Posted in Arkansas Small Towns, Winter October 16, 2022 by

Here Are The 14 Most Enchanting, Magical Christmas Towns In Arkansas

Y’all ready for things to get magical? Well, you’re in luck, because Christmas magic is happening all over the Natural State right now. As you read this, Arkansas’s Christmas towns are getting geared up to enchant you, and most are already totally ready to rock around the Christmas tree. Below you’ll find a list of some of the best Christmas towns in Arkansas, and you’ll want to check each of them off your holiday bucket list before the end of this most magical month of the year!

1. Benton
Harold Wright/Flickr
Harold Wright/Flickr
Benton is the county seat of Saline County, and it’s one of our favorite Arkansas Christmas towns. There's always the annual Glitz and Glamour holiday shopping event, which happens in mid to late November. The light displays are stunning, and it's a part of the Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights. Click here to learn more.
Benton, AR, USA
2. Fayetteville
MRHSFan/Flickr
Tom Hapgood/Flickr
One of the best Christmas towns in Arkansas, Fayetteville has three things we’re all looking for every holiday season: great food, fabulous shopping, and tons of beautiful Christmas lights. Home to the Lights of the Ozarks on the Fayetteville Square, this Ozarks town is also slightly more likely to get snow. And if you’re going to see snow this year, you definitely want to see it in the Ozarks. Click here for information about Lights of the Ozarks, Fayetteville's annual holiday celebration!
Fayetteville, AR, USA
3. Batesville
Dave Thomas/Flickr
Dave Thomas/Flickr
There are more than a million lights at Batesville’s Winter Wonderland, but you’ll also find something that not just any Arkansas Christmas town is likely to have—an ice skating rink. You can also go on a stagecoach ride there. Who doesn’t want to go on a stagecoach ride? Set beside the White River in White River Park, this Winter Wonderland is one that can’t be missed. You should also see if the North Arkansas Dance Theatre will be doing the Nutcracker while you're in town! The festivities begin on November 24, 2022, and will run until the New Year. Click here for information about White River Wonderland.
Batesville, AR 72501, USA
4. Blytheville
Lights of the Delta/Facebook
Lights of the Delta/Facebook
Blytheville is home to Lights of the Delta, which claims that it is "the largest Christmas lighting display in the Mid-South." They are not wrong. Downtown Blytheville is an incredible Christmas area too, but Lights of the Delta actually takes place at the old Eaker Air Force Base. With more than six million lights to see, this is one Arkansas Christmas event you don't want to miss. Don’t forget to stop by the concession stand where you can also get a souvenir ornament to take home. Talk about a Christmas town! They have their own ornament! Click here to learn more about Lights of the Delta's plans for this year.
Blytheville, AR 72315, USA
5. Hot Springs
Michael Leza/Flickr
Robert Nunnally/Flickr
Hot Springs makes this list for its Christmas lights, of course, but also because of its setting and resort town qualities. You’re not going to find a better place to relax than in a Ouachita Mountain spa town, and an added bonus is that the shops there would be a great place to finish up your shopping. While you’re on Bathhouse Row enjoying the lights, make sure you make an appointment to have a bath at one of the amazing bathhouses. As soon as you step into the healing waters of the hot springs, all your holiday stress will start to melt away. As a matter of fact, while we’re on the subject, how about everybody just plans a relaxing/shopping weekend trip to Hot Springs? Get all the info about the lights here.
Hot Springs, AR, USA
6. Paris
Tonya Stinson/Flickr
AR Nature Gal/Flickr
Speaking of adorable Arkansas Christmas towns, you really need to visit Paris. It sits in the shadow of Mount Magazine and it’s pretty much a wonderland all the time. At Christmastime, the wonderland aspect is turned up a notch, because of the small-town atmosphere you’ll find in the downtown area and the stunning display at the Logan County Courthouse. Get all the info about the trail of lights here.
Paris, AR 72855, USA
7. Bentonville
Alfredo Carillo/Flickr
Walmart Corporate/Flickr
Looking for a great little Christmas town where you can shop your heart out? Look no further than downtown Bentonville. This adorable little town is perfect for grabbing a cup of warm cocoa and then shopping 'til you drop. Fun times! Get all the info about the lights of Bentonville here.
Bentonville, AR, USA
8. Little Rock
Paul Barrows/Flickr
Adam Bartlett/Flickr
Little Rock has loads of activities and more lights than you can count all adding up to one extraordinary Arkansas Christmas. Not to mention world-class shopping. Among the places that you absolutely have to go in Little Rock to prop up your holiday spirit are the state capitol building and the Empress of Little Rock. As a matter of fact, you should definitely try to book a night at the Empress. After all, nothing says holiday spirit like a dolled-up Victorian inn.
Little Rock, AR, USA
9. Sherwood
City of Sherwood
City of Sherwood
Sherwood’s Christmas light event has pretty much the coolest name ever: Sherwood’s Enchanted Forest Trail of Lights. You’ll experience a mile of incredible light displays including a reindeer soda shop and ole Kris Kringle himself. When it comes to Christmas events, this little town is doing it right, and that’s why it’s one of the best Christmas towns in Arkansas that the whole family will enjoy. Get all the info about the lights here.
Sherwood, AR, USA
10. Crossett
Finney’s Christmas Wonderland/Facebook
Finney’s Christmas Wonderland/Facebook
Crossett is home to an actual Christmas wonderland. Finney’s Christmas Light Wonderland, that is. This light display has been running for more than 30 years and it’s widely lauded as one of the best in the Natural State. It’s free, but if you want to donate, that’s cool too. This light show won ABC’s Great Light Fight one year, making Crossett and the wonderful Mr. Finney a nationally-renowned pair of Christmas treasures. Get all the info about this display here.
Crossett, AR 71635, USA
11. Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff Convention & Visitors Bureau/Facebook
Pine Bluff Convention & Visitors Bureau/Facebook
Real talk: Pine Bluff kind of has a rough reputation, but we're here to tell you you’d be remiss to avoid it during the holiday season. Their Enchanted Land of Lights & Legends is spectacular, and you don’t want to miss the shopping there, either. If you’re wanting a mall atmosphere for your holiday shopping, you’ve got to stop by the Pines Mall. Get all the info about one of Pine Bluff's most popular lights events here.
Pine Bluff, AR, USA
12. Van Buren
Historic Main Street Van Buren Arkansas/Facebook
City of Van Buren
Another small town with a charming main street is Van Buren. You’ll find all the quirky, off-beat, boutique, and vintage gifts your loved ones could possibly want, and some gorgeous Christmas lights on the Crawford County Courthouse. Strolling through streets lined with Victorian-era buildings will lift your holiday spirit as well. Plus, you’ll have the additional benefit of feeling really good about supporting local businesses with your Christmas dough. Read about Van Buren's most popular holiday event here.
Van Buren, AR 72956, USA
13. Siloam Springs
Samuel Ryo/Flickr
Main Street Siloam Springs/Facebook
There’s a specific time that you need to visit downtown Siloam Springs, as the lights are not turned on every evening. Visit the Siloam Springs website to stay up to date on when the festivities kick off.
Siloam Springs, AR 72761, USA
14. El Dorado
City of El Dorado, AR - City Hall/Facebook
Main Street El Dorado/Facebook
El Dorado is a little south Arkansas town that’s put an awful lot of work into their downtown district, and they put even more work into making it into a bonafide Arkansas Christmas town every December. From the amazing shops and restaurants to the festive decorations, this town will make you wonder why it can’t be Christmas all the time. Learn more about this year's Christmas parade here.
El Dorado, AR 71730, USA

