The holidays officially arrive in Amarillo with the annual Center City Electric Light Parade on Friday.
This year’s “A West Texas Christmas” parade kicks off at 6 p.m. on Polk Street, beginning at 11th Avenue and running north to Fourth Avenue.
“We have more than 70 floats again this year, including a hula hoop group and some dance teams,” said Beth Duke, Center City of Amarillo executive director. “With the Electric Light Parade, all floats must be lighted or glow. For the theme, we expect some windmills, cowboy hats and maybe a tumbleweed or two.”
Admission is free, and while you’re downtown, enjoy one of the Polk Street restaurants in the Downtown Dining district.
The Amarillo Little Theatre Academy will open its sold-out, two-weekend run of Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! on Friday. (Don’t have tickets? Call to get on the standby list.)
Ahead of opening night, I asked the young stars of the show, based on the popular Junie B., First Grader series by Barbara Park, an important, hard-hitting question: What, exactly, does Batman smell like?
“Probably not good.” — Nora Hill, 11, “Junie B.”
“A little like stinky socks and sweat.” — Dean Newman, 10, “Herb”
“Cheese.” — James Birkenfeld, 12, “Sheldon”
“Rotten eggs. I would say he does not smell that great.” — Ben Vasquez, 10, “José”
“Eggs.” — Chloe Shreffler, 11, “Lucille”
“Hmm, maybe, like (laughs) bad because he’s defeating bad guys all the time.” — Viviana Hemmerich, 9, “May”
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Dec. 12, 2:30 and 7:30 pm. Saturday and Dec. 13, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 14 in the ALT Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle. Call 806-355-9991.
This week’s other can’t-miss options:
Festival of Lights: 6 p.m. Wednesday; West Texas A&M University’s Charles K. and Barbara Kerr Vaughan Pedestrian Mall; free; 806-651-0000
Christmas in the Gardens: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday; continues through Dec. 27; 1400 Streit Drive; admission free for members, $10 nonmembers; 806-352-6513
Christmas in the Hood: 7 p.m. Thursday; Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.; tickets $15; 806-378-3096
First Friday Art Walk: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday; Arts in the Sunset, 3701 Plains Blvd.; free; 806-354-8802
Amarillo Lights at Maxwell’s: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday; continues through Dec. 23; admission $22.95; 12908 S. Bell St.; 806-373-9600
Amarillo Wranglers: 7:14 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Amarillo Civic Center Complex Coliseum, 401 S. Buchanan St.; tickets $21 to $32; 806-378-3096
Erica Lane: Here We Come A Caroling: 7:30 p.m. Friday; Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.; tickets $36 to $46; 806-378-3096
David Adam Byrnes: 9 p.m. Friday; The Western Horseman, 2501 E. Interstate 40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
Barrio Christmas Ball: 6 p.m. Saturday; The Rock Event Center, 310 Ross St.; free with one unwrapped toy, tables available; 806-336-3455
The Repeat Offenders Christmas Show: 7 p.m. Saturday; Chalice Abbey, 2717 Stanley St., Suite A; $15 suggested donation; 806-576-2480
Next Stop Comedy: 7 p.m. Saturday; Old Tascosa Brewing Co., 3100 S.W. Sixth Ave.; tickets $25; 806-681-4050
Lee Scheetz & Borderline: 9 p.m. Saturday; The Western Horseman, 2501 E. Interstate 40; 806-379-6555, Ext. 2999
Movie options:
New releases: Horror sequel Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (Cinemark Hollywood 16, 9100 Canyon Drive, and Cinergy, 9201 Cinergy Square)
Special engagements: Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair (opens Thursday, Cinemark Hollywood 16); Broadway musical Merrily We Roll Along (Thursday through Dec. 18, Cinemark Hollywood 16); Wedding Crashers 20th anniversary (Thursday and Dec. 11, Cinemark Hollywood 16); A Christmas Story (Saturday and Wednesday, Cinemark Hollywood 16); André Rieu’s 2025 Christmas Concert: Merry Christmas (Sunday and Dec. 10, Cinemark Hollywood 16)
