Best of the best holiday events to jingle your bells in Dallas-Forth Worth

by Sarah Blaskovich

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That's right, jingle your bells. Light your candle. Top your tree.

We've filtered through the hundreds of Christmas events on PegNews to bring you the best of the best. We've even split the events into categories for your enjoyment. If you're not a pet person, skip over “Because pets believe in Santa too” and head straight for the over-arching classic, “No way does my body move like that.”

Because pets believe in Santa too

Pet Photos with Santa Claus – Sunday, December 6

There's nothing better than a creepy picture of your spooked-out dog sitting on a harried Santa's lap. We think they might even let you bring your cat or rat.

Holiday Raffle-PALOOZA -- Sunday, December 13

Sure, you can bring your pup to take pictures with Santa. But there will also be live music by Aberdeen, raffle drawings by emcee and KXT announcer Gini Mascorro, and oddly-numbered prizes. (31 to be exact.) Join them at Lee Harvey's.

Weird holiday music

Holiday Handbell Concert – Saturday, December 5

Here's one that will really ring your bells: The Brookhaven College handbell performance in Farmers Branch turns those little ringy-dingies into ragtime and jazz beats. That's cool. (There's also one in Fort Worth on Wednesday, December 23.)

Dallas TubaChristmas 2009 – Thursday, December 24

Nothing like a crowd of tuba and euphonium players to make me say “Christmas.” Hear the horn-tastic group play Christmas music in tribute to teacher William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day.

No way does my body move like that

The NOTcracker – Saturday, December 12

Members of the Barefoot Brigade coalition – which sounds like a mean womens rights group, but isn't – perform a “variety of holiday treats” in the not-cracker style. It's said to be a nice departure from the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Radio City Spectacular – now through December 30

The Radio City Rockettes are in town, and that calls for major kicks and cheer. This photo of them doing the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” is pretty impressive. Tickets are kind of pricey, but there are more than 40 performances to pick from.

Fun for the whole family

Good Santa – Saturday, December 5

We've been saying for awhile that Good Records has some good records. They also have Good Santa, a feel-good holiday party that raises money for Toys for Tots and the North Texas Food Bank.

Holiday Music Magic – now through December 19

For an inexpensive (and only slightly dweeby) night out, the planetarium at UTA is showing a 3-D animation show set to music from Mannheim Steamroller, Burl Ives, and others. It's a good family night out.

Ice! – now through January 3

If you think you're freezing your tush off already in Dallas, the Ice! exhibit at the Gaylord Texan is enough to boot you into northeastern temperatures. Kept at 9 degrees, this magnificent display of colored ice sculptures is just as magical for adults as it is for kids. Get a peek of the Dr. Seuss-themed statues here.

Prairie Lights 2009 – now through December 31

Turn up the Christmas music and take the fam through Grand Prairie's ginormous drive-thru Christmas light show. It's four million Christmas lights, including the world's largest drive-thru light tunnel. Not sure how they can prove that, but we'll believe 'em.

Knickknacks galore

Blue Yule – Saturday, December 5

It's a blue, blue Christmas at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary for their annual ornament contest. Artists and patrons make their own ornaments – some could be really homemade, just warning you – and they'll be for sale to support the MAC. And just in case you need more to persuade you, there's free beads, beer, and bubbly.

Ornament Extravaganza – now through December 31

Don't give that same store bought ornament every year at the company Christmas party. At Kittrell/Riffkind Art Glass in Dallas, they're blowing handmade, completely original ornaments and selling them. Then you can say inappropriately: “My gift this year doesn't blow. It's blown.”

Christmas came and went but we're still here

Mannheim Steamroller – Saturday, December 26 and Sunday, December 27

You're not tired of Christmas carols, are you? You're in for “Carol of the Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and “Little Drummer Boy” at the Mannheim Steamroller concert.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Wednesday, December 30

And not far behind is Trans-Siberian Orchestra, a slightly more hard-core spin on your Christmas classics.

Did we miss any holiday events that jingle your bells? Add them in the comments section below.

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