For the second year in a row, my family has enjoyed an extra special Christmas event here in Dallas, Sparkle! Christmas at the Anatole……it’s a new family tradition.
Last year on my own dime, I planned an afternoon of fun and headed to the Hilton Anatole in Dallas and surprised my family with tickets to see “The Little Drummer Boy” at Geppetto’s Theatre…..an impressive marionette show. Much to my surprise, I discovered Sparkle! Christmas at the Anatole there with all kinds of extra Christmas fun.
So this year, I knew Sparkle! would be on the family agenda. Thanks to the Hilton Anatole, I was surprised with an entire Hilton Staycation….complete with room, Sparkle! tickets, tickets to Geppetto’s Theatre and more!
It was the perfect staycation….one where you never have to (or want to) leave the hotel. There is so much to do at the Hilton Anatole, and it is so large, that this was much-needed fun and rest right before Christmas!
And guess what? Sparkle! Christmas at the Anatole goes through Sunday, January 4th, 2014 – and read on as I’ve got a discount code for half-price tickets!
While last year Geppetto’s Theatre productions were inside a very large empty room, this year it has a new location that not only is more intimate but has a real old world charm to it. This is the new permanent housing for Geppetto’s Theatre, and I couldn’t be more excited as events are held throughout the entire year, not just during the holidays.
Last year’s featured holiday show was “The Little Drummer Boy” and this year is “Winter Wonderland”…..so different from anything I expected. It was so entertaining and we giggled throughout. You’ll meet Santa and even spy a special appearance from the Snow Queen (yes, the girls went crazy when she sang “Let it Go”)!
The marionette show is so impressive and all guests are given the chance to go behind the scenes once the performance is over to view and ask questions. There is a new shop just outside the theatre, perfect for any last minute gifts, including basic marionettes for children and adults.
Heads up for next year! You’ll want to visit Santa at Sparkle! The set-up for Santa’s Hilltop Slide is wonderful, based on a scene from the popular film, “A Christmas Story” – one of my favorites. Children climb up a staircase to visit Santa then slide down! No worries….there are stairs too and I’m certain Santa would make the trip down for any children with special needs. In fact, there is also a special Breakfast with Santa that takes place! Plan on making reservations!
Sparkle Admission includes:
• Free Self Parking (with valid Sparkle admission ticket)
• One-day access to Sparkle!, which features:
- Indoor Ice Skating Rink (skates included) – YES!
- More Than 1.2 Million Holiday Lights
- Nothing Bundt Cakes Bundlets
- Light Shows every half hour
- Santa’s Hilltop Slide
- Velcro Stocking Jump Wall
- Live Holiday Shows
- Storytelling by Rudolph
- Bounce House Village
- Food Trucks
- Kids’ Crafts
- Face Painting
- Live Entertainment
- Special Hosts
Last year, Sparkle! had the ice skating rink outdoors. While beautifully set among the lighted trees, weather I’m sure played a big factor in it being moved indoors this year. The reindeer wooden houses (one for each reindeer) were re-used this year, but turned into fun photo-opps! Do you recognize the elves above? 🙂
I can’t count how many times my daughter went up and down the huge bounce house slide or how many times we went around and around the ice skating rink. Memories were made……
DISCOUNT: Half-price tickets now through January 4th, 2014
Promo code is AFRUGALFRIEND
Visit Sparkle! Christmas at the Anatole to order now!
Have you ever been to Sparkle! Christmas at the Anatole? What is or would be your favorite activity?
I have never been to this place but it looks awesome! My girls would love it!
This looks like SO much fun! I love to spend more money at the holidays on experiences, versus gifts. We only remember a few gifts we got as kids…. But there are SO many experiences we remember 🙂 Wish I lived closer to check this out!
That sounds like a really fun place! I’d go down that slide myself!
I haven’t had a chance to go yet but it looks like fun. I’m sure she had an amazing time!
Wow, that looks like such an amazing place. I bet it is a place that makes amazing memories for kids.
I wish they had something like this where we live. We have something similar, but not on this scale.
This looks like such a fun place! I wish we had something like this near us, especially since our winters are so cold and long; it can be a challenge to find fun stuff for the kids.
That looks like such a fun event. The slide is awesome. We saw a Christmas marionette show last year. Very cute!