Interactive adventures

High-tech entertainment venue from Britain makes U.S. premiere at The Colony's Grandscape

Electric Gamebox will open at Grandscape in The Colony on December 23.

Photo courtesy of Grandscape

A popular interactive entertainment venue from the United Kingdom called Electric Gamebox will make its U.S. debut at Grandscape, the ever-expanding mixed-use center in The Colony, in time for holiday outings.

Opening on December 23, Electric Gamebox promises to transport visitors into another reality via an immersive team adventure in the "world’s smartest room." The game takes place within a “Gamebox,” which is a room that uses projection mapping, touch screens, and motion tracking technology. The 30-60 minute experience doesn't require anything more than a visor for each player to wear on their head.

Groups of two to six people work together to complete a number of adventures, including mining for rare minerals on Mars or battling ghosts for access to treasure. The game is recommended for anyone 8 years of age or older.

Electric Gamebox joins Andretti Indoor Karting and Games and Galaxy Theatres as entertainment options at Grandscape.

The concept comes from Tough Mudder founder Will Dean. "We're really excited to be bringing the Electric Gamebox concept to our first U.S. location at Grandscape," Dean said in a statement. "We know how popular the location is with visitors of all ages, and we think they'll love our one-of-a-kind immersive adventures that promise to inject some fun-fueled entertainment into their day-out."

As every place must during the pandemic, Electric Gamebox will follow strict COVID-19 guidelines, with the private experience lending itself to providing a safe but fun environment. Each Gamebox is reserved for one group at a time with extra time in between to allow for sanitization of the space and equipment.

Pricing ranges from $19.95-$24.95 for kids 15 and under, or $24.95-$29.95 for those 16 and older, depending on the day. Those interested can register today for early access to tickets at electricgamebox.com/locations/grandscape-north-dallas.

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Turn Cancer Upside Down

Figure skating legend Scott Hamilton brings holiday ice show to DFW

Scott Hamilton & Friends Benefiting The Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation

Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Scott Hamilton will emcee the ice show.

Scott Hamilton, the 1984 Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater known for his signature backflip, is coming to Dallas-Fort Worth for a holiday ice show and "Frozen 5K" fundraising mega-event.

The fundraiser portion ties into Hamilton's public battle with testicular cancer in the 1990s, which led him to found the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation in 2014. The nonprofit's mission is to fund innovative, patient-centered, targeted treatments that fight cancer while preserving quality of life.

One of its fundraising events is the Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer ice shows, which bring Hamilton and other world-class athletes to rinks around the country.

NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills is hosting a holiday version on Saturday, December 20 at 7 pm, where Hamilton will emcee and Olympians Mariah Bell, Ashley Cain, and Polina Edmunds will perform.

Tickets range from $32.75 to $79, with proceeds benefiting UT Southwestern Medical Center in addition to the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation.

Mariah Bell, figure skating, Olympian Figure skater Mariah Bell. Getty Images

"This isn’t just an ice show - it’s a celebration of hope, resilience, and community," the city of North Richland Hills says in a Facebook post. "Expect breathtaking performances, holiday cheer, and the chance to see world-class athletes light up the ice, all while supporting a cause that will touch so many."

If you'd like to get out on the ice yourself, you can register for the Frozen 5K on December 21 and skate 35 laps to honor and remember those impacted by cancer. The $35 registration fee includes a T-shirt, or you can donate extra to receive other Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer swag.

DFW-only fundraising incentives include an autographed program ($500), a VIP meet-and-greet plus autographed program ($1,000), or the chance to perform at the holiday ice show (top fundraisers only — see more info here). Better start stretching.

It's the perfect time for Hamilton to bring his ice show to North Texas. Ice rinks are a huge holiday trend for 2025, with kids of all ages gliding and spinning on special pop-up rinks from Grapevine to Garland to the all-new CultureMap City Rink in downtown Dallas.

scott hamilton cancer research fundraising olympians mariah bell ashley cain polina edmunds scott hamilton cares foundation ska8 to elimin8 cancer frozen 5k ice skating city rink