The fall of leaves and frost on the pumpkin reminds you the temperature is changing and the holidays are coming. Heat up the hot chocolate, light the fire and put carols on the stereo. There might even be a little time for traveling in the mix. Where could the winding paths of Texas take you?

ITALY
Start here. The Gladiators will play basketball at the dome December 2-4 with the Italy Gladiator Invitational Tournament. Sixteen teams, including the Lady Gladiators and Gladiators, will compete to win the top team trophies.

On Saturday, December 4, pancake is the word of the day. The Lions Club breakfast begins at 7am and serves the delicacy until 9am. Continue to have fun with the Annual Christmas parade, the kids can line along the main street and see what characters walk around this holiday. This begins at 10am. Afterwards, travel down the sidewalks and see the vendors. Don’t forget to go inside the old McConnell’s building for more fun.

Sunday, December 5th from 5:00-5:30, the Italy Ministerial Alliance is hosting a live nativity. Go inside the Cornerstone on Main Street for hot chocolate. At 5:30, there will be a service of all the churches in town with singing, a message from our local pastors, ending with the town Tree lighting.

WAXAHACHIE
The 2010 Candlelight Home Tour has begun. These are beautiful, unique homes spanning from the Victorian era to the 21st Century that you may tour and each weekend will showcase different homes. The remaining dates of the tour are Dec 4-5 and 11-12. Call the Chamber of Commerce for times and ticket costs at 972-938-9617.

The Christmas Parade begins at 10 am on Sat, Dec 4. Enjoy the magic of skating on the E_Z Glide synthetic surface. Located at the corner of South Rogers & Madison, across from City Hall. Rental skates are available (please bring your own socks). Dec 3-19 on the weekends. Check for times.

Christmas shopping is a must. Run over to the Waxahachie Civic Center and see the Christmas Market Gift Show Dec 4, 10am-5pm.

On Friday, Dec 10, check out “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” Dance at After Hours Improv Theater. 8-11pm. You may even find extra activities going on at the Texas Theater with Vince King-Elvis Lives at 8pm.

Dec 3 to Dec 5, Dec 10 to Dec 12 Bethlehem Revisited from 6-9pm. Step back in time and walk the streets of ancient Bethlehem as Mary and Joseph did the night of Christ’s birth. FREE Admission- Donations Welcome. Performances are repeated every 30 minutes. Located directly behind Central Presbyterian Church at 402 N. College.

Also on display at the Central Presbyterian Church, “The Supper Quilt” by Dr. Donald E. Locke, DDS. Held two (2) weekends. For more information, call 972-937-2390 or visit their website for more details.

Don’t forget to have a Photo with Santa. Check out Toyland Park on the Courthouse Square. Dec 4 and 11 from noon to 5pm. 3rd Annual Polar Express Night on Dec 7 from 5:30-8:30. This year’s new attraction includes a train trip to the North Pole to visit Santa and his real reindeer. Watch the movie, make a craft, meet the conductor and enjoy free hot chocolate. Located in the Target parking lot, between Chili’s and Carino’s.

Dec 16 to Dec 18 at 7:30 PM The Gift of the Magi Waxahachie Community Theatre is honored to present the premiere performances of Jon Jory’s adaptation of “The Gift of the Magi.” The show will be on stage at the McCafferty Hall on the campus of Southwestern Assemblies of God University. All tickets are $5 and are available at this website or at the door before each performance. Show times are Thursday-Friday, December 16-17 at 7:30 and Saturday, December 18 at 2:30. Seating is limited for each performance, so get your tickets early!

WACO
Cameron Park Festival of Lights will be open through New Years. Approximately 9000 lights were used to light trees in Cameron Park through the holidays to celebrate the park’s centennial. Take a stroll through Pecan Bottoms until the New Year and see the park in twinkling glory.

Dec 9 H.E.B. Feast of Sharing Start off the holidays at this free community feast. Located at the H.O.T. Coliseum on Bosque, the cost is free to all ages. Call 254-780-5980 for more details.

Dec 17 Fire Engine Santa Santa will make an early visit to Waco from 2pm-4pm on a bright red fire truck. Children will have the opportunity to meet him, sit in his lap and receive a special treat. Located at the South Waco Park Pavilion for ages 13 & under. Call 254-750-8650 for details.

GRAND PRAIRIE
Prairie Light Drive Through Holiday Lighting ExtravaGRANDza in Lynn Ccreek Park. Go to their website or call 972-237-GLOW for more details.

DALLAS
Nov 26-Dec 23 The Snow Queen Puppet stage play presented by the Dallas Children’s Theater. For ages 4 and older, the play will be performed at Baker Theater, 5938 Skillman. Go to their website for more information or call 214-740-0051.

Dec 1-31 Holiday at the Arboretum Decorators create a winter wonderland throughout the stately DeGolyer house and gardens. Information about the Dallas Arboretum can be read at this website or call 214-515-6500.

Dec 1-Jan 2 The Mourners: Medieval Tomb Sculptures from the Court of Burgundy Features 40 sculptures from the elaborate tomb of John the Fearless (1342-1404), the second duke of Burgundy. Located at the Dallas Museum of Art. Please visit their website or call 214-922-1200.

Dec 7-12 Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas located at the Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St. For more details go to their website or call 214-443-1000.

Dec 9-19 A Christmas Celebration featuring conductor Lawrence Loh, soprano Ava Pine, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony chorus and the Christmas Celebration Children’s choir. Located at the Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St. You may visit their website.

Dec 9-12 Lone Star Classic Dog Show at the Dallas Market Hall, 2200 Stemmons Fwy. Visit their website or call 214-655-6181 for times and ticket prices.

