Howdy, Frisco fam!
It's December 30th - that weird day where nobody knows what day it is, half your leftovers have turned suspicious, and you're pretending you'll actually follow through on those resolutions in 48 hours.
But before you start lying to yourself about going to the gym, here's what's actually happening in Frisco this week.
🏛️ Your Downtown Is Finally Done
Seven years and $76 million later, the Rail District is complete. New Main Street, Fourth Street Plaza, that massive parking garage you've been watching grow since 2018? All finished. You can stop explaining the construction detours to out-of-town guests now.
What this means for you: Downtown Frisco now has the infrastructure to actually compete with Legacy West and the Star. Date nights, coffee runs, and weekend walk… all without leaving town or circling for parking like a vulture.
This year: Grand Park construction starts (because we can't have nothing under construction). And in May, you'll vote for new city leadership to steer all these shiny projects forward. Candidate forums usually kick off in March.
⚽ World Cup Is Coming (Yes, Really)
By early January, we'll know which international teams will train at Toyota Stadium. Once that's announced, things move fast (and Frisco will collectively lose its mind).
For families: Team training sessions are usually free and open to the public. That means your kids could watch world-class athletes practice just minutes from home this summer. No passport required.
For business owners: Now's the time to think ahead. Special menus, themed events, watch parties; Mayor Cheney is basically giving you permission to go all-in on whatever flag shows up. Don't waste it.
Plan ahead: Expect traffic around Toyota Stadium during training camps to be absolutely ridiculous. Map your alternate routes now, or resign yourself to sitting in your car contemplating life choices. We'll share dates as soon as they're confirmed.
📚 Frisco Students Get More Paths to Their Future
Frisco ISD is expanding flexible paths to graduation. Students can take online classes through Frisco Flex, graduate with up to 44 college credits, earn more dual credit on campus, and pursue career tracks like Sports Medicine or Turfgrass Management that lead to certifications. Because not every kid dreams of sitting in a lecture hall at 18.
Why it matters: High school no longer has to be one-size-fits-all. Students can graduate with college credit, job-ready skills, or both, and save you a small fortune in tuition.
What to know now:
Registration deadline: February 12
Rising 6th Grade Night: January 13
Course catalogs: fisd.org
These programs only help if families know about them. A quick conversation with your school counselor can make a big difference. Or you can find out about them three years from now and kick yourself. Your call.
📅 What's Happening This Week
Last Chance for Twinkly Things
🏠 Burkman's Holiday Lights | Nightly through Dec. 31, 5:30-11 p.m.
Walk-through family display. Weather dependent.
📍 3809 Hazelhurst Drive | FREE
✨ Holiday of Lights | Nightly through Jan. 4, 5-10 p.m.
Walk-through light experience with lake views and photo spots. Food vendors on Fridays & Saturdays.
📍 1297 Division Street, Southlake | FREE
🎄 Christmas in the Square | Nightly through Jan. 5, 6-10 p.m.
180,000+ lights, real ice skating, and Santa visits through New Year's. This is the 20th year!
📍 8874 Coleman Blvd, Frisco | FREE (skating costs extra)
Ring in 2026 Without the Regrets
📚 Library Noon Year's Eve Party | Wednesday, Dec. 31, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Ring in 2026 without staying up until midnight at the Frisco Library! Come in your best New Year's attire for a dance party, countdown at noon, and themed activities. Space is limited. Tickets available in the lobby starting at 11 a.m.
📍 8000 Dallas Pkwy, Frisco | FREE
🎉 New Year's Eve Bash at Grandscape | Wednesday, Dec. 31, 6-10 p.m. Why wait for midnight? Skip the chaos and celebrate early with live music by Jordan Kahn Orchestra, face painting, airbrush tattoos, and a dance floor. Party hard and still beat the traffic (or be in bed before the ball drops). No fireworks, but plenty of fun.
📍 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony | FREE
⛸️ Ice Skating Performance | Wednesday, Dec. 31, 6:15 p.m.
Another chance to catch Ashley Cain and Rising Stars at Peace Plaza Ice Rink.
📍 815 S Main St, Grapevine | FREE
🎆 New Year's Early Eve | Wednesday, Dec. 31, 6:30-9 p.m.
📌 Mark your calendar! Ring in 2026 before bedtime at PGA Frisco. Live performance by Extended Play (6:30-8:30 p.m.) + 15-min fireworks finale. Bring blankets, leave the chairs. No dogs allowed due to fireworks (service animals OK).
📍 3255 PGA Parkway | FREE
🧠 Frisco Trivia Challenge
🏆 Last Edition’s Winners
We asked where the name "Frisco" actually comes from, and these three nailed it first:
Emily A., Shannon W., and Chris S. - congrats! You've earned your spot in Frisco history (or at least this newsletter).
The answer: Frisco comes from the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (the "Frisco Line") that ran through here in the 1900s. The town was originally named Emerson, but when the railroad showed up, locals wisely decided trains were cooler than philosophers.
🎨 This Edition’s Challenge
Frisco has a street named after a famous Texas artist known for painting bluebonnets. What's the artist's name?
Reply to this email with your answer. First three correct responses get featured in the next edition.
