Events
1The new Perot Museum of Nature and Science, that big, silver cube in Dallas that some might have thought to be The Borg from Star Trek, opens Saturday, a few weeks ahead of schedule. Check out the galleries, the large-format films Meerkats and Sea Monsters in the Hoglund Theater, the Motion Lab (where you can test your speed against a T. Rex or a cheetah) and the many innovative spaces and interactive exhibits, inside and out.
10 a.m.-midnight Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. 2201 N. Field St., Dallas. Tickets $10-$20. 214-428-5555; www.perotmuseum.org
2You can tell Andrea Bocelli is the current bestselling opera singer because not many other opera stars can fill arenas and stadiums. The tenor's tour brings him to Dallas on Friday night.
8 p.m. Friday. American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Lane, Dallas. $78.50-$353.50. 800-745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com
3A Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place, the annual tour of historic homes decorated for the holidays, has become a Fort Worth tradition. So even if it's 70 degrees this weekend, it'll feel a lot like Christmas in Ryan Place.
Tour times are 6-10 p.m. Friday, 2-10 p.m. Saturday, 2-6 p.m. Sunday. Ticket porch at corner of Elizabeth Boulevard and Sixth Avenue. $15 in advance, $20 day of tour. www.historicryanplace.org
4Western Swing kingpins Asleep at the Wheel return to Tarrant County with a holiday show, Santa Loves to Boogie, at Casa Mañana on Thursday night. They will play some of their most popular tracks mixed in with Christmas tunes with a Texas flavor, such as Swingin' Silent Night and Merry Texas Christmas Y'all.
7:30 p.m. Thursday. Casa Mañana, 3101 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth. $25-$35. 817-332-2272; casamanana.org
Local arts
5Iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright built homes that lovers of mid-century everything still fawn over. With "Samara: A Mid-Century Dream Home," here's your chance to learn more about the creation of the acclaimed house, in West Lafayette, Ind.
Saturday through Feb. 17. Arlington Museum of Art, 201 W. Main St., Arlington. $5-$8. 817-275-4600; www.arlingtonmuseum.org
6With Annie, tomorrow is always a day away, so don't wait until tomorrow to catch the family favorite at Theatre Arlington.
Friday through Dec. 16. Theatre Arlington, 305 W. Main St., Arlington. $12-$17. 817-275-7661; www.theatrearlington.org
7"Inside a City" is an exhibit of works by Raul Gonzalez, an artist who celebrates the various characters who make up the civic landscape. Take a look at his images of utility men, street vendors, construction workers and landscapers.
Saturday through Jan. 27. Rose Marine Theater, 1440 N. Main St., Fort Worth. Free. Opening reception is 6-9 p.m. Saturday. 817-624-8333; www.rosemarinetheater.com
Family
8It's the season for gingerbread cookies and holiday candy, and the perfect time for the holiday show The Story of Hansel and Gretel, opening Friday at Ohlook Performing Arts Center. Hansel and Gretel's Gastronomical Gingerbread Party follows the performance. It's a 30-minute opportunity to decorate cookies, have a snack, get autographs and take photos.
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; repeats Dec. 7-9. Ohlook Performing Arts Center, 1631 W. Northwest Highway, Grapevine. Performance $10-$12. Post-show party is additional $5 per child. 817-421-2825; www.ohlookperform.com
9See Scuba Santa and his elf take the plunge into the 145,000-gallon fish and shark tank Wednesdays and Saturdays in December during "Holly Jolly Holidays" at SeaLife Aquarium. You can also write a letter to Santa over free cookies and milk from 3 to 4 p.m. December aquarium hours are 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.
Dives are at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12 and 19, and Dec. 8, 15 and 22. SeaLife Aquarium of Grapevine, 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine. Admission online: $17.59, $12.18 ages 3-12, under 3 free. At the door: $20.57, $16.24 ages 3-12. www.visitsealife.com/Grapevine
10Harkins Theatre in Southlake will be showing several holiday movies for the family Saturday mornings this month, as part of its "Classic Series." The lineup begins this weekend with How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Also scheduled: Elf, on Dec. 8, and A Christmas Story, on Dec. 15.
10 a.m. Saturdays, through Dec. 15. Harkins Theatres Southlake 14, 1450 Plaza Place, Southlake. $7, $5 ages 3-13. www.harkinstheatres.com
-- Compiled by Mark Lowry, Kathy Hailey and Cary Darling
