Editor's note: The holidays are in full swing, and this week's top stories include cool new ice rinks and a brand-new holiday event. Plus, a French bistro debuts and a grocery chain expands. Here are the most-read Dallas stories of the week. Looking for fun things to do this holiday weekend? That list is here. Ready to see some Christmas lights? Find those lists here and here.

1. New all-day French bistro in downtown Rockwall is all from scratch. An all-day French bistro has made its debut in Rockwall: Called Belle Vie Bistro, it’s a new mom-and-pop in the charming historic downtown district, at 112 E. Rusk St., the former home of The Fatted Calf restaurant, where it opened its doors on November 12.

2. All the cool new ice rinks skating into Dallas for 2024 holiday fun. The coolest new holiday attractions of 2024 will have Dallas-Fort Worth jumping, spinning, and gliding through the season: Ice skating rinks are being installed as part of winter festivities all over North Texas.

The Omni Dallas Hotel is channeling Rockefeller Center with its ice rink this season. Photo courtesy of Omni Dallas Hotel

3. Meet a Texas Rangers legend at CultureMap Dallas' Tailgate event. CultureMap's big sports party is just days away, and if you need an extra incentive to snag tickets, here it is: VIP guests will get a personal meet-and-greet with former Texas Rangers star and baseball legend Rafael Palmeiro.

4. Supermarket chain Tom Thumb breaks ground on 3 new Dallas-area stores. Supermarket chain Tom Thumb is expanding its store footprint in Dallas-Fort Worth with three new stores set to open in the next two years. According to a release, the chain broke ground on stores in Sanger, Sunnyvale, and Midlothian.

5. New holiday event Dallas Trail of Lights rolls Ferris wheel into town. The lawn outside Reunion Tower in downtown Dallas has a temporary new use: It will be home to Dallas Trail of Lights, a holiday limited-time event with carousel, drone shows, and even a Ferris wheel.