12.03.10-12.05.10 WHITE ROCK MARATHON/HEALTH & FITNESS EXPO FREE No one says you have to endure 26.2 miles through the Dallas Arts District, Uptown, Turtle Creek, Highland Park, Swiss Avenue and around the lake. But you can be there to cheer on our neighbors, and observe the spectacle that is the MetroPCS Dallas White Rock Marathon. Race-day activities will take place at Fair Park Dec. 5, beginning with a pre-race worship service at 7:40 a.m., followed by the singing of the National Anthem. Fireworks will kick off the races at 8 a.m., and the finish line closes at 2:30 p.m. Live bands will set up stages at several points along the course, including Hot House at the Granada Theater and Catdaddies on Swiss Avenue. Before the marathon, the Health & Fitness Expo will run noon-6 p.m. and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 3-4 at Fair Park’s Automotive Building, 1010 First Avenue. More than 85 vendors will set up shop, offering information on nutritional and fitness products for running enthusiasts. For more details, including full schedules for the race and expo, visit runtherock.com. —Emily Toman
THROUGH 01.02 MAGIC OF SANTA $10 The annual holiday festival at the Dallas Arboretum features more than 500 Santa Clauses from all over the world set in the historic DeGoyler Estate. Other activities include visits with Santa, a live reindeer, costumed characters and photos. The event is included with general admission to the park, $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $7 for children 3-12 and free for children under 3. Parking costs $7. For details, call 214.515.6500 or visit dallasarboretum.org
12.01 CASA LINDA TREE LIGHTING FREE Casa Linda Plaza presents its holiday tree lighting 5-7 p.m. near the esplanade, featuring the Reinhardt Elementary Choir, Hexter Elementary Choir and the Bryan Adams High School show choir. Pictures with Santa will be available for $5, with proceeds benefiting For the Love of the Lake. Highland Park Cafeteria will offer refreshments at the event.
12.01 WRITER’S GARDEN $50-$100 The Writer’s Garden Literary Series continues with a Christmas brunch with Jennifer Pickens, author of “Christmas at the White House”, 10 a.m.-noon at the Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland. For details, call 214.797.5966 or visit womenscouncildallasarboretum.org.
12.01 MOCKINGBIRD STATION HOLIDAY KICK-OFF FREE Mockingbird Station, at Mockingbird and Central, will celebrate the holidays with a concert by the New Texas Symphony Orchestra 6-8 p.m. near Urban Outfitters in conjunction with the Woodrow Variations show choir at 7 p.m. at the Angelika. Afterward, an outdoor movie screening will feature “Elf”. For more details, visit mockingbirdstation.com/holidays.
12.01-12.04 BOOK SALE FREE The Skillman Southwestern Library Friends will host a sale noon-7:45 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, featuring more than 2,500 gently used and donated books, CDs, movies and magazines spanning many genres. Proceeds benefit the library, 5707 Skillman. For details, call 214.670.6078 or email sslfriends@aol.com.
12.04 FAIR PARK HOLIDAY FREE The Friends of Fair Park present a day full of special events at the Centennial Building at Fair Park, 1300 Robert B. Cullum. The event includes the White Rock Health & Fitness Expo, crafts and Santa’s Workshop 9 a.m.-6 p.m., dancing water shows at the Esplanade Fountain 10 a.m.-6 p.m., the official City of Dallas tree-lighting ceremony at 6:15 p.m. and a fireworks finale at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, but parking is $10. For details, call 214.421.9600 or visit fairpark.org.
12.06 ALICE MEDRICH FREE Central Market will host cookbook author Alice Medrich who wrote “Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cookies”. She’ll conduct a workshop at 6:30 p.m., 5750 E. Lovers, and share her cookie recipes. For details, call 214.234.7000 or visit centralmarket.com.
12.09-12.12 ALEXANDER MANSION HOLIDAY HOME TOUR $5-$10 Six rooms in the turn-of-the-century Alexander Mansion, 4607 Ross, are decorated for the season, including the writing room, library, French parlor, dining room and children’s playroom. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $5 for children. Groups of 10 or more pay $8 each. 11-4 p.m. For more information, visit dallaswomansforum.org or call 214.823.4533.
12.10-12.31 MAD ABOUT ART FREE Dahlia Woods Gallery, 600 Cantegral, will host a group holiday exhibit, featuring all of the gallery’s artists. It opens with a reception 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 10. For details, visit dahliawoodsgallery.com.
