Thanksgiving is still a week away, but the holiday season is already underway with LOTS of yuletide-themed events on the Art&Seek calendar. There are so many, in fact, that we’ve created a Special Holiday Theme.

For this week’s Art&Seek Jr we’ve selected picks that are holiday-related but are simple enough that Thanksgiving doesn’t get completely lost or the littles are thrown into the deep end of the yuletide pool. In my opinion, it’s best to ramp up slowly with the Fa-la-la.

Photo: Good Local Markets

Do you know what’s so great about this time of year? Pie. I don’t know if it’s the crisp weather or all the Thanksgiving baking, but along about the second weekend in November, we’re reintroduced to pie. Embrace pie season and those who make pies this Saturday morning at Good Local Market’s 11th Annual Pie Contest.  In addition to the tradition contest, there is also a kids contest for junior bakers 16 and under. Winners will be selected in the categories of Fruit, Nut, Chocolate, Cream/Custard, Savory, and Best Overall. The entry fee is $10 per pie and (lucky you) all the pies are available for tasting for $5.

Photo: Dallas Zoo Lights

If you just can’t wait for the sparkle of holiday lights check out the illumination at the annual Dallas Zoo Lights display. That’s right the Zoo is once again decking the halls with over one million twinkling lights transforming it into a winter wonderland this holiday season. Take a walk along a path in ZooNorth and enjoy light-wrapped trees, lighted 2-D decorations, and new this year, silk-covered lanterns in the shape of your favorite animals. The event is free with regular Zoo admission.

Photo: GM Financial Fort Worth Parade of Lights

Speaking of lights, Fort Worth’s annual sparkling holiday lights tradition, the Parade of Lights, happens this Sunday right in the heart of downtown Fort Worth. Now in its 37th year, the theme this year is “Sounds of the Season.” This year’s parade will feature more than 100 floats, each with more than 12,000 lights, marching bands, decorated horse-drawn carriages, and casts of carolers. The night ends with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on a special LED-lit grand finale float.

Photo: Shutterstock.com

It may only be November, but now is the time to snap those pictures of the kids for the annual holiday card. Here’s a way to get a cute photo that will have everyone talking on the Christmas card list. The Mansfield Police Explorer Post 1601 is hosting its first annual Mugshots with Santa photoshoot this Saturday at the Mansfield Activities Center. Bring your cell phone and snap a picture of your kiddo with Santa in front of a mugshot backdrop. Props like an “I got caught peeking at presents” sign will also be available to add to your shoot. The cost is just $10 per person and $5 for each additional person (maximum of 4 people because of the size of the backdrop).

Photo: Theatre Arlington

Remember the great holiday specials when you were a kid? The whole family would gather around the TV and watch Red Skelton, Ed Sullivan, or Sonny and Cher put their own spin on the Yuletide season. Recapture that magic with Hooray For Holidays: Theatre Arlington’s Musical TV Special. The show reimagines those vintage specials complete with singing, dancing, and special guest stars every performance. Catch it on stage weekends through Dec. 15.