Area residents looking for some yuletide cheer, and perhaps some shopping, will have several opportunities to get in the spirit.

The city of Wylie will kick off the season with a holiday open house from 10 a.m. until noon, Friday, Dec. 3 at City Hall. The event will feature selfies with Santa, holiday displays, hot chocolate and a performance by the Wylie High School Orchestra.

For those who want to support local artisans, the Wylie Arts Festival will be from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 at the First Baptist Church Wylie event center, located at 112 S. Ballard Ave.

More than 170 vendors, some inside the church and others will be outside, will be featured at the event, which is free to the public.  There will be handmade crafts, fine art and unique items for sale. The festival includes food, live music and activities for children as well.

The Jingle Bell Jog, a 5K and Fun Run/Walk sponsored by Wally Watkins Elementary School PTA is also happening Dec. 4 at Founder’s Park, located at 851 Hensley Drive.

Anyone who comes to the event dressed as Santa or one of his elves will be entered to win a prize.

Check in begins at 7 a.m. The Fun Run/Walk begins at 8 a.m. and the 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. After the race, those in attendance can enjoy hot cocoa and bounce houses for the children.

First Baptist Church in Wylie will once again sponsor the annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade, set for 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5 on Ballard Avenue. The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held in Olde City Park, 112 S. Ballard Ave, after the parade. According to information from the city, the tree lighting event will include songs of the season from the Wylie High School’s Tempo choir.

The city of Murphy will hold its Christmas in the Park celebration, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Murphy Municipal Complex, located at 206 N. Murphy Road.

Special Events Coordinator Kayla McFarland said the event is free to the public and will feature various fun family activities, including a sidewalk parade and Christmas tree lighting.

The mini parade’s theme this year is “Holiday Classics,” featuring movies, books, holiday characters and golf carts, ATVs, wagons and bicycles, that begin at the fire department and wind its way through the municipal complex and end at City Hall.

The community Christmas tree lighting ceremony is set for 5:45 p.m., immediately after the parade wraps up.

There will also be crafts and games for children, food and craft vendors and marshmallow toasting for everyone to enjoy. Several local entertainment groups will perform, such as the Murphy Middle School Choir and The Texas Jazz Cats. Families will also have the opportunity to see a reindeer and take pictures with Santa Claus.

In Sachse, the city will once again host the Christmas Extravaganza after canceling the event last year because of COVID-19.

The Christmas Extravaganza kicks off at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8 with a parade down Miles Road and ends at the Municipal Complex, located at 3815 Sachse Road. There will be a tree lighting in front of City Hall at 7 p.m. Other activities include visits with Santa, storytime, free craft kits, a petting zoo and “a Winter wonderland Surprise.”  

For theater lovers, Wylie Acting Group will perform “The Nutcracker,” beginning Dec. 10. For additional details and showtimes visit wylieactinggroup.com.

The North Texas Performing Arts Community Theater will perform “Scrooge! The Musical,” Dec. 8 – Dec. 12 at The Courtyard Theater in downtown Plano. Tickets can be purchased at ntpa.org.

Northplace Church, located at 2800 Pleasant Valley Road in Sachse, will offer Christmas photos from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dec. 11.

From Staff Reports • [email protected]