Holiday-themed events started earlier this month, but they really kick into high gear the day after Thanksgiving. Later in the weekend, there are very special movie screenings.
Below are the best options for your precious free time Thursday through Sunday. Don't like what you see? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Friday, November 25
2016 Texas Christkindl Market
Now in its sixth year, the Texas Christkindl Market is one of the largest open-air holiday markets in the Southwest. Inspired by a cherished German tradition, the market features a unique shopping experience for holiday gifts, decorations, and unique one-of-a-kind finds. Going on every day through December 23, it also includes festive music and new features like Peppermint Park and a 200-foot-long Artic Blast Tubing Run.
Casa Mañana presents Santa Claus: A New Musical
Delivering toys to children all over the world on Christmas Eve isn’t easy, especially when you’ve been doing it for over a 1,000 years. When Santa announces that this will be his last Christmas, the search is on for someone to fill some very big shoes – or in this case, boots. Santa Claus: A New Musical, playing through December 23 at Casa Mañana Theatre, has brand-new original songs and lots of holiday cheer.
Magnolia at the Modern: The Eagle Huntress
The latest at the Magnolia at the Modern series, The Eagle Huntress is a spellbinding documentary that follows Aisholpan, a 13-year-old nomadic Mongolian girl who is fighting to become the first female eagle hunter in 12 generations of her Kazakh family. Through breathtaking aerial cinematography and intimate vérité footage, the film captures her personal journey while also addressing universal themes. It plays at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth six times through Sunday.
Prairie Lights 2016
Upon arriving at the entrance of Prairie Lights, you will be dazzled with 4 million lights set along two miles of path. Taking place at Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie through January 1, it features hundreds of all-new displays in shapes of all kinds that line and arch over the roads. Halfway through the drive is the Holiday Village, which has food, gifts, Santa, the all-new indoor laser show, and the Holiday Magic Lighted Walk-Through Forest.
Jubilee Theatre presents The Gifts of the Magi
Based on the classic O. Henry short story and told through music and lyrics, The Gifts of the Magi is a story of two very poor people who loved each other so much that each sold their most prized possession to buy the other a Christmas present. Jubilee Theatre will present the musical through December 24.
Saturday, November 26
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History presents Polar Pajama Parties
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History's annual holiday tradition is to present screenings of The Polar Express. To make things a little more fun, they also have occasional Polar Pajama Parties, where you can enjoy hot chocolate, wintry hands-on activities, and photos with Dynamo in his holiday attire. The parties take place six times through December 10, but the film screens almost every day through December 15.
Universal Pictures presents Sing Saturday
After the craziness of Black Friday, Universal Pictures present Sing Saturday, during which Universal is presenting a round of free first-come, first-served screenings of the film Sing at participating AMC Theaters. At least 200 free tickets will be available at every location to see the new animated feature, which will be officially released on December 21. The film tells the tale of a koala named Buster Moon who has one final chance to restore his theater to its former glory by producing the world's greatest singing competition.
Casa Mañana presents Santa Claus: A New Musical through December 23.
