Holiday shopping news
Arlington's cherished Christkindl Market moves the shopping online for 2020
It's not exactly the kind of "bah humbug" that's become the hallmark of 2020, but it's still a holiday bummer: The Texas Christkindl Market, Arlington's cherished outdoor holiday shopping event, is moving online amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Touted as one of the largest open-air holiday markets in the Southwest, the 10-year-old market will take place November 27-December 23 in an all-virtual format, the City of Arlington announced in a release October 5.
"While we will not have a physical location this year, we hope you join us on our website and social media channels ... where everyone is invited to experience the German tradition of our Texas Christkindl Market," organizers say.
They still promise decorations, recipes, unique finds, and one-of-a-kind gifts available from vendors that shoppers have come to know and love. Just not in person, filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of the holidays.
Still, they're trying to make it more than an Amazon-shopping experience, promising online extras like recipes and video demonstrations on creating German holiday treats. Performances from local choirs and dancers will stream through their social media channels, and Jolly Old St. Nick will make appearances, too.
"While it is not the way we intended to have the market this year, we hope it still brings you a bit of holiday cheer," they say.
Follow their Facebook page for more details to come.
A nationally recognized holiday destination by USA Today, the market attracted shoppers from near and far, who flocked to Arlington in search of handcrafted gifts and collectibles, including exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas decorations and designs from the renowned Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village in Germany. Last year, the free, family-friendly event took place at the Texas Live Plaza and included an ice skating rink, as well as food vendors and a warming hut serving hot chocolate and Glühwein.
While the Christkindl Market might not be happening in Arlington this year, a new event will still fill the stadium complex with holiday cheer. A new, immersive experience called Luminova Holidays promises millions of twinkling lights, an outdoor ice rink, and larger-than-life displays throughout the yuletide season. It will run November 20-January 3 in and around the Rangers' new Globe Life Field. Read more about the event here.
