Tree lighting ceremonies officially mark the start of the holiday season. For many families, they are a favorite holiday event.
Here in Collin County, there are dozens of these Christmas celebrations taking place between November 13 and December 4.
Whether you're located in Plano, Allen, Frisco, McKinney or Prosper, there's multiple holiday events and Christmas celebrations planned for you to choose from.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies - listed by date
Use this list of the Christmas events and ceremonies in Collin County and if you plan right, you can hit a different holiday event every weekend between now and December 4!
Here's a quick list with the date highlighted so you can make plans for the merriest holiday season every. Additional details of each ceremony can be found further down and are also linked below.
November 13 - The Village at Allen
November 19 - Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza at The Star in Frisco
November 20 - Watters Creek
November 20 - Fairview Town Center
November 21 - Lights at Legacy (Plano)
November 26 - Vitruvian Lights (Addison)
November 26/27/28 - Downtown McKinney (tree lighting ceremony is on November 26 at 6:15 p.m., this one is a magical Christmas festival)
November 26 - Galleria Dallas
December 1 - Prestonwood Baptist Church (Plano)
December 1 - Christmas on the Square (Celina)
December 4 - Merry Main Street (Frisco)
December 4 - Little Elm Park Tree Lighting
December 4 - Prosper Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade
December 4 - Dickens in Downtown Plano
December 4 - Holly Jolly Celebration (Allen)
December 4 - The Shops at Willow Bend (Plano)
December 4 - Tree Lighting at Santa's Village (Richardson)
Tree Lighting Ceremonies - Allen, TX
These three tree lighting ceremonies in Allen have everything from hay rides and train rides to amazing Christmas lights.
HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING (The Village at Allen)
November 13, 5-7 p.m.
Bring the whole family for a visit with Santa and enjoy some hot cocoa and candy canes while listening to carolers to start the holiday season off! There will be a tribute for veterans and first responders as well as the tree lighting at dusk.
The Village at Allen, 190 E Stacy Rd, Allen TX 75002 | Free entry, tickets here
LIGHT THE NIGHT (Watters Creek)
November 20, tree lighting at 6:30 p.m.
It feels like a Christmas miracle when Santa lights the 30-foot tree at Watters Creek. The festive display features 145,000 lights shared among the 20-plus trees at the Green. Fireworks will follow the ceremony. If you can’t make the event, no worries: Catch the synchronized light show every hour from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. through January 1.
959 Garden Park Drive, Watters Creek, Allen | watterscreek.com
FAIRVIEW TOWN CENTER TREE LIGHTING
November 20, 6-8 p.m.
Fairview Town Center is getting a brand new Christmas tree and will be celebrating with an extra-special tree lighting ceremony. Expect character meet & greets, and on-stage appearance by Santa, face painting and balloon twisters. There's even a magic show at 7 p.m. and an interactive story telling with Tanna Banana at 6 p.m.
The Park at Fairview Town Center, 239 Town Place Fairview | Info here
HOLLY JOLLY CELEBRATION
December 4, 3:30 - 7: 30 p.m., tree lighting at 6:50 p.m.
The City of Allen always organizes great celebrations and their annual holiday event is no different. This Christmas festival begins with the Holly Jolly fun run at 3:30 p.m. and ends with the tree lighting at 6:50 p.m. Throughout the event other attractions and festive fun includes hay rides and train rides, plus 20,000 Christmas lights and a 46-ft Christmas tree!
300 N. Allen Drive, Allen | allenspecialevents.org/152/Holly-Jolly-Celebration
Tree Lighting Ceremonies - Frisco, TX
Our top pick of all the Christmas events listed is the Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza which is part of Christmas at The Star. The opening celebration is on November 19 but take note that there are shows every Friday and Saturday evening between November 19 and December 18.
CHRISTMAS AT THE STAR (Frisco)
Opening night is November 19, 6 p.m.
Cowboys Christmas Extravaganza kicks off every Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. from Nov. 19 - Dec. 18 outdoors on Tostitos Championship Plaza.
The show begins with the lighting of The Star’s 67-foot Christmas tree, lit with digital LED lights and leads into a holiday performance showcasing the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue Dancers and Rookie Squad, Dallas Cowboys Drumline, mascot Rowdy, Santa, and special Dallas Cowboys guest appearances. Opening night is Nov. 19 featuring special guests Gene Jones, Charlotte Jones Anderson, Haley Anderson, and Dixon Edwards. Additional shows will take place throughout the season, Nov. 19 through Dec. 18.
Tostitos Championship Plaza, The Star, Frisco | thestardistrict.com/christmas/
FRISCO FRESH MARKET
November 29, 6:30 p.m.
This one-day event will feature Market Vendors, entertainment, and food & beverage options. The gorgeous 30' tall tree will light up the sky through December, and is one amazing sight to see!
Frisco Fresh Market | friscofreshmarket.com
MERRY MAIN STREET
Decemember 4, tree lighting at 6 p.m.
The Frisco Elementary School angels— choir—will perform on three stages before the flicking the switch to light the tree. Stick around for the Denton-based, Grammy Award-winning band Brave Combo, set to perform live on the Christmas Tree Stage.
Simpson Plaza, 843 Coleman Blvd., Frisco| friscotexas.gov
Tree Lighting Ceremonies - Plano, TX
In Plano, they love the holidays. These 5 holiday events represent just a handful of all the fun things to do in Plano this season.
