Is it too early to get in the holiday spirit? Maybe. You certainly hear people complaining when every department store breaks out the mistletoe and puts “Jingle Bells” on repeat midway through November. But we’re going to take a more positive view: Good cheer, ice skating, and holiday-themed visuals shouldn’t be limited to December. With that in mind, here are five ways to celebrate Christmas roughly a month-and-a-half before Christmas.
Walk in the wintry gardens: The Dallas Arboretum is lit up for 12 Days of Christmas, with holiday decorations outside and an “artistry of the Nativity” exhibition inside the DeGolyer House. Gazebo exhibitions outside illustrate each day of Christmas made famous by the carol.
Marvel at ice sculptures: Two million pounds of colored ice sculptures dominate the large Ice! holiday exhibit at the Gaylord Texan resort and convention center in Grapevine. This year’s theme is “Christmas Around The World,” featuring sculptures and other displays showcasing how various cultures celebrate the holidays. As a bonus: Ice slides and snow tubing before a tour of the exhibit.
Go ice skating. Outside. In Texas: An outdoor ice rink in North Texas is something of a minor miracle. But Panther Island Ice has been a hit since opening just a few years ago, bringing in tons of visitors to the rink kept frozen by a 150-ton mechanical chiller. The seasonal rink, which is kept frozen by a 150-ton chiller, shares a complex with the Coyote Drive-In, so pop in to see a movie once you’re skated out.
Light the Tree: If you’re still in a skating mood, consider the ice rink at the Galleria and an indoor Christmas tree so grand, it gets five lighting ceremonies. The first is Nov. 28 at noon, the last Dec. 20. Each ceremony will feature performances by Olympic skaters and other special guests.
Don’t be a Scrooge: The Dallas Theater Center’s seasonal production of A Christmas Carol opens Nov. 25. It’s a classic story that the DTC usually handles well, and few Christmas stories resonate as much as this one.