For holiday lights you can’t miss, click here. Check out our Christmas towns list from last year, too!

What are your favorite Arkansas Christmas towns? Tell us all about it in the comments! We love hearing your stories.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Christmas Towns in Arkansas

November 19, 2021
Tori Jane

What are some fun things to do at Christmas in Arkansas?  

Arkansas is one of those states that truly loves its Christmas time! As a result, there is plenty to do and see all over this state for just about everyone. Arkansas has plentiful winter attractions even if Christmas isn’t your thing – there is seriously so much going on that no matter who you are or what you celebrate, you’re going to love this time of year. Some of the most popular things to do at Christmas in Arkansas include events like Christmas At The Park, in Jonesboro, the Searcy Trail of Holiday Lights, in Searcy, and the Gurdon Trail of Holiday Lights, too. In fact, many towns in Arkansas have their very own trails of lights, including Oakhaven, Beebe, Cotter, and many more. There are also things like taking the family for a drive to look at all the best Christmas lights, too, and if you’d like to do that, we’ve already done the footwork for you! Check this article out for the best-ever Christmas lights road trip in Arkansas.  

Where is the best place to spend Christmas in Arkansas?  

Well, “best” is subjective, so it’s truly up to you! However, it’s no secret that some towns do go above and beyond to be at their very best during the holidays, and it’s a truly fun thing to visit these places year after year. Some of our favorite places to spend Christmas in Arkansas include amazing towns like Batesville and Fayetteville, both of which take their decorations and light displays to the next level. Eureka Springs is a holiday hotspot and it’s really embraced this time of year as one of the best; plan on going ice skating in front of the Crescent Hotel and Spa. There are also towns like Ponca, Piggott, Conway, and even Paris – they all love getting in on the fun, and who could blame them? This time of year is sure a special one in the state of Arkansas.