Dec. 31-Jan. 7

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. 31

“Anything Goes: New Year” 

Step aboard the S.S. American this New Year’s Eve! Ring in 2026 with “Anything Goes,” a toe-tapping musical adventure. Repertory Company Theatre sets sail into 2026 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)! — New Year's Eve Party 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!

 
Jan. 1

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 

Jan. 2

First Fridays with Brandon O’Neill 

Eisemann Center Presents a small reception on the first Friday night of each month completely free and open to the public to celebrate the new exhibit on the Green Mezzanine Gallery. This month, artist Brandon O’Neill presents “PuzzlePalette.” 

Time: 6 p.m. (Jan. 2)
Location: Green Mezzanine Gallery, Eisemann Center
2351 Performance Dr. 
Admission: Free
Additional details: Event | Eisemann Center

Jan. 3

Shen Yun: A Heavenly Gift 

Shen Yun invites you to travel back to the magical world of ancient China. Experience a lost culture through the incredible art of classical Chinese dance, and see the legends come to life. Shen Yun makes this possible by pushing the boundaries of the performing arts, with a unique blend of stunning costuming, high-tech backdrops and an orchestra like no other.  

Time: 2 p.m. (Jan. 3, 4, 17, 18, 24 & 25), 7 p.m. (Jan. 3, 17, 24) 7:30 p.m. (Jan. 22 & 23) 
Show runs through Jan. 25
Location: Hill Performance Hall, Eisemann Center
2351 Performance Dr. 
Admission: $83-$203
Additional details: Event | Eisemann Center 

Adult Winter Reading Club Kickoff 

Accept the Richardson Public Library’s challenge for the start of the year. Sign up at the kickoff event, then read 1,200 minutes (20 per day) to win a gift bag and other prizes while supplies last. At the kickoff, you’ll learn about upcoming programs in the Library, and explore all the ways to use your library card. Enjoy snacks and a snowman decorating craft and colorable bookmarks. This challenge is for adults.   

Time: 2-4:30 p.m. (Jan. 3)
Location: Richardson Public Library, 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 500
Admission: Free
Call 972-744-4355 for more details
Additional details: Adult Reading Club Winter Challenge Kickoff

Jan. 4

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

Jan. 5

Cease the Grease — Holiday Cooking Oil Drop-Off

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)

Jan. 6

“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.  

Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday)
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

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Jan. 7

Wednesdays @11: Building Buddies 

Build social and motor skills through play. Explore a variety of building toys each month, including Duplo bricks, Magna-Tiles, Kaleido Gears and more. To avoid mix-ups, please do not bring personal building toys with you. This Richardson Public Library-sponsored program is for kids ages 2-5.  

Time: 11-11:45 a.m. 
Location: YS Storytime Room, Richardson Public Library
2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 500
Admission: Free
Additional details: Wednesdays @11: Building Buddies

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. (Jan. 7) 
Location: Alamo Drafthouse Richardson, 100 S. Central Expy. 
Admission: $14, 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: $14, advance ticket purchase required
Additional Details: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema 

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