Bah humbug
Dallas-Fort Worth's most enchanting holiday lights display will go dark for 2019
One of the merriest and most popular holiday events in Dallas-Fort Worth will skip this year's yuletide. Enchant: World's Largest Christmas Light Maze & Market, which has illuminated Arlington for two holiday seasons, is going dark for 2019.
Event organizers dropped the news like a lump of coal in a Facebook post June 9, saying:
"Texas! Due to stadium renovations at Globe Life Park, Enchant Christmas will not be returning to Arlington this holiday season. We have been humbled by the warm reception of thousands of Texans who have attended Enchant these past two years."
In less than 24 hours, the post had generated about 200 comments — local folks expressing disappointment, remembering good times there, and suggesting new locations for the event.
Enchant is a touring holiday experience from Canada that made its U.S. debut outside Globe Life Park in Arlington in 2017.
Guests could get lost in the world's largest light maze; take photos around the largest Christmas tree in North Texas; glide around the ice-skating pond; or waltz through the Enchant Christmas Market with over 85 vendors, including Arlington favorite Texas Christkindl Market Lane, which became a part of the Enchant experience.
In its first year, Enchant quickly became a favorite outing for families, couples on dates, and Instagrammers seeking for the perfect holiday selfie.
In 2018, the event moved inside Globe Life Park, with a new holiday theme; an updated adventure in the light maze; and a larger, dazzling Artisans’ Market. A magical ice skating trail was added; Santa and Mrs. Claus made nightly appearances; and guests could reserve luxury suites of at the park for private, VIP experiences.
More than 600,000 people visited the attraction in two cities — Arlington and Vancouver — in 2018, the company says. In 2019, the event will go on display in Seattle; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Washington, D.C., according to its website.
Between the building of the Rangers' new ballpark, Globe Life Field, and ongoing work on the adjacent Texas Live complex, the area where Enchant took place the past two years is mired in construction. Globe Life Field is scheduled to open in March 2020.
Enchant organizers have not yet revealed their Texas plans for 2020, but they hint in Facebook comments that are are looking for new opportunities in new areas — not necessarily just in Arlington.
"Rest assured, we hope to bring a brand new adventure to the Dallas-Fort Worth region for the 2020 holiday season!" their Facebook post says. "We will post updates regarding our return to Texas when they become available, so don’t be a stranger. In the meantime, keep an eye out for some upcoming big news and an extra special nod to our friends in Texas when 2019 Enchant Christmas tickets go on sale on September 17!"