The holiday season in Big D is nothing short of stunning if you know the right places to go. I’m Sue Krider, the high-rise real estate authority in DFW. I know the landscape very well having lived and worked in the area for many years. I keep my finger on the pulse of many things, including incredible entertainment, award-winning restaurants, seasonal festivals, and more.
Here are some valuable options I’ve gathered to fill up your smartphone in December.
Singer-songwriter Sam Tinnesz’s viral hit, “Legends Are Made,” is now a rock anthem with more than 5 billion views on TikTok. He’ll be at Club Dada on December 1.
Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow is a riveting exhibition exploring the struggle for full citizenship and racial equality that unfolded in the 50 years following the Civil War. It is on display now through December 31 at the Dallas Holocaust and Civil Rights Museum in Downtown Dallas.
DJ/producer G Jones has collaborated with artists such as Amon Tobin, Eprom, and DJ Shadow, who called Jones “the most gifted Ableton beatmaker I’ve ever seen.” He’ll be at the House of Blues in Victory Park on December 1.
Stand-up artist Martini Harris has a unique style developed while working on B.E.T.’s “Comic View,” “Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam,” and “One Mic Stand,” hosted by Kevin Hart. Harris’ show is set for December 1-2 at the Clarence Muse Café Theater.
T.J. Miller’s acting debut in “Cloverfield” was followed by choice voice-over roles as Tuffnut Thorston in the first two “How to Train Your Dragon” movies. On December 1-2, he’ll gin up a few laughs when he headlines at Hyena’s.
Step into a world of creativity and inspiration with Black on Black, an evening of intimate and captivating performances, all produced and choreographed by members of the Dallas Black Dance Theater, in their Downtown Dallas studio located on Ann Williams Way.
After appearing on season 11 of “America’s Got Talent,” stand-up comedian D.J. Demers
has continued to work successfully on the circuit, and as a frequent guest on the late-night TV talk shows. He’ll be at the Dallas Comedy Club December 1-2.
Broadway Dallas’s production of MJ The Musical winds down with a series of afternoon matinees and evening performances through December 3. It’s the music, the moves, and the unparalleled artistry of the greatest entertainer of all time Tony Award-winning new musical themed around the making Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour.
With the polish of a Broadway show, Prestonwood Baptist Church’s annual Gift of Christmas draws huge audiences to witness the 1,000-person cast bringing the story of Christmas to life in breathtaking fashion. It’s set for all-new performances December 1-10.
The beloved holiday tradition of the Dallas Symphony’s Christmas Pops series continues with transcendent anthems, classical holiday favorites, and sing-along carols, plus an appearance by you-know-who, a bit of snow too. It’s at the Meyerson Symphony Center on December 1-3 and 7-10.
Examine the concept of freedom: where it comes from, what it means, what free societies look like, and the role of the individual in protecting and spreading freedom around the world. Freedom Matters is on display through December 31 at the George W. Bush Presidential Center located on the SMU campus.
With an increasing cadre of fans, the band Cathedral Bells overflow with shiny melodies and an array of shadowy harmonies, all wrapped in dream pop beauty. They’re scheduled to perform at Club Dada on December 2.
First Saturdays include free tours of AT&T Performing Arts Center venues. Tours begin in the lobby of the Winspear Opera House at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on December 2.
His sound is somewhere between Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, and Caamp. Oklahoma native Wyatt Flores’ music is creating a stir. See him on December 2 at the Studio at the Factory.
The sixth iteration of the Dallas Museum of Art’s Concourse Mural Series features work by Tiffany Chung who is well known for her diverse conceptual design and research-driven process. It’s on display through January 7.
Join representatives from Architecture + Design Exchange for a rare hands-on experience in learning how a city comes together and what makes it great. Build Your Own City is on December 2 at Klyde Warren Park.
Drawing attention through classic dubstep and hip-hop remixes, Tape B continually showcases a keen attention to detail and a fantastic array of experimentations. Deep Ellum Art Co. welcomes the band on December 2.
