Come all ye faithful

LOVERS

Lane United Methodist Church

9200 INWOOD ROAD

The church’s annual Family Advent Celebration from noon-3 p.m. on Dec. 4 wouldn’t be complete without make-a-plate and a birthday cake celebration for Jesus. A hot dog lunch will be served to those who register in advance. Visit llumc.org for all the details or to register.

Carols, handbell songs and a children’s chorus are all part of the repertoire of the church’s Sanctuary Choir, Sanctuary Ringers, KIDSing and Lovers Lane Sign Choir’s for Candlelight Carols at 6 p.m. on Dec. 18.

NORTHPARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

9555 NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY

John Rutter’s “Gloria” reimagines the words the angels sang when Christ’s birth was announced. NorthPark Presbyterian’s Sanctuary Choir performs the classic song written in 1974 as its 2016 Advent musical offering, scheduled at 11 a.m. on Dec. 11. Afterward, the Jolly Ol’ Elf makes an appearance during a holiday lunch. The holiday cheer then continues at 1 p.m. when assisted living facility residents are serenaded with Christmas tunes. Learn more at northparkpres.org

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WITHIN 5 MILES

THE ‘12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS’ — LITERALLY

The Dallas Arboretum takes the traditional tune to new heights. Want to see nine ladies dancing or seven swans swimming? The botanical garden sets up fanciful scenes with painstaking attention to detail, right down to the rhinestone-encrusted pears. Called “12 Days of Christmas at Night,” the event offers a rare chance to tour the arboretum after dark. Tickets are $12, and the event is held from 6-9 p.m. on Nov. 9-Dec. 30, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas. Get all the details at dallasarboretum.org.

2 A Forest Of Twinkling Lights

Just up the Tollway, Addison’s Vitruvian Park transforms into a winter wonderland with hundreds of sparkling lights and unlimited holiday cheer. The celebration begins Nov. 25 with visits from Santa Claus and his reindeer, an elf balloon artist, toy drive and a performance by the John Kahn Orchestra. Musical performances continue Saturday evenings, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, respectively. The Vitruvian Lights create holiday magic until Jan. 1. Get all the details at vitruvianpark.com

3 The Biggest Tree In Dallas

ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

5922 ROYAL LANE

The Blue Christmas Service provides comfort to those coping with loss during the holiday season. The service on Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in the chapel is open to anyone facing grief, sadness or harship. Visit stlukesdallas.org for all the details.

UNTRADITIONAL TRADITIONS

The GEORGE W. BUSH PRESIDENTIAL CENTER is so happy about the holidays that they’re celebrating them until Jan. 8. “A Season of Merriment and Melody: Christmas at the White House 2004” revisits the 2004 White House holiday tours, recreating the elaborately wonderland vignettes depicting popular holiday tunes. Get the details at bushcenter.org

The Friends of the Northaven Trail’s LIGHT THE TRAIL PARTY next to 10937 Edgemere Road brings the holidays to our backyard on Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. Catered by Urban Crust, the neighborhood party also features a clothing drive for Project Warm Us, which collects warm clothing for the homeless in North Texas. Visit northaventrail.org for all the details.

You want a bigger tree? The biggest indoor Christmas tree in the country? It’s just outside our neighborhood, at Galleria Dallas at I-635 and Dallas Parkway. The mall annually showcases a 95-foot, ornament- and light-laden popular winter break destination. Friday, Nov. 25, at noon of December includes Olympian Johnny Weir and skating champs Ricky Dornbush and Ryan Bradley performing Saturdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, respectively. All shows are free, begin at 6 p.m. and feature young local and regional athletes. Each production closes

Missile Toes lighting the Galleria Dallas Christmas Tree with what promoters call “pyrotech- galleriadallas.com

4 On The Run

Not every holiday tradition is centered on shopping or Christmas treats. Sometimes the winter months means lacing up your sneakers, pulling on a warm hat and pounding the pavements with hundreds of other people. The BMW Dallas Marathon, as well as the Half Marathon and Behringer Relay, are celebrating 46 years of athletes running the city course. This year’s event happens on Dec. 11 with races stepping off at 8:05 a.m. Find out more at bmwdallasmarathon.com