views."



Place: Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd

Time: Museum Hours (see website)

Cost: It ain't cheap -- $14 for adults, $10 for ages 6-11, free for under 6. BUT, please note that there is half price admission all day on Tuesdays, and on Fridays from 5-8!!



4. Stockyards Championship Rodeo. Now through 12/31/2007, every Friday and Saturday night at the Cowtown Coliseum in the Stockyards, you and your family can enjoy a traditional rodeo, complete with horses, cows, bulls, and barrels.



Place: 121 E. Exhange, in the Stockyards

Time: 8 p.m.

Cost: Ages 3-12, $10; Adults, $15.00.





ALL WEEKEND LONG. These events last over the entire weekend.



1. Holiday Magic 2007 by The Junior League of Arlington. From their website: "Every year since 1982, more than 10,000 North Texans flock to Holiday Magic, a holiday gift market with the unique gifts from more than 100 exclusive vendors and attend the highly anticipated Ladies Style Show and Luncheon. This year Holiday Magic also includes a Tween Style Show and Children’s Party. Make sure to hold the date for this can’t-miss event!"



Place: Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington, Texas 76011

Time: Fri 12pm-6pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 11am-4pm

Cost: Adults $8; Seniors & Children (6-12) $2, (5 & under) free



2. North Pole Express. From their website: "Ride the Grapevine Vintage Railroad's North Pole Express... to your Christmas dreams. The North Pole Express fun park is free to all and you can make your own ornaments, play in a bounce house and wander through the displays and decorations. Park free at the Convention Center, 1209 South Main Street and ride the free shuttle. All tickets are $12.00 ages 2 and up. Under 2 must be held in an adult's lap. Tickets will be mailed until November 21, 2007. After that, online purchased tickets will be held at Will Call for pick up on the day of your ride."



Place: Grapevine Vintage Railroad, 709 South Main Street, Grapevine

Time: See Website for available rides, all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Cost: $12 per person



3. A Christmas Story. A family movie favorite performed by Theatre Arlington. Remember -- it's all about the Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot, Range Model Air Rifle. Order tickets in advance.



Place: Theatre Arlington

Time: Thu 7:30pm; Fri & Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm

Cost: $15



4. Winterfest at LaGrave Field. The weekend celebration begins on Thursday, Nov. 29 and culminates on Saturday, Dec. 1 with the second annual Christmas Concert featuring the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra and a spectacular fireworks show. The event is free and open to the public.



Place: LaGrave Field, 301 NE 6th Street, Fort Worth

Time: Thursday, Nov. 29 5:15 Lighting of the Lights; 6:00 Church Choir Performs; 7:00 Three Fools on Stools Performance

Friday, Nov. 30 5:15 Lighting of the Lights; 6:00 Church Choir Performs; 7:00 Christmas Movie

Saturday, Dec. 1 5:15 Lighting of the Lights; 7:00 Fort Worth Civic Orchestra Concert; 8:15 Fireworks Show

Cost: FREE!!!!



5. The Littlest Wiseman. A Play Pageant of the Nativity, presented as a gift to the community by THE DOROTHY SHAW BELL CHOIR and Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts through a grant from The Walsh Foundation.



Place: W. E. Scott Theatre 1300 Gendy St. Fort Worth, TX 76107, across the street from the Amon Carter Museum



Times:



December 1, 2007 – 3:00pm - Saturday Matinee December 2, 2007 – 3:00pm – Sunday Matinee December 4, 2007 – 7:30pm – Tuesday December 5, 2007 – 7:30pm – Wednesday December 6, 2007 – 7:30pm – Thursday December 7, 2007 – 7:30pm – Friday December 8, 2007 – 3:00pm – Saturday Matinee December 8, 2007 – 7:30pm – Saturday December 9, 2007 – 3:00pm – Sunday Matinee



Children under 4 years of age will not be admitted.



Cost: Admission is FREE!





SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1



1. Birds' Christmas Tree Program. Children of all ages are invited to make bio-degradable bird treats ahead of time and bring them to the event to hang in the Garden's Grove, providing supplemental food for wildlife during the winter.



