North Pole in North Texas

Deck the halls in Plano this year with tons of holiday cheer

It's true Plano always puts on the holiday ritz, and this year is no different. This lively Dallas ’burb keeps raising the bar on seasonal cheer with more than 50 festive events of all kinds, along with charming boutiques, luxury shops, and so much more.

Whether you wander the suburban wonderland for a day or stay awhile, here are some highlights you won’t want to miss.

What to do

November 22 – December 28, Lights on the Farm: Magical and sweet, this fourth annual event at the Heritage Farmstead Museum features a quarter-mile stroll through one million twinkling lights, all to the tune of holiday music. It’s also the perfect chance to meet Santa Claus and indulge in seasonal treats like s’mores, hot cocoa, donuts, and popcorn while enjoying the festive holiday music. Kids will love the themed nights, including Frozen Adventure Night, Grinch Night, and Princess Night.

November 24, Lights at Legacy: Kick off the season with The Shops at Legacy East’s family-friendly outing, featuring complimentary train rides, balloon artists, toy soldier stilt walkers, little drummer boys, live entertainment, and more. Free food and drink samples from retailers and restaurants will also be available. While the event is from 4-7 pm, make sure to stay for the tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 pm. You can also grab a pic with Santa and Mrs. Claus, with 50 percent of the proceeds benefiting My Possibilities.

December 1-30, Deerfield Holiday Lights: This is no ordinary neighborhood! Deerfield has become renowned for its extraordinary holiday lights, with nearly every house participating in the spectacle. Expect tons of creatively illuminated displays, with each street more spectacular than the next.

Prestonwood Church Gift of Christmas Photo courtesy of Visit Plano

December 6-15, The Gift of Christmas: This live musical extravaganza is a Prestonwood Baptist Church tradition, and has become one of the highlights of the Christmas season. The visually stunning multimedia event is complete with special effects, a nearly 1,000-member cast and choir, live orchestra, flying angels, camels and kings, and much more.

December 7, Dickens in Downtown Plano: There will be no bah-humbugs at this free annual event in the Historic Downtown Plano Arts District. It’s fun for the whole family, with a tree lighting festival with vendors, a snow globe, and interactive activities. Downtown businesses will also stay open late so guests can enjoy food and shopping.

December 14, Plano Holiday Parade: There’s nothing more wholesome than a holiday parade, and this one in downtown Plano definitely fits the bill. This year, Olympic Gold Medal gymnast and Plano resident Hezly Rivera will make a special appearance in the parade. Also in the mix: festive floats; performances by Plano’s high school marching bands, drill teams, and color guards; and Santa Claus.

Where to stay

Whether you’re planning a staycation or visiting from out of town, the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West is your holiday headquarters. It's hosting s’mores specials every Saturday through the end of the year, along with live music and more festivities. Plus, you’ll be right in the heart of Legacy West — a prime Christmas shopping destination.

Renaissance Plano hotel Get cozy at the Renaissance hotel.Photo courtesy of Visit Plano

Photo courtesy of Visit Plano

Lights at Legacy will have you feeling merry and bright.

Where to shop

Speaking of shopping, Plano is a one-stop shop for everything you could possibly need on your Christmas list.

Legacy West: This high-end outdoor shopping destination is ready for you and your lists with many beloved storefronts that are perfect for holiday gifts, including Golden Goose, Vuori, Gorjana, and Read Between the Lines.

The place has also transformed into Legacy North Pole, with a wonderland of experiences and festive photo opps to enjoy while you shop: Big (Rein) Deer Energy, Gumdrop It Like It’s Hot, Sleigh All Day, and more.

On the weekends, don’t miss Mistletoe Mall, where Legacy West is partnering with local businesses to host pop-up shops.

The Shops at Legacy East: In addition to Lights at Legacy, swing by the Santa Boutique Studio all season long for professional Santa pics.

While there, browse boutiques like Another Time & Place, Francesca’s, Kendra Scott, Prized Kicks, The Impeccable Pig, and more for the perfect gifts.

Downtown Plano Arts District Spend a day shopping in Downtown Plano.Photo courtesy of Visit Plano

Downtown Plano Arts District: Having experienced something of a renaissance, this historic district delivers all the walkable charm you could want along with one-of-a-kind shops to love.

These include La Foofaraw (with designer candles, unique art, vintage jewelry and art-inspired clothing), Lyla’s Clothing, Décor & More, The Feathered Nest, and more. The Mistletoe Market on December 15 is a great time to shop handcrafted gifts from local makers.

For a complete listing of Plano holiday events, head here.

deerfield holiday lights dickens in downtown plano downtown plano arts district holidays legacy north pole legacy west lights at legacy lights on the farm plano holiday parade promoted vacation plano

Airline News

San Antonio gets nonstop flights to this Washington, DC airport

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

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American Airlines will soon introduce long-awaited nonstop flights between San Antonio (SAT) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). One flight will be scheduled daily, starting in March.

Tickets for the new service will be available on sale starting December 23 through aa.com or American’s mobile app.

The route was tentatively announced in October, but the U.S. Department of Transportation has now formally approved the application by American Airlines.

“This new service will offer convenient nonstop access to our nation’s capital for San Antonians, while helping further connect customers to our comprehensive global network," said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, in a press release. "American thanks the many elected officials and citizens who supported our application, and we look forward to welcoming customers onboard this new service soon.”

Flight 1718, reflecting the year San Antonio was founded, will depart SAT at 6:35 am and arrive in DCA at 10:41 am. Flight 1947, reflecting the year the U.S. Air Force was established, will depart DCA at 7:45 pm and arrive in SAT at 10:43 pm.

“This long-awaited connection to our nation’s capital is a game changer for our community, opening doors to countless opportunities for travel and economic development,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I’m grateful to those who have championed this effort and for the bipartisan support of our representatives in the Senate and House, whose advocacy was instrumental in making these flights a reality. We look forward to the positive impact this nonstop service will have for years to come."

San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh echoed the sentiments about economic development and pointed out some growth already happening in San Antonio. The release also notes that San Antonio is the largest city in Texas lacking nonstop service to DCA and the largest city in the U.S. with a majority Hispanic population without nonstop service to DCA.

“Serving the fastest-growing city in the country, SAT has achieved record-breaking passenger numbers throughout 2024. This nonstop service to and from DCA addresses a need for our military, business, educational and research communities, among others. It also promotes competition and offers more travel options for passengers flying to and from San Antonio, enhancing connectivity as we continue making progress on the airport Terminal Development Program.”

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