WHITE RIVER WONDERLAND LIGHT DISPLAY OPENS

Through Dec. 30/BATESVILLE– Riverside Park / Chaney Dr., daily 5 p.m.–midnight – Drive-through or walk-through millions of dancing lights set to music, with carriage rides, train rides and an ice-skating rink in one of Arkansas’s most festive holiday displays. For more information, visit https://www.whiterivernow.com/2025/11/02/white-river-wonderland-2025-details-announced-festive-fun-returns-nov-26/ White River Now – Batesville, AR+1

 

LIGHTS OF THE OZARKS 

Through Jan. 1/FAYETTEVILLE – Historic Downtown Square, lighting begins ~6 p.m. – The giant switch-on event gathers the community for live music, hot cocoa, Santa arrival and the start of a nightly light display throughout downtown. For more information, visit https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/experience/lights-of-the-ozarks

WHITE RIVER EXPRESS TRAIN & ICE SKATE RIDES

Through Dec. 31/BATESVILLE – Riverside Park / Chaney Dr., evenings 6 p.m.–10 p.m. – Ride a custom train through the light-tunnel, enjoy ice-skating on synthetic rink, and get festive photos with Santa under the holiday displays. For more information, visit https://batesvillearea.com/visit/christmas-capital-of-arkansas/

KID-FRIENDLY SANTA SELFIES WEEKEND

BATESVILLE / Weekends starting November 29 – Riverside Park, 4 p.m.–8 p.m. – Bring the family for a photo with Santa, sweet treats, warm cider and holiday music in the “Christmas Capital of Arkansas” setting. For more information, visit https://batesvillearea.com/visit/christmas-capital-of-arkansas/ White River Now – Batesville, AR

 

HOLIDAY LIGHTING & SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

BATESVILLE, AR / November 29 – Downtown district and Riverside Park from 5 p.m. – Celebrating Small Business Saturday and marking the holiday lights timeline with live entertainment, window-shopping specials and festive food trucks. For more information, visit https://batesvillearea.com/visit/christmas-capital-of-arkansas/ Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce

 

HOLIDAY FAIRE & VENDOR MARKET – HOT SPRINGS

HOT SPRINGS, AR / (Estimate early December) – Venue: Mid-America Science Museum, mid-day 10 a.m.–4 p.m. – Holiday market featuring local artisans, festive décor, hands-on kids’ ornament station and live music. For more information, visit https://www.arkietravels.com/post/holiday-festivals-throughout-arkansas Arkie Travels

 

TRAIL OF LIGHTS – GREENWOOD

GREENWOOD, AR / November 24 – Downtown area beginning ~5:30 p.m. – A community holiday lighting event with luminary displays, carriage rides through historic streets and tree-lighting ceremony. For more information, visit https://www.arkietravels.com/post/holiday-festivals-throughout-arkansas Arkie Travels

PARIS CHRISTMAS TIME PARADE & TRAIL OF LIGHTS

PARIS, AR / November 25–30 – Evening events kickoff at 6 p.m., citywide – Includes a downtown parade, window displays, horse-drawn wagon rides and a light trail across local park. For more information, visit https://www.arkietravels.com/post/holiday-festivals-throughout-arkansas Arkie Travels

 

Lights of the Ozarks Parade

Dec 4 / FAYETTEVILLE – 6:30 p.m. • Downtown Square
The Lights of the Ozarks Parade winds through the Square with illuminated floats and community groups; the larger Lights of the Ozarks display remains lit nightly through the end of December for walking and photo ops.
For more information, visit: https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/experience/lights-of-the-ozarks-parade

Christmas Parade of Lights

Dec 5 / EUREKA SPRINGS – 6:00 p.m. • Historic Downtown
A Victorian-style parade with floats, marching groups, costumed performers and a festive downtown procession during Eureka Springs’ Dickens-themed holiday weekend.
For more information, visit: https://www.eurekaspringschamber.com/events/details/christmas-parade-of-lights-10322

The BIG Little Rock Holiday Parade

Dec 6 / LITTLE ROCK – Parade begins early evening; family activities start mid-afternoon • Downtown / Statehouse area
Downtown Little Rock hosts a large holiday parade, holiday crafts and photos with Santa, capped by the Arkansas State Capitol lighting ceremony and seasonal entertainment.
For more information, visit: https://www.littlerock.com/events/annual-festivals-events/the-big-little-rock-holiday-parade/

A Very SoNA Christmas (Two Showings)

Dec 6 / FAYETTEVILLE – 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. • Walton Arts Center (Baum Walker Hall)
The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas presents a festive pops concert with singers and special guests — family-friendly holiday favorites performed live.
For more information, visit: https://waltonartscenter.org/tickets/sona/a-very-sona-christmas

