Public Skate: Amarillo Ice Ranch hosts Santa Claus for this holiday party. (6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday; 301 S. Grant St.; admission $15; 806-242-4231)
35 Drive: The Texas country band (featuring Anthony Enriquez, late of Shotgun Rider) hits town for a show at Hoots Pub. (9 p.m. Wednesday; 2424 Hobbs Road; cover)
Christmas Eve Eve Snowball Fight: The organizers of Candy Cane Lane, one of Amarillo’s most festive neighborhoods, close out the season with this rambunctious night. Get there early — the fight will be over pretty quickly. (8 p.m. Thursday; Gainsborough Road and Coulter Street; free)
“The Matrix Resurrections”: The iconic sci-fi trilogy gets a new chapter with original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss and new faces that include Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Also opening Wednesday: tuneful animated sequel “Sing 2” and action prequel “The King’s Man.”
Bank of America Christmas in the Gardens: The Amarillo Botanical Gardens’ holiday tradition returns with thousands of lights a’twinkling. (Thursdays through Sundays through Dec. 23; tickets $8; 1400 Streit Drive; 806-352-6513)
Maxwell’s Magical Christmas: Enjoy a trail of lights, a visit with Santa Claus, lighted hayride trail, low ropes course, Candy Chaos obstacle course, wagon train ride, tube slides and more at this holiday extravaganza. (Friday and Saturday; continues through Dec. 30; 12908 S. Bell St.; tickets $15.95 online, $20.95 at the gate; 806-373-9600)
“Red Rocket”: Former MTV VJ Simon Rex is getting serious Oscar buzz for his role as a loveable manipulator in the latest from director Sean Baker (“Tangerine,” “The Florida Project.” Also opening Friday (yes, we get two waves of films this week): romantic drama “A Journal for Jordan” and sports drama “American Underdog.” Plus, don’t miss a special screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life” on Friday.
The Gift of Discovery:Get out of the house the day after Christmas to enjoy free admission at both Don Harrington Discovery Center, 1200 Streit Drive, and Wildcat Bluff Nature Center, 2301 N. Soncy Road. (noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday; 806-355-9547 or 806-352-6007)
