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What makes Christmas lights so magical? Maybe it’s the glowing canopy overhead or the way even the simplest object becomes enchanting when outlined in twinkling bulbs. Or perhaps it’s that in 2025, nearly any idea can turn into a dazzling light display. Whatever the reason, Christmas lights have a way of transforming winter nights into something extraordinary.
For children growing up in Arkansas, finding a place to see lights has always been part of the holiday season. Nearly every town has a tree lighting, a courthouse square decorated in color, a community parade, or a neighborhood that goes all-in on the glow. And if you’ve ever stood on the courthouse lawn when the lights shift from darkness to brilliance, you know it’s a full sensory moment. It can evoke childhood nostalgia in the best way, even for the grumpiest grandpa in town.
Some of the sweetest holiday traditions are the simplest, too. Piling into the car with cups of hot chocolate and driving through your favorite neighborhoods and strolling through a downtown square after a holiday party. Catching those late-night moments when most people are already home, yet the lights are still shining just for you, just like in those Hallmark movies!
Whether you’re walking, riding, or simply pausing to take it all in, Christmas lights encourage us to slow down. They transform familiar places into storybooks, ignite imagination, and bring warmth to the coldest nights. Across Arkansas, countless spots let that magic shine the brightest.
Arkansas Christmas Light Displays
GloWild at the Zoo | Little Rock
Experience the zoo in a new way this year with 50 illuminated creatures, including dinosaurs. Additionally, cultural activities bring the zoo environment to life with vibrant, animated animals. Viewing the figures and the lantern festival make for a fun family outing to entertain out-of-town guests through Jan. 4. Don’t miss a special sensory night on Dec. 11 and GloWILD on new year’s eve.
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
Don’t miss visiting the Christmas Capital of Arkansas. Last year, 48,000 vehicles traveled through the stunning display, which ranks among the top ideas for Hallmark holiday movie scenes. In fact, more than 45% of visitors come from out of state. This year, it features a spectacular new experience with glittering lights that transform every detail!
Holidays at Harding | Searcy
Some of Arkansas’s most beautiful spots are on its university campuses, and Harding hosts a charming 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, the Living Nativity, train rides, and much more Fa La La La in Searcy this season! Christmas concerts on campus complete the holiday festivities.
Lights of the Ozarks | Fayetteville
Northwest Arkansas’ premier light experience begins in Historic Downtown Fayetteville on Nov. 21 and continues through Jan. 1. Enjoy the magical lights, along with street entertainers, glow balloons and hot chocolate. The display is a free public event hosted by the City of Fayetteville, open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Lights of the Ozarks Parade will march through the square on Thursday, Dec. 4, and Fayetteville Festivus will shine under the light canopy on Friday, Dec. 12.
Winter Garden Festival | Hot Springs
Nestled in a quiet part of the Ouachita Mountains, Garvan Woodland Gardens offers a unique setting for a sacred Christmas lights display. From the canopy of native trees to rock bridges and bluffs to open fields, spring often illuminates with early-blooming flowers. Colors explode each evening from Nov. 22 to Dec. 31.
Finney’s Christmas Wonderland | Crossett
An “as seen on TV” light display showcases that special South Arkansas glimmer. Sam Finney and his family add to their display each year, now covering a half-mile loop. Finney crafts the motion displays by hand, many inspired by scenes he envisioned as a kid. The display is free, but donations are reinvested into expanding it. Festivities run from Thanksgiving evening through new year’s eve.
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 to the public in mid-Nov. , through Dec. 31.
Let it Glow Tour of Lights | Magnolia
Merrytime in Magnolia begins the weekend after Thanksgiving and runs through Dec. . A key event is the Southern Arkansas University campus celebration Dec. 5, when the lights on Overstreet Hall turn the campus into a holiday postcard. After you walk through the campus, be sure to visit the Traylor Wilson Gardens and Courthouse Square.
Creekmore Holiday Express | Fort Smith
Creekmore Park becomes a walkable winter wonderland every December, illuminated with hundreds of colorful, animated light displays. Families can bundle up with hot cocoa and stroll along the park’s festive paths, but the highlight of the season is the Creekmore Holiday Express. This miniature train whisks riders on a joyful loop through the sparkling grounds, offering a front-row view of the shimmering Christmas magic; a nostalgic way to celebrate the season.
Wilson Winter Wonderland | Wilson
A magical holiday light show features over 500,000 sparkling lights that brighten the skies of Wilson, where eight large American-made Christmas trees form a festive holiday garden. On Fridays, Santa and Mrs. Claus come to town for even more fun! Admission is free, and the event is sure to be a highlight of the holiday season for everyone.
Coulter Celebration of Lights | Mountain Home
Experience a combination of driving and walking to explore the lights throughout the Arkansas State University Mountain Home campus. The alumni association hosts an annual 5k fun run under the lights. Visit the website for details about special features in December, including hot chocolate bombs, musical guests, and 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
- Trail of Lights @ Murphy Arts District | 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
- Festive Freeman Playground | Helena
- Hometown Holiday on the Square | Helena
- Finney’s Christmas Wonderland | Crossett
- Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends | Pine Bluff
- Downtown Christmas Lights | Marianna
- Trail of Lights | White Hall
Northeast Arkansas
- Christmas at the Park | Jonesboro
- Lights of the Delta | Blytheville
- Christmas in the Park | Corning
- Simmons Christmas light Show | West Memphis
- Christmas in the Village | Cherokee Village
River Valley
- Lights on Linker | Dover
- Lights of Christmas @ Connect Church | Russellville
- Downtown Russellville and Courthouse | Russellville
- Creekmore Holiday Express | Fort Smith
- Trail of Holiday Lights | Paris
- Christmas At The Parks | Van Buren
Northwest Arkansas
- Lights of the Ozarks | Fayetteville
- Stewart Family Christmas | Fayetteville
- Light Show NWA | Fayetteville
- Winter Glow | Fayetteville
- Trail of Lights | Huntsville
- Christmas on the Creek | Springdale
- Forest Light Experience @ Crystal Bridges | Bentonville
- Lighting of the Square | Bentonville
- Great Passion Play Lights | Eureka Springs
- Christmas Across Eureka | Eureka Springs
- Holiday Trail of Lights | Greenwood
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
- Lighting of Historic Square | Harrison
Check out this comprehensive list of Arkansas holiday events across the state.
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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 […]
Keisha, you are such a great writer and promoter of Arkansas’ people and places. We would love to have you and your family come for a Cocoa & Carriage Ride at Magnolia Hill. Come, be our guests for we would love to see you. ( Let me know when you would like to come as our GUEST…more info is on Facebook page….Alda’s Magnolia HIll.