Irving, Texas Celebrates The Spirit Of The Season With A Variety Of Holiday Happenings And Special Hotel PackagesFrom gutsy gridiron games to cheerful concert celebrations, Irving, Texas, offers something for everyone this holiday season. With a variety of events and special hotel packages, those looking to celebrate the spirit of the season won’t have to travel any further than Irving to find an enchanting holiday experience. Irving Holiday HappeningsNothing is more traditional than football and the holidays, so join the Dallas Cowboys as they take on the New Orleans Saints Dec. 12 and long-time rivals, the Washington Redskins, Dec. 26 at Texas Stadium. Weekend getaway packages are available with or without game tickets; most include discount hotel rooms, transportation to and from the game, and other amenities. For more information on Dallas Cowboys Weekend Getaway Packages, visit the “hot deals” section at www.irvingtexas.com, or call the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-2-IRVING.
Enjoy an all-time holiday favorite with the Ballet Ensemble of Texas’ performance of “The Nutcracker,” presented Dec. 3-5 at the Carpenter Performance Hall of the Irving Arts Center. Experience the magic and wonderment of this holiday classic that’s sure to delight audiences of all ages. The Irving Arts Center is located at 3333 North MacArthur Blvd. For more information, call 972-252-ARTS or visit www.irvingartscenter.com.
The City of Irving’s “official” start of the holiday season occurs Dec. 4 with the Holiday Extravaganza Parade and Tree Lighting outside the Irving Civic Center Complex. Festivities begin at 4 p.m., with a holiday performance by the Calvary Temple Vocal Ensemble. A variety of area musical and dance groups, refreshments and a fireworks show are featured during the celebration, along with the evening’s guests of honor, Santa and Mrs. Claus. The Irving Civic Center is located at 825 W. Irving Blvd. Additional information is available through the City of Irving Parks and Recreation Department at 972-721-3636. Experience a celebration of “Christmases Past” at the Irving Heritage House on Dec. 5 from 3 to 5 p.m. A restored pioneer home built in 1912, the Heritage House’s holiday tour features period decorations and festive guides, which add a unique touch of history to the holiday season. The Irving Heritage House is located at 303 S. O’Connor Road. For more information, call 972-252-3838 or visit www.irvingheritage.com.
Enjoy a ride to your car (with all your shopping packages) by a member of local Irving Law Enforcement groups during Irving Mall’s “Cop-a-Ride” program Dec. 11 and 12. Drivers include the police chief, assistant police chiefs, captains, lieutenants and sergeants. Donations will be accepted for the Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting Special Olympics Texas, and Special Olympics merchandise will be for sale inside Irving Mall. Irving Mall is located at the intersection of Highway 183 and Belt Line Road North. For more information, call 972-255-0571 or visit www.simon.com. Children will enjoy creating their own holiday keepsake plates at Irving Mall’s Kidgits Holiday Celebration, “Milk and Cookies with Santa,” on Dec. 11 at 8 a.m. Once the treasures are finished, it’s time to write a letters to Santa, tackle holiday coloring, inspect a free goody bag and experience a surprise visit from St. Nick. Irving Mall is located at the intersection of Highway 183 and Belt Line Road North. For more information, call 972-255-0571 or visit www.simon.com. The Bracebridge Dinner on Dec. 14 provides a step back in time, taking a page from “Old Christmas,” authored by Washington Irving, the city’s namesake. Hosted by the Irving Heritage Society, the evening is an authentic Victorian celebration, featuring costumes and foods popular in the author’s time. The cost for the event is $75 and is being held at the Harvey Hotel DFW Airport, located at 4545 W. Carpenter Freeway (Highway 114). For tickets and additional information, call 972-252-3838 or visit www.irvingheritage.com. Additional information regarding Irving or any of these events is available from the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau at 972-252-7476, 800-2-IRVING or on-line at www.irvingtexas.com. Please note all events are subject to change. New Year's Eve Packages
Continue ringing in the New Year and join the cocktail party at the Terrace Lounge. New Year’s drinks and desserts along with live music and dancing from 9 p.m. until well after the ball drops in the Big Apple. The Four Seasons Resort and Club is located at 4150 North MacArthur Boulevard. For more information, contact Four Seasons room reservations at 972-717-2499 or Café on the Green reservations at 972-717-2420.
