We Like Our Ice Warmed Up

Last year’s Sparkle event at the Hilton Anatole was a beautiful affair, all ice skating rinks, Christmas lights and time-consuming attractions for the youngsters. But there was one problem. What was generally sparkling was not so much the lights as the ice crystals forming on your eyeballs. Thanks to last year’s unseasonably cold weather, frostbite was an unintended main attraction. To their credit, the fine people at the Anatole, 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, have heated things up considerably this year — moving the event indoors to a tolerable 70 degree environment and freeing visitors from the puffy confines of their winter gear so they can better enjoy this massively fun family Christmas event. Sparkle 2014 features 1.2 million (!) Christmas lights, a giant Santa slide, Velcro wall, bounce houses and the return of that ice skating rink. Check the schedule for story times, visits with Santa, appearances by Dallas zoo animals, plus live music and more events held in the cozy and inviting interior of the hotel. The warmed up winter wonderland kicks off on Friday and is open daily through January 5. Admission is $19.95 for ages 13 and up and $15.95 for seniors and children ages 3 to 12. Toddlers get in for free. Visit hiltonanatolehotel.com/christmas-experience for more information on daily events and to order tickets.
Mondays-Fridays, 6-9 p.m.; Saturdays, 2-9 p.m.; Sundays, 12-9 p.m. Starts: Nov. 28. Continues through Jan. 10, 2014