After living in Europe with access to thousands of Christmas markets, I am always on the hunt for where I can find the biggest sites of Holiday Spirit in the US. This year I found my answer in Enchant Christmas – a magical maze of lights, a search for “lost toys,” delicious food and drinks, shops and an ice skating rink! If you are in Tampa, Dallas, Las Vegas, or Washington D.C., add this to your holiday plan this month!
Book Ahead
Like most things these days, there are timed entrances (although you can stay as long as you want once inside) so book your tickets online in advance and add parking as well for the convenience. It will save you time and costs the same or more if you buy it at the event.
Come Hungry (& thirsty)
There were over a dozen different food vendors so there is something for everyone. Don’t let the baseball stadium arena fool you, this isn’t baseball food. We had a poke bowl and an ultimate seafood crepe worthy of any dine-in restaurant. The specialty cocktails are served in light-up christmas lights that you can carry around and take home. We opted for the off-menu seasonal drink from 2 years ago – the brown-sugar bourbon cider – and it was perfection. As you may expect, food is on the pricier end so you may want to pack some easy child-friendly snacks in your bag if you don’t want to waste your $$ on your child’s discerning tastebuds.
Plan ahead for Santa
There are tickets you can purchase with “extras” which include photos with Santa but if you aren’t interested in all of those, or you aren’t sure when you can do the photos, you can get in the virtual queue when you arrive. Go straight to the Santa workshop and scan the QR code to sign up and “get in line” and they will text you when it is your time to get in line. You wait for another 15-20 minutes before you get in to see Santa but you meet him in your own little room so no-one will see all the silly things you do to make your kid smile. You also have a few minutes so you can interact and take photos with all of the members in your party. Later, they will send you a link to purchase your photos at either $10 per photo or $29 for all 20. I thought that was really reasonable, especially if you get all of your party in there quickly!
Find the Toys
The main event of Enchant is the maze where the “Mischievous Elf” misplaced 8 toys! There are little interactive scratch cards you can use to find the toys as you wander among all the lights. All of the toys of course make for great photo-ops.
Extras
If you are coming without children, some of the adult-extras may interest you like the Bar experience. There are also Dinner & Brunch experiences that afford exclusive dining experiences and Santa & Mrs Claus interactions. If your pups are your babies, they even have a special night when dogs are allowed! If the evening hours are too late for your family, certain dates have Matinee hours as well, opening at 11am! Since the event is indoors, the outside daylight won’t affect your magical indoor experience!
It can be hard to jump into the Holiday Spirit in warmer areas like Florida, Texas, and Nevada but Enchant certainly does the trick. I loved watching Galia run through the maze, in awe of the lights and magic of Enchant and I hope you and your family will too!
Happy Holidays!
Xx
Kali
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