FRISCO
Nov 26-Jan 2 Christmas in the Square features one of the largest choreographed holiday light shows in Texas, Santa Claus, holiday-themed outdoor movies, carriage rides, model trains on display, real snow and more. All located at the Frisco Square or see their website for more details. You could call 469-633-1721.

CANTON
Dec 1-11 Festival of Trees This is the 5th annual event featuring a display of trees, wreaths and centerpieces, culminating with a silent auction. This year’s theme is “Songs of Christmas”. Located at the Canton Civic Center, 800 Flea Market Road. Call 903-567-2991 for information.

Dec 2-5, Dec 30-Jan 2 First Monday Trade Days Call 877-462-7467 or 903-567-1849 if you any questions. Located at First Monday Grounds, Mountain, Dog Town, Marketplace & Old Mill Market.

PALESTINE
Dec 1-27 The Polar Express Train Ride Experience the magic as a classic storybook comes to life. Take a round-trip journey to the North Pole; meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot chocolate and a treat. For more information, visit this website or call 888-987-2461.

LA GRANGE
Dec 1-31 Early German Christmas Enjoy an entertaining and traditional Texas-German Christmas celebration with a trail of lights, entertainment and refreshments. The 1850’s-era German home of H.L. Kreische, decked in Christmas splendor, is open for tours. Located at Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Site. Call 979-968-5658 for more details.

ATHENS
Dec 1- Jan 1 Land of Lights Christmas Park This is a one mile drive-through. This display includes music and more than 2 million lights, 1500 N.W. Loop 7, between Hwy 175 W and Hwy 31 W. Call 903-677-6354 if you need information.

GRAPEVINE
Dec 1-Jan 2 Ice A 14,000 square foot structure filled with 2 million pounds of ice hand carved into magical life-sized holiday monuments and sculptures. This display is part of the Gaylord Texan’s Lone Star Christmas celebration at the Gaylord Texan Resort, 1501 Gaylord Trail. For more details, visit their website or call 817-722-9423.

MCKINNEY
Dec 1-Jan 31 Dinosaurs Live! Due to popular demand, dinosaurs are coming back from extinction just for your family to experience and enjoy. Encounters with nine life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, including T-Rex and Dilophosaurus-the spitting dinosaur, will be fun for the whole family. Located at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. Hours are 9am-5pm daily. Go to their website for more information or call 972-562-5566.

Dec 11 Chilly Willy 5K race & 1K Santa Chase at the YMCA, 300 Ridge Road. Call 214-726-9886.

MORGAN MILL
Dec 18 Live Nativity Pageant Features choirs, narrators and lavish costumes to tell the story of Jesus’ birth, and a soup and hot chocolate potluck afterwards. Begins at 5:30 pm at the Morgan Mill Community Center. Call 254-965-5324 for more information.

SALADO
Dec 3-4, 10-11 Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Begins at 7pm at Tablerock Amphitheater. Go to their website for pricing. You may also call 254-947-9205.

CLEBURNE
Dec 3-12 It’s A Wonderful Life Presented by the Carnegie Players and located at the Cleburne Conference Center Theater, 1501 W. Henderson. Their website has more details. Call 817-645-9255.

DECATUR
Dec 9 Girls’ Night Out Stores stay open until 8pm for an evening of shopping, refreshments, live entertainment and horse-drawn carriage rides. Check out their website or call 940-627-6158

GARLAND
Dec 9-12 Christmas Belles Laugh through the hilarious holiday journey of three sisters on a misadventure-filled Christmas Eve. Located at the Patty Granville Arts Center. Call 972-205-2790 for more details.

Dec 27 The Pink Panther Strikes Again Presented by Garland Civic Theater’s Childre on Stage. Located at the Patty Granville Arts Center, you can visit their website for more details or call 972-205-2790.

BRYAN
Dec 10 Murder Mystery Dinner Enjoy a four-course meal, award-winning wine and a mystery to solve in this Christmas-themed event. Located at the Messina Hof Winery. Visit their website or call 979-778-9463.

FORT WORTH
Dec 10 The Nutcracker Texas Ballet Theater presents this holiday classic at Bass Performance Hall. For more details, go to their website or call 817-763-0207.

BELTON
Dec 11 Cowboy Christmas Ball featuring Michael Martin Murphey at the Bell County Expo Center. Visit their website or call 254-933-5353.

WILLS POINT
Dec 11 Twinkle Tour Take a hayride through the park to see campsites decorated for the holidays, then warm up with hot chocolate and cookies. Located at Lake Tawakoni State Park. Call 903-560-7123 for more information.

SEGUIN
Dec 12 The Messiah Comes Featuring Handel’s Messiah (the Christmas portion), Anderson’s Christmas Festival Overture and excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite No. 1 with the Mid-Texas Symphony chorus. Begins at 4pm at the Jackson Auditorium. Please visit their website or call 830-372-8089.

WASHINGTON
Dec 11 An Old Fashioned Texas Christmas Enjoy carols in the Visitor Center while shopping for gifts, then stroll down the trail to Independence Hall to learn how the residents of this early Texas town celebrated the holidays. Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic site. For more details, visit their website or call 936-878-2214 ext 222.

MESQUITE
Dec 28-29 Championship Rodeo Features rodeo events, dash-for-cash, face painting, pony rides, petting zoo and more. Located at 1818 Rodeo Drive. Go to their website for more details or call 972-285-8777.

GRANBURY
Dec 31 New Year’s Eve on the Boardwalk includes music, dinner, dancing and other festivities. Located at the Granbury Conference Center, you may visit their website for more information.

Take care as you travel this great state of ours. The Italy Neotribune wishes you a Merry Christmas and safe journeys through Texas.