Place: Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Time: 11am

Cost: Free


2. Christmas in the Stockyards. Families are invited to celebrate the holidays in the Historic Stockyards with live music, holiday-themed face painting, gunfight shows, science experiments, pony rides, pictures with a "cowboy" Santa, a Christmas parade at 4pm, and more.



Place: Stockyards

Time: 11am - 6pm

Cost: FREE



3. Breakfast with Santa at the Parks Mall. Santa and his live reindeer visit while kids can enjoy magic shows, music, marionette shows, carousel rides, and breakfast from Chick-fil-A. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Place: Parks Mall in Arlington
Time: 8am - 10am
Cost: $5

4. City of Colleyville's Celebrate Colleyville. From their website: "Returning favorites include: the Holiday Express train, running from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.; Santa Paws Agility Show, an action-packed canine obstacle course; holiday shopping; and holiday fare at the food court, plus a live Radio Disney broadcast from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. The event will conclude with a traditional tree lighting and carols provided by local choirs.Other activities include: bounce houses and slides, pony rides, and live entertainment by area youth groups, choirs, and bands on the festival’s main stage. And the children’s craft area will feature a variety of holiday crafts for kids to create.

Place: Colleyville Center, 5301 Riverwalk Drive
Time: 1pm-6pm
Cost: FREE admission

5. Northeast Orchestra Christmas Concert. Kick off your Holiday Season with the Northeast Orchestra at their "Holiday Moods" Concert! The Birdville High School Choirs will give a pre-concert performance at 7:00 PM. The Northeast Orchestra will perform at 8:00 PM. They will play "Christmas Festival' by Anderson, 'Russian Christmas Music' by Reed, 'Gloria' by Vivaldi featuring the St. Vincent's Choir and the Birdville High School Choirs, 'Sleigh Ride' by Anderson. Tickets are $10/Adults, $5/Seniors and Students. For additional information, please visit our website: http://www.northeastorchestra.org

Place: St. Vincent's Episcopal Cathedral Church, 1300 Forest Ridge Drive, Bedford
Time: 7:00 pm for choirs, 8:00 for orchestra
Cost: $10/Adults, $5/Seniors and Students


6. Christmas on the Square in Weatherford (this one is a drive, but may be worth it). Christmas on the Square will be around the Historic Downtown of Weatherford, Texas at 4:00PM and end at 8:00PM. There will be a great time for the entire family with shopping, local vendors, Christmas carolers, stage performances, inflatable activities, hot chocolate, Santa Claus, carriage rides, Christmas music, and much more. Come enjoy a slower pace of Christmas at the “Cutting Horse Capital of the World!” Admission and parking are FREE for the entire family!

Place: Historic Downtown of Weatherford, 1 Courthouse Square Weatherford, TX 76086
Time: 4pm-8pm
Cost: FREE


DECEMBER 2

1. A Night in Bethleham: A Hands On Holy Experience. From their website: "Your family is invited to join us December 2 4pm-7pm and December 3 7pm-9pm as we kick-off the Advent and Christmas season by getting personally involved in the Christmas story. Your family can experience life together with an average Jewish family Make antique coins at the "Money Changer's" area. Take part in the census. Shop in a bustling marketplace. See what it could feel like to try to find a place to sleep in a busy city. Take refuge in a stable and enjoy the petting zoo inside." They prefer pre-registration, so check out their website.

Place: Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Keller, 860 Keller-Smithfield Road North, Keller, TX 76248
Time: Dec 2, 4-7pm; Dec 3, 7-9pm
Cost: FREE!!

2. Mondo Drummers in Concert. "Be there as Mondo Drummers celebrates their fourteenth (14th) year under the direction of Fort Worth’s very own Eddie Dunlap. The concert will feature over 18 drummers ages 8 – 19 and the Mondo Drummers Performance Ensemble. World rhythms from Africa, Cuba and Brazil as well as original improvisations will be performed on authentic instruments."

Place: Arts Fifth Avenue, 1628 5th Avenue
Time: 7 pm
Cost: Admission: $15.00 – General Admission; $ 5.00 – Youth ages 6 to 12; FREE – Children under the age of 6. "Get your tickets early! Mondo Drummers performances are usually standing room only! More Information: Call 817.923.9500 or email artsfifthavenue@aol.com"