Santa Days Celebration Dallas, Texas

Bring the child or pet in your life to the Plaza at Preston Center for a photo with Santa and his famous friend, Ferguson Rifle, a rare miniature horse Dec. 20.

In Preston Hollow, a suburb of Dallas, Texas, the free 12th Annual Santa Days Celebration takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 8300 Preston Road. (Source: Donna Harris).

"From Santa's crimson robe to the peppermint sticks topping Ferguson's cupcakes, red is the jolliest color of the season and Santa's elves have worked extra hard on decorating this year's new holiday tree - a festive display of shiny red ornaments and gifts illuminated by white twinkle lights," states Texas Monthly.

The horse is 16 years old, according to research.

For more information, call 469-232-0000.

Later that night from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. the adults can enjoy Starlight Party Night at the Lift Lounge at 2404 Cedar Springs Road in Dallas. You can be a merry helper to the Starlight Foundation as they host a rock party to help families with seriously ill children, according to uptowndallas.net. For nearly 25 years Starlight has helped these kids and their families deal with the pain of having a terminal illness in their lives.

Starlight is one of Colgate's Colgate Cares Programs as well.

For information on the organization, see starlight.org online.

A Menorah Lighting will be held at the West Village, 3699 McKinney Avenue, also in Dallas Dec. 21, 6-8 p.m. Everyone is invited to the global celebration and 2nd annual event of the Festival of Lights that includes the traditional lighting with food and live music, writes Harris.

Kindling Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) lights is the most important Hanukkah custom and one of the purposes of Menorah lighting is to publicize the miracle to one's family.

"The Chanukah lights should be lit when the stars appear," says writer Eliyahu Kitov.

The first two blessings are said with the Shamash already lit but immediately prior to lighting the Chanukah candles, according to one website. The menorah may not be moved after the lighting, tradition states.

The Jewish Festival of Lights involves the lighting of candles for eight days. The occasion starts on the 25th day of the Jewish Calendar month of Kislev.

The contact number for the Dallas event is 214-632-2633.