Oh, what fun!

Coca-Cola holiday lights extravaganza will electrify Arlington in 2024

Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas is destined to be the Instagrammiest place in DFW this holiday season.

Photo courtesy of Enchant

A spectacular new Christmas lights experience will take over Choctaw Stadium in Arlington for the 2024 holiday season: Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas, a new immersive event from the creators of the popular "Enchant" light maze, will flip the switch in late November.

"With larger-than-life light sculptures, falling snow, ice skating, visits with Santa, loads of tasty hot cocoa, and more, Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas brings to life treasured holiday traditions during this beloved time of year," says a release.

Activities and experiences at the all-ages attraction will include:

An over-the-top light display – 55,000 square feet of holiday light sculptures, featuring custom and interactive Coca-Cola-inspired vignettes. (Destined to make CultureMap's annual list of most spectacular Christmas light displays.)
Market Square – Seasonal treats and shopping for holiday gifts from local vendors showcasing their wares. (Vendor applications are still being accepted at ClassicChristmas.com.)
Ice skating: Skating under and amid the spectacular lights.
Snow Slide: Ride an inner tube down a thrilling snow slide.
Seasonal food and beverage – Holiday-themed food and drinks for the whole family.
Live entertainment – Nightly caroling throughout the venue and more local, seasonal artist features.
Visit with Santa – Photos will Santa in his workshop.
Book a holiday party - Classic Christmas will be available for office parties, family gatherings, and other seasonal celebrations (groups 10+ get access to special pricing.)

The event is co-presented by Enchant Christmas and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages.

“Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas will bring Real Magic to a new family tradition during the holidays,” says Derek Alexander, VP of commercial & digital, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, in the release. “We are proud to bring this incredible experience to the local communities in which we serve.”

Enchant 2022 Christmas holiday lights Enchant: World's Largest Christmas Light Maze & Market was a hit when it debuted in DFW in 2017. Photo courtesy of Enchant

The event creators have a pretty good track record with "magic." Enchant: World's Largest Christmas Light Maze & Market was a touring event from Canada that debuted in Arlington in 2017 and ran for two years in and around the old Globe Life Park (now Choctaw Stadium). But construction of the Rangers' Globe Life Field forced it to shut down in 2019, and it did not return for 2020. An immersive experience called Luminova Holidays took its place.

Enchant returned in a new location, Dallas' Fair Park, in 2021 and 2022.

Through the years, Enchant has been a favorite outing for families, couples on dates, and Instagrammers seeking for the perfect holiday selfie. (Or proposal spot.)

Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas will debut November 22 and run through December 29, 2024 at Choctaw Stadium. Tickets are already on sale.

Through July 31, Flex Tickets are offered with general admission pricing. These "secure the lowest prices on tickets without having to know what date you plan to attend the event until later this season," organizers say.

General admission runs $20 for adults, $14 for youth (age 14-17), $14 for children (age 4-13), and free for 0-3 years old.

Tickets are on sale at ClassicChristmas.com.

choctaw enchant lights holidays

Movie Memorabilia News

Costumes from box office smash Wicked to go on display in Arlington

Photo by Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Glinda's pink bubble dress will be one of the items on display with "Wicked Threads: The Artistry of Costume in Oz" at the Arlington Museum of Art.

Fans of the movie adaptation of the musical Wickedwill soon be able to get up close and personal with the box office smash when the Arlington Museum of Art debuts a collection of costumes and more from the film in 2025.

Running January 17-April 27, "Wicked Threads: The Artistry of Costume in Oz" celebrates the artistry of the costume design and the 20+ year history of the beloved Broadway musical.

Curated by the Arlington Museum of Art, the exhibition will feature original costumes, props, and images from the film, provided by NBCUniversal Archives & Collections. Highlights from the exhibition will include Glinda’s “bubble” dress and Elphaba’s “Defying Gravity” costume.

The costumes were designed by Academy Award-nominated costume designer Paul Tazewell, who was no stranger to the world of Oz, having designed five productions of The Wiz.

“Costuming and filmmaking is an exciting form of visual art and storytelling," said Kendall Quirk, AMA Director of Exhibitions, in a statement. "The AMA is always excited to showcase the work of these artists, especially in our free community gallery spaces. We hope to see emerging designers, filmmakers, and other visual artists come to enjoy these costumes from such a universal story."

The film adaptation of Wicked, which earned over $110 million in its first weekend of release, is based on the musical stage play with music and lyrics by legendary Grammy and Oscar-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, and book by Tony nominee Winnie Holzman.

A prequel to The Wizard of Oz, it is the origin story of how Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the West and Galinda Upland became Glinda the Good. It’s a story of an unlikely friendship between two young women - one ostracized, one adored - and how the untapped power of one will reshape their lives and Oz, forever.

"Wicked Threads: The Artistry of Costume in Oz" will be on display in the community art space at the Arlington Museum of Art, where all visitors can view the exhibition for free, with no tickets required for entry.

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