Historic Downtown McKinney hosts perennial favorite with new additions
McKINNEY, Texas – The one square mile of Historic Downtown McKinney will turn into a winter wonderland to mark the 28th annual Dickens of a Christmas on Nov. 28 through 30.
The 160 year-old town square will resemble an old-fashioned, Victorian Christmas village with horse-drawn carriages, strolling carolers, visits with Santa Claus, live entertainment, food galore, and activities for all ages. This year’s newest addition is the Downtown McKinney snow sledding/tubing hill.
“Dickens of a Christmas is McKinney’s premier festival that attracts visitors from all over the nation,” said Main Street Program Director Ty Lake. “This year will be even better, with new renovations to highlight our pedestrian-friendly atmosphere for shoppers looking for the perfect gift, diners relaxing in one of several restaurants or visitors just enjoying the special offerings that weekend.”
The three day festival kicks off at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, followed by the City of McKinney tree-lighting ceremony at Mitchell Park in Historic Downtown at 6:15 p.m. Mayor Bill Whitfield and City Manager Frank Ragan will address the crowd with a special message, and live music will entertain the crowd.
“We hope visitors will make it a weekend, spend the night and take advantage of our shops, restaurants and entertainment,” Lake added. “Historic Downtown’s boutiques, art galleries, bookstores, apparel, gift and antique shops really roll out the red carpet during the holiday season, and this year is no exception. The atmosphere, like our downtown, is truly one of a kind.”
Dickens of a Christmas runs Thanksgiving weekend from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 28 and 29 and noon to 6 p.m. on Nov. 30. This event is free to the public and shuttle service will be provided by Craig Ranch Trolleys. For more information, visit www.downtownmckinney.com or contact McKinney Main Street at 972-547-2660. Title sponsors for the 28th annual Dickens of a Christmas are IESI and The City of McKinney.
That same weekend, the McKinney Repertory Theatre performs the timeless favorite “A Christmas Carol” at the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC) in the heart of downtown. Performances are Nov. 28 and 29 at 2 and 5 p.m. and Nov. 30 at 2 p.m.
MPAC also hosts Santa Claus, who will be open for visits Nov. 28 and 29 from noon to 8 p.m. and Nov. 30 from 1 to 5 p.m. Visit www.mckinneyperformingartscenter.org for a full calendar of holiday events at MPAC.
About Downtown
McKinney enjoys one the oldest authentic and thriving historic downtowns in Texas. What was once the center of all commercial and social activity for Collin County, our 160-year-old city continues to serve as a viable retail, dining, entertainment and business center. Downtown offers more than 100 unique shops and more than a dozen unique restaurants, including upscale restaurants featuring award-winning chefs, sandwich shops, outdoor patio dining and neighborhood pubs. Shoppers can also find an assortment of specialty shops, art galleries featuring the works of local artists, furniture stores, exquisite antique collections, gift shops and apparel boutiques. Downtown McKinney recently underwent a $2.2 million renovation. For more information visit www.downtownmckinney.com.
About McKinney
McKinney, Texas, is unique by nature. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., McKinney has a current population of 124,000. Incorporated in 1848, McKinney celebrates its 160th birthday this year. It is located 30 miles north of Dallas and is the county seat of Collin County. McKinney offers rolling hills, lush trees, a historic downtown square and unique neighborhoods and developments. Visit the city’s Web site at www.mckinneytexas.org.