Picasso was inspired by lovers who served as muses for an ever-changing style, and the focus of this exhibit was 50 years after his death. Between Inspiration and Obsession at the Dallas Museum of Art runs now through January 7.
Moon Taxi is an indie rock band that came together while students at Nashville’s Belmont University years ago, then grew a fan base by performing at festivals. They’ll be at the Granada Theatre on December 2.
Artists of the 1960s moved beyond the standard white cube gallery space to work directly in the land, foregrounding natural materials and the site itself to create exciting art. Groundswell: Women of Land Art is on display now through January 7 at the Nasher Sculpture Center.
Assembling all known surviving works by the artist Abraham Ángel the first time, the exhibit Between Wonder and Seduction introduces U.S. audiences to his work in the first major survey of over 25 years now through January 28 at the Dallas Museum of Art.
Known for popular podcasts, the entertaining pair of comics look at small towns, what makes them tick, and the tragic murders that took place, all with a twisted spin on the whole thing. Small Town Murder is on December 2 at the Majestic Theatre.
Recognized from his HBO specials, appearances in Oscar-winning movies, and now, a hot new book, comedian Gary Gulman’s latest tour arrives in Dallas on December 2 at The Texas Theatre.
As Dallas’s most popular urban park and gathering point, Klyde Warren Park invites families to join the seasonal event every year to watch the tree go up. The Park’s spectacular Tree Lighting is scheduled for December 2 from 3-6 p.m.
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Liz Phair’s rock-folk classic “Exile in Guyville” was released in the early 1990s. She’s on the road reexamining her early works with a special, anniversary tour. Catch her on December 3 at the Majestic Theatre.
There is edgy, edgier, and then there is comedian/actress Sandra Bernhard. December 3 she brings her “Stand with Texas” show to Dallas’s Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff.
Christmas Pastorela is Orchestra of New Spain’s seasonal production is a Mexican Nativity play that features baroque vocal and instrumental specialists on December 3 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.
The annual Snider Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting festivities feature live holiday carols and dances near the Plaza’s famous fountain, followed by the lighting of a huge holiday tree on December 5 in University Park.
Jimmy Chin is a renowned mountain athlete, photographer, film director, and author who has been a professional climber and skier on The North Face Athlete team for over 20 years. He appears as part of the prestigious Tate Lecture Series on December 5 at SMU’s McFarlin Memorial Auditorium.
Celebrating a decade as a band, Silverstein is back at the Granada Theater on December 5 with their new This is How the Wind Shifts Tour.
Social influencers Brooke and Danielle share their untold stories, hot takes, vulnerable moments, and much more. It’s Gals on the Go Live on December 6 at the Improv in Addison.
Buffalo Nichols is an old soul, a gem of a guitarist steeped in history. On December 6 catch a genuine bluesman dedicated to preserving the genre while pushing boundaries at Sundown at Granada
Pianist and Sammons Center artistic director Arlington Jones welcomes saxophonist Tom Braxton, guitarist Mark Harper, and pianist Eric Willis, and their sons performing alongside their dads. The special Fathers & Sons concert is on December 6 at the Sammons Center for the Arts
With the recent release of “Little Songs,” country artist Colter Wall’s music continues to innovatively mine the traditional sounds of prairie homelands while connecting to the contemporary world. Opening act Red Shahan joins him for two nights on December 6-7 at the Longhorn Ballroom.
Get your disco groove on with a hot new concert event on December 7 at the Majestic Theatre. Stayin’ Alive: One Night of the Bee Gees is a one-of-a-kind tribute that features blockbusters such as “Night Fever,” “Jive Talkin’,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “Nights on Broadway,” and “Stayin’ Alive.”
Brimming with technical prowess and brilliant artistry, Complexions Contemporary Ballet’s high-octane movement and fierce evocative style deftly mix with songs ranging from David Bowie to Bach. The sizzling new TITAS production is set for December 8 at the Winspear Opera House.
