DALLAS — It’s not exactly curl-up-by-the-fireplace weather, but the Chi Omega Christmas Market is this weekend and in a new location: Dallas Market Hall.

“They’re like, ‘Wait, I’m not ready! I’m not ready for Christmas!’” said the 2024 Chi Omega Market co-chair Nancy Woodall with a laugh. “But the weather cooperated with us. It got a little bit cooler this morning.”

Inside Dallas Market Hall, the shopping is heating up as guests grab their red shopping bags and head down the colorful and well-stocked aisles.

“It’s Candy Land” exclaimed Josie Yanez with a delightful laugh. She’s experiencing the market for the first time with her daughter, Candace.

“Well, I just feel like you can get truly one-of-a-kind gifts for anybody on your shopping list: your best friend, your husband, your husband’s business partner, whoever,” says Candace Yanez.

Chi Omega Christmas Market shoppers said it’s not too early to start holiday shopping.

“I’m already ahead of just the Christmas holidays,” said Josie Yanez. “There are the [Thanksgiving] holidays… Halloween… you can find it all.”

Organizers say the September start means fewer conflicts for vendors, and the move to Market Hall gives them more space.

“We’re just not here for Christmas shopping. We’re here for everything,” said Woodall. “And then Dallas Market Hall has been a spectacular venue to host a show. It’s light, it’s bright, it’s large, and we have filled every square inch of this space.”

More than 200 vendors offering unique items ranging from clothes to toys to decor compete for spots in the long-running holiday market.

“It is tough to get a slot. We have tried probably for 10 years,” said Candace Williams, who owns The Toy Maven. “We are strong believers in supporting our community, and so it’s a thrill. We’re thrilled to be a part of the market this year. It’s a great opportunity for business.”

While the start date and location are new, the purpose remains unchanged: charity.

“We like to say we shop for a purpose,” said Woodall, “and whenever a shopper comes in and buys a ticket, they are helping us fund these great beneficiaries.”

Over the years, the Chi Omega Christmas Market has raised and donated more than $10 million to local charities. Debbie Lang and Karen Hunt are also 2024 market co-chairs.  

Beneficiaries this year are Bonton Farms, the Stewpot, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Make-A-Wish, TITAS/Dance Unbound, Network of Community Ministries, Behind Every Door, Swan Strings, Together We Thrive, Family Compass, Young Women’s Preparatory Network, the Children’s Craniofacial Association, and Ascend Dallas.

“You’re hitting the jackpot coming to this Christmas market!” said Candace Yanez.

The Chi Omega Christmas Market is open until 9 p.m. on Thursday and opens at 9 a.m. Friday and runs through 5:00 p.m. on Saturday at Dallas Market Hall.

The Dallas Cowboys will visit the New York Giants in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season. Both teams have a 1-2 record heading into this NFC East showdown.

The Cowboys are coming off another loss, this time to the Baltimore Ravens, a game that they were never really a threat to win until a strong fourth quarter comeback. But time ran out on Dallas and they will need to start much faster this week to not end up in a big hole trying to come back.

The Giants enter the game fresh off their first win of the year over the Cleveland Browns. Malik Nabers is looking like a true weapon and will be a key for the Cowboys defense to contain if they want the win.

The Cowboys have dominated the Giants in recent history, but this game isn’t quite the slam dunk it might have been seen as when the schedule came out.

Cowboys vs Giants game info

Important links: Cowboys depth chart | Roster

Date: Sept. 26, 2024

Game time: 8:15 PM EST

Location: MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey

TV channel: Amazon Prime

Coverage Map: 506 Sports

Radio: 105.3 The Fan | SXM

Streaming: Amazon, Sling

Cowboys record: (1-2)

Giants record: (1-2)

Odds: Dallas -5.5, courtesy of FanDuel

Prediction: Cowboys 31 – Giants 20

Enemy blog: Big Blue View

Twitter: @BloggingTheBoys

Facebook: Please Like us!

Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki is set to play in the Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Pickleball Showdown on Nov. 7 at Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch.

The Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Pickleball Showdown returns to the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships held in Dallas.

Nowitzki, John Isner, Scottie Scheffler, Tony Romo, Jason Kidd and Marty Turco participated in last year’s 3,000+ sold-out tournament.

“For me the amazing thing is to see how far this thing has come … This is like rockstar level,” said NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki before taking the court at last year’s event. “I’m super impressed with the set-up, how many players are here. It is insanity on another level, how big this sport has gotten.”

“The Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Pickleball Showdown was one of the highlights of the 2023 event – the stands were packed and the energy of the fans was palpable,” said Connor Pardoe, Founder and CEO of the Carvana PPA Tour. “Dirk Nowitzki is a Dallas sports legend, and we’re so excited that he’s coming back to play in the showdown!”

General admission and VIP tickets are now on sale online here.

Thousands of amateur and professional players are expected to compete at the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships on 80-plus courts, and thousands more fans and attendees are expected to take part in the pickleball action.

More information about the event can be found here.