Kids and family events in Dallas-Fort Worth, December 16-22

Christmas lights, Christmas plays, and Christmas trees all dominate the week leading up to Christmas.

Last week, I was able to find you a few non-holiday events for those who wanted to experience something out of the norm this time of year. With this week knocking on the doorstep of Christmas, doing that again was virtually impossible. Check that -- definitely impossible. So just go with it and enjoy the holiday cheer -- after all, it only comes around once a year.

Light displays are always popular, so those living in Grand Prairie or Arlington (or willing to drive there) are in for a treat. Prairie Lights 2010 has been going on since November 25 at Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie, but you still have plenty of time to enjoy the display of four million lights. You can also visit with Santa and experience the world's largest light tunnel. That one costs, though, so if you want to see something for free, head to the Interlochen neighborhood in Arlington for The Lights at Interlochen. More than 200 homeowners, out of the goodness of their hearts, band together to make their houses brighter than the sun (Disclaimer: May not actually be brighter than the sun.) You can see the lights starting Friday, running through Christmas.

A Christmas Carol is the go-to theater production in December, and two more versions are playing in Fort Worth and Lewisville. Kids Who Care will present their rendition starting Friday at W.E. Scott Theatre in Fort Worth (running through next Wednesday), while The Actors Conservatory Theatre has been interpreting the Dickens classic since last Friday at Crawford Arts Center in Lewisville (running through this weekend). If that's not your style, how about The Nutcracker? Colleyville Ballet will present a performance of the show on Sunday at Irving Arts Center.

Finally, anybody can put up a tree and call it Christmas. But the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame has taken that simple act a step further by having themed trees in their Christmas Tree Celebration (running through December 26). The official trees honor members of the Hall of Fame, while other trees decorated by local schools have patriotic, holiday, and western themes.

Know of any kids and family events we should have mentioned? Tell us about them in the comments!