ARKANSAS, USA — The time is near for some holiday cheer! All across Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley, residents will have the opportunity to get festive this November and December.
Light shows, pop-up bars, Christmas parades, and more will surely get you feeling merry. From Fayetteville to Fort Smith, here are some fun things to do with your loved ones this holiday season!
Fayetteville
- Lights of the Ozarks
- Days: Light Night will be Nov. 22 and the square will go dark on Jan. 1
- Hours: Light Night will begin at 6 p.m. For the rest of the season, the lights will be open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Location: Downtown Fayetteville Square
- What to know: Experience Fayetteville will kick off the Lights of the Ozarks with a countdown and ceremonial "flip of the giant switch" on Nov. 22. They will shine brightly nightly until the end of December.
- Admission: Free
- Lights of the Ozarks Parade
- Day: Dec. 5
- Hours: Begins at 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Downtown Fayetteville
- What to know: The annual Lights of the Ozarks Parade will make its way through downtown nearly two weeks after the ceremonial lighting.
- Admission: Free
- Stewart Family Christmas Light Display
- Days: Beginning Nov. 16 and ending Jan. 3
- Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends
- Location: 4279 E Wyman Rd. in Fayetteville
- What to know: There are over 6 million lights, hundreds of inflatables, camel rides, train rides, pony rides, food trucks, and appearances from Santa every night and the Grinch every weekend night.
- Admission: $10 (children 2 and under enter for free)
- The Light Show NWA
- Days: Nov. 22 to Dec. 31
- Hours: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
- Location: 2463 N McConnell Ave. in Fayetteville
- What to know: It is a dazzling drive-through light show on the Washington County Fairgrounds.
- Admission: $25-$30 per car. A 2024 season pass is $85
- Winter Glow at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
- Days: Dec. 6 to Dec. 22
- Hours: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Location: 4703 N Crossover Rd. in Fayetteville
- What to know: Enjoy an illuminated stroll at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks with a holiday pop-up event each weekend, including Sounds of the Season, Holiday Market, and Music in the Garden.
- Fayetteville Holiday Markets
- Location: Fayetteville Square
- Days and hours: Nov. 23 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Location: Fayetteville Senior Center
- Days: Dec. 14 and Dec. 21
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- What to know: The Fayetteville Farmer's Market will host its annual Holiday Market with handcrafted holiday wreaths, crafts, and seasonal vegetables, fruit, meats, eggs, cheeses, and more!
- Admission: Free
- Location: Fayetteville Square
- The Community Creative Center's 16th Annual Holiday Market
- Days: Dec. 2 to Dec. 22
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays
- Location: 505 W Spring St. in Fayetteville
- What to know: This market gathers the best artists in Northwest Arkansas to sell their fine art and handmade crafts.
- Admission: Free
- Walton Arts Center's Winter Nights
- Days: Nov. 14 to Dec. 21
- Hours: 6 p.m. to midnight
- Location: 495 W Dickson St.
- What to know: Winter Nights offers an indoor and outdoor gathering space decked out in holiday cheer. They offer nightly events and activities catered to both adults and children, food, festive drinks, and more. The beloved snow globes have also returned.
- Admission: Entry is free. However, the snow globes require reservations and cost $200 (with some extra benefits included). See the Walton Arts Center's website for more details.
- Christmas at Pinpoint
- Days: Nov. 15 to Jan. 1
- Hours: Opens at 4 p.m.
- Location: 23 Block Ave. in Fayetteville
- What to know: This is a holiday-themed bar with festive drinks and nostalgic decorations. Plus, they have pinball machines year-round.
- Admission: Must be 21 or older
- TheatreSquared's "A Christmas Carol"
- Days: Nov. 20 to Dec. 24
- Hours: Show start times are at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. More details here
- Location: 477 W Spring St. in Fayetteville
- What to know: TheatreSquared will perform the Charles Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol" one last time.
- Admission: Tickets range from $20-$66 and can be purchased on TheatreSquared’s website.
- Arkansas Air & Military Museum's Santa Drop 2024
- Day: Dec. 7
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Location: 4290 S School Ave. in Fayetteville
- What to know: Santa Claus will skydive onto Drake Field at 11 a.m. Guests can take photos with Santa until 1 p.m. or until the line ends. In case the weather is not in Santa's favor, the drop will be moved to Dec. 14.
- Admission: Free
- White Elephant 5K
- Day: Dec. 14
- Hours: 5K starts at 8 a.m. and the mile starts at 9 a.m.
