Dallas has so many fun events this time of year. I know it’s not yet Thanksgiving, but if you know about these, youcan do a better job of planning ahead. Got company coming? No problem. Most of these are free!

Children's MedicalCenter Holiday Parade

Kick off the season with the parade formerly known as the NeimanMarcus Adolphus holiday parade. Today it’s the Children’s Medical Center HolidayParade. It’s in downtown Dallas and it’s free,but donations to CMC are encouraged. If you want to fork over about $25 perperson, you can also reserve seats by buying tickets online. But the paradelasts only an hour—you can stand it. Thisyear it’s on Saturday, December 1, 2012, at 10 AM. This is the closestyou’ll ever get to the Macy’s parade without having to be in New York.

Mesquite’s Christmasin the Park

For a free celebrationwith a small-town feel go to Mesquite’s Westland Park. Their Christmas in the Parkwill be held December 1–3 starting nightly at 6 p.m. Opening night includesa short fireworks display launched from the middle of the lake. But every nightthere will be live music, food vendors (specialty: hot Dr Pepper and kettlecorn), crafts, games, holiday light displays, a live nativity, costumed holidaycharacters greeting the crowd, and pictures with Santa. For more information,visit www.cityofmesquite.com or call 972-216-6260. 

Caroling at theAdolphus

A totally underrated event, in my book, is the dailyChristmas caroling that takes place at the Adolphus Hotel starting December 7at noon. Each day a different choir performs and is broadcast live on WRR101.1.This all takes place in the magnificent lobby’s living room at 1321 CommerceStreet. The hotel serves up free hot apple cider and Christmas cookies. Perfectactivity to do with a girlfriend, especially if she works near or in the downtownarea.

See the Lights inHighland Park

Pack some popcorn, napkins, and hot chocolate, and load jammied kiddos into the car for a nighttimedrive. Enter at Armstrong Parkway and Preston Road, and be sure to cruise downBeverly Drive and Turtle Creek Boulevard. The homes are beautifully (andprofessionally) dressed for the holidays. Spectacular and free. End your cruiseat Highland Park Village, which is wrapped in golden white lights.   

Gaylord ICE!

The best most-enormo ice sculpture show ever! This one’spricey, but if you go early in the season, you can use this discount code toget half off till November 20:ICEFB.  The venue provides coats and hatsfor people of all sizes, because the temperature is well below freezing. Thisyear’s theme: Madagascar! Take a camera, capture the family in matching coats,and use the shot for your Christmas photo.

The Largest IndoorChristmas Tree in America

Everything’s bigger in Texas, right? Case in point: TheChristmas tree at the Galleria. It stands in the center of the indoor iceskating rink. They have a Santa thatdoes back flips, and fireworks shoot out of his skates (ask for a schedule whenyou get there so you won't miss it). Do a little shopping while you get somefree entertainment. Did I mention—free?

Scrooge Puppet Showand Trains at Northpark (and the famous Santa, too)

Northpark Mall makes it worth your trip, too. Every yearthey do this Scrooge puppet show right in the middle of everything. And whileyou’re there, check out their uber-cool trains on level two near Barneys.They’ll be there through January 6. What are they? Only the most elaborate toytrain exhibit in Texas. Picture 1,600 feet of track on a journey acrossAmerica. This holiday tradition raises money for the children and familiesserved by the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. Cost is $6.00 for adults; $3.00for children (ages 2–12) and seniors (age 65 and older). Oh, and a lot of native Dallasites will tell you that NorthPark's Santa is the real deal.

Tuba Christmas (see video)

On Christmas Eve, bundle up and head for downtown Dallas’s Thanksgiving Square (cornerof Bryan, Pacific and Ervay Sts.) at noon. There you can hear Tuba Christmas. (If youplay tuba or euphonium and want to participate, registration is at 9 andrehearsal at 10 AM.)  Imagine an all-tubaband blasting and tooting your fave carols. Sing along with this year's lineup, which includes O Come All Ye Faithful; Deck the Halls; The First Noel; O Little Townof Bethlehem; We Three Kings, Angels We Have Heard on High; O Come, O ComeEmmanuel; Carol of the Bells; Silent Night; Joy to the World, and more. Yes, in the middle of the city sing, "O, come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"

What do you loveto do in Dallas at Christmastime?