12/24/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/24/2025 11:43
Dec. 17-24
Plan your weekend with Richardson's Things to Do e-newsletter, published weekly every Wednesday.
Information on how to subscribe to the newsletter can be found at https://www.cor.net/ThingstoDo.
Dec. 24
Stroll beneath more than half a million lights, from moving "icicle" tree lights to overhead canopy lights across the lawn - plus a towering 18-foot Christmas tree that's perfect for festive photos with friends, family and pups.
Time: All day (through Jan. 4)
Location: CityLine Plaza, 1150 State St.
Admission: Free
Additional details: A Merry Little CityLine
Dec. 25
This Christmas, consider giving your pipes (and the City's sewers) a gift-drop off used cooking oil/grease instead of pouring it down the drain. Richardson's free, self-serve bin is open 24/7; bring cooled oil/grease in a rigid plastic container with a screw-top lid and place the sealed container in the marked bin.
Time: All day (Runs through Jan. 5)
Location: Municipal Service Center, 1260 Columbia Dr.
Admission: Free
Additional Details: Fats, Oil & Grease (FOG)
Dec. 26
This exclusive "Anaconda" movie party, hosted by Alamo Drafthouse, features interactive props that makes the audience part of the madness. Gear up with a jungle bandana for snake tracking, surprise your friends with a deadly Ana-can-da snake in a can, keep your flashlight keychain close and watch your stretchy bait bacon.
Time: 7 p.m. (Friday)
Location: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Richardson, 100 South Central Expressway
Admission: $14
Additional Details: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Dec. 27
Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande invite you to celebrate the holiday season with Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico. Named for the beloved Andalusian Christmas Carol, this vibrant show weaves cherished Mexican traditions into a magical story of the season.
Time: 8 p.m. (Saturday)
Location: Hill Performance Hall, Eisemann Center
Admission: $26-$46
Buy four tickets and save! Use promo code: FAMILY4
Additional details: Event | Eisemann Center
Join the Core Theatre and have fun with made up scenes that are created from the audience suggestions. The Core Theatre performs a high energy, original, fun and family friendly show. The audience is invited to be part of the entertainment by giving creative suggestions throughout the evening.
Time: 7:30 p.m. (Saturday)
Location: The Core Theatre, 518 W. Arapaho Rd.
Admission: $10 adults, $5 children
Additional details: THE CORE THEATRE Presents: Improv'ing Christmas
Time: 7 a.m.-4 p.m. (come and go) (Saturday)
Location: John Bunker Sands Wetland Center, 655 Martin Ln., Combine, TX
Admission: Free
Additional details: Christmas Bird Count for beginner birders! | John Bunker Sands Wetland Center
Dec. 28
Exhibit runs through July 26, 2026
Location: Edith and Peter O'Donnell Jr. Athenaeum, Dallas Museum of Art Gallery
777 Loop Rd. SW
Admission: Free
Additional details: Groundbreakers: Post-War Japan and Korea from the DMA Collection
Dec. 29
A three-day camp for ages 5-11 at Heights Recreation Center during RISD student holidays. Kids will enjoy indoor/outdoor activities (weather-permitting). Please send a sack lunch, insulated water bottle, closed-toe shoes and two snacks.
Time: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. (Dec. 29-30); 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Dec. 31)
Location: Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd.
Admission: $150 (registration required)
Additional details: Activity detail | City of Richardson Parks and Recreation
Activity #49389
A fun, all-levels camp for ages 5-16 at Huffhines Tennis Center. Players build skills, make new friends, and enjoy a pizza party. Bring a racquet, hat/visor, and small snack (loaner racquets available). Camp moves indoors to Huffhines Rec Center gym if weather is bad.
Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Dec. 29- Jan 2)
No camp on Jan. 1
Location: Huffhines Tennis Center, 1601 Syracuse Dr.
Admission: $160 (registration required)
Additional Details: Activity detail | City of Richardson Parks and Recreation
Activity #50246
Give your young artist a chance to dive into fine art with six winter-themed projects: two watercolor, two acrylic and two oil paintings. Step-by-step instruction covers color theory, brush strokes, perspective and more. Please wear an apron, bring some paper towels and a snack each day. For ages 6-13.
Time: 1-4 p.m. (Dec. 29-31)
Location: Huffhines Recreation Center, 200 N. Plano Rd.
Admission: $65 plus a $45 supply fee
Additional Details: Activity detail | City of Richardson Parks and Recreation
Activity #49230
New holiday musical theatre workshop where the RCT stage transforms into a pirate ship as rival buccaneer crews hunt for the Keystone treasure. Focus areas: dance and musical theatre performance. Ages: 8-15
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Dec. 29-Jan. 2)
Final showcase held Saturday, Jan. 3 at 1 p.m.
Location: Repertory Company Theatre, 770 N Coit Rd.
Admission: $395 tuition + $35 annual membership fee
Additional Details: School of Musical Theatre
Wind Down with songs, books, flannels and other bedtime activities. Wear your comfy pajamas and bring a stuffed animal along. This Richardson Public Library-sponsored program is for kids ages 3-7. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Time: 7-7:30 p.m. (Monday)
Location: YS Storytime Room, Richardson Public Library
2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 500
Admission: Free
Additional details: Nite! Nite! Bedtime Stories
Dec. 30
Have fun with friends and family at the Great Room Escape. The theme of the room is 80's House Party.
Time: Times vary
Location: Great Room Escape, 715 N. Glenville Dr.
Admission: $99.99 flat rate (1-3 guests), $28.99 per person (4 or more guests)
Additional details: Great Room Escape: The Nations Premier Escape Room
Step aboard the S.S. American this New Year's Eve! Ring in the 2025 with "Anything Goes," a toe-tapping musical adventure. Repertory Company Theatre sets sail into 2025 with tap dancing, jazz swinging, high energy fun and immersive celebration you won't want to miss.
Time: 7:30 p.m. (Dec. 31, Jan. 2-3), 2 p.m. (Jan. 3), 2 p.m. (Jan. 4)
Location: Repertory Company Theatre, 770 N. Coit Rd.
Admission: $37-$50 (adults) $20 (youth)
Additional details: "Anything Goes: New Year"
Ring in the new year with five hours of unlimited classic arcades and pinball, a midnight confetti blast, champagne toast, retro breakfast buffet, party swag, and a custom countdown reel-ages 21+ only. Expect a 9 p.m.-2 a.m. throwback/flash-forward party vibe.
Time: 9 p.m. (Dec. 31)
Location: Free Play Richardson, 1730 E. Belt Line Rd.
Admission: Price varies (advance ticket purchase required; 21+).
Additional Details: PARTY LIKE IT'S 1986 (or 1996 or 2086)! Official Richardson NYE Tickets!
Time: 7 p.m. (Wednesday, Jan. 7)
Location: Alamo Drafthouse Richardson, 100 S Central Expy.
Admission: Price varies by seat; advance ticket purchase required.
Additional Details: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Time: Noon (Sunday, Jan. 18)
Location: Alamo Drafthouse Richardson, 100 S Central Expy #14
Admission: Price varies by seat; advance ticket purchase required.
Additional Details: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema