There are still lots of activities around our area to fill your holiday time. If you just stay in Italy on Saturday your whole day will be busy. Is travel on your mind? That’s ok too. Just take a look at the different events and you can plan many family activities.

ITALY
Basketball Action: The Gladiators will travel to Venus for a tournament Dec 11-13 and begin play against Fort Worth Northside at 4:30. The Lady Gladiators will travel to Colleyville Covenant Christian School on Friday, Dec 12 and begin playing at 5 pm.

Breakfast anyone? The Lions Club 3rd Annual Breakfast with Santa on Sat. Dec. 13 at the Wayne-Boze Bldg beginning at 8am. Pancakes and sausages with Santa. Yummy! All proceeds go to the Lions Club scholarship program.

Christmas parade and festival is Saturday, Dec 13 in downtown Italy, 10 am-2 pm. The whole family is invited to participate in the frivolity. There are crafts, music, bounce houses, vendor booths, face painting and a parade at 1:30.

WAXAHACHIE
Bethlehem Revisited, Candlelight Christmas Homes Tour and Downtown Victorian Christmas Festival. Dec 12-14. For more information, call 972-937-2390.

DENISON
Holiday Tour of Lights, Dec 1-27. Loy Lake Park. Please check their website for more info or call 903-465-1551.

ROUND TOP
Beethoven’s Birthday Celebration, Dec 14. International Festival Institute at Round Top. Call 979-249-3129.

Texas Monthly suggests you check out the following information…

AUSTIN

ARMADILLO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Mingle with art collectors as you peruse a diverse collection of paintings, jewelry, photographs, toys, metalwork, clothing, and more at the 33rd installment of this beloved bazaar. More than 35 musical performances on the Capitol Metro Music Stage will set the festive mood. Dec 12th thru the 24th from 11 to 11. Weekdays before 7 $3, evenings & weekends $6; children 12 & under free. For more information, see this website. Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez (512-447-1605).

DALLAS

FAIR PARK HOLIDAY LIGHTS The park will be one of the brightest spots in Dallas this holiday season with thousands of twinkling LED lights. More than 60,000 visitors are expected to attend the two-day festival, which will feature performances by the Dallas Wind Symphony, a Texas-sized snow hill, rides on the Texas Skyway gondola, horse-drawn carriage rides, and, of course, the official tree lighting ceremony. After you’ve had your fill of the festivities, kick back with a blanket or sleeping bag, and watch Elf and the Polar Express on the big screen at the Cotton Bowl. Free. Dec 13 & 14 from 3 to 8. For more details, see this website. Fair Park, 1318 2nd Ave (214-421-9600).

“The Stories of Christmas” is Dec 11-16, 18-21. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Children’s choir present its annual Christmas concert, located at the Meyerson Symphony Center. Check out this website or call 214-692-0203.

White Rock Marathon, Dec 14. The race is located at White Rock Lake and Greenbelt Park. For more information, go to their website or call 214-670-8281.

EL PASO

EL PASO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA A Holiday Afternoon Concert—enjoy your favorite carols as only a full orchestra can perform them. Dec 14 at 2. $20. You can find more information on their website. Plaza Theatre, 125 Pioneer Plaza (915-532-3776).

FORT WORTH

MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY’S COWBOY CHRISTMAS The Dallas-born cowboy poet, who found pop success with hits like Wildfire and Carolina In the Pines, continues the Cowboy Christmas tradition he started in 1987, transporting audiences back to the Old West with song and story. Dec 15 at 7. $34.50—$75. To find out more details see their website. Bass Performance Hall, 4th & Calhoun (817-212-4280 or 877-212-4280).

GALVESTON

MOODY GARDENS Thru Dec 31: Festival of Lights—check out more than one million lights (Santa parachutes into the gardens to turn them on), which are accompanied by synchronized audio effects and music. Plus, ice skate on an outdoor rink, listen to musical performances, and ogle the giant poinsettia tree inside the visitor center. Thru Dec 17: Open Thur—Sat 6—10. Dec 18—31: Open daily 6—10. Gen adm $3.95, children 3 & under free. More details can be seen on their website. 1 Hope Blvd (409-744-4673 or 800-582-4673).

HOUSTON

DISCOVERY GREEN Thru Jan 19: The Ice at Discovery Green—here’s your chance to wear that one scarf you own: Wrap it around your neck and take to the ice (all 7,200 square feet of it) for a spin on the frozen Kinder Lake. Plus, take advantage of the toddler ice rink, skating with Santa, and private skating instruction. (Mon—Thur 4—9; Fri, Sat & school holidays 10 a.m.—11 p.m.; Sun 10—7; Thanksgiving Day 11—11. $10, including skate rental.) Open daily 6 a.m.—11 p.m. Free. For the full event calendar, see their website. Between McKinney & Lamar, one block east of Austin at La Branch (713-400-7336).

SAN ANTONIO

DIE DEUTSCHE WEIHNACHTSFEIER The 104th annual German Christmas candlelight celebration features prayers and poetry in German, choral and congregational singing, and instrumental music. Dec 14 at 5:30. Free. Trinity University campus, Margarite Parker Chapel, between Oakmont Court & Bushnell Ave (210-826-0255).

CORPUS CHRISTI

CORPUS CHRISTI BALLET The Nutcracker—let yourself be transported into the classic fairy tale via the magic of Tchaikovsky’s score and the stunning set. Dec 13—20. Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Call for prices or see their website. 1621 N. Mesquite (361-882-4588).

Do you need more information? Go to the Events Calendar at this website. There is detailed travel information and schedules of events. If you have Texas travel questions call 800-452-9292 and that will take you to the TxDOT Travel Information Center. They can provide routing assistance, advise you of any emergency road conditions.