- Location: Begins at the Fayetteville Square
- What to know: The 4th annual holiday-themed race — hosted by the Fayetteville Parks, Natural Resources, and Cultural Affairs — encourages participants to wear their tackiest holiday attire for the race. At the end of the journey, they will get to high-five Santa Claus himself!
- Admission: $10-$30 for registration. For more information, email Tiffany Hoover at thoover@fayetteville-ar.gov
Fort Smith
- Fort Smith Christmas Parade
- Day: Dec. 14
- Time: Begins at 3 p.m.
- Location: Downtown Fort Smith
- What to know: The Fort Smith Christmas Parade will host festive floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus.
- Admission: Free
- Downtown Fort Smith Cocoa Crawl
- Day: Nov. 30
- Hours: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Location: Downtown Fort Smith
- What to know: Main Street Fort Smith and Go Downtown Fort Smith is hosting its first-ever Cocoa Crawl to kick off the holiday season. Participants will stroll through downtown and visit local businesses. At each stop, the participating businesses will offer cocoa or apple cider.
- Admission: Free
- Jingle Bar: A Holiday Pop-Up
- Day: Nov. 30
- Hours: 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Location: Majestic Fort Smith at 817 Garrison Ave. in Fort Smith
- What to know: For one night only, Majestic will kick off the season with holiday tunes by local musicians and offer themed cocktails. Musicians Luke Pruitt, Tom Ware and Lacey Thomas, The Swicegoods, and Covington Creek will take the stage.
- Admission: Tickets range from $15-$20. Must be 18 and up.
- Fort Smith Regional Art Museum's Holiday Art Party
- Day: Dec. 7
- Hours: Noon to 4 p.m.
- Location: 1601 Rogers Ave. in Fort Smith
- What to know: This is a family-friendly event with free holiday crafts, cookies, and scavenger hunts. Santa will also make an appearance!
- Admission: Free
- Miss Laura's "Not So Silent Night" Christmas Soiree
- Day: Dec. 12
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Location: 2 North B St. in Fort Smith
- What to know: Miss Laura's Brothel Museum will host an inaugural Christmas Soiree with a social hour, live holiday music, and a presentation on French artist Edgar Degas.
- Admission: $35 (only 30 tickets will be available and can be purchased online or in person)
- Fort Smith's 4th Annual Synthetic Ice Rink
- Days: Dec. 5 to Dec. 31
- Hours
- Thursday, Dec. 5, and Friday, Dec. 6: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 7: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 8: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 12, and Friday, Dec. 13: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 14: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 15: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 19, through Saturday, Dec. 21: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 22: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 24: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 26, through Saturday, Dec. 28: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 29: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 30: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 31: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Location: Hunt's Park at 3000 Dodson Ave. in Fort Smith
- What to know: The annual ice skating tradition will be at a new location this year! In addition to the new spot, there will be a new Santa House entirely built by students. All proceeds from the rink will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Fort Smith and Community Rescue Mission.
- Admission: Tickets for children will be $5, and tickets for adults will be $10
- Christmas Honors Laying of the Wreaths
- Day: Dec. 7
- Hours
- Family time: 8 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
- Ceremony at the Pavilion: 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Public laying of the wreaths: 11:30 a.m.
- Location: Fort Smith National Cemetery
- What to know: Christmas Honors and volunteers pay their respects to fallen veterans by decorating each grave site at the Fort Smith National Cemetery with holiday wreaths. Visit the Christmas Honors website for more information on volunteer opportunities before and after the wreath laying.
- Admission: Free
Bentonville
- Bentonville Holiday Market
- Day: Nov. 23
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Location: The Meteor Guitar Gallery at 128 W Central Ave. in Bentonville
- What to know: Before the Lighting of the Square, the annual Holiday Market will return to the Meteor. It will host local vendors just in time for holiday shopping to begin.
- Admission: Free
- Lighting of the Square
- Day: Nov. 23
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Location: Bentonville Square
- What to know: Bentonville will kick off the holiday season with the annual Lighting of the Square.
- Admission: Free
- Holiday International Feast & Market
- Day: Dec. 5
- Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Location: Record Downtown at 104 SW A St. in Bentonville
- What to know: The first-ever Holiday International Feast & Market will offer cuisines from all over the world and handcrafted goods all in one spot. There will also be live music and cultural performances
- Admission: Free general admission and $35 for VIP early access
- Bentonville Christmas Parade
- Day: Dec. 14
- Time: Begins at 6 p.m.