Packages cost $309 per couple (tax and gratuity not included). For those revelers that are looking for that special touch, the Omni Mandalay offers a “Suite Deal” at a special value of $342 per couple (tax and gratuity not included). Call 1-800-THE-OMNI to make reservations. For dinner only, the price is $65 per person (plus tax and gratuity) for seating at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Trevi’s is also offering seating at 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. at $80 per person (plus tax and gratuity). The Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas is located at 221 East Las Colinas Boulevard. For dinner reservations, call 972-869-5506. Special Holiday Hotel Rates And PackagesThe following Irving hotel packages are based upon availability; applicable taxes apply. For More information, visit the "hot deals" section at www.irvingtexas.com. Best Western Candlewood Suites – Dallas/Las Colinas Comfort Inn DFW South Comfort Suites Las Colinas Courtyard DFW South Clarion Hotel DFW Airport South Days Inn DFW North DFW Airport Marriott Fairfield Inn by Marriott Las Colinas Four Seasons Resort and Club Hampton Inn Las Colinas Harvey Suites Homestead Homewood Suites Knights Inn Mainstay Suites Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas Studio Plus Las Colinas Summerfield Suites by Wyndham Wingate Inn – DFW Wingate Inn Las Colinas About IrvingIrving, Texas, is located in the middle of the Dallas/Fort Worth area, immediately adjacent to DFW International Airport. The city boasts more than 75 hotels and is home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and PGA Tour’s EDS Byron Nelson Championship, as well as the Movie Studios at Las Colinas, National Scouting Museum, Mustangs of Las Colinas Sculpture and Exhibit, Las Colinas Equestrian Center and Polo Club, and Gondola Adventures on the European-styled Mandalay Canal. Edited by Madelyn Miller |
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Festive sights and sounds will fill the Irving Arts Center throughout the holiday season with “The Age of Chivalry: 12th Annual Holiday Exhibition and Tree Decorating Competition,” which runs Nov. 27-Jan. 2, 2005, in the Main Gallery of the Irving Arts Center. This festive exhibition features a holiday open house, greeting card workshops and “Holiday Saturdays,” which are free, family-friendly events featuring visits with Santa Claus and ICT Children’s Theatre productions on Dec. 4, 11 and 18. The Irving Arts Center is located at 3333 North MacArthur Blvd. For more information, call 972-252-ARTS or visit 
A special holiday treat awaits with Alan Menken and Tim Rice’s biblical oratorio “King David” Dec. 17 and 18 at the Irving Arts Center. This Lyric Stage production of “Kind David” is the first since its premiere as the inaugural event of Disney’s beautifully renovated New Amsterdam Theater on Broadway. The Irving Arts Center is located at 3333 North MacArthur Blvd. For more information, call 972-252-2787 or visit 
The perfect holiday gift for the entire family is waiting on Dec. 11 with “Home for the Holidays.” This delightful concert at the Carpenter Performance Hall of the Irving Arts Center invites audiences to be a part of a favorite holiday tradition with the Irving Symphony Orchestra, the Irving Chorale, a sing-along and a visitor from the North Pole. The Irving Arts Center is located at 3333 North MacArthur Blvd. For more information, call 972-252-ARTS or visit 
Celebrate New Year’s in style at the Four Seasons Resort and Club. Begin with reserving a room for a special holiday rate of $175 per night rate and then add a sumptuous dining experience at Café on the Green. The Café offers early and late seatings for revelers plus live musical entertainment. Seatings at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. are $55 per person and include a three-course menu with a choice of entrée. Later seatings are offered at 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. for $125 per person and include a five-course set menu with a choice of entrée. 
Ring in the New Year Mandalay-style at the Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas Dec. 31. Make plans to dine, dance and spend a night in one of Dallas’ most romantic locations. New Year’s Eve packages include a luxurious guestroom overlooking Lake Carolyn or the Dallas skyline; a chilled bottle of champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries upon arrival; an elegant five-course dinner for two; dancing, party favors and everyone’s favorite – a midnight balloon drop and champagne toast in Les Jardins; a fabulous breakfast for two in Trevi’s and a late checkout. 