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One of my very favorite holiday traditions is our family’s Light Night. We always pick a night during Christmas when we put on our pajamas, grab a warm drink and load in the car to drive around and look at Christmas lights. While some favorite neighborhoods seem to raise the bar each year, a local light destination where we park and walk around an illuminated winter wonderland always seems like the exclamation point to my holiday feelings.
No matter where you live in Arkansas, Christmas light displays are illuminated. Arkansas Parks and Tourism keeps a comprehensive list of collections across Arkansas, but don’t forget to check the website or social media channels of your nearby cities or Chambers of Commerce for more local details.
GloWild at the Zoo | Little Rock
See the zoo in a new way with 50 illuminated creatures, including dinos, this year. In addition, cultural experiences help the zoo environments come to life with life and animated animals. Viewing the figures and lantern festival is a great family outing for entertaining out-of-town guests through Jan. 7.
Lights of the Delta | Blytheville
This drive-thru light experience brings magic to the Arkansas Delta. Hayrides and Photos with Santa are available through reservations. Visitors pay by the carload, whether in a single-family vehicle or a small bus. Over 6 million lights and more than 50 motion light displays illuminate the former Ecker Air Force Base at the largest Christmas light display in the Midsouth Region.
White River Wonderland | Batesville
Do not miss visiting the Christmas Capital of Arkansas. Last year, 48,000 vehicles drove through the incredible display that ranks as a top idea for Hallmark holiday movie scenes. <link article> As a matter of fact, more than 45% of their visitors come from out of state. And this year, the Skating Rink is back for families to enjoy together.
Holidays at Harding | Searcy
Some of Arkansas’ most beautiful spots are among her college campuses, and Harding hosts a lovely holiday season. A walkable light display is part of the City of Searcy’s Holiday of Lights tour. And don’t forget the Searcy Tour of Homes and the Living Nativity while you are in town for the World Championship Chocolate Gravy Cookoff. Christmas concerts on campus round out the holiday festivities.
Lights of the Ozarks | Fayetteville
Northwest Arkansas’ premier light experience. Historic Downtown Fayetteville begins its glow Nov. 18 and will stay lit through Jan. 1. Experience the magical lights with street entertainers, glow balloons and hot chocolate. The lights are part of a free public display from the City of Fayetteville, open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Wilson Winter Wonderland | Wilson
A magical holiday light extravaganza adorned with over 500,000 dazzling lights that paint the skies of Wilson, specifically over the gardens of the Grange, with a mesmerizing array of colors. On Fridays, Santa and Mrs. Claus come to town for even more fun! Admission is free, and the event promises to be a highlight of the holiday season for everyone.
Winter Garden Festival | Hot Springs
Nestled in a quiet section of the Ouachita Mountains, Garvan Woodland Gardens provides a unique backdrop for a sacred Christmas lights display. From the canopy of native trees to rock bridges and bluffs to the open fields spring often illuminates with early bloomers colors explode each evening from Nov. 19-Dec. 31.
Finney’s Christmas Wonderland | Crossett
An “as seen on TV” light display represents that special South Arkansas glimmer. Sam Finney and his family expand their display each year which now covers a half-mile loop. Finney handcrafts the motion displays, many coming from scenes he imagined as a kid. The display is free, but donations are invested back into the displays.
Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends | Pine Bluff
Founded nearly 30 years ago, Enchanted is Arkansas’ largest light display featuring 240 motion displays in Pine Bluff’s Regional Park. The drive-thru display is free and open through Dec. 31.
Let it Glow Tour of Lights | Magnolia
Merrytime in Magnolia comes to life the weekend following Thanksgiving and continues through Dec. . A central feature is the Southern Arkansas University campus, where the lights on Overstreet Hall transform the campus into a holiday postcard. After you stroll the campus, don’t miss the Traylor Wilson Gardens and Courthouse square.
Coulter Celebration of Lights | Mountain Home
A mixed driving and walking light experience throughout the campus of Arkansas State University Mountain Home. The alumni association hosts a 5k fun run under the lights each year. Visit the website for details about special features throughout December, including hot chocolate bombs, musical guests, and special visits from the North Pole.
Other Christmas light displays throughout Arkansas
South Arkansas
- Lace Lane Lights and City Park tree lighting | De Queen
- Merrytime in Magnolia and Let it Glow | Magnolia
- Little River Courthouse | Ashdown
- Holidays at the Harbor | Mount Ida
- Winter Garden Festival @ Garvan Woodland Gardens and Trail of Lights | Hot Springs
- Merry & Bright Holiday Lights | El Dorado
- Holiday Light Extravaganza | Smackover
- Trail of Holiday Lights | Texarkana
- City Park Holiday Lighting | Nashville
- Parade of Lights | Mena
- Trail of Lights | Oakhaven
- Christmas and Candlelight | Washington
Central Arkansas
- Small Town Christmas| Benton
- Arkansas State Capitol | Little Rock
- Bright the Night | Downtown Little Rock
- GloWild at the Zoo | Little Rock
- Holiday of Lights | Searcy
- Illuminate | Conway
- Enchanted Forest Trail of Lights | Sherwood
- Trail of Holiday Lights | Jacksonville
- Northern Lights| North Little Rock
- Christmas Road to Bethlehem | Lonoke
- Lights on Linker Mountain | Dover
- Glisten in Greenbrier | Greenbrier
Delta
- Holiday Festival | Helena
- Finney’s Christmas Wonderland | Crossett
- Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends | Pine Bluff
- Downtown Christmas Lights | Marianna
- Trail of Lights | White Hall
North Central
- Coulter Celebration of Lights | Mountain Home
- White River Wonderland | Batesville
- Holiday Trail of Lights | Heber Springs
- Christmas in Mountain View | Mountain View
- Light Up the Night | Bull Shoals
- Christmas at the Ridge | Walnut Ridge
- Christmas in Cotter | Cotter
Northeast Arkansas
- Christmas at the Park | Jonesboro
- Lights of the Delta | Blytheville
- Christmas in the Park | Corning
- Simmons Christmas light Show | West Memphis
Northwest Arkansas
- Lights of the Ozarks | Fayetteville
- Stewart Family Christmas | Fayetteville
- Christmas At The Parks | Van Buren
- Listening Forest Lights at Crystal Bridges | Bentonville
- Lighting of the Square | Bentonville
- Creekmore Holiday Express | Fort Smith
- Great Passion Play Lights | Eureka Springs
- Christmas Across Eureka | Eureka Springs
- Trail of Holiday Lights | Paris
- Holiday Trail of Lights | Greenwood
- Trail of Lights | Huntsville
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Lights Around Town | Fort Smith
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Magial Lights Adventure | Fayetteville
Follow the Arkansas Tourism Trail of Lights page for continual updates on Christmas light displays throughout the season.
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[…] there is something magical about twinkling lights. And for those who love the Holidays, the local light displays are likely a highlight of the season. As you wander through parks, drive along Main Street or shop […]
[…] no secret around here that we love an idyllic Christmas season. Bring on the Christmas lights, the holiday movies and cultural celebrations; it’s time for Christmas in Arkansas. But, […]
[…] no secret around here that we love an idyllic Christmas season. Bring on the Christmas lights, the holiday movies and cultural celebrations; it’s time for Christmas in Arkansas. But, […]
[…] some hot cocoa, bundle up in cozy scarves and mittens, and set out on for a final look at some of Arkansas’s must-see Christmas light displays before they go […]