A Very McKinney Holiday – Find the Top 2026 Events
From timeless classics to new favorites, discover the best holiday events in McKinney, Texas! Create new family traditions or wow out-of-town guests with the charm of a McKinney holiday celebration. If you live in a CB JENI community, you’ll discover tons of options right outside your doorstep as you create memories with those you love.
McKinney’s Top 2026 Holiday Events
Check the websites for ticket information and other updates.
Home for the Holidays ﹘From Nov. 27-29, head to Historic Downtown McKinney for the “small town feel, big holiday spirit” celebration. Enjoy visits and photos with Santa, extended shopping hours, kids’ activities, and more. Kick off the season with the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 27 at 6:15 p.m. Stay for hours to enjoy the live music, strolling characters, holiday train, petting zoo, and family-friendly rides!
McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra Christmas Concert﹘Do you love seasonal orchestra music to get you in the holiday spirit? This concert will feature favorite Christmas tunes with original arrangements from Celtic styles to Jazz, Pop and Rock. The concert is Dec. 3 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the MPAC. Get tickets in advance.
Annual Holiday Tour of Homes﹘Well-loved tradition to tour six holiday homes in historic Downtown McKinney. Enjoy brunch or tea in our beautiful Bevel House, and Christmas festivities at Chestnut Square.
Christmas in the Village﹘Enjoy this old-fashioned festival in McKinney’s Chestnut Square Historic Village. This wonderful tradition includes holiday lighting, kids’ activities, crafts, concessions, and holiday gift market.
McKinney Rotary Christmas Parade of Lights﹘ Head to downtown for this year’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” parade of lights. Trolley service is available from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. for this local favorite.
12 Wines of Christmas Wine Walk﹘Break out your ugly Christmas sweater for this event. Tickets benefit local non-profits, while you experience the charm of a real-life Hallmark movie while sipping on festive wine and wine cocktails inside local downtown boutiques.
Holidays at the Heard ﹘ This affordable, festive family-friendly fundraising event will be a joy for the whole family. Holiday lights and décor accentuate the lovely half-mile Heard nature trail for an enchanting nighttime hike through the woods. Guests will also enjoy live music.
Dinosaurs Live﹘A non-traditional Christmas activity, this one-of-a-kind exhibit could be an experience gift for the kids or a treat for out-of-town guests. Walk through Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary’s nature trails to experience life-size Animatronic Dinosaurs. Fossil digs and photo ops complete this memorable experience.
Don’t forget about local arts and crafts classes, library events and opportunities to give back! View the Visit McKinney website and Town of McKinney page for more holiday events. To find some of the greater DFW area events, from Lights at the Zoo to the Texas Motor Speedway’s Gift of Lights, check out list of fun winter activities.
To find a home in the thriving McKinney community, discover the gorgeous CB JENI communities at Painted Tree Village and Painted Tree Woodland Districts. Current residents, don’t forget to check out your neighborhood HOA pages for their holiday events.
