Our holiday guide to festive events in Frisco, Plano, Allen and McKinney

One of the best things about The Grove Frisco’s “Four Corners” location is that we’re close to festive holiday traditions in our hometown of Frisco as well as our neighboring cities of Allen, McKinney and Plano.

To make sure you don’t miss any opportunity for merrymaking, we’ve wrapped up this list of 10 family-friendly activities. Many of these holiday events are free, while some require tickets. Please check the links provided to confirm dates and admission policies – and enjoy!

Frisco’s Christmas in the Square

More than 180,000 lights and 200 dancing snowflakes make Frisco’s Christmas in the Square a magical place to be from Nov. 18 through Jan. 8. Billed as the largest choreographed lights and music display in North Texas, this show lights up historic Frisco Square each evening. Now in its 14^th year, this free extravaganza includes Skate the Square, the area’s only outdoor ice rink, along with visits with Santa, horse carriage rides, a light tunnel and more. Scouts Troop 51 will continue the tradition of offering Christmas trees for sale.

Lights on the Farm in Plano

Beginning Fri., Nov. 24 and continuing through Dec. 30, the Lights on the Farm event at Plano’s Heritage Farmstead Museum features over one million twinkling lights and animated displays along a quarter-mile trail. The all-outdoor scenic stroll begins on Candycane Lane, then meanders through Santa’s farmshop, where you can take a photo with the Jolly Old Elf. There’s also an illuminated tunnel of lights with music and a 20-foot Christmas tree. You can warm yourself up with tasty treats such as hot cocoa, kettle corn and make your own S’mores. Fun holiday light-up merchandise includes reindeer antlers, Christmas bulb necklaces, snowflake wands and more. 

McKinney’s Home for the Holidays

Starting Fri., Nov. 24, McKinney’s annual Home for the Holidays festival continues all weekend, offering visits with Santa, children’s activities, and extended shopping hours in the historic downtown area, filled with more than 100 unique boutiques, art galleries, cafes and restaurants. There’ll also be live music, food booths and local arts and crafts vendors. Horse-drawn carriages, traveling carolers and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony will add to the festivities.

Holly Jolly Celebration in Allen

One of Allen’s biggest (and certainly most festive) annual events, the Holly Jolly Celebration sleds into the heart of Downtown Allen on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 4-9 p.m. You’ll find blocks of fun, including Photos with Santa and other holiday photo ops, a Christmas tree lighting, gourmet food trucks and festive entertainment. New for 2023, an amazing drone show will light up the sky. There’s also a Holly Jolly 5K Fun and Fun Run.

Merry Main Street in Frisco

On Sat., Dec. 2, Frisco’s Merry Main Street event begins at 3 p.m. with the Santa & Friends Parade and a Holiday Gift Market with food vendors. At 3:30, choirs from Frisco elementary schools perform on three stages. The City Tree Lighting Ceremony is at 6 p.m., with festivities continuing until 7:30 p.m.

Dickens, Tamales, Ugly Sweater Cocktails & More in Plano

From a tamale Make & Take class at Central Market, to movies and musicals like “White Christmas” and “Scrooge, The Musical,” Plano has gathered its many festive happenings of all sizes into a 2023 Holiday Event Guide. A family favorite, Dickens in Downtown Plano, features photos with Santa, a snow slide, the Coffee and Cocoa Walk, the Children's Entrepreneur Market, and a traditional tree lighting. The downtown businesses will stay open late so guests can enjoy food and shopping.

Frosty 5K and Merry Mile

On Sat., Dec. 2, enjoy a festive fun run and help raise funds for the City of Frisco’s Parks and Recreation Department’s SOAR scholarships, which help qualified residents participate in recreation programs and special events. The Frosty 5K and Merry Mile starts in downtown Frisco and weaves through the historic Main Street and plaza area. Join the fun and feel good about indulging in those extra holiday treats!

Homemade McKinney Rotary Club Christmas Parade of Lights

“Christmas Movie Magic” is the 2023 theme for the McKinney Rotary Club’s annual Parade of Lights, rolling out on Sat., Dec. 9.  This brilliant event is free to viewers, and entry fees paid by parade participants help support Rotary Club projects such as child health and improving basic education and literacy. There will be a free trolley shuttle to the parade route in downtown McKinney.

The Frisco Bowl

Not exactly a holiday event, but an annual gift for football fans, the 2023 Frisco Bowl is set for Sat., Dec. 19 at Toyota Stadium, which is home to the MLS team FC Dallas and has a capacity of 17,200. The Frisco Bowl is an annual college bowl game owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, and is affiliated with all Group of Five conferences. Its mission is to deliver the highest quality post season college football experience for our student-athletes, teams, fans, attendees, and stakeholders, while showcasing the positive sports-centric climate of the community.

Holidays at PGA Frisco

PGA Frisco starts its first holiday tradition with a Christmas Kick-Off Concert featuring a live performance from Ice House Band. This popular DFW band will perform a variety of top hits with high-energy holiday classics mixed in on the Event Lawn in the Monument Realty PGA District on Friday, November 24, from 6-9 p.m.

Every Friday and Saturday in December, Home on the Range for The Holidays offers a new but familiar holiday experience, with each admission ticket providing kid’s activities such as “Putting for Presents,” real North Pole reindeer and a Texas Longhorn, a ride on the Holiday Express Train, arts and crafts, and festive photo opportunities. There’s also a tree lighting ceremony with Santa each evening at 6 p.m., and a holiday film on the big screen.

Photos courtesy of Visit Frisco (ice rink) Visit Plano (Lights on the Farm & Dickens in Downtown Plano).