The 14 Best Christmas Towns In Arkansas Filled With Holiday Cheer

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’ Christmas towns are getting geared up to enchant you, and most are all ready to rock around the Christmas tree. Below you’ll find a list of some of the best Christmas towns in Arkansas that are overflowing with holiday spirit. 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

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 Garland holiday shopping event, which happens in November. You can also find Christmas on the Square, which begins Thanksgiving weekend and runs through New Year’s Eve. The light displays are stunning, and it's a part of the Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights. Click here to learn more.

2. Fayetteville

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 Ozark 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!

3. Batesville

During December, Batesville becomes known as the Christmas Capital of Arkansas. There are more than a million lights at Batesville’s White River 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 or train ride there. Set beside the White River in White River Park, this winter wonderland is one that can’t be missed. If at all possible, try to catch a performance at the North Arkansas Dance Theatre as well while you're in town! Every year, they put on a stunning show of the classic Nutcracker Ballet around the holidays. Explore the whole lineup of Batesville Christmas events here.

4. Blytheville

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 also an incredible Christmas area, but Lights of the Delta actually takes place at the Blytheville Air Force Base. With more than six million lights to see, this is one Arkansas Christmas event you don't want to miss. Every year, Lights of the Delta begins on the Monday before Thanksgiving and closes just after Christmas. In addition to the 1.5-mile light show you drive through, they offer photos with Santa, hayrides, and much more! 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.

5. Hot Springs

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 Hot Spring's holiday lights here.

6. Paris

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. They also offer an annual Christmas parade on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Get all the info about the parade here.

7. Bentonville

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. Not to mention, the light displays in Bentonville's downtown square are absolutely stunning, with plenty of festooned boutiques and restaurants to get you into the holiday spirit. Get all the info about the lights of Bentonville here.

8. Little Rock

Little Rock has loads of holiday activities and more lights than you can count, all adding up to one extraordinary Arkansas Christmas. In addition to their festive parade and holiday performances, they also have a nog-off, a competition for the best eggnog in town hosted by the Historic Arkansas Museum. 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—after all, nothing says holiday spirit like a dolled-up 1888 Victorian inn.

9. Sherwood

Many come from near and far to experience Sherwood’s Trail of Lights during the holiday season. During this display, guests will experience a mile of incredible light displays from 5 p.m. to midnight. Yet the Trail of Lights is not where the holiday fun ends in Sherwood. This Arkansas town also hosts Winter Fest, a free Christmas event held on the first Saturday in December. It starts with an annual Christmas parade, followed by a Christmas market, live music, and festive activities for kids at City Hall Park, all followed by a Christmas tree lighting at City Hall. When it comes to holiday events, this little town is doing it right, and that’s why it’s one of the best Christmas towns in Arkansas for the whole family.

10. Crossett

Crossett is home to an actual Christmas wonderland. Finney’s Christmas Light Wonderland, that is. This light display has been running for 40 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 appreciated too. There may be a line if you attend on Friday or Saturday, but this holiday display is well worth the wait. 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.

11. Pine Bluff

Did you know Pine Bluff is home to Arkansas’ largest drive-thru holiday exhibition? Pine Bluff's Enchanted Land of Lights & Legends features 1.3 miles filled with 240 lit displays along your trip through this illuminated wonderland. Best of all, admission is free! Every year, this Southern town also hosts a holiday parade and Christmas tree lighting. This year's event, Mistletoe Magic Christmas Extravaganza on Saturday, December 6, 2025, will showcase a parade, followed by a tree lighting ceremony with local vendors and food.

12. 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.

Every year, Van Buren's main street is closed down as the annual Christmas Parade takes center stage in this Arkansas town—the theme for 2025 is "Holiday in Whoville." There's also Van Buren's Christmas at the Parks, where a gorgeous walk-through light display can be found at Freedom Park, along with an ice rink, as well as a three-quarter-mile drive-thru display at Dr. Louis Peer Memorial Park.

13. Siloam Springs

Each year, this Arkansas city puts on the Light Up Siloam Springs Christmas Parade in early December, kicking off the Holiday season with a glittering display of lights and fantastic floats. Visit the Siloam Springs website to stay up to date on when the festivities kick off.

14. El Dorado

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 bona fide 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. In addition to their annual parade on the first Thursday in December, they also boast the Trail of Lights at the Murphy Arts District, which is free to attend.

Arkansas sure is a state filled with holiday cheer, from unmissable Christmas light displays to amazing winter activities. Feeling inspired to plan a trip? Download Only In Your State's itinerary planner and let the power of AI guide the way!