LIGHTS AT LEGACY (Plano)
November 21, from 4 p.m., tree lighting at 6:30 p.m.
The Shops at Legacy kicks off the holiday season with their annual tree lighting ceremony and holiday festival. Activities include holiday crafts, rides on the Christmas train, caricatures, face painting and photos with Santa.
The Shops at Legacy, Plano | shopsatlegacy.com
PRESTONWOOD CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL
December 1, 5 to 8 p.m., tree lighting at 6 p.m.
Prestonwood stands tall among lighting ceremonies with free hot chocolate, photo booths and hayrides. Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph have already RSVP’d.
This event is also happening at the same date and time at Prestonwood's North Campus in Prosper!
Prestonwood Baptist Church | prestonwood.org
DICKENS AT DOWNTOWN PLANO
December 4 from 5 to 10 p.m.
Not even Scrooge can complain about the cool ice sculptures, free s’mores and fun photos with Victorian Santa. There is even a slide with real snow! Dickens in Downtown Plano is also known for a stellar line-up of live holiday music across several stages.
Haggard Park and McCall Plaza, 901 E. 15th Street, Plano | plano.gov
TREE LIGHTING AT THE SHOPS AT WILLOW BEND (PLANO)
December 4
The Shops at Willow Bend will celebrate their annual holiday event on December 4. Additional details have not yet been announced.
The District at The Shops at Willow Bend | shopwillowbend.com
Tree Lighting Ceremony - Celina, TX
CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE (Celina)
December 1, 5-9 p.m.
Celina’s signature holiday event brings all the North Pole favorites to North Texas. Snap a photo with Mrs. Claus; pose in front of the larger-than-life snow globe; and try for the ultimate selfie of a live reindeer and Santa. (We can’t guaranteethat they will be together, but you can always post the photos side by side.)
Note: Most attractions and vendors accept cash only.
Downtown Celina and the Square at 142 N Ohio St Celina, TX 75009 | celina-tx.gov
Tree Lighting Ceremony - Little Elm, TX
LITTLE ELM PARK TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
December 4, 6 p.m.
Opening night will be the only free opportunity to check out Magic of Lights in Little Elm. On December 4, the light display will be open for a walking tour only which starts at 6 p.m. and will be immediately followed by the tree lighting ceremony.
Note: This is a walk-through event (the rest of the season will be drive-through only).
701 W. Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm | magicoflights.com
Tree Lighting Ceremony - Prosper, TX
PRESTONWOOD CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL
December 1, 5 to 8 p.m., tree lighting at 6 p.m.
Prestonwood stands tall among lighting ceremonies with free hot chocolate, photo booths and hayrides. Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph have already RSVP’d at Prestonwood's North Campus in Prosper.
Prestonwood Baptist Church | prestonwood.org
PROSPER CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL & CHRISTMAS PARADE
Saturday, December 4, 1:30 to 7 p.m.
Rotary Christmas Parade at 2:30 p.m.
Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 p.m.
A Prosper tradition that brings the community together to celebrate the Christmas holiday. Festivalgoers can expect Santa’s Workshop, Kids’ Gift Shop, Kids Zone, Community Stage performances by local school groups and talent, exhibitors (artisans and local businesses), carriage ride, food trucks, and the Community Tree Lighting followed by fireworks.
Town Hall, 250 W. First Street, Prosper, TX | prosperchristmas.org
Tree Lighting Ceremony - Addison, TX
VITRUVIAN LIGHTS - HOLIDAY LIGHTS SPECTACULAR (Addison)
November 26, tree lighting at 6 p.m.
The official opening ceremony for Vitruvian Lights - Holiday Lights Spectacular. Following the tree-lighting at 6 p.m., the merriment continues with a performance by the Jordan Kahn Orchestra. The event also includes gourmet food trucks, sweet treats, FREE photos with Santa, classic holiday characters, an elf balloon artist, and more.
Vitruvian Park at 3966 Vitruvian Way Addison, TX 75001 | udr.com/vitruvian-park/vitruvian-park-events/
Tree Lighting Ceremony - McKinney, TX
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Downtown McKinney)
November 26-28
Downtown McKinney's three-day festival helps get everyone in the holiday spirit with horse-drawn carriages, holiday music, chats with Santa Claus and a gorgeous Christmas tree lighting ceremony the first night.
Tree lighting ceremony is on November 26 at 6:15 p.m.
202 S. Chestnut Street, McKinney | mckinneytexas.org
Tree Lighting Ceremony - North Dallas, TX
GRAND TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION (Galleria Dallas)
Friday, November 26 at noon; Saturday, November 27 at 6 p.m.
Every show features Missile Toes, Galleria’s ice-skating, back-flipping, pyrotechnic Santa Claus, live performances by some of the region’s top figure skaters and ice dancers, as well as students from the Galleria Dallas Skate School, who introduce the lighting of the country’s tallest indoor tree.
Galleria Dallas, All Levels, Center Court | galleriadallas.com/holiday
TREE LIGHTING AT SANTA'S VILLAGE (Richardson)
Tree lighting onSaturday, December 4 at 6 p.m.
Santa's Village is a free nightly holiday event featuring 16 mini-holiday dwellings such as Santa's workshop and his library. The holiday celebration includes free parking, free photos with Santa, musical performances and a Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 4 at 6 p.m. Santa's Village is open December 4-5, 9-12 and 16-19, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
411 W. Arapaho Rd., Richardson | Info here
