Sundance Square president and CEO Johnny Campbell was joined by Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price in the annual tradition of hoisting the tree in the Sundance Square Plaza. This year, it was a 56-foot blue spruce from Traverse City, Michigan. This year, the tree will stand alone in its grandeur allowing the natural beauty of the tree to command the spotlight.
Santa Claus will be prominently featured on the Plaza Stage, which will be transformed into a winter wonderland with all new décor including a dramatic, silver fabric backdrop, a sleigh backed by beautiful wintry trees and snowflakes hovering from above. The snowflake theme will continue throughout Sundance Square.
In addition to changes with the tree and Santa Claus, the entire plaza will feature large, brilliantly lit sculptures perfect as the backdrop for photo opportunities with family and friends.
The official tree lighting ceremony, undeniably one of the best in Texas, will take place Saturday, November 17 with festivities beginning at 6 p.m.
Activities the day of the tree lighting will include Santa Claus meeting families from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., stores open for holiday shopping, and restaurants offering extraordinary holiday menus.
Visitors anxious to make the most of their time at the plaza can enter a virtual line while waiting to see Santa Claus. Upon arriving in Sundance Square, guests can simply send a text to check in at Santa’s Sleigh, allowing them to shop, eat, and relax until it’s time to meet Santa Claus.
Every year, proceeds from photos with Santa Claus benefit the Fort Worth Sister Cities’ Youth Program. Visits with Santa are $20 (cash only), which includes a photo with Santa who will be in Sundance Square November 17 – December 23. Check www.sundancesquare.com for specific times.
ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY EVENTS
The 2018 GM Financial Parade of Lights will be held Sunday, November 18 starting at 6 pm. Reserve seats are on sale now and the parade route, as well as the schedule of activities, can be found at fortworthparadeoflights.org. This is the 36th year of the parade, which boasts the theme “Through the Eyes of a Child.” Santa Claus will meet families from 11 am – 7 pm in Sundance Square Plaza.
Bass Hall will host a number of holiday events including performances of The Nutcracker throughout the month of December and a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert December 28th at 7:30 pm.
Jubilee Theatre presents The First Noel, a memory musical that flashes back to Harlem in 1985 and follows the story of Noel as a child and her desire for Christmas in a house where holiday joy has been unwelcome for years. This family friendly production runs November 23 – December 23. More information and tickets at jubileetheatre.org.
Circle Theatre in Sundance Square will present Holiday Punch December 8 at 7:30 pm. A holiday party with a twist. Details at circletheatre.com.