The month of December means holiday cheer, gift giving, twinkling lights, and most importantly more excuses to throw a little party. Make sure you have enough sequin dresses and ugly holiday sweaters to last you through the month because this week kicks off the beginning of holiday celebrations to come.
Thursday, December 4
It’s the “Birdie’s Thirty.” Blue Goose Cantina just turned 30 and is throwing a fiesta all week long. Specials began on Monday, but thankfully there’s more to come. Today enjoy $1 DosXX on tap, tomorrow dive into some free queso, and drink your fill of $1 bloody Marys and $2 sangria swirl margaritas through the weekend.
Friday, December 5
It’s the official anniversary of Repeal Day, so the honorable way to celebrate is with a drink in hand. Get to The Gin Mill at the beginning of happy hour at 4 p.m. and stay until close sipping on the night’s special $6 Bees Knees cocktail made with Moody June Gin. Prohibition-inspired attire is highly encouraged. III Forks, Silver Fox, and Cool River Café will also give tribute to booze with five prohibition era cocktails, including the sidecar, Mary Pickford, bees knees, whiskey sour and a southside. Each of these classic cocktails are just $5.32 on Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Victor Tangos might just have the best deal of the day with 85 cent specialty drinks running from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pack into this cocktail den for happy hour conversation and sips of dry sazerac, gin southside, and Mary Pickford.
The Windmill Lounge celebrates its 10th annual ornament making party tonight. They supply the materials, you supply the creativity. They’ll be selling ornaments from previous years, with proceeds going to Triggers Toys Charity. Sip on a gimlet, grab a glue gun, and get to work.
Saturday, December 6
Enjoy a large stack of pancakes at the McKinney Fire Department from 9 a.m. until noon. Proceeds help benefit local firefighters and the Auxiliary to the McKinney Firefighters. For $8, you get a pancake breakfast and a picture with Santa.
Santa and Mrs. Claus are starting the day off at Klyde Warren Park for a day-long holiday event with photos, live reindeer, snow, crafts, face painting, balloon artists, food trucks, music, performances, and more. Jack Ingram takes the stage at 5:55 p.m. followed by the lighting of the largest outdoor tree in Dallas at 6 p.m., a processional walk led by the Clauses to AT&T Performing Arts Center, and a fireworks show at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are free and the merriment begins at 1 p.m.
The weather outside may have dropped a couple degrees, but One Arts Plaza won’t let that stop their holiday bash. Warm up with hot toddies, Irish coffees, and Tom and Jerry’s at Proof + Pantry, slurp down a bowl of Japanese soba at Tei-An, and dance to “Jingle Bell Rock” with a specialty margarita from Jorge’s Tex Mex in your hand. The event is free and open to the public, running from 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm.
For those of you looking to practice for next year’s The Voice or simply wanting to belt out your best version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” Bishop Arts District is hosting their first annual caroling competition. Take part in caroling, shopping, and a visit from Santa from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. First place of the caroling contest gets $500, but good luck getting out of the block without splurging on the number of restaurants and shops.
It’s Grapevine Brewery’s last tour of the year, so they want to go out with a bang. Finley’s Barber Shop will be on deck to shave that Movember mess off your face, Paul Hightower and Brian Brown (authors of North Texas Beer) is signing copies of their book, and Lord Nut Levington will be there to throw nuts in your general direction. Guests will taste the brewery’s Stocking Stuffer and Winter Warmer. $10 gets you through the door and a pint glass to fill with three brews of your choice. The tour runs from noon to 3 p.m.
Sunday December 7
Dallas is known to resemble Whoville around this time of year when it comes to neighborhood light displays. Opt for a carriage drawn tour or get a ticket to Dallas by Chocolate’s annual Christmas Lights, Chocolate, and Sips Tour. View the holiday lights on a private bus that guides you to some of the city’s best chocolate venues including Nib Chocolate, Dude Sweet Chocolate, and Village Baking Company. Expect holiday music, hot cider, hot chocolate, and a major sugar high. The tour begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs most nights through the month.
