Bah humbug

Dallas-Fort Worth's most enchanting holiday lights display will go dark for 2019

Enchant will turn off the lights in Arlington.

Photo courtesy of Enchant Christmas

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 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 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!"

closings families holidays

This week's hot headlines

5 buzziest bars top off this week's most-read stories in Fort Worth

Winter Wonderland Bubbles, holiday igloo bars, Hotel Vin, Grapevine

Facebook/Hotel Vin

The Winter Wonderland Bubbles are back at Hotel Vin.

Editor's note: Five bars with big buzz, Michelin award winners, and hot new places to shop are among this week's most-read Fort Worth stories. Catch up on the hottest headlines, and then find some fun things to do this weekend here.

1. Where to drink in Fort Worth right now: 5 buzziest bars for November. Bars both old and new make up this Where to Drink list of must-visit spots in November, all for either recent updates or timely fall offerings. Some have undergone big changes, and others have launched opportune reasons to stop in, like limited-edition fall cocktails or even reservations in an "igloo" with wine and fondue. Here are five of Fort Worth's buzziest bar to hit this month.

2. 4 Fort Worth restaurants earn awards from new Michelin Guide. The first Michelin Guide Texas selection has been revealed, with 117 restaurants earning some kind of nod including 15 one-star establishments and two Green Star eateries. One Fort Worth restaurant earned a "Bib Gourmand" award — which recognizes eateries for great food at a great value. And three Fort Worth-area restaurants earned a spot on the "recommended" list.

goldees bbq Goldee's BBQ got some love from Michelin.Photo courtesy of Goldee's

3. Downtown Fort Worth pop-up Anna's Table serves tacos and tasty bites. A pop-up is doing tasty small bites and Mexican eats in downtown Fort Worth: Called Anna’s Table, it's a combination caterer and pop-up that sets up shop every weekend at Basic Bar at 904 Houston St., next door to Son of a Baker Pizzeria.

4. Food truck-turned-restaurant Fort Redemption steaks out Fort Worth. A food truck-turned-restaurant serving great affordable steaks and barbecue has debuted in Fort Worth: Called Fort Redemption, it’s now open at 5724 Locke Ave., in the former Mariachi’s Dine-In space.

5. Where to shop in Fort Worth right now: 7 hot new stores for November. Get ahead of the holiday shopping pack and check out these new Fort Worth-area stores. They include an adorable new online boutique from local mom-preneurs, new Western-wear brand with celebrity cred, high-end Stockyards pop-up, and more. Here's where to shop in November.