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Things to Do | Dec. 24-31
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 www.cor.net/ThingstoDo.
Dec. 24
CityLine Lights
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
Cease the Grease — Holiday Cooking Oil Drop-Off (Round 2)
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
Movie Party: Anaconda (2025)
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
Family Improv: Improv’ing Christmas
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
Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for Beginner Birders
The nation’s longest-running community science bird project, the Audubon Christmas Bird Count is a global census of birds across the Western Hemisphere. Join the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center to conduct a min-off-the-record count of your own.
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
Groundbreakers: Post-War Japan and Korea from the DMA Collection
“Groundbreakers” brings together artists who played with materiality, space and performance in postwar Japan and Korea after the 1950s. This exhibition is organized by The University of Texas at Dallas in collaboration with The Dallas Museum of Art.
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
2025 Winter Break Camp – Week 2 (Dec. 29-31)
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
2025 Tennis – Winter Break Tennis Camp
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
Artful Explorations Winter Art Camp
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
Pirates of the Keystone - Musical Theatre Workshop at RCT
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
Nite! Nite! Bedtime Stories
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
Great Room Escape
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
Dec. 31
“Anything Goes: New Year”
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”
Party Like It’s 1986 (or 1996 or 2086)! — "Official Richardson NYE" at Free Play
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!
Twilight Movie Party — The Twilight Saga: Twilight
Celebrate the sparkling start of the saga with an interactive Alamo Drafthouse Movie Party featuring a live host, themed props, and giveaways—perfect for shouting your allegiance to Team Edward or Team Jacob. Expect playful cues, on-screen prompts, and special menu/cocktail tie-ins like the Vampire’s Kiss.
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
Steel Magnolias Movie Party
Big hair, big laughs, a few tears—and mimosas. Order from Alamo’s special brunch menu (think Blueberry Donut French Toast Bake, Breakfast Tacos, and bubbly cocktails) while you revisit Truvy’s Beauty Spot with friends.
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