- Location: Bentonville Square
- What to know: Bentonville's annual parade will begin at Main Street and end at the First Baptist parking lot where Santa will be waiting.
- Admission: Free
- Miracle on 2nd Street at Undercroft
- Days: Nov. 18 to Dec. 31
- Time: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday
- Location: NE A St. in Bentonville
- What to know: The hidden cocktail bar in the basement of the Preacher's Son will host its 5th annual holiday pop-up. Not only will the bar be decked out in nostalgic holiday decorations, but there will be a large selection of festive, crafted cocktails to choose from.
- Admission: Free but may need reservations for entry. More details here
- SantaCon NWA 2024
- Day: Dec. 7
- Hours: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (after party will be from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
- Location: Bentonville Square
- What to know: Participating venues in downtown Bentonville and Rogers will have drinks, food, and retail specials during the day. All you have to do is dress up in your best holiday gear and show participating locations a SantaCon wristband!
- Admission: $10 (must pick up your wristband from The HUB Bike Lounge or Ozark Beer Co. between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.). More details here
Rogers
- Rogers Christmas Parade
- Day: Dec. 6
- Time: Begins at 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Downtown Rogers
- What to know: Rogers will host its annual Christmas Parade. But, this year's theme will be "The Spirit of Christmas." Floats will go down the usual route through downtown. Plus, parade entries will be competing for trophies in the following categories: Spectacular Sparkles Award, Elfin Magic Award, Glory of Angels Award, and Know Your Stockings Off Award.
- Admission: Free
- Rogers Christmas Village
- Days: Dec. 6 and Dec. 7
- Hours: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
- Location: Downtown Rogers
- The 2nd annual Rogers Christmas Village is a vendor market that hosts local artists and makers selling holiday-themed items. There will be 35 vendors, four food trucks, photo opportunities with Santa and the Grinch, and a special performance from Ballet Westside Dance Studio dancers.
- Admission: Free
- Benton County Christmas Toy Run
- Day: Dec. 14
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Registration: 10:30 a.m.
- Kickstands up: Noon
- Lunch: 1 p.m.
- Location: Begins at the Bass Pro Shop at 2300 S Promenade Blvd. in Rogers
- What to know: The Pig Trail Harley-Davidson is hosting the 19th annual Benton County Christmas Toy Run to benefit the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter. Escorted by the Benton County Sheriff's Office, Santa will lead the pack to the NWA Children's Shelter.
- Admission: $5 to ride. They are accepting new, unwrapped gift donations through Dec. 20 (the day before the Carroll County Christmas Toy Run).
Springdale
- Christmas on the Creek
- Day: Nov. 30
- Hours: Noon to 9 p.m.
- Location: Downtown Springdale
- What to know: Before lighting the Christmas tree, the holiday tradition will host good food, live music, and local makers and artists. Even Santa will be there!
- Admission: Free
- Christmas Parade of the Ozarks
- Day: Nov. 30
- Time: Begins at 6 p.m.
- Location: Parade begins at the Rodeo of the Ozarks and travels west down Emma Avenue
- What to know: The Rodeo of the Ozarks will host its annual Christmas Parade with over 30 participants.
- Admission: Free
Van Buren
- Downtown Van Buren Christmas Parade: Holiday in Whoville
- Day: Dec. 14
- Time: Begins at 6 p.m.
- Location: Downtown Van Buren
- What to know: The Old Town Merchants Association is hosting the annual Van Buren Christmas parade.
- Admission: Free
Siloam Springs
- Light Up Siloam Springs Christmas Parade: Toyland
- Day: Dec. 7
- Time: Begins at 5:30 p.m.
- Location: The parade will kick off at on Tulsa Street by the Siloam Springs Middle School
- What to know: The Heritage League of Siloam Springs is hosting its annual Christmas Parade. As the parade makes its way toward downtown, the streets will be illuminated.
- Admission: Free
Greenwood
- Greenwood Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade
- Day: Dec. 9
- Time: Begins at 7 p.m.
- Location: Floats will line up on Daisy St. behind the H.B. Stewart Arena
- What to know: This year's parade theme is "A Christmas Salute." The entry fee to be in the parade is donated toiletry items that will be collected for and distributed by the Greenwood Schools Parent Center.
- Admission: Free
Mulberry
- Christmas in the Country
- Day: Dec. 7
- Hours: Noon to 8 p.m.
- Location: Kirksey Park in Mulberry
- What to know: The annual one-day holiday market will host vendors.
- Admission: Free
Did we miss an event? Email us at KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com.
