Friday, March 29, 2024

The Perfect Mix of Merry and Bright: Celebrate a Season Full of Festive Activities during Home for the Holidays in Southlake

From glittering holiday light displays to spectacular seasonal shopping, Southlake, Texas, is the perfect destination for holiday cheer! The beginning of Home for the Holidays, a season-long celebration of Christmas, has been the unofficial start to the holiday season in Southlake for more than 13 years. As a resource for all of the holiday happenings, the City of Southlake Economic Development and Tourism Department has once again launched www.HomefortheHolidaysSouthlake.com to help residents and visitors make plans for a fun-filled holiday season.

H4HBellA month full of seasonal events and activities kicks off on Saturday, November 21, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Southlake Town Square with the Annual Tree Lighting Celebration sponsored by Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine. This community event features the Mayor’s illumination of all the holiday lights on Town Square buildings, trees, and the magnificent holiday tree in front of Town Hall followed by a surprise show.   In the spirit of giving, event attendees are encouraged to bring a canned food item to kick off Christmas is for Children at the Police and Fire booth in front of Town Hall.  Guests at the event will enjoy a four-lane snow hill, snow man building, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday crafts, complimentary photos with Santa, and holiday treats. Holiday entertainment will be provided by the Southlake Community Band and Southlake school choirs on stages in Family and Frank E. Cornish IV Parks. With free parking and free admission, this cheerful launch of the holiday season should be top on your holiday to do list.

Although the Annual Tree Lighting is only one night, Home for the Holidays spans the entire season with many more festive activities in Southlake. The holidays would not be complete without a visit with Santa. Guests may stop by Santa’s Village at Family Park in Southlake Town Square to have pictures taken with Santa or to simply drop off Christmas wish letters at the Village Post Office.

Tour the beautifully decorated Southlake Town Square in vintage fashion by horse-drawn carriage. Workhorse Ranch and Old Tyme Carriage Co. will once again provide carriage rides to Town Square visitors on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings through Christmas Eve.

The Holiday Concierge in Southlake Town Square can help guests stay organized during the rush of the holiday season. Located between the Boardroom Salon for Men and Barse Jewelry, this service assists guests in browsing movie showtimes, buying gift cards, checking restaurant menus, getting directions and information about stores, and making dinner reservations.

With more than 130 stores in Southlake Town Square alone, as well as many other popular retailers in Shops of Southlake, Southlake Corners and Gateway Plaza, shoppers will find a variety of options for completing their holiday shopping list. Shoppers can even keep track of Black Friday hours and locations to find the best holiday buys this season.

There are plenty of activities for children and families to get into the holiday spirit. Holiday Break Camp Mania offers three different opportunities for children to have a fun and safe environment to enjoy arts and craft activities, field trips and plenty of play time. Children can enjoy two opportunities to have Breakfast with Santa and share their wish list with him, as well as make holiday crafts. With two chances to hear Christmas stories read aloud during Story Time at the Station and Story Time with Mrs. Claus, holiday cookie decorating in Town Hall, and a New Year’s celebration during Noon Year’s Eve Party, there is no shortage of family activities in Southlake this holiday season.

The holiday season is also a time for giving back. The Southlake Fire and Police Departments are once again participating in a Toy & Food Drive. The goal of Christmas is for Children is to help families who otherwise would not have a holiday celebration by fulfilling children’s Christmas wish lists. You can help by bringing a new unwrapped toy, clothing items or non-perishable food to a designated drop-off location. Volunteers are also needed for Toy & Food Basket Assembly.

Visitors and residents are invited to attend two municipal open houses. The Marq Grand Opening on December 12 will offer guests the chance to see Southlake’s newest community facility while enjoying refreshments and holiday music, and the first annual Library Open House on December 19 will offer crafts, activities, food and more, with a special guest appearance by the Dallas Christmas Carolers.

Hilton Southlake Town Square is the ideal location for out-of-town guests to stay throughout the holiday season. Located in the middle of all of the seasonal excitement, Hilton Southlake also offers event space for holiday parties and catering from Copeland’s of New Orleans, including famous Cajun Fried Turkeys.

This holiday season, make Southlake your Home for the Holidays! For additional details, including dates and times for all of the exciting seasonal activities, visit the website  or call (817) 748-8019. Businesses and community organizations may submit information for posting to visitinfo@visitsouthlaketexas.com.