“MAY YOUR CANDLELIGHT BE MERRY AND BRIGHT!”
Featuring a celebration of songs of the season, American Flyer model train exhibit, local artisans, holiday exhibits, traditional carolers, carriage rides, entertainment, & some of Dallas’ most popular food trucks
Begin the holiday season with Texas’ earliest residents and see how holiday traditions were celebrated in the late 1800s on December 13 and 14, 3 - 9 p.m., at the 43rd Annual Candlelight Celebration at Dallas Heritage Village, 1515 South Harwood, Dallas, Texas 75215, sponsored by Baylor Scott & White Health.
“May Your Candlelight be Merry and Bright” will be this year’s theme, celebrating songs of the season with performers, stories behind these holiday favorites, and crafts inspired by these treasured tunes. Bask in the beauty of holidays past with seasonal décor and traditional celebrations featured throughout the Village. Take a stroll and experience gleeful carolers, holiday storytelling, hand-weaving, blacksmithing, interpreters in traditional costume, and many other festive activities such as the popular American Flyer model train exhibit in the Depot, operated by the Lone Star Flyer Model Train Club.
“There are few places that get people in the holiday spirit like Candlelight, which sets a beautiful landscape for the season, honoring and creating memories,” said Melissa Prycer, president and executive director, Dallas Heritage Village. “Candlelight is a magical event that has been a holiday tradition in Dallas for 43 years, and we welcome visitors from across the globe.”
During Candlelight, pioneer and Victorian Texas is brought to life by characters dressed in period costumes. Guests may explore 38 historic buildings, circa 1840 to 1910, traditionally decorated by area garden clubs. Different family holiday traditions and activities are celebrated at Candlelight by interpreters. Visit with Mrs. Freeman in the Shotgun House and Mrs. de Léon in her two-room Tejano home, both preparing for the holidays. At the 1860s Farmstead, see how early Dallas pioneers enjoyed a modest Christmas as the country approached the Civil War. Listen to Cowboys tell tales around the bonfire, and stop by the Alamo saloon for a root beer and a game of dominoes. Don’t forget to visit a special 19th century guest, St. Nicholas, in the newly renovated Depot and snap a photo with him. While there, stop by to see the American Flyer model train exhibit.
Also in Browder Springs Hall and the Law Office, kids may participate in hands-on holiday crafts inspired by treasured Christmas tunes. Decorate a song book with sheet music ornament cutouts then select a few favorite carols to add to the book. Other crafts include making jingle bell bracelets from chenille craft stems and jingle bells; paper chains from Christmas sheet music paper accented with glitter; and crystal music note ornaments made from the icicle beads.
Attendees may also ride around the Village in a surrey pulled by the Village’s loveable Mammoth Jack donkeys Nip and Tuck ($5 per rider) or a hay wagon pulled by a vintage tractor ($3 per rider). Local food trucks, such as Easy Slider, Rock & Roll Tacos, Ruthie’s, and more will have delicious food available to purchase. Wine and beer, Kettle Korn, and roasted nuts will also be available for purchase.
Local musicians, dancers and storytellers entertain at the Renner School (circa 1888), on the Main Street (circa 1900) stage, in the Pilot Grove Church (circa 1890), on porches of Victorian homes and along the candlelit pathways of the Village. Holiday tales will be recounted and seasonal songs sung by strolling carolers throughout the village. Local entertainment groups include dance companies, musicians, bands, choirs, and many others. Performers to date include Shufflin’ Shoes Cloggers, Wortham All-Honors Choir; Dallas Storytelling Guild; Heritage Fife Corps; Canterbury Episcopal School Choir; Lorenzo de Zavala Select Choir; Southwest Children’s Chorus; Charity Kountz; Buttermilk Junction; UU Carolers; Satisfaction!; North Texas Civilian Historians; Shandon O’Regan Irish Dancers; Lakewood Presbyterian Varsity Chorus; Creative Arts Dance Team; Old Crusty Minstrels; Metroplex Folk Music Societies; Dallas Old Time Jam; Preston Meadow Lutheran Church Choir. For a complete list of performers and performance times, please visit www.DallasHeritageVillage.org.
All proceeds from Candlelight, the museum’s biggest annual public fundraiser, benefit museum programs at Dallas Heritage Village. General admission to Candlelight (gate prices) is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 65+ and $8 for children ages 4-12. Children 3 and under and museum members are free. Tickets purchased online at www.DallasHeritageVillage.org by December 11 are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65+ and $6 for children. Visit http://www.dallasheritagevillage.org/candlelight for more details or call 214-421-5141. Farmers Market, one block north of Dallas Heritage Village on Harwood Street, offers limited free public parking. Self-parking at the Village is available for $5 and valet-parking for $10 per vehicle. Guests with valid handicap tags will be able to valet park for $5.
Candlelight corporate and family sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Lisa Simpson at 214-413-3662, lsimpson@dallasheritagevillage.org. Various sponsorship levels are available with benefits as well as area and activity sponsorships.
Special Days during the Holiday Season
Decorated by local garden clubs and community groups, the Village’s 38 historic structures will be open for touring during regular museum hours throughout December. Hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday, 12-4 p.m. (Closed on Monday).
With the exception of December 13 and 14, free parking is available at the Village throughout the season.
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Dallas Heritage Village, located at Old City Park, is a nationally accredited history museum, depicting life in Dallas from 1840-1910. It is one of only five museums in the Dallas area to have this distinction. The grounds showcase 38 historic structures, including log cabins, the pre-Civil War Millermore home, a Victorian Main Street, a railroad complex, an 1860s farmstead with livestock, a 19th century church, school and more. Visitors discover how crops were grown, animals cared for and how family living progressed from log cabins to grand manors and Victorian homes. Dallas Heritage Village is supported, in part, by the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs and the Texas Commission on the Arts as well as individual and group donations. Dallas Heritage Village was nominated in 2011 and 2012 by D Magazine as one of the top Dallas-area family attractions. It is located at 1515 South Harwood, one block south of Farmers Market in Downtown Dallas. Hours of operation are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, noon – 4 p.m. The Village is closed the months of January and August. Regular admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors 65+ and $5 for children ages 4-12. Children under 4 and members of Dallas Heritage Village are admitted free of charge. For more information call 214-421-5141 or visit www.DallasHeritageVillage.org