Marc Broussard is an excellent Louisiana singer-songwriter with a long line of performance credits. He plays a hot and spicy gumbo of soulful R&B at his shows. Broussard will be at the Longhorn Ballroom on December 8.
The Spanish government declared 2023 the “Year of Joaquín Sorolla,” in recognition of the centennial of the death of the celebrated painter. Now through January 7, you can see Spanish Light: Sorolla in American Collections at the Meadows Museum on the SMU campus.
The December 8 Chamber Music International concert at St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church
Includes memorable pieces by Spohr, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Moszkowski, and de Sarasate, and features superstar violinist Cho-Liang Lin.
With eight studio albums, the L.A. blues-rock outfit Andy Frasco & The UN is known for a reckless attitude in concert. On December 8 they’ll be performing at Deep Ellum Art Co.
Hailed as an impressive one-man band, gifted singer-songwriter, street busker, and new-age English traveler Cam Cole simply amazing. He’s booked at Club Dada on December 8.
Fabrizio Copanois one of the most well-known comedians in Latin America and is the first South American comedian to shoot an original comedy special for Netflix. He’ll be onstage at Hyena’s on December 8-9.
Hayes Carll is a Texas troubadour in a class all by himself. His well-crafted songs dot the Lone Star landscape. He plays at the Kessler Theater on December 8-9.
Avant Chamber Ballet brings a special artistry to the Moody Performance Hall performing Tchaikovsky’s timeless classic, The Nutcracker on December 8-10.
Since 1952, the glitzy Crystal Charity Ball has been a yearly center point benefitting a diversity of children’s charities in Dallas County. It’s set for December 9 at the Hilton Anatole.
Detroit husband and wife team Robyn and Jason Gilleran comprise a duo better known as Hard Comedy, performing on the circuit in clubs all over the country. They’ll be at the Dallas Comedy Club on December 9.
Enjoy an evening of beauty and virtuosity performed by violinist Cho-Liang Lin, recent gold medalist of the prestigious Indianapolis International Violin Competition, with Chamber Music International on December 9 at St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church.
He is an eight-time award-winner as “Best Vocalist” at the annual Austin Music Awards, Malford Milligan is a soulful blues and gospel singer who has been compared to Otis Redding, and Al Green. On December 9 he’ll be at the incomparable Poor David’s Pub in The Cedars section of town.
Artist Chloe Chiasson’s first museum presentation, Keep Left at the Fork, is an imaginative drive down the main street of a small southern town with idealistic visions of rural-bred teens and young adults. Bianca Bondi: A Preservation Method is an exciting exhibition based on the artist’s research into the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 inspired by the late First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson. See them both at the Dallas Contemporary through March 17, 2024.
The landmark exhibition Japan, Form & Function: The Montgomery Collection has over 240 works divided into themes and categories throughout the galleries. It’s on display through next April at the elegant Crow Museum of Asian Art in the Dallas Arts District.
Backs in Fashion: Mangbetu Women’s Egbe is a fascinating exhibition that investigates the artistic process, the essential function, and the cultural role that Egbe apron garments played in Mangbetu society. It’s on display now through next summer at the Dallas Museum of Art.
Highland Park United Methodist Church Tower Arts series is special by any measure. On December 10, join the St. Mark’s Choir, one of the country’s preeminent boys’ choirs, performing pieces spanning centuries in a variety of styles and languages in Christmas at Highland Park.
Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith’s annual seasonal show will feature selections spanning the artists’ expansive repertoire of critically acclaimed holiday albums. They’re at the Fair Park Music Hall on December 9.
Experience the exquisite artistry of an international cast, featuring stars of Ukraine ballet, performing Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, December 10 at Fair Park Music Hall.
