Society Life Magazine

Let there be lights | Let there be lights! One of the most festive times of the year is upon us. The City of Southlake and Southlake Town Square invite you to come Home for the Holidays with a weekend designed to get you in the true holiday spirit, November 21 through 23 in Southlake Town Square.

To get you and yours in the mood for the holidays, the ninth annual Home for the Holidays Lighting Celebration will officially start the season on Saturday, November 22 from 3pm until 9pm. The entire community is invited to join in on all of the hometown holiday festivities, although the event will draw many visitors from all across the Metroplex.

To transform Southlake Town Square into a winter wonderland, it takes a crew of about 15 people approximately 3,000 man hours to decorate. Among the plethora of decorations, you’ll find layers of garland, decadent wreaths and bows and more than 250,000 twinkling lights. There are so many lights that visitors flying to and from DFW Airport claim to see the lights from the air from miles away.

All of those sparkling lights, as well as the City Christmas tree, will be lit on November 22—by our very own holiday icon, Mr. Santa Claus. He will transform Southlake Town Square into a dazzling wonderland with a flip of a switch. All of these festivities will be taking place right in front of Southlake’s Town Hall. The holiday lights will dance across shop windows and the air will be filled with the sounds of the holidays—creating the perfect setting for you and your family to enjoy the beginning of the holidays.

In addition to the lighting ceremony, an assortment of other activities will be featured for children of all ages. To capture the spirit of the holidays, Southlake Town Square will have photos with Old St. Nick himself, Santa’s Mailbox—where your child can write a letter to Santa with all of their special wishes to which he will respond, a variety of Christmas crafts, and of course, carriage rides.
New this year is entertainment from The Showkids Holiday Musical and Storytelling by Santa’s Elf. The Square will be alive with the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Enjoy live entertainment provided by:

Visit with santa | While Father Christmas is said to reside at the North Pole with Mrs. Claus, he will be in our neck of the woods this holiday season. He’ll be making his list and checking it twice. Come by and visit with Santa and his magical elves at Santa’s Village in Southlake Town Square.

Children of all ages enjoy a visit with Santa Claus. The charming Santa’s Village will welcome children and their parents throughout the holiday season at Southlake Town Square. Santa and his elf helpers will be available for special visits and photos at Santa’s Village in Rustin Park beginning Sunday, November 23rd. Take advantage of a variety of photo packages available on site, as John and Deanna Ashley of Ashley Nostalgia Photography capture this magical holiday moment that you will treasure for a lifetime. While you’re visiting Santa’s Village, remember to drop off your letter to Santa at the Village Post Office. Feel free to write your letter while you are there. If you leave a return address, you will receive a response from Santa himself. See Santa’s visiting schedule on this page for specific dates and times.
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Schedule for SANTA’S VILLAGE | Visit Santa’s Village and Get Your Photo Taken with Santa Claus Himself. For additional information please call: (817) 907-7587

Sun • Nov 23 • noon to 6pm
Fri • Nov 28 • noon to 6pm
Sat • Nov 29 • 11am to 6pm
Sun • Nov 30 • noon to 5pm
Sat • Dec 6 • 11am to 6pm
Sun • Dec 7 • noon to 6pm
Sat • Dec 13 • 11am to 6pm
Sun • Dec 14 • noon to 6pm
Sat • Dec 20 • 9am to 7pm
Sun • Dec 21 • noon to 6pm
Mon • Dec 22 • noon to 6pm
Tues Dec 23 • noon to 6pm
Wed • Dec 24 • noon to 5pm
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FESTIVAL OF TREES | The Greater Southlake Women’s Society began preparations last summer for their new annual fundraiser, Southlake “Festival of Trees.” This three-day spectacular event will take place November 21 through 23 at Southlake Town Square in conjunction with the annual tree lighting celebration. The weekend, presented by Park Place Mercedes Benz, is full of Christmas festivities centered around a magnificent contest of Christmas trees. Marvel through the festival and vote for your favorite decorated tree. Who knows, you may be the highest bidder and actually get to take one home. Local Kentucky Derby artist Trish Biddle is the official event artist and celebrity chef Grady Spears will serve up his signature cuisine at the VIP Holiday Affair on Friday evening. You won’t want to miss the holiday fashion show and luncheon that kick off the event on Friday. It’s sure to be the fashion event of the season as Southlake Town Square’s very own Harold’s store puts on a show that is sure to get you into the holiday spirit. Saturday is all about the kids and begins with a Sleigh Bell Fun Run through Town Square, a Teddy Bear Ball and an all day public viewing and voting at the Festival of Trees. This year’s event theme, “Making Spirits Bright,” is sure to delight as all of the proceeds from the event will benefit the many GSWS philanthropies. For more information, pricing and tickets please visit www.southlakefestivaloftrees.com

