Holiday Open House: Travel back in time to Victorian England for the annual Holiday Open House from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. The Open House will feature photo opportunities with Santa, a wonderland of festive trees, an art display by local elementary students and a free one-hour performance of the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol.” For more information, visit www.irvingartscenter.com.
Holiday Extravaganza: Kick off the holiday season with the Holiday Extravaganza on Dec. 3. The holiday parade will begin at 4 p.m. and travel through the Heritage District, followed by the tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 825 W. Irving Blvd. At the tree lighting, there will be a holiday stage show, children’s activities and fireworks. For details, call (972) 721-2501.
Chili Cook-Off: As part of the Holiday Extravaganza, the Police and Fire departments will host the Blue Christmas Chili Cook-Off from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at Heritage Park, 217 Main St. Contestant entry fee is $20 for chili, $5 for beans and a new unwrapped toy. Attendees may purchase a tasting cup for $5. Proceeds will benefit the Blue Christmas Toy Drive. To enter the chili cook-off contest, call (972) 721-4913. To reserve a vendor booth, call (972) 721-2501.
Toy Drive: The Police and Fire departments are again hosting the Blue Christmas Toy Drive. Donations of new, unwrapped toys for children ages 1–16 (gifts for teens are most needed), as well as canned and box food items, can be dropped off at any Irving fire station through Dec. 16. For more information, call (972) 721-2746. View a list of fire station locations.
Holiday Lights Display: The Holiday Lights at Centennial Park will be on display from dusk to 10 p.m. Dec. 3-26. The display will feature a festive arrangement of holiday-themed illuminated exhibits. The park is located at 444 W. Second St. There is no admission charge. For more information, call (972) 721-2501.
Eco-Holiday Tea: Learn about green gift ideas, eco-wrapping and eco-entertainment options over tea and a light lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Glory House Bistro, 109 S. Main St. Attendees will receive an eco-holiday gift and have a chance to win prizes. Registration and $10 fee per person are required. Register for the Eco-Holiday Tea.
Free Gift Wrapping: The Irving Public Library will sponsor holiday gift wrapping services provided by the Young Adult Action Council (YAAC) and student volunteers with the All Wrapped Up program. Take some of the hassle out of holiday preparations by bringing gifts to the Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd., between noon and 5 p.m. Dec. 17. All Wrapped Up will offer a unique selection of wrapping paper styles. Gift wrapping service is limited to 10 items per person and will be available while supplies last. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Gift wrapping for oversized items will not be available. For more information, call (972) 721-2606.
Holiday Closings: City offices will be closed Dec. 26 and Jan 2. There will be no residential trash, curbside recycling or brush collection on those days. The Hunter Ferrell Landfill will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. The drop-off recycling centers will close at 3 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31, and will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Libraries and recreation centers will not be open Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1-2. Heritage Aquatic Center will close at 2 p.m. Dec. 22, and will remain closed Dec. 23-25, 31 and Jan. 1. North Lake Aquatic Center will be closed Dec. 22-Jan. 2. Irving Arts Center administration offices and Box Office will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan 1; arts center galleries and Box Office will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 31.
Christmas Tree Roundup: Trees will be collected as a regular part of Irving’s weekly brush/bulky waste pick-up from Dec. 27-Jan. 9. Weekly brush/bulky waste collection is offered the same day as curbside recycling. To find out more about curbside recycling and weekly brush/bulky waste collection, call (972) 721-8059. Christmas trees also will be accepted at the following locations Dec. 26-Jan. 8:
- Cottonwood Park, 4051 N. Story Road
- Southwest Park, 2800 Shady Grove Road
- Drop-Off Recycling Center, 8555 Home Depot Drive (east corner of The Home Depot parking lot)
- Hunter Ferrell Landfill, 220 W. Hunter Ferrell Road
(7 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. daily, except Christmas and New Year’s Day)
Whether trees are recycled at curbside or at drop-off locations, residents must remove all obstructions such as tree stands, lights, tinsel, nails and ornaments. All plastic bags covering the tree also must be removed. All trees collected as part of this program will be mulched and made available for a nominal fee at the Hunter Ferrell Landfill. Call (972) 721-7322 for details.
Dumpster Enclosure Ordinance: The deadline for compliance with the city’s commercial container or dumpster ordinance is Dec. 31. Based on the standards, any dumpster that can be seen from a public street, residence or private property must be screened on three sides with masonry, architectural metal panels or similar construction materials and must have a wooden or metal gate. In some special cases, stained cedar enclosures will be allowed. Walls and gates must be at least a foot higher than the container they are covering. For more information, call (972) 721-4829.
Spirited Youth Award: Nominations are being accepted for Irving’s Spirited Youth Award, which recognizes local youth for character and excellence in community service. Applications submitted by the end of each quarter will be reviewed for award consideration. Winners will be notified by phone or email. Awards will be presented at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 during the Friday Night Live Teen Talent Competition (hosted by the Lively Pointe Youth Center) at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. For more information, call (972) 721-8090. Download the Irving Spirited Youth Nomination Form.
