School is almost out for winter break! What will your family be doing to stay safe, but pass the time? Here is a list of six family-friendly things to do in Plano to keep the kids active yet safe this holiday break.

See Holiday Light Displays

Deerfield holiday lights

The spectacular Deerfield Holiday Lights display runs December 1-30 from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. on weekdays and 7 p.m.-11 p.m. on weekends in Plano, TX. This is no ordinary neighborhood with holiday lights! People come from all over north Texas to see the dancing Santa’s, millions of twinkling lights, and larger than life displays. Deerfield Holiday Lights brings on the ultimate holiday cheer! Read important tips here.

Plano Moms Christmas lights tour

Don’t miss the Plano Moms tour on the Builtstory app if you want to drive through some Plano neighborhoods and look at the beautifully lit local homes like the ones in the photos above on Biscayne Drive.

Tune in to Virtual Performances

SCROOGE THE MUSICAL

Join the 10th Anniversary of an North Texas Performing Arts Christmas celebration tradition! This Plano holiday tradition features a fast-paced and fun full-length live musical production, visits from Santa Claus, pre-show Christmas carols, and much more.

North Texas Performing Arts proudly announces its Christmas Tradition “Scrooge, The Musical,” a show by award-winning songwriter, Leslie Bricusse, creator of the musical versions of “Jekyll & Hyde” and “Willie Wonka”. Receiving four Academy Award nominations and five Golden Globe nominations in its movie version, “Scrooge” closely follows the plot of Charles Dickens’ acclaimed book, A Christmas Carol.

Social distance in-person and livestream tickets available.

Plano symphony orchestra home for the holidays: virtual programming

Enjoy the 2020/21 season, including “Home for the Holidays,” live on your favorite devices or smart TV. All subscription performances will be streamed with multi-camera views of Hector Guzman, guest artists, and members of the Plano Symphony Orchestra. You will receive a code to live stream each performance. A live stream subscription is only $250 per household for 8 concerts. This is only $31.25 per concert for a household no matter how many are watching the incredible performances. Order on-line today or call 972-473-7262 for more information.

Safely attend holiday performances & movies

Elf hall’iday movie night at legacy hall

Don’t be a Cotton-Headed Ninny-Muggins… come out to see Elf on the big screen on December 16 at 7 p.m.! Bundle up in the Box Garden with the world’s best cup of hot cocoa from Mallow Box and enjoy the film on our 24ft LED screen. General admission to the Box Garden is free, but if you have the most Christmas Spirit, we recommend reserving a table for six elves in their heated tent for $30. We hope you’ll pass through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest and through the sea of swirly-twirly gum drops to come watch Elf with us!

Parking lot pictures: elf

Join us December 19 at 7:30 p.m. for a socially-distanced movie night outside Plano’s Courtyard Theater in Historic Downtown Plano featuring Elf! We’ll provide the entertainment to you in the comfort of your car or truck.

After discovering he is a human, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole decides to travel to New York City to locate his real father. Starring Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Mary Steenburgen and Zooey Deschanel.

Plano Symphony orchestra Home for the holidays

The Plano Symphony Orchestra’s “Home for the Holidays” concerts, one of the most popular holiday traditions in North Texas, will take place on December 19 and 20 at Christ United Methodist Church. Both performances are at 4 p.m.

These performances with Hector Guzman and the Plano Symphony will feature “America’s Tenor,” Steve Amerson. Mr. Amerson’s voice has been heard in 175 feature films, during countless television shows, and in commercials. He has performed with major orchestras all across the United States, at the Hollywood Bowl, and in Carnegie Hall. Enjoy all your holiday favorites with “Home for the Holidays.”

A St. Andrew Christmas Drive-in concerts

On December 20 at 6 p.m. The VOCES8 Foundation presents Handel’s Messiah, performed by internationally-renowned vocal ensemble VOCES8 and the Academy of Ancient Music at Trinity College in Cambridge, England, through video on an LED wall. Sound will be available through car speakers via a designated radio station.

On December 21 at 6 p.m. the Imperial Brass big band performs Christmas favorites live in a family-friendly concert. The Ladies Liberty Show Troupe will be featured entertainment. Throughout the concert, a giant LED wall displays pictures of Christmas card favorites.

explore Crayola Experience

Fill this season with color and create gifts from the heart during Crayola Experience’s Handmade Holidays! Craft a Christmas cracker (an exciting holiday table topper), make a 3D Gingerbread ornament and mold a winter penguin! Families can enjoy seasonal treats. These holiday adventures are all in addition to the 22 creative, fun activities at Crayola Experience.

Purchase your tickets online in advance for a discount here.

And here’s a great gift idea! Extend the holiday spirit by giving the gift of creativity with an annual pass for 365 days of colorful family fun. Plus, visit The Crayola Store for incredible savings on the hottest selection of Crayola products.

safely attend a family-friendly activity

gingerbread village at the shops at legacy

Now through January 11 from 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m., experience holiday fun with a drive through at the Gingerbread Village on the north side of The Shops at Legacy, where everyone can view life-sized gingerbread and sugar cookie characters, trees, candy canes, and snowflakes on colorful facades. Guests can enjoy from their vehicles or walk around to pose for photo opportunities. There will be plenty of holiday decorations to discover and enjoy throughout the north side of The Shops at Legacy.

Find the village in the center of Lone Star Drive surrounding Apricot Lane and ella bleu. Start your tour by the Toy Factory, and make your way toward Winterland. Then take your picture by Heart Mountain as you move north to Gingy’s Sweets. That’s the perfect spot for a selfie at our, “Life is Sweet,” station. Remember to include #shopsatlegacy in all your photos. Finally, if you’ve been nice this year, don’t forget to send Santa a letter from our mailbox with a direct line to the North Pole.

Enjoy kid’s crafts at Legacy West

December 19-23 come by the Gum Drop “Legacy North Pole” activation between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to pickup a holiday themed craft for your kids.

Stories with santa at legacy hall

Bring your whole family to experience Legacy Halliday magic with stories read by the REAL Santa Claus on stage on December 19! Bundle up in the Box Garden to see Santa Claus read Christmas tales at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. General admission to this event is free, but you can reserve a picnic table or soft seating lounge to guarantee seating inside their heated tent starting at $30.

Santa’s bringing some extra magic this year with a live reindeer sponsored by i9 Sports of Plano and Parker-Chase Private Preschool! Grab a picture with Blitzen and Mrs. Claus to seriously up your Christmas card game. Meet the Collin County Moms Blog at the Letters to Santa Station so you can tell the big man EXACTLY what you want for Christmas. Plus, don’t miss the Mallow Box Marshmallow Decorating Station to create your own tasty holiday masterpiece. Holiday Marshmallow Decorating Boxes are available for pre-sale for $6 and come with a holiday-shaped marshmallow, icing, and toppings. Quantity is limited so reserve yours now!

Parents: grab a Hot Toddy from the Box Garden Bar for somethin’ spicy and smoky or a Hot Buttered Rum for somethin’ creamy. Meanwhile, your kids are going to love a warm Spiced Apple Cider or a decadent S’mores Hot Chocolate from Mallow Box.

Six Things To Do in Plano During the Holiday Break 2020