First look at Enchant Christmas in Arlington

There’s a new event in town and it’s lighting up the holiday season.

Enchant Christmas debuts Friday, but I was able to take a sneak peek at the Christmas event, nestled between Dallas and Fort Worth at the home of the Texas Rangers.

Here’s what you need to know before you go.

Donate to your favorite charity

Use a promotional code to buy your tickets and a portion of the proceeds will go to one of the following local charities: Cook Children’s, Make-A-Wish North Texas, Kidd’s Kids or Special Olympics Texas. Check the Enchant Christmas web site for promo codes. You can also give by ice skating: 100 percent of all skate rental fees ($5 per rental) go back to these charities.

What to wear

It’s an outdoor evening event so make sure to bundle up for lower temperatures and wind. The ice rink and snow effects make it feel extra wintry inside the venue. Wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirt/dust on as you walk through the light maze. You should also take note of the gravel walkway when bringing strollers or wheelchairs.

How to get there

While the event is at Lot F of Globe Life Park, don’t use the Ballpark Way address on your GPS device. Instead, use “East Copeland Road and AT&T Way, Arlington, Texas” Note: You can see the lights from I-30. Go to the website for directions. Park free at Lot G or Lot N.

Plenty of photo ops

Whether you decide to visit Santa Claus in his 20-foot-tall golden palace or roam around and snap pics at one of the 35-foot-tall light sculptures, you are sure to get an Instagram-worthy photo or even a snap for your family Christmas card.

Finding food

There’s a food truck court with tented and outdoor seating. Live entertainment happens at a stage in front of the outdoor tables. Menu items are in $8-$10 range. Beverages, including beer and wine, can be purchased throughout the venue.

Smooth skating

The outdoor pond in the center of the venue below an arched bridge provides a lovely setting for ice skating.

Holiday shopping

Wondering what happened to the popular Texas Christkindl Market? It’s inside Enchant. The market huts offer a variety of vendors selling food, jewelry, home decor and holiday gifts.

Light your way

Deemed the “world’s largest Christmas light maze,” this impressive attraction will be the kids’ favorite activity. Grab a “Great Search” card from one of Santa’s helpers at the entrance, then head through Doors 1, 2 or 3 to try and find Santa’s nine reindeer throughout the maze. It took us about a half hour to find half of the reindeer, but don’t fret if you can’t find all of them. Anyone who turns in a card gets a sweet treat at the end.

This story was originally published November 22, 2017 at 12:01 PM.