After the arrival of a 65-foot concolor fir in Sundance Square Plaza Monday morning, Sundance Square’s elves have been busy decorating the tree with nearly 10,000 LED lights, the most ever used. The tree will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy from Green Mountain Energy Company.
The official tree lighting ceremony will take place beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, November 18. The evening will be filled with live music from the Inspiration Band, a visit with Santa Claus, and numerous photo opportunities throughout the plaza.
Sundance Square is expecting approximately one million visitors during the holiday season beginning with the tree lighting and continuing through New Year’s Day. After the holidays, the tree will be recycled and used for a Habitat for Humanity house to be built next spring.
New this year will be the opportunity for visitors to get in a virtual line while waiting to see Santa Claus. Upon arriving in Sundance Square, guests will simply check in at Santa’s Sleigh and then shop, eat, and relax until it’s time to meet Santa Claus.
Holiday keepsake photos with Santa will be available for only $20 each (cash only) with all proceeds benefiting a scholarship fund established by the Fort Worth Sister Cities’ Youth Scholarships. Santa will be in Sundance Square beginning November 18 through December 22. Check www.sundancesquare.com for specific times.
ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY EVENTS
The 2017 XTO Energy Parade of Lights will stqarty at 6 p.m. Sunday, November 19. Reserve seats are on sale now. The parade route, as well as the schedule of activities, can be found at fortworthparadeoflights.org. This is the 34th year of the parade, which features “The Melodies of Christmas” theme. Santa Claus will be in Sundance Square Plaza from 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Sunday, November 19.
Bass Hall will host some fabulous events during the holidays including White Christmas; Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical; Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s Home for the Holidays, Handel’s Messiah and It’s a Wonderful Life; as well as The Nutcracker performed by the Texas Ballet Theater. Visit basshall.com for performance times and to purchase tickets.
Jubilee Theatre will debut A Motown Christmas November 24, and it will run through December 24. Visit jubileetheatre.org for dates and times.
SHOPPING IN SUNDANCE SQUARE
There are a wide range of stores such as H&M, LOFT, Overland Sheepskin Co., White House Black Market, and specialty shops including Yours Truly and The Christmas Shoppe, both of which just opened on Houston Street. For a complete list of retail shops, check out sundancesquare.com/shopping/
PARKING IN SUNDANCE SQUARE
Parking is always free in Sundance Square after 5 p.m. weekdays. Before 5 p.m., parking is free with validation from a Sundance Square restaurant or retailer. Validation is good for 2.5 hours of dining or shopping, or four hours for weekday movies. Weekends are free throughout the day and evening.
Guests also have the option to valet park for free throughout Sundance Square with validation from a Sundance Square merchant. Just look for the red umbrellas in 10 locations within Sundance Square.
Sundance Square is a vibrant, award-winning entertainment district spanning 35 blocks in downtown Fort Worth. The multi-use development attracts more than 10 million visitors each year. A one-acre outdoor plaza features restaurants, shops, water features, stage, four 32-foot umbrellas, and covered seating. For more information about Sundance Square, visit sundancesquare.com or follow the multi-use development on Facebook.com/sundancesquare or Twitter@sundancesquare.