As one half of Foster & Lloyd (“Crazy Over You”), native Texan Radney Foster made waves blending country and rock in original songs before becoming a solo star. He appears with Eric Erdman on December 10 at the Kessler Theater. The same night in Victory Park catch contemporary R&B artist Akon at the House of Blues.
On December 10 the reigning Best New Artist Grammy-winner Samara Joy appears with a brand-new, afternoon holiday with a cast that includes the talented McLendon Family at the recently revitalized Longhorn Ballroom.
Find the perfect gown, DJ, photographer, venue, band, honeymoon destination, and more, all under one roof at the Texas Bridal & Wedding Expo on December 10 in Fair Park’s Automobile Building.
The legacy of singer-songwriter Jim Croce lives on through his son, A.J., whose concert will feature some of his dad’s biggest hits like “Bad, Bad LeRoy Brown,” “Operator,” “Time in a Bottle,” and “Alabama Rain” on December 11 at the Majestic Theatre.
The final Dallas Chamber Music Society concert of the year features three renowned players: clarinetist Anthony McGill, opera singer Susanna Phillips, and pianist Gloria Chien in concert on December 11 at Caruth Auditorium on the SMU campus
Representing the gold standard in a cappella on the world’s stages, drawing on a rich heritage The King’s Singers’ programs cover everything from contemporary gems and folk songs to beloved carols. They’ll be at the Meyerson Symphony Center on December 11.Also on December 11, join This is Jesus, a special Christmas worship concert with Tauren Wells, Katy Nichole, and Jordan Smith at the Music Hall at Fair Park.
Remembering Black Wall Street is a special program that delves into the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, its aftermath, and efforts to memorialize the victims and recognize survivors and their descendants. Experience the emotional exhibition on December 12 at the Dallas Holocaust and Civil Rights Museum.
Born in Greece, and then transplanted to Texas, Abraham Alexander’s recent work includes working as an opening act for Leon Bridges, Ani DiFranco, and Mavis Staples. He’ll be at the Majestic Theater on December 14.
The Iron Maidens may be one of the more unique bands working the circuit, a five-person, all-female ensemble covering the songs of the popular English heavy metal group, Iron Maiden. They’ll be at the Granada Theater on Lower Greenville Avenue on December 14.
The Tony-winning Cher Show is packed with so much Cher that it takes three women to play the role: the kid just starting, the glam pop star, and the icon. It’s set for a December 14-16 run at the Winspear Opera House.
Yussef Dayes has been a force on the South London jazz scene for years. The accomplished drummer has collaborated and recorded with many of the genre’s biggest names. On December 15 he’ll be at The Studio at the Factory.
Talented husband and wife team Linda and Larry Petty present Making Spirits Bright, a family-friendly winter holiday concert of seasonal favorites on December 15 at the Sammons Center for the Arts.
Popular recording artist Dan Deacon has branched out into a number of areas such as scoring films, collaborating with the New York City Ballet, and writing with Ed Schrader’s Music Beat. He’s scheduled to play Club Dada on December 15.
For years, ringmaster Tim DeLaughter and his musical collective of talented performers have put on a seasonal show, a mind-bending spectacular for Dallas fans. The Polyphonic Spree Holiday Extravaganza is December 15-16 at the Majestic Theatre.
All aboard … for the holiday movie classic The Polar Express and the musical magic of Christmas Eve as the Dallas Symphony performs live with the film December 15-17 at the Meyerson Symphony Center.
The comic Todd Barry’s voice appears on “Bob’s Burgers,” “Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist” and “Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” as well as the travel memoir,” Thank You For Coming To Hattiesburg.” He’ll perform at the Texas Theatre on December 16.
Colorado-based SunSquabi’s live show shave been described as an Electronic Hydro Funk Experience that takes on a different slant every single time out. They’re performing with Jason Leech on December 16 at the Deep Ellum Art Co.
The instrumental post-rock group Couch is based in Munich has a rough sound that is attributed to the German bands of the 1970s. They’ll be at Club Dada on December 16.
