Set for Saturday, the RISD Spirit Run is a fundraiser for neighborhood schools. High school drill teams and drum lines perform for participants along the 5k course, which begins at the Renaissance Hotel and winds through Galatyn Park trails. Registration opens at 7 a.m. with the race set for 8:30 a.m. Registration is $10-$35 and available here.
Dallas First Assembly of God plans its Fall Festival for Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a hayride, bounce house and other activities for kids, with tasty treats for adults. The church is located at 11000 Northwest Highway.
Lone Star Roadhouse is the place to be this Saturday for the eighth annual Chili Cook Off. Competitors must cook their chili on site from 3-5 p.m., with prizes awarded for the best tasting blends. The cost to join is $10.
Backpacker Southwest editor Annette McGivney hits Half-Priced Books on Sunday at noon to discuss her latest works. “Pure Land” tells the story of a brutal murder in the Grand Canyon, and McGivney’s own struggles to investigate the story. There is no cost to attend.
12 Days of Christmas at Night celebrate the famous carol in a whole new way at the Dallas Arboretum.
The Dallas Arboretum’s famed “12 Days of Christmas,” a two-month celebration of the season, opens this Saturday and continues through Jan. 8. As always, a dozen festive Victorian gazebos decorated in honor of the classic Christmas song. The 25-foot-tall gazebos will be on display throughout the holiday season, and, at night, they are aglow. Admission is $12-$15 plus parking.
Local zumba teachersLaura Rodriguez and Varita Wilson Newton are raising funds for the WAWELA Cancer Support, which maintains a wellness house in Dallas. On Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m., they’ll host a Dance Party at the Lake Highlands North Rec Center, where all proceeds benefit the nonprofit. Tickets are $10-$17 and available here, but all cancer survivors get in for free.
The Store in Lake Highlands will host an Open Late Thursday party, extending its hours to 7:30 p.m. with a series of giveaways planned throughout the night (must be present to win).
Don’t want that Halloween candy rotting your kid’s teeth? MyKIDSdds is hosting a Sweets Swap, paying $1 for every pound of candy turned over. Located at 8325 Walnut Hill Lane, suite 111, the dentist will also have cards to send to active military for kids to sign. All candy will be donated to Operation Gratitude, which sends care packages to troops overseas.
