McKinney, September 19, 2025
News Summary
The annual event ‘Home for the Holidays… A McKinney Christmas’ is back in historic downtown McKinney with three days of free activities. Scheduled from November 29 to December 1, the event features a Tree Lighting Ceremony, family-friendly attractions, and live entertainment. Over 180 local shops will keep their doors open, and Santa Claus will make a special appearance throughout the weekend. The McKinney Repertory Theatre will also stage a production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ during this festive celebration.
McKinney
Home for the Holidays… A McKinney Christmas will return to historic downtown McKinney from November 29 to December 1, offering three days of free, family-focused seasonal activities across 14 festive blocks. The event is presented by Commercial Bank of Texas and opens Friday, November 29, with a scheduled Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:15 p.m. Admission is free for all attendees.
What to know first
The event spans 14 blocks of downtown and includes a mixture of entertainment, rides, interactive attractions and retail activity designed to welcome residents and visitors. The downtown square lighting will feature a towering tree decorated with thousands of lights, seasonal music and multiple photo opportunities. Santa Claus will be present throughout the weekend to hear children’s wish lists and pose for photos, and no reservations are required for those photos.
Primary attractions and entertainment
Organizers lined up a full schedule of live programming across the downtown area, including local choirs, dance troupes, holiday bands and solo acts. Strolling characters dressed as holiday figures will circulate through the square. Family-friendly rides and attractions include a Ferris wheel, carousel, rock climbing wall, Frosty’s train, a petting zoo and a snow hill.
Retail and local business participation
More than 180 locally owned boutiques, gift shops and specialty stores in downtown McKinney will remain open with extended hours for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, encouraging visitors to shop locally during the weekend festivities.
Logistics and access
The event offers free parking and a complimentary shuttle service for festival-goers to improve access and reduce street congestion. Organizers described the overall goal as creating a fun and festive atmosphere that encourages families to return year after year. General information for visitors is available at McKinneyChristmas.com and through social media via the hashtag #McKinneyHomefortheHolidays.
McKinney Repertory Theatre production
Alongside the downtown festival, the McKinney Repertory Theatre (MRT) will present a stage production of A Christmas Carol. MRT will produce a one-hour adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” by Andrew B. Harris at the McKinney Performing Arts Center, running through December 14. The production has been a local tradition since 2006 and incorporates key moments of the story while adding new elements each year.
This season’s production includes specific enhancements and tributes. The direction will pay tribute to Doug Latham, a previous director who passed away, through inclusion of his work and contributions. New production elements include a fireplace with an actual fire, special effects for the ghosts, and a new setup for Scrooge’s office. The previously hour-long runtime has been adjusted to include additional scenes and elements while aiming to remain concise.
Admission, tickets and further details
Admission to the downtown festival is free. Tickets for the festival are free, making it accessible to families and visitors in North Texas. The McKinney Repertory Theatre production details, including any ticketing procedures for the stage show, are provided through event listings and the McKinneyChristmas.com site.
Background and context
Home for the Holidays… A McKinney Christmas is positioned as a community-focused seasonal event combining civic celebration, local business participation and theater arts. The inclusion of longstanding local traditions like the MRT production of A Christmas Carol and an expanding downtown festival reflects an effort to create recurring seasonal programming for the city. The event presentation by Commercial Bank of Texas supports logistical needs for a multi-block festival featuring free parking and shuttle service.
FAQ
When will “Home for the Holidays… A McKinney Christmas” take place?
The event “Home for the Holidays… A McKinney Christmas” will take place in historic downtown McKinney from November 29 to December 1.
Who is presenting the event?
The event is presented by Commercial Bank of Texas.
Is there an admission fee?
Admission to the event is free.
When is the Tree Lighting Ceremony?
The holiday season officially kicks off on Friday, November 29, at 6:15 p.m. with the Tree Lighting Ceremony on the downtown square.
Will Santa Claus be available?
Santa Claus will be present throughout the weekend to listen to children’s wish lists and pose for photos, with no reservations required.
What types of attractions and entertainment will be available?
The downtown area will host a full lineup of live performances, including local choirs, dance troupes, holiday bands, and solo acts. Strolling characters dressed as holiday figures will entertain guests throughout the square. Attractions for families include a Ferris wheel, carousel, rock climbing wall, Frosty’s train, petting zoo, and a snow hill for visitors seeking a unique holiday experience.
Will downtown shops be open?
Over 180 locally owned boutiques, gift shops, and specialty stores in downtown McKinney will be open with extended hours for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
What are the parking and transportation options?
Free parking and complimentary shuttle service will be available for festival-goers.
What is the McKinney Repertory Theatre presenting?
The McKinney Repertory Theatre (MRT) will produce a one-hour adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” by Andrew B. Harris at the McKinney Performing Arts Center, running through December 14.
Has the MRT production changed this year?
This year’s direction of the play will pay tribute to Doug Latham, a previous director who passed away, through the inclusion of his work and contributions. New enhancements for the play include a fireplace with an actual fire, special effects for the ghosts, and a new setup for Scrooge’s office. The previously hour-long runtime has been adjusted to include additional scenes and elements while aiming to remain concise.
Where can I find more information?
Visitors can find more information about both events at McKinneyChristmas.com and through social media using the hashtag #McKinneyHomefortheHolidays.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event name | Home for the Holidays… A McKinney Christmas |
| Dates | November 29 to December 1 |
| Presenter | Commercial Bank of Texas |
| Admission | Free |
| Tree Lighting | Friday, November 29, at 6:15 p.m. |
| Santa | Santa Claus present throughout the weekend; no reservations required |
| Family attractions | Ferris wheel, carousel, rock climbing wall, Frosty’s train, petting zoo, snow hill |
| Retail participation | Over 180 locally owned boutiques, gift shops, and specialty stores open with extended hours |
| MRT production | McKinney Repertory Theatre (MRT) will produce a one-hour adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” by Andrew B. Harris at the McKinney Performing Arts Center, running through December 14 |
| Parking & transit | Free parking and complimentary shuttle service |
| More info | McKinneyChristmas.com; #McKinneyHomefortheHolidays |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Family-Friendly Events in Dallas–Fort Worth This Weekend
Top Summer Getaways Near Dallas for Families
Additional Resources
- Local Profile: Home for the Holidays – A McKinney Christmas
- Wikipedia: McKinney, Texas
- CultureMap: Great Christmas Light Fight – McKinney
- Google Search: McKinney Christmas lights 2023
- Fox 4 News: McKinney Man Sentenced
- Google Scholar: McKinney Christmas events
- CBS News: Heartwarming Christmas Display
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Saint Nicholas
- Dallas News: Home for the Holidays Event
- Google News: McKinney holiday events
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