10 DALLAS OBSERVER • HOLIDAY GUIDE December 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. The City of Desoto puts the spotlight on their Hometown Holidays experience, including an ice-skating rink through January 7, and a tree lighting/block party on December 4. Grapevine’s out-of-this-world art installation, Meow Wolf, is a portal to an otherworldly experience: kids and adults alike will relish sharing this surreal and immersive trip. Another immersive experience? Your family can explore Hilton Anatole’s North Pole Adventure, opening December 8. Make your way through a Christmas Village, get lost in a holiday maze, go ice fi shing, and visit with Santa. For a night on the town, get dressed up and head to Dallas Comedy Club for some belly laughs with your besties. Shows coming up in December include DJ De- mers, Trixx, Francisco Ramos, and Trey Mack. Or start a new holiday tradition by attending Dallas Theater Cen- ter’s traditional production of “A Christmas Carol” at the Wyly Theater. The Town of Little Elm is hosting a vari- ety of holiday events this year. Grab the family to see the interactive Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, or other children-movie experiences like Frozen, The Grinch Stole Christmas and The Polar Express in Little Elm from December 21-23. Carving an old-fashioned Christmas experience? Then you’ll love Heritage Farmstead Museum’s “Lights on the Farm” programming, with over a million twinkling holiday lights illuminating the historic farmland and a full slate of activities, food, and theme nights through December 30. Dallas Heritage Village’s annual “Can- dlelight” is a beautiful, old-school Christmas callback complete with strolling carolers, candlelit scenery, crafts and food on December 16 and 17. Head up north to EVA Esports Virtual Arena in Flower Mound to enter the world’s biggest esports arena. After an intense battle in the VR arena, enjoy sci-fi -themed cocktails and arcade games that will make for a great time with family, friends, colleagues, or a date. Relax in their lounge area and watch live battles in progress. It’s the perfect place to unwind and have a good time. The Statler is the place to be. This mid century marvel has easy access to all your downtown/Deep Ellum holiday activities: afterward, relax in a luxury room and enjoy on- site restaurants, lounges, bars and even a bowling alley. Get creative with your holiday gift giving this year: How about tickets to the Dallas Opera? The 2023/2024 sea- son includes Richard Strauss’ “Elektra” beginning in Feb- ruary and Charles Gounod’s romantic French-language “Romeo and Juliet” in March. Tickets can be purchased and delivered online for an easy, but classy, act of giving. Give a lasting gift with the help of Franklin Tattoo and Supply in Old East Dallas. Make an appointment for the body art buff in your life with one of the talented tattoo and piercing specialists on staff, and browse the clothing and body care boutique while you’re there. And for a really high-impact present, give Dallas Mavericks tickets to your favorite sports fans. Buy single tickets for stock- ing stuffers—or go all out and surprise them with season tickets. North Haven Gardens has the perfect gift for the green thumbs in your circle: pick up a gift card to help give their spring gardens a jump-start, or purchase an herb bowl project kit or windowsill microgreens growing starter pack. There are also plenty of tools, plants and trinkets perfect for gift exchanges. The Bonsai Paper Company in the Dallas Galleria offers a beautiful and stylish selection of paper goods, stationary, journals,