Searcy Christmas Parade / Holiday of Lights Events

Dec 6 / SEARCY – Parade 6:00 p.m.; multiple Holiday of Lights activities through early December • Downtown / Berryhill Park
Searcy’s large Holiday of Lights celebration features a parade, living nativity, Polar Express PJ party, and nightly light displays across town.
For more information, visit: https://www.experiencesearcy.com/events-in-searcy/2025-searcy-christmas-parade

GloWILD (Little Rock Zoo) — Select Nights

Dec 5–14 (select nights) / LITTLE ROCK – 5:00–9:00 p.m. (last admission 8:30 p.m.) • Little Rock Zoo
A lantern-style light festival featuring handcrafted silk lanterns, animal-themed illuminated displays, family nights with Santa, and sensory-friendly sessions on selected dates.
For more information, visit: https://littlerockzoo.com/visit/glowild/

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Garvan Woodland Gardens — Holiday Lights 

Theoufh Dec 31 / HOT SPRINGS – Evenings (typically 4:00–9:00 p.m.; last admission varies) • Garvan Woodland Gardens
Stroll millions of lights woven through the gardens on select nights for concerts, special member evenings, and holiday displays; closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
For more information, visit: https://www.garvangardens.org

Holiday Events & Tree Lightings — 

Through Dec 31 (activities, markets & lights) / BENTONVILLE – Season-long displays; Lighting events and specific programs in early/mid December • Downtown Square & venues around the Square
Downtown Bentonville features evening lights on the Square, seasonal markets, ice skating shows and family programming with dates and times varying through the month.
For more information, visit: https://www.visitbentonville.com

Bentonville Christmas Parade

Dec 13 / BENTONVILLE – Late afternoon / parade time announced by organizers • Downtown Bentonville (Square & Main St.)
A family-friendly community parade with floats, bands, and holiday spirit centered on the Bentonville Square and local merchants’ festivities.
For more information, visit: https://www.visitbentonville.com/blog/stories/post/explore-bentonville-during-the-holidays/

Ballet Arkansas — The Nutcracker Spectacular

Dec 12–14 / LITTLE ROCK – Multiple showtimes (evenings & matinees) • Robinson Center Performance Hall
Arkansas’s largest holiday ballet production returns with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, traditional Nutcracker performances and family tea events on select days.
For more information, visit: https://www.balletarkansas.org

Holiday Shows at Walton Arts Center (multiple performances & dates)

Dec 10–21 / FAYETTEVILLE – Dates & times vary per show • Walton Arts Center & nearby venues
Seasonal theater offerings include family musicals, holiday films, Winter Nights programming, and special concerts across several days in December.
For more information, visit: https://waltonartscenter.org/tickets/holiday-shows/

Lights on the Square & Winter Market 

Through Jan 1 / FAYETTEVILLE – Lights nightly (approx. 5:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m.); special market & events on select weekends • Fayetteville Downtown Square
The downtown square sparkles all season with a giant lit tree, nightly lights, a winter market, and community events staged across December.
For more information, visit: https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/experience/lights-of-the-ozarks

Holiday of Lights Lighting Ceremony & Events (Searcy town-wide displays)

Nov 18–Dec/ SEARCY – Lighting ceremony mid-November followed by nightly displays and programming through December • Berryhill Park, Spring Park & downtown Searcy
Searcy’s lighting tradition includes multiple park displays, community concerts, and a weeks-long schedule of family events and parades.
For more information, visit: https://www.experiencesearcy.com/holiday-of-lights

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Eureka Springs Dickens Weekend & Related Holiday Events

Dec 5–7 / EUREKA SPRINGS – Multiple times & venues • Downtown Victorian district
A Dickens-themed holiday weekend with the Parade of Lights, themed performances, historic inn tours, and classic holiday entertainment throughout downtown.
For more information, visit: https://traveleurekasprings.com/eureka-springs-christmas-2025/

Holiday Lighting & Parade Listings — Statewide Small Town Parades 

Dec 1–31 / MULTIPLE CITIES (Pea Ridge, Marshall, Jonesboro, Hot Springs, Searcy, Bentonville, etc.) – Dates/times vary by town • Downtown streets, courthouses, parks and community centers
Many Arkansas small towns hold tree lightings, parades of lights, holiday markets and living nativities through December — check local city/tourism pages for exact times and any registration or ticket details.
For more information, visit: https://www.arkansas.com/christmas

Seasonal Light Shows & Community Holiday Markets (various venues — statewide)

Dec 1–31 / STATEWIDE – Evening and daytime hours vary • Venues include city squares, botanical gardens, zoos, and local event halls
From drive-through light displays to neighborhood light festivals, artisan holiday markets and sensory-friendly family nights, Arkansas offers rolling holiday programming throughout December.
For more information, visit: https://festivalguidesandreviews.com/arkansas-festivals