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WEEKEND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, November 21st
11am - 2pm • Holiday Luncheon and Fashion Show
7pm - 11pm • Making Spirits Bright... A Holiday Affair

Saturday, November 22nd
All Day • Barnes & Noble CISD Art Show
9am • Sleigh Bell Fun Run
10am - 7pm • Festival of Trees Open to the Public
3pm - 4:30pm • Festival of Trees Teddy Bear Ball
3pm - 4:30pm • Holiday Celebration Booths Open and Live Entertainment Begins
5:30pm • Southlake Community Band
6:30pm • Opening Remarks from Mayor Andy Wambsganss
6:30pm • Santa Arrives and Joins Brian Stebbins to Light Up the Square
6:45pm • Live Entertainment Continues
6:45pm • Children’s Crafts and Letter Writing to Santa Continue
6:45pm • Photos with Santa Begin
6:45pm • Carriage Rides Begin
8pm - 10pm • Festival of Trees VIP After Party

Sunday, November 23rd
12pm - 4pm • Festival of Trees Open to the Public

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GIDDY 'UP | Enjoy a holiday tradition from the past in Southlake Town Square. You will feel the romance of Christmas grow as you ride in the elegant horse-drawn carriage through the winter wonderland. The spirit of the season lives with each and every step the horse takes. What holiday celebration would be complete without a charming carriage ride to get you in the sleigh bell spirit? Again this year, Olde Tyme Carriage will be offering rides in the Square throughout this season.Southlake Town Square offers all of the holiday glitter and entertainment to get you and your family in the true spirit of the holidays. See the carriage rides schedule on this page for specific dates and times. Reservations are not required.

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Schedule for CARRIAGE RIDES | Take a Magical Carriage Ride Through the Winter Wonderland of the Square. For advanced reservations please call: (817) 925-4993 or visit www.oldtymecarriage.com

Sun • Nov 23 • 3pm to 6pm
Fri • Nov 28 • 5pm to 8pm
Sat • Nov 29 • 5pm to 8pm
Sun • Nov 30 • 3pm to 6pm
Sat • Dec 6 • 5pm to 8pm
Sun • Dec 7 • 3pm to 6pm
Sat • Dec 13 • 5pm to 8pm
Sun • Dec 14 • 3pm to 6pm
Sat • Dec 20 • 5pm to 8pm
Sun • Dec 21 • 3pm to 6pm
Mon • Dec 22 • 6pm to 8pm
Tues • Dec 23 • 6pm to 8pm
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Welcome to customer service at its best. Use the concierge service to answer all of your holiday queries and let them do the rest. Purchase gift cards, make dinner reservations, view restaurant menus, check movie schedules or just drop by to get information or directions to your favorite Southlake Town Square destinations. The concierge customer service desk is located in the office lobby on the west side of Town Hall between Jamba Juice and Rockfish Seafood Grill.

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Schedule for Holiday Concierge Service

Fri • November 28 • 11am to 8pm
Sat • November 29 • 11am to 8pm
Sun • November 30 • noon to 6pm

–During the month of December–

Mon-Sat • 11am to 8pm
Sun • noon to 6pm

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Give Them a Gift That You Know They Will Love | A Southlake Town Square gift card is the perfect gift for everyone on your list. You know that hard to buy for person. This is the answer. Gift cards are available in any denomination from $20 to $500 and are accepted at all of the Southlake Town Square merchants and restaurants. (See a complete listing of spending possibilities on page 26 of this magazine.) Gift cards may be purchased in person at the Southlake Town Square management office, the Concierge desk (starting 11/28) or online at www.shopsouthlaketownsquare.com. Cash, Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted. Happy shopping! For additional information please call: (817) 907-7587.