Thanksgiving is practically here, and many shopping centers and community groups around the CoCo are dolling up to encourage you to come visit.


Check out our roundup of the best community Christmas-kickoff events (many taking place this weekend!), and mark your calendars:

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Saturday, November 21, 2009

• 10 am – 6 pm: The Frisco Retail Boutiques group is hosting a Progressive Shopping Day. Visit any of these 16 locally-owned shops on Saturday, and your purchase will enter you in a drawing to win one of many prizes such as jewelry, décor, and more. A portion of the proceeds from all sales will go to Frisco Family Services, who have many more families to help than usual this holiday season.
• 11 am: Santa Claus will arrive at the Shops at Starwood on a Frisco Fire Department truck! Come out to meet the big man as well as FPD and local artist Diane Moya.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

• 2 pm – 7 pm: The Shops at Legacy kick off “The Lights at Legacy”, their tree-lighting ceremony. Santa will attend, along with Plano Mayor Phil Dyer, live reindeer, strolling performers, community choirs and dance teams. Plano Police Department will be collecting new unwrapped toys for their “Christmas Cops” program.
  

  Many of the Shops at Legacy merchants will be offering great activities specials on Sunday— for example, Gordon Biersch is offering cookie decorating on their patio, Coast has a snow machine and complimentary hot chocolate on their patio, and Luke’s Locker is offering a 15% discount on 11/22. Get all the details about the event on this flyer.

Friday, November 27, 2009

• (all weekend, check website for hours): The historic Downtown McKinney district will put on their 29th annual Dickens of a Christmas festival, the weekend following Thanksgiving. Activities like carolers and Santa visits will take place all weekend, but the Tree Lighting Ceremony will be on Friday at 6:15 p.m. at Mitchell Park.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

• 6 pm – 9 pm: Light the Night at Watters Creek is the tree-lighting ceremony at the Shops at Watters Creek development in Allen. Radio Disney will be on hand for entertainment and contests. Santa Claus will arrive via a lighted horse-drawn carriage parade, and afterward have a Fireplace Meet and Greet for the kids.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

• 7:30 – 9:30 pm: Rockin’ the Village Featuring Emerald City, benefiting Frisco Family Services. Bring the family and a blanket for this outdoor concert with one of Dallas’ favorite bands. Santa will be there, and you can enjoy carriage rides and the beautiful holiday lights at Newman Village. Download the flyer for all the details.

We’ll be doing another one of these in early December, pointing out all the most fabulous parties, concerts, festivals and events scheduled for later in the month.