As the holiday season fast approaches, families will be looking for fun activities and events to help spread some holiday cheer.
From Cindy Lou Who Hair Competitions to snowball fights, there are several yuletide festivities happening in our area in the coming weeks sure to make your Christmas just a little bit brighter. Mark your calendar and make the most of this holiday season.
MONDAY, DEC. 2
Sanger 5 Days of Christmas: Day 1
From 5:30-7:30 p.m. enjoy S’mores with Sanger Police and Fire Departments
TUESDAY, DEC. 3
Collinsville Christmas on the Square
From 6-8 p.m. downtown Collinsville is the place to be. Enjoy chili, pictures with Santa, free horse-drawn wagon rides, cookie decorating, cake walk and more!
Sanger 5 Days of Christmas: Day 2
From 5:30-7:30 p.m. enjoy storytime and cookies with Mrs. Claus at the Sanger Library.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 4
Sanger 5 Days of Christmas: Day 3
All day, visitors can enjoy Cookies Around Sanger. Local vendors will have cookies for patrons to enjoy as they shop.
THURSDAY, DEC. 5
Downtown Denison Cocoa Competition, Christmas Village, and Parade
From 4-8 p.m. visit the Christmas Village and participate in a Hot Cocoa Competition. (The competition raises money for local non-profit organizations.)
Stick around for the Christmas Parade at 7 p.m.
Historic Downtown Gainesville 90th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade
This year’s parade, whose theme is “Toys, Trains & Candy Canes,” will begin at 6 p.m.
Sanger 5 Days of Christmas: Day 4
From 4-6 p.m. enjoy the Sanger Holiday Drink Walk on Bolivar St. Vendors will have hot chocolate, wassail, apple cider, Grinch punch and more.
FRIDAY, DEC. 6
Downtown Whitesboro “Let it Snow” Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
From 5-8 p.m., this free event features the annual parade, Christmas tree lighting, horse-drawn carriage rides, a live nativity and more. Local vendors will give out goodies and downtown stores will stay open late for holiday shopping.
Sanger 5 Days of Christmas: Day 5
From 5-6 p.m. enjoy a Sanger Snowball Fight in the park downtown.
Eisenhower State Park 5th Annual Light Up the Park
Please bring a new unwrapped toy donation (one per vehicle) for free entry. All donations are provided to local Grayson County Welfare Board to assist with families in need during the holiday season.
This event is only two days from 5-10 p.m.
Drive through the park to view the 50 decorated campsites. Be sure to place your vote for favorite site through a QR code.
Don’t forget to bring those cameras for your Santa and The Grinch meet and greet! There will also be fun arts and crafts for the kids.
Sherman Night of Lights
From 5:45-11:30 p.m. at Pecan Grove West Park, this event features 10 miles of lights, snowball fights and even a photo opportunity in Santa’s sleigh.
SATURDAY, DEC. 7
Whitesboro Children’s Christmas Workshop
This event, hosted by the Whitesboro Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), is open to children ages 6-11 and will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Jimmie O. Rector Community Center.
Cost is $10 per child. Seating is limited; lunch will be provided. Children will complete a craft and a gift and will enjoy games and activities. Visit Whitesboro.org for more details.
Family Movie Night at Cook’s Main Stage
All aboard for holiday magic!! Wear your Christmas jammies and head over to Cook’s Main Stage in downtown Whitesboro at 6 p.m. for a movie night.
This family-friendly event will include hot chocolate and cookies and every child in attendance will leave with a special gift.
Admission is $5 per child (adults and kids under 3 are free).
Bring cash for concessions, a comfy lawn chair/blankets/pillows and camera for photo opportunities.
WISD Holly Jolly Food & Folly Food, Music, Silent Auction
Enjoy a holiday concert and dinner fundraiser. Details to be announced.
Pilot Point Christmas on the Square
From 4-8 p.m., come see Santa, enter the Cindy Lou Who Hair Competition, watch live dance and musical performances and more.
Downtown Sherman Snowflake Festival and Parade
From 2-6 p.m. at the Grayson County Courthouse Square, guests can get some holiday shopping done at the brick-and-mortar shops downtown and find unique gifts at the booths set up around the Square.
There are plenty of food trucks and treat vendors to keep visitors full and warm.
The Sherman Snowflake Festival Parade begins at 6 p.m.
Tioga Christmas Parade
Enjoy Santa, carriage rides, plenty of Christmas treats and the Parade of Lights. Time TBD.
Valley View Annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
Activities begin at 5 p.m. and the parade kicks off at 6 p.m.
SUNDAY, DEC. 8
Hedges’ Farm Christmas on the Farm Open House
From 5-8 p.m., guests can enjoy a variety of activities from photo booth and in-house specials to free craft for kids. Drop off your letters to Santa to ensure they get to the North Pole. There will also be free hot chocolate, free samples and door prizes.
This event is a fun way to ring in the holiday while also learning more about this local farm. See more details on page 16 of this paper.
Pottsboro Annual Tree Lighting
From 5:30-7:30 p.m., guests can enjoy hot cocoa, crafts for the kids, caroling, and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus
TUESDAY, DEC. 12
WHS Choir Winter Concert
The Whitesboro High School Choir will perform a winter concert in the WHS Cafetorium at 6 p.m.
SUNDAY, DEC. 14
Denison Christmas at the Depot
From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. enjoy brunch with Santa at the Stafford House.
Visit the Gingerbread Village from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
At noon, Santa arrives by train. Attendees can pet a reindeer, hear a holiday story, enjoy ice skating, shop over 40 vendors and much more. The event ends at 7 p.m.