Holiday Events in Garland

Whether you’re into breaking bread or breaking a sweat, making gingerbread houses or making memories, there’s a holiday event for you! Check out a few of the classic Christmas festivities happening around the city, and be sure to go to VisitGarlandTX.com for more events.

The Nutcracker by Dallas Ballet Company—Dec. 1-10

Granville Arts Center – Brownlee Auditorium, 300 N. Fifth St. Tchaikovsky’sholiday favorite returns to the Granville Arts Center, featuring professional ballet artists from world-renowned dance studios and students from the Dallas Ballet Company. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at GarlandArtsBoxOffice.com.

Firewheel Golf Association 13th Annual Toy Drive—Dec. 2

10 a.m., The Branding Iron at Firewheel Golf Park, 1535 E. Brand Road. Drop off toys at the big sleigh at the Branding Iron during the Annual Toy Drive Golf Tournament. Donations will be accepted throughout the month of December.

Build a Sweet House—Dec. 6

6 p.m., Central Library, 625 Austin St. Children ages 6 through 12 are invited to decorate their own cookie houses at the Nicholson Memorial Library System’s Build a Sweet House program. Registration required. The library will provide all the supplies.

Sensory-Friendly Tree Lighting—Dec. 6

6:30 p.m., Downtown Square, Sixth and Main streets. Children and adults with sensory disorders are encouraged to enjoy Garland’s annual Sensory-Friendly Tree Lighting in the Downtown Square.

Christmas on the Square—Dec. 7

5:30 p.m., Downtown Square, Sixth and Main streets. Enjoy snow hills, photos with Santa, holiday foods, children’s crafts, pet adoptions and much more. As always, the attractions are free! Santa Claus will assist with the tree lighting at 7 p.m. and then spend the evening visiting with children about their holiday wishes. Garland ISD choirs will entertain the crowd with holiday classics beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Members of the Garland Fire Department will be stationed at the corner of Sixth and Main streets to collect new, unwrapped toys to be given to local children. After donating your gift, be sure to pick up some festival food and check out live ice carvings by James Pappas.

Parking for the event is free and will be available at the following locations: Central Library, Senior Center, First Baptist Church on Glenbrook and DART on Walnut St. For full event details including parking map, stage schedule and event map, visit ChristmasOnTheSquare.com.

Free Screening of White Christmas—Dec. 8

7 p.m., Plaza Theatre, 521 W. State St. First come, first served. No tickets required. Popcorn, candy, soda and water are available for $2 each. For questions, contact the Granville Arts Center Box Office at 972-205-2790 or [email protected].

Free Screening of Elf—Dec. 9

7 p.m., Plaza Theatre, 521 W. State St. First come, first served. No tickets required. Popcorn, candy, soda and water are available for $2 each. For questions, contact the Granville Arts Center Box Office at 972-205-2790 or [email protected].

Jingle Bell Run 5K—Dec. 9

8 a.m., Downtown Square, 521 W. State St. Lace up your holiday running shoes for the 9th Annual Jingle Bell Run. Hosted by the Naaman Forest High School Class of 2019, this fun run 5K is a great way to kick off the holiday season, and it benefits the Garland Pet Adoption Center! Participants can preregister online, and on-site registration and packet pickup begins at 7 a.m. on the day of the race. After the race, stick around to shop at vendor booths along the square until 2 p.m. You can also support the Garland Pet Adoption Center by bringing the following donations: dry dog/cat food, kitty litter, paper towels, Lysol, bleach, hand sanitizer or new/used blankets. Learn more at VisitGarlandTX.com.

Pancakes with Santa—Dec. 9

7 a.m., Central Fire Station, 1019 Austin St.Mark your calendars for a morning of holiday fun and endless pancakes hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Garland and the Citizens’ Fire Club of Garland. Cost is $6 per person in advance and $7 at the door and includes all the pancakes you can eat, sausage, milk or coffee, and a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Tickets can be purchased at the event or in advance at KiwanisClubofGarland.org.

Breakfast with Santa—Dec. 9

9 a.m., The Branding Iron at Firewheel Golf Park, 1535 E. Brand Road. Enjoy crafts for kids and a photo with Santa! Breakfast buffet is $13.95 for adults and $7.95 for children. Reservations required. Call 972-205-3958 to make a reservation.

Horn Choir Presents Holiday Tunes at Senior Social Hour—Dec. 14

2 p.m., Central Library, 625 Austin St. The Nicholson Memorial Library System presents an afternoon of holiday and classical music performed by the Horn Choir. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Senior Social Hourprograms are free and open to anyone 55 years of age and older. No registration is required to attend, and doors open 30 minutes prior to performance. Call 972-205-2502 for more information.

Snacks with Santa—Dec. 14

5:30 p.m., Fields Recreation Center, 1701 Dairy Road. Join us at Fields Recreation Center for an evening of holiday fun! Enjoy making crafts, playing games and having a snack with Santa and his helpers.

Holiday in Vienna! by Garland Symphony Orchestra—Dec. 15

8 p.m., Granville Arts Center – Brownlee Auditorium, 300 N. Fifth St. Join the Garland Symphony Orchestra for Holiday in Vienna! Don’t miss the annual carol sing-along and lots of holiday favorites! It’s sure to be an evening of fun for all family and friends! This concert features tenor Andrew Surenna and guest conductor Piotr Sulkowski. Tickets are $17.50-37.50 and can be purchased at GarlandArtsBoxOffice.com.

Garland Fire Department Hosts Toy Drive—through Dec. 17

Make this holiday special for a child in need. The Garland Firefighters Association and Garland Fire Department are collecting new, unwrapped toys for their annual toy drive. Toys will be collected at all 11 Garland fire stations and at Fire Administration, 1500 Highway 66. You can also drop off toys at Garland’s annual Christmas on the Square event from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. Garland firefighters will deliver the toys to local children. Toys will be collected through Dec. 17. Find your nearest fire station at GarlandFire.com. For more information, contact Jerry Click at 903-513-4393 or [email protected].

Nightly Light Shows Synchronized with Music—through Jan. 1

5 p.m., Downtown Square, Sixth and Main streets. Enjoy nightly light shows synchronized with music at the square each night between 5 and 10 p.m. through New Year’s Day.

Celebrate the Holidays at the Branding Iron—through Jan. 1

The Branding Iron restaurant at Firewheel Golf Park, 600 W. Campbell Road, invites you to enjoy a private dining experience here in Garland. Book your holiday, corporate or social event today! Holiday celebration dates are available through Jan. 1. The Branding Iron offers several menus starting at $14.95 per person to suit a variety of occasions. Reservations are available for parties of 25 to 80. For more information or to book an event, contact Teresa Boardman at 972-205-3917 or visit GolfFirewheel.com.