Hometown and Heartfelt: Bring your family to Downtown for making memories together

Especially during the holidays, we feel nostalgia tug at our hearts. Some think of the giant Christmas tree by the Levitt where they take family photos every year. For others, it's their annual gatherings at J. Gill's or Hooligan's or Sanford House to exchange Secret Santa gifts. For still others, it's family nights out taking in a show at Theatre Arlington or a concert at Arlington Music Hall or watching the next generation of dancers perform in a Miss Persis holiday show.

Our lives are full of memories like these because in Downtown Arlington, we build things that people keep in their hearts. Places that hold us together. Hometown gems that make us feel proud. When we intend to make memories that really mean something, we gather in Downtown.
  

Bundle Up! Ideas for Gift Pairings in Downtown Arlington

At Christmas, why not take your friends and family where you know they love to spend time? Or treat your out-of-town guests to real local flavor? Curate the perfect day (or night) in your favorite places in Downtown Arlington. 

• Spend time with at their favorite Downtown restaurants, coffee shops, and pubs, like Hurtado Barbecue, J. Gilligan's, Inclusion Coffee, and Cane Rosso. And maybe ask Santa to slip some gift cards in their stockings, too!
• If your besties into DIY art classes, gift cards to Board & Brush, Catalyst Creative Arts, or Spark Studio Art are ideal ways to roll up your sleeves together. Or how about taking a dance class together at Miss Persis Studio of Dance? Another artful way to spend time: the Arlington Museum of Art offers 75% off admission to groups of 10 or more.
• If your group prefers a more high-energy vibe, grab some gift certificates to Arlington Yoga Center, DynoRock Indoor Climbing Center, Lone Star Axe Throwing, Texas Black Belt Academy, or Camp Tuf, or game to your hearts' content at Free Play Arcade or Wild West Comics. 
• We highly recommend the personal touch and unique shopping at The Man's Shop, Wildfire and Lace, the Arlington Museum of Art gift shop, HE Cannon Floral, Growl Records, Wild West Comics, Wondrous Works Gift Shop, and the UTA Bookstore for those special Mavericks in your life. 
• Don't forget to add a gift card for a mani-pedi at one of Downtown's full-service salon/spas.

Finally, be sure to add tickets to a show at Theatre Arlington, Arlington Music Hall, Arlington Museum of Art, Symphony Arlington, or UT Arlington (utatickets.com) and make it a night out. Here are some ideas to get you started, and click here for more: 
   

   
A Classical Christmas, plus the annual carol sing-along
Dec. 15 at 7:30 pm
Symphony Arlington

Symphony Arlington's annual Christmas concert features seasonal classics and the popular carol sing-along. Get your tickets now. 

Christmas from the Heart of Nashville
Dec. 16-17
Arlington Music Hall

So many terrific performances to choose from at The Hall this month! See the concert calendar and get tickets.    
     

DIY Workshop: Laser-cut Ornaments
Dec. 17 at 10:30 am
Downtown Library

The Downtown Library is offering a series of ho-ho-holiday inspired workshops throughout the month of December! Visit the event calendar for the complete schedule.  
    

Hooray for Holidays
through Dec. 18
Theatre Arlington

Theatre Arlington is bringing back their hilarious Christmas musical that features a special guest at each performance! Appropriate for ages 6 and up. Learn more.   
   

Downtown Arlington Photo Walk
Pet Portrait Crawl: Dec. 18 at 3 pm

Bring your camera, your pet, and meet up with fellow photography enthusiasts as we visit some of the best hang-outs in our neighborhood. A quick talk by a guest photographer kicks off our next Pet Portrait Photo Walk, which will last about 3 hours from start to finish. Photo walks are free; just let us know you're coming by registering in advance. Prizes sponsored by Arlington Camera! Learn more on our blog.    
   

Awaken Ensemble Christmas Concert
Dec. 18 at 3pm

Audience members are encouraged to bring items to be donated to the student food pantry at TCC. Tickets are $10 and students are free. Click for more info.
   

David Archulete: The More the Merrier Christmas Tour
Dec. 20 at 7:30 pm
Arlington Music Hall

So many terrific performances to choose from at The Hall this month! See the concert calendar and get tickets.   
    

Peppa Pig's Winter Adventures   
Dec. 26 at 6:00 pm
UTA College Park Center

Hey kids! Join Peppa Pig on an exciting camping trip in the winter woods with George and her school friends including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep, and Gerald Giraffe. Little piggies everywhere will love celebrating the season with this 60-minute live musical experience!
   

A Knight's Tale 
Arlington Museum of Art

Surround yourself in the world of Medieval and Renaissance knights at the Arlington Museum of Art! Direct from Florence, Italy, A Knight’s Tale features one-of-a-kind suits of armor dating back to the late 1400s, plus mounted equestrian figures, helmets, swords, shields, paintings, and more.
   

About Downtown Arlington

Designated by the State of Texas as the Arlington Cultural District, Downtown Arlington is where creativity, authenticity, and hometown pride thrive and drive what's next. Within its less than a two-mile radius, Downtown is home to the University of Texas at Arlington, a top-tier public research university, as well as prolific visual and performing artists and arts institutions, live entertainment, exciting NCAA and professional athletics, one-of-a-kind dining and retail, and a supportive business climate. Stay in the know by subscribing to our e-newsletter and by following us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.