We're a week away from Total Solar Eclipse day on April 8, when skies will turn dark for three to four minutes. Regardless of where you decide to view it - at an eclipse watching party around Dallas-Fort Worth or from the comfort of your backyard - you'll need one thing: eclipse glasses, so you don't damage your eyes, and a new wave of vendors are offering them for free.
They're pretty cheap: Supermarkets have them for $1 to $3, and you can order them online. Glasses are also being given away by venues that are hosting watch parties (see our master list of everywhere to see the eclipse in Dallas-Fort Worth).
Eclipse glasses must adhere to the ISO 12312-2 standard and should block nearly all visible, infrared, or ultraviolet light. Sunglasses won't work. The American Astronomical Society has already issued a warning about counterfeits turning up, and CNN has tips on how to check if your glasses are the real thing.
Businesses and eye shops
White Rhino Coffee
On April 8, Dallas coffeehouse chain is giving away eclipse glasses with any purchase. They've also launched a limited-edition Lunar Lemonade, a blackberry lemonade with “space dust,” for $5.50, which comes with eclipse viewing glasses, available April 5-7.
Greenville Avenue Pizza Company
Local pizza chain has debuted the limited-time Eclipse Pizza, a mesmerizing half-and-half composition: a light side with white truffle mushroom cream sauce, Yukon gold potatoes, ricotta, and hot honey; and a dark side with black truffle, purple potatoes, purple ricotta, black garlic, and hot honey. Each order comes with a pair of eclipse glasses, in Large 16" or Small 12" sizes. April 1-8.
Natural Grocers
Supermarket chain is offering free eclipse glasses with purchase, at all stores in the following states: Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana and Kansas (limit one per customer). Seven locations in DFW include Dallas Casa Linda, Dallas Preston Forest, Richardson, Denton, Fort Worth, Keller, and Hurst.
Sonic
Sonic stores are giving away free eclipse glasses with the purchase of its new Blackout Slush Float. The float is an all-black slush that is cotton candy and dragon fruit-flavored with white soft serve inside. The glasses will be given while supplies last at more than 50 stores around DFW.
Greenville Avenue Pizza slinger with Eclipse Pizza and eclipse glasses.GAP
Smoothie King
Some Smoothie King stores are offering free eclipse glasses to anyone who orders a 20 oz or larger Eclipse Berry Blitz smoothie.
The deal is only at participating locations where the eclipse will cross including Arkansas, Indiana, New York, Ohio and Texas. more than 50 locations across DFW, a dozen cities across Austin and San Antonio, as well as big total-path cities such as Ennis and Waco.
The Shops at Park Lane
Dallas retail center will be giving out free glasses on Saturday, April 6 at 1 pm, until supplies last, from a branded tent in the grass area located between CAVA and Starbucks.
Warby Parker
New York eyeglass retailer is giving away free glasses. Starting April 1, individuals can visit any Warby Parker location to receive up to two pairs of solar eclipse glasses at no cost, subject to availability. There are seven stores in the DFW area including Southlake and Fort Worth, seven in Houston, and four in Austin.
MyEyeDr.
Washington DC-based eye care provider is offering free solar eclipse glasses at its 438 locations across the country, including 37 across DFW, giving away the glasses while supplies last.
Hertz, Dollar, And Thrifty
Free eclipse glasses will be available—for customers only—at select Hertz, Dollar or Thrifty locations in Austin and Dallas (including DFW Airport) starting Saturday, April 6 until supplies last.
Public libraries and rec centers
The Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries project is giving away 5 million solar eclipse glasses via 13,000 public libraries across the U.S. This map shows locations.
Fort Worth Public Library: On Saturday, April 6, a limited supply of eclipse viewing glasses will be available for free at all Fort Worth Public Library locations – one pair per person, while supplies last. Across Fort Worth, 17 branches will host countdown parties: Southwest Regional, Golden Triangle, East Regional, Ridglea, Summerglen, La Gran Biblioteca, Reby Cary, Wedgewood, East Berry, Shamblee, Lincoln, Diamond Hill/Jarvis, Northside, Meadowbrook, Rise, Riverside, and Northwest.
Dallas Public Library: Dallas libraries started giving out free glasses in March and most locations still have a supply. Ten branches are also hosting parties: J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, Audelia Road, Hampton-Illinois, Kleberg-Rylie, Lakewood, Lochwood, Mountain Creek, Park Forest, Martin Luther King Jr., and Preston-Royal.
Rec centers: Totality Dallas is giving away free solar glasses at City of Dallas recreation centers. Glasses are limited to four per family.
In Austin, 10,000 eclipse glasses are being given away by the Austin Nature and Science Center, 20 community recreation centers, four senior centers, and three cultural centers.
