Dickens of a Christmas 

Location: Downtown Historic McKinney Square
Dates: Nov 23-24, 2007@ 10 am - 8 pm; Nov 25 from noon to 6pm

McKinney has a fun way to ring in the holidays – Dickens of a Christmas in downtown!  Beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving and lasting the entire weekend following, the roads to downtown are blocked off and a Christmas celebration unfolds.

It seems that the whole square has turned into a holiday town overnight!   Christmas music can be heard streaming out of participating shops.   A few carolers can be seen and heard strolling around the square.  A stage was set up for live entertainment - everything from bands singing favorites and holiday music to dance numbers performed by local children.  Hot cider, coffee, funnel cakes and holiday treats are sold around the old courthouse.  At night, the trees glisten with magical, golden lights.  And from 3-8pm it snowed in McKinney!  Snow blowers set the mood with snowy rooftops! Yes, it seems that Christmas truly has arrived! 

Local vendors set up booths beckoning the crowd to come and view their goods.  There was even a spot set up for children to have their photos taken with Santa!  Be sure to bring your camera so you can get your own Santa Photo keepsake!  There were lots of things for kids to do - a free bounce house, puppet shows, free arts & crafts at the Art Institute of McKinney and a petting zoo for only $2!

Dickens of a Christmas is a wonderful way to welcome in the Christmas season.  On the Friday evening following Thanksgiving, there is a tree lighting ceremony just west of the square at Mitchell Park.  We missed the tree lighting, but we did see the tree erected tall and shining beautifully.  Make Dickens of a Christmas part of your holiday tradition!