From winter sports to holiday traditions, northern Texas knows how to enjoy the winter months. December and January are especially filled with events and attractions for the whole family.
Texas may have one of the country’s warmer winter climates, but that doesn’t stop residents and visitors from enjoying some frozen fun at Arlington’s popular rink, ICE at the Parks. The skating surface adheres to NHL regulations, and the coaches are more than happy to help everyone perfect their skills on the ice. Watch a figure skating competition or skate in one of the rink’s seasonal shows. Check out the public skating sessions, offered seven days a week, for more casual recreation. Host a birthday party at ICE at the Parks, or team up for a game of broomball. The Pro Shop will sharpen your skates and help you find the right gear. For hours, prices and upcoming events, visit www.iceattheparks.net.
The holidays are a time for beautiful music at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. On December 19, 2011, enjoy
Jim Brickman’s A Christmas Celebration, featuring piano solos and inspiring vocals. Brickman is a two-time Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling artist who will delight guests with both traditional holiday songs and hits from his personal music collection.
Christmas with the von Trapp Singers is another great holiday performance for the entire family; the von Trapp Family Singers, the actual great grandchildren of Maria and Captain von Trapp who were portrayed in
The Sound of Music, continue their family legacy of creating and sharing beautiful music. Both American and Austrian holiday songs, as well as von Trapp family stories will entertain the audience all evening on December 21, 2011. Order tickets online at www.basshall.com.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Wonderland of Lights festival in Marshall. To celebrate, there will be “more lights, more attractions, more food and more people” in the 40 days leading up to January 1, 2012. Start at the historic Harrison County courthouse, downtown and explore all the surrounding displays and activities. Kids will love the snow-tubing hill, trackless train rides, giant snow globe and horse drawn carriage rides. The event features more than a million lights, many of which are part of choreographed light shows. Take a spin around the largest open-air ice skating rink in Texas, and get a photo with one of the world’s largest rocking horses. You can even take a cooking class with a celebrity chef. Last year, more than 100,000 visitors enjoyed Marshall’s Wonderland of Lights, so don’t miss out on another year of fun festivities. Learn more at www.visitmarshalltexas.org.
The northern region of Texas is a magical place during the winter. Whether you’re looking for holiday festivals or seasonal sporting events, you’ll find it here.
