The North Pole will be eerily quiet — no creatures will bebrstirring, not even a mouse — this weekend as Kris Kringle himself makes a visitbrto Dallas-Fort Worth. It's time to indulge in hot cocoa and the winter wonderbras families make the trek to the top five Santa sighting locations throughoutbrthe Metroplex.
Reunion TowerbrGeO-Deck
Located in the heart of downtown Dallas, Reunion Tower hasbrbecome an icon for the city. In October, the rotating tower installed its verybrown GeO-Deck, which allows visitorsbrto step out on the outdoor level of the deck 470 feet above Dallas. Thebrobservation deck is also the ideal spot for Santa and his elves to make weeklybrvisits with DFW residents. Santa will make the GeO-Deck his regionalbrheadquarters throughout the holidays beginning Friday, Nov. 29.
Admission to the GeO-Deck includesbra complimentary photo with the Big Guy and Cloud Nine Café holiday fare forbrvisitors, including holiday cookies created by Wolfgang Puck Catering.
“We arebrexcited about making a visit to Reunion Tower a holiday tradition,” said ChrisbrKleinert, Chairman and CEO of Hunt Realty Investments. “We hope that Dallasbrresidents and visitors alike will join us and experience the city as if theybrwere riding along with Santa himself!”
Dallas Arboretumbr& Botanical Garden
Thousands flock to the DallasbrArboretum every holiday season to experience the historic real estate andbrdazzling winter festival. Holiday at the Arboretum will feature more than 500brangels that will grace the halls of the historic DeGloyer Mansion. The 2013brcollection will be curated with inspiration from the Annual Christmas Tree andbrNeapolitan Barboque Creche, which are both on display the Metropolitan Museumbrof Art.
Guests willbralso have the chance to sit on Santa's knee to go over their Christmas listsbrbefore the big day arrives. The Big Guy must return promptly to the North Polebrat 4 p.m. on Dec. 22, so he can load up his sleigh. While chatting with Santa,brmake sure to greet one of his reindeer as they take turns visiting thebrArboretum throughout the week beginning Nov. 29.
Frosty thebrSnowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer are also making pit stops in Dallasbrthis holiday season. Both iconic Christmas characters will be available to takebrphotos to capture the holiday spirit.
Lone Star Christmas
The magic of the holiday season has descended upon the GaylordbrTexan Resort, featuring 1.5 million twinkling lights, 15,000 ornaments andbra stunning 54-foot-tall rotating tree.
Situated inbrthe heart of the stunning Christmas display sits the main attract, Santa Claus.brAttendees will have the chance to get a treasured photo with the Big Guy.brHowever, the meet and greets don't stop there. The DreamWorks Animation gang isbralso on deck, including Po, The Kung Fu Panda.
As thebrchildren relive moments with some of their favorite characters, parents willbrhave the chance to do the same as they relive some of their favorite scenesbrfrom the classic ballet, The Nutcracker.brThe original Tchaikovsky score accompanies the ICE!hand-carved sculptures and slides.
Grapevine VintagebrRailroad
Grapevine is known as ThebrChristmas Capital of Texas, and for good reason. The city wants visitorsbrand residents alike to create their own Christmas memories in the heart of thebrcity, with more than 1,400 events for everyone in the family to participate in.br
The most infamous attraction thebrcity holds during the holidays is the GrapevinebrVintage Railroad's North Pole Express. Upon arrival, guests will take abrride in decorated Victorian Rail Coaches as they enjoy live entertainment and abrreading of a Christmas story. As riders arrive to a newly transformed platform,brthey will enter the North Pole to go on a quest in search of Santa. Upon thebrBig Guy’s discovery, families will receive a portrait alongside chocolate milkbrand warm laughs. Attendees can begin boarding the North Pole Express on Friday,brNov. 29.
Santa's Village
Kids of all ages are invited to meet jolly olebrSaint Nick at Santa'sbrVillage in Southlake Town Square’s Rustin Park. John and Deanna Ashley ofbrAshley Nostalgia Photography are on hand to mark the holidays with pictures ofbrSanta Claus.
After the cherished holiday tradition is captured, children willbrhave the opportunity to drop off a letter to the fella in the big red suit atbrthe Village Post Office. It’s important to put a return address, as Santa himselfbrwill send a response back.
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