Get into the holiday spirit with a festive First Thursdays

Our next installation of First Thursdays will bring festive activities and spark holiday memories for the whole family! Please join us from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5 for Downtown Arlington’s newest signature event: First Thursdays! 

Kick off the holiday season at the Levitt Holiday Market sponsored by Mission Arlington! Shop for unique gifts from local vendors while enjoying live music from UTA Jazz. Bring the kids to meet the old St. Nick himself for our “Letters to Santa” event in collaboration with the Arlington Public Library and the United States Postal Service at the Levitt Pavilion Hospitality Center from 4 to 7 p.m. Kiddos can write letters to send off to the North Pole with the help of friendly elves and snap a selfie with Santa. 

After visiting with Santa, continue your holiday adventure by exploring Downtown Arlington. Enjoy free artistic experiences, support local businesses and soak up the art and cultural happenings around every corner. 

Be sure to visit these participating businesses and their activations:  

• Miss Persis Studio of Dance: “Elves in the Window” - Starting at 7 p.m., watch talented dancers perform festive holiday routines in the studio windows from the sidewalk on West Main Street. 

• Catalyst Creative Arts: “Live Pottery Making” - Join us for a live pottery-making demonstration. Watch skilled artists transform clay into works of art. Learn about techniques and tools used in pottery making and get inspired! 

• F6 Art Lounge: “Art & Music Showcase”- From 5 to 7 p.m., explore the art gallery and connect with local artists. At 7 p.m., check out the Open Jam Session. Our open jam sessions are open to all levels, so come and join in the fun! 

• Ann’s Natural Grocery & Nutrition: “Live Music & Craft Beer Tasting” -  Stop by Ann’s to sample craft beer from local brewpub Dr. Jeckyll’s while listening to the tunes of the live band, Rotoscopic. 

• The Chosen One Ink Tattoo: “Open Gallery” - Explore a curated collection of artwork by local and international artists. Stop by to grab a gift bag and enter a raffle for a free piercing! Plus, enjoy chalk art out on the sidewalk! 

• Downtown Library: “Creative Corner x DIY Holiday Cheer” - Craft your own personalized ornaments and cards! Explore the makerspace to discover the exciting possibilities of technology. Enjoy family-friendly games in the lobby. 

• The Mosaic Market: “Make & Take Personalized Ornament” - Create a unique, personalized wooden ornament for the holidays with the help of an expert artist! Use a Dremel or wood-burning tool to bring your artistic vision to life. 

• The Howse Salon: “Photos with the Grinch” - Done with Santa? Enjoy some Holiday Un-Tidings by grabbing you and your family’s photo with the one and only Holiday Grump himself - THE GRINCH! 

• Los Molcas Taco Bar & Grill: ”Live Music & Margs” - Join us for a night of live music, delicious food and refreshing margaritas on our patio. Grab a bite to eat and sip your favorite drink while enjoying the sounds of the night. 

• Zetta Apartments: “DIY Ornaments & Hot Cocoa” - Join us as we craft festive ornaments for the holiday season (while supplies last) while enjoying free hot chocolate. Learn more about our new rentable homes. 

• Binions Ice House: “Bingo at Binions” - From 6 to 8 p.m., join us for a fun-filled evening at Binion's, a local favorite spot where everyone is part of the community! Test your luck playing bingo while enjoying good food and drinks. 

• The Fool's Kava House: “Game Night & Open Mic” - From 5 to 7 p.m., explore our wall of tabletop and board games. At 7 p.m., take the stage at our open mic night. We welcome all performers: singer, musician, poet, or comedian. 

• Taipo: “Nepalese Nights” - Browse and purchase handcrafted art and goods made by local artisans in Nepal while listening to live music and enjoying Nepali-inspired food and drinks. 

• Grease Monkey: “Live Music on the Patio” - Join us from 5 to 8 p.m. for a night of live music from Rosy L. and delicious food on the patio at Grease Monkey Burgers!  

• Inclusion Coffee: “Ornament Making Mini-Classes” - Grab a hot beverage and enjoy an ornament-making class. First class is at 5 p.m. with a new class every 30 mins, last class at 7:30 p.m. Cost $15 per person. No registration needed.  

• J. Gilligan's: “ Holiday Paint & Sip” - Enjoy a self-guided Holiday mini canvas painting session. All materials provided, including a mini canvas, paint and brushes. Enjoy free chips and salsa while sipping on a drink from the bar. 

• The Cultures Commodities: ”Shop, Hot Choc-olate and Rock” - Warm up with free hot chocolate while enjoying live music from Trey Denton out front. Explore our curated selection of vintage and fresh sneaker drops.  

• The Sanford House Inn & Spa: “Holiday Photos & Barbershop Quartet” - Take festive photos while enjoying the sounds of a live barbershop quartet. Our property is blanketed in bright and festive ornamentation for photos! 

• Fuzzy’s Taco Shop / Cheba Hut: “Live Music on the Patio” - Check out the newly opened Cheba Hut or grab some classic Fuzzy’s tacos while enjoying live music from Max Segura on the new patio.  

• Division Brewing: “Rock the Growl - Open Mic Night” - Stop by and enjoy an open mic night showcasing local talent. Join us for a night of live music, craft beer & delicious pizza from Division Brewing, and great company. 

• Kung Fu Tea: “Hot Cocoa & Crafting the Kung Fu Tree” - Order a hot chocolate or festive boba drink, paint a free ornament, then add it to our Kung Fu Community tree. All materials provided and free to participate.  

Live Entertainment  

• Mary Dooley Art - Live Chalk Art in the City Center Plaza  

• Create Texas Showcase & Open House - Enjoy live art in the windows and live music on the sidewalk at the former Arlington Museum of Art. Once inside, explore the renovated space and check out local art, plus tour the studios, Basement Gallery & Stage for the newly opened CreateTexas at Wellspring 

• Jorge Vargas Saxaphone - Enjoy the live sax stylings of musician Jorge Vargas at City Center Plaza in front of the Arlington Public Library 

Come back to Downtown Arlington on Wednesday, Dec. 11, to watch the classic holiday movie “Elf.” Grab the family, get your hot chocolate ready and enjoy a night of Buddy the Elf’s shenanigans at Arlington Music Hall. 

Doors open at 4 p.m., and the movie begins at 6 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making an appearance! Hot chocolate and other festive treats will be available while you watch! Tickets are just $9, click here to purchase.