Sarah Jaffe and Walker Lukens are well-respected independent forces in music, singer-songwriters winning over critics and audiences whenever and wherever they play. See them in person in an intimate setting on December 16 at the Kessler Theater.
Relive soft rock icon John Denver’s enormous contributions to the Great American Songbook with a special emphasis on holiday numbers. Musician Rick Schuler stars in A John Denver Christmas on December 16-17 at the Eisemann Center in Richardson.
Singer-songwriter Anita Baker is an eight-time Grammy winner with an elegant style and load of hits including “Sweet Love,” and “Talk to Me” to the stage. On December 17 she’s in concert at the American Airlines Center.
The L.A. hard rock band Warrant sold 10 million albums worldwide with hits such as “Heaven” and “Cherry Pie.” They are joined by teased hair Winger and Lita Ford for an evening of 1980s-flavored music on December 17 at the Factory in Deep Ellum.
Sarah Brightman originated the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera in London’s West End and on Broadway stages and performed at the Concert for Diana as well as the Olympics. She brings her Christmas Symphony to the Winspear Opera House on December 18.
Sing for Joy features a full orchestra and authentic Celtic players, the Turtle Creek Chorale concerts also welcome back Chloe Agnew of the Celtic Woman, for the holiday performances with a new twist on December 18-19 at the Meyerson Symphony Center.
Seeing the kitschy Squirrel Nut Zippers live is always a treat, this time performing songs from their “Christmas Caravan” and “Mardi Gras for Christmas” albums, in addition to tried and true holiday favorites on December 20 at the Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff.
Taken from Victor Hugo’s sweeping novel, Les Misérables tells the story of the French Revolution in a stirring fashion through song, dance, and a talented cast. The Broadway Dallas production is December 20-31 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.
The evening performance of the stirring Handel’s Messiah features the Dallas Bach Society Choir and Orchestra and soloists, including soprano Kara Libby, Tenor Barrett Radziun, and Bass David Grogan. It is scheduled for December 21 at the Meyerson Symphony Center.
An experienced comic, Keisha Hunt has toured with “Nephew Tommy” of Steve Harvey’s Morning Show and worked on NBC’s “Stand-Up for Diversity Showcase.” December 21 she’s booked at the Dallas Comedy Club.
The audience is the chorus performing with the Dallas Bach Society orchestra and a variety of talented soloists. The inventive Messiah Sing-Along is December 22 at the Zion Lutheran Church
While racking up over 60 million views across social platforms, comic Myles Weber was featured on MTV’s “Greatest Party Story Ever Told,” and a Top 10 Special on the Dry Bar Comedy App. He’ll be at the Dallas Comedy Club on December 22 and 23.
Visions of sugarplums dance as The Dallas Winds ring in the holidays with Yuletide favorites. The shows on December 22 and 23 at the Meyerson Symphony Center feature special guest soloist, and operatic superstar Donnie Ray Albert.
The sensational Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland combines the hypnotic grace and daredevil athleticism of today’s top circus performers with an exciting mix of enduring seasonal favorites on December 22-23 at the Winspear Opera House.
Combining the instrumentation of classic mariachi music, with the snap, crackle, and pop of holiday favorites, it’s an evening of musical magic with Merry-Achi Christmas on December 23 at the Majestic Theatre.
Christmas in Mexico is a blend of indigenous culture, Spanish heritage, and many influences, performed by Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuellar in Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular on December 29 at Richardson’s Eisemann Center.
Gumshoe Harry Hunsacker takes a mysterious train ride from Los Angeles bound for New York City in the esteemed theater group Pegasus Theater’s latest Living Black and White™ production of Death Express, December 29 through January 21 at the Eisemann Center.
For more information on top high-rise properties in Dallas, and a continuing flow of information about the DFW market, an incredible stream of community happenings. and special things to see and do during the holiday season, check with me at SueKrider.com now.
Be sure to check my website at www.dallashighrisecondo.com for more.