Is it really December already?!

It feels like just yesterday we were lounging around pools, preparing to watch the UNT fireworks display, and anticipating the beginning of the fall semester. November has flown by, and the holiday season is upon us with the month of December beginning this Friday. 
Ring in the holiday cheer this weekend with the annual Denton tree lighting ceremony and wassail festival on Friday, followed by a very festivus Brave Combo X-Mas show at Andy’s Bar. 
Want to sprinkle in some local film culture into your life?

The UNT Short Film Club is premiering their fall 2017 film productions this Saturday, and Granatum Films is showcasing eight brand-new short films at Andy’s on Sunday.  Party-wise, Paschall Bar has you covered with their End of Prohibition Party, celebrating the right to get tipsy.

There’s a wide array of things to do this weekend for everyone, so get out and get festive, Denton! Here’s your weekend update. 

Thursday 11/30

The Boombachs + Carleigh Reese
Harvest House
8 p.m.-11 p.m.
21+
FREE

Start your weekend off right- with cocktails and live music!

DFW up-and-comer Carleigh Reese, an independent female artist that combines alt pop and soul into her music, will be playing alongside The Boombachs, a jazzy group that combines elements of funk, hip hop, and rock to create a unique sound all their own. Music starts at 8 p.m.!

Super Smash Brothers Brawl Tournament
The Bearded Monk
8 p.m.-12 a.m.
21+

Is Bowser your go-to player? Or are you more of a Princess Peach fan?

Come out and flex your video game talents at The Bearded Monk this Thursday night!
The Bearded Monk team is setting up a one-on-one Super Smash Brothers Brawl competition, with each winner from those games set to compete against one another until a champion is crowned. There’s also going to be prizes and of course, great craft beer.

Friday 12/1

Denton Holiday Lighting Festival / Wassail Weekend
5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Denton County Courthouse on the Square
ALL AGES
FREE

Ho ho ho!

It’s that time of year again for Denton’s biggest holiday celebration, the Denton Holiday Lighting Festival! Local families from all across Denton county will be flocking to the downtown square to sip on wassail (hot cider), peruse local shops and vendors, and wait in anticipation for the lighting of the courthouse tree. There’s going to be live music, lots of great local food, family-friendly activities, and vendor pop-ups from all across Denton.
The square-wide wassail tasting will be available from 5:30 until 8:30, so get to the square early! Happy Wassail!

UNT Improv Show
Midway Craft House
9 p.m.-11 p.m.
FREE

Join some of UNT’s finest undergrad performers as they group together for a night of improv music!  These student musicians have banded together to form a new free improvisation ensemble, performing together across Denton in different sessions in C major. This show is free, so be sure to grab one of Midway’s amazing beers on draft while watching the show!

Brave Combo X-Mas
Andy’s Bar
9 p.m.-2 a.m.
$10 cover
**ALL AGES (during performance)

Once you’ve seen the tree lighting on the square and had your fill of wassail, walk across Locust Street and head to Andy’s Bar for a Brave Combo X-Mas show!  Brave Combo, Denton’s favorite polka fusion band, will be playing their Christmas album in full at this festive show. Following Brave Combo is DJ Bro Ho Ho and his naughty elves (local performers Birdie Holly, Vylette Vivacious, and Strawberry Squirtcake).  This event is all ages while Brave Combo is playing!

Saturday 12/2

Help-Portrait :Denton 2017
Lucky Locks Beauty Bar
11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Need some family portraits?  Have the holidays got your wallet feeling much tighter?

The Denton Help-Portrait team is here to help. Photographers, make-up artists, and hair stylists from across the area have teamed up to aid local families by providing free, studio-quality portrait sessions. The Help-Portrait project was founded in 2008, and since then, has given over 380,000 portraits to attendees. If you’d like to volunteer last-minute for this event, please contact: helpportraitdenton@gmail.com

End of Prohibition Party
Paschall Bar
7 p.m.-2 a.m.
21+

The Unites States had a nation-wide alcohol ban spanning from 1920 up until 1933 when the 21st amendment was passed and ratified. The “noble experiment” of alcohol prohibition was enacted by the federal government as an attempt to reduce rising crime rates and improve health on a national scale. 
Bottoms up- it’s legal!

UNT Short Film Club’s Fall 2017 Official Premiere
UNT Lyceum Theatre
6 p.m.-9 p.m.
FREE

Short, sweet, spectacular!

The UNT Short Film Club has been pining away all semester to create and showcase their fall 2017 film productions. The productions that will be screened this Saturday night include I Stand Alone, Tipless, Pumpkin Police, and One More Night. Doors open at 6 p.m. and screenings begin at 6:30 p.m., so be sure to get there early in order to secure great seats. 
Come out, see the featured films, and show your support for UNT’s creative Short Film Club!

Sunday 12/3

Granatum "Express Yourself:" Short Films + Music
Andy’s Bar
6 p.m.-1 a.m.
Free before 8 p.m., $5 after 8 p.m.
18+

Round out your weekend with some films and live music!

Granatum is showcasing several unique + creative short film productions this Sunday evening at Andy’s Bar. Six Denton-made short films and two Austin-made short films will be shown at 6:30p.m.  Live music follows the screenings with performances by local dark synth artists Shanghai Beach, Lorelai K, Mic Raygun, and Panama Papers. 

Header image by Cristopher Rodgers