Eureka Springs always does it up big for the holidays. Businesses and homes throughout town drip with lights. As Santa flies his sleigh over the Ozarks, he can look down and see the shining beacon that is Eureka Springs. It makes him smile, and the reindeer get their second wind.

Our weather gets brisk, but not brrrr cold. November’s average high is 60 degrees, December’s is 50. That makes for invigorating walks around town and in the country nearby.

Starting in late November and running through December, we put on a slate of events that amplify our long-term tradition of making the holidays in Eureka Springs special. Here’s a sampling. Come join the fun and feel the spirit.

Nov. 25 – Jan. 1, Christmas Light Display at The Great Passion Play

Eureka Springs’ popular Christian-themed attraction, the 167-acre Great Passion Play, goes all out for the holidays. The illuminated grounds feature a forest of more than 300 gleaming Christmas trees on the way to the 66-foot Christ of the Ozarks statue, plus dozens of nativity scenes. It’s a donation drive-through spectacle that starts on Thanksgiving night and runs Friday through Sunday through New Year’s Day — from sundown to 8 p.m.

Nov. 26, Shop Small Saturday

With no big box stores anywhere in downtown Eureka Springs — the nearest Walmart is 12 miles away — we do our post-Thanksgiving shopping a little differently here. An annual tradition, Shop Small Saturday encourages residents and visitors alike to hunt for those distinctive gifts and other merchandise at our wide array of unique and sometimes quirky shops and galleries. Downtown is lit up big time, and stores offer specials and hourly giveaways.

And if you head to Basin Spring Park at 10:00am, you’ll be able to pick up a FREE Shop Small goodie bag filled with merchant coupons, specials, and goodies! One lucky winner will receive a FREE 2-night stay and couples spa package to the historic Palace Hotel (valued over $950)! Then go and enjoy Eureka Springs and all the unique shops!

 

December means Christmas at the Crescent

The 1886 Crescent Hotel that overlooks downtown features special Christmas-themed events throughout December — eggnog socials, gingerbread decorating, s’mores around the campfire, Santa brunches and more. Daily resort activities include concerts by bands from area schools, wine and craft beer tastings, Christmas craft classes, hatchet throwing, and walking tours. The Crescent grounds will showcase a Christmas Tree Forest.Guests will love the hayride through light-draped Glenwood Hollow.

Throughout December – Sleigh Rides & Stories: Enjoy a Sleigh-ride through the lights of Eureka Springs  
First come first served. Open to the Public Friday & Saturdays in December from 5PM-7PM.  Offered Daily Christmas Week – New Years.

December 2 – Holiday Lights for Family Photos
December 3 – The Lighting of the Trees
December 4 – Breakfast Buffet with Santa Clause (10 am – noon)
December 10 – Green Eggs & Grinch Breakfast (10 – 11 am)
December 13 – Stories by the Fireplace: Kids will snuggle by the lobby fireplace to hear one of our favorite Christmas Stories read by Mrs.Clause
December 15-17 – Gingerbread House Making
December 16 – Holly Jolly Painting Party & Cheer
December 17 – Candy Cane Hunt & Toy Drive
December 18 – Teddy Bear Tea
December 21 – Stories, Sleigh Rides & Haunted Tales: Haunted Christmas Carol
December 21 & 22 – Stories by the Fireplace: Kids will Snuggle by the lobby fireplace to hear one of our favorite Christmas Stories read by Mrs.Clause
December 26 – Tentative opening date for Arkansas only real ice skating rink
December 27-29 – Gingerbread House Making

Dec. 2, Lights On in Basin Spring Park

At 5:30pm (right before the Christmas Parade of Lights), neighbors and visitors will gather in our main downtown park to ceremoniously turn on the festive light display. Tradition says the mayor does the honors, so the Honorable Robert “Butch” Berry will flip the switch.

 

Dec. 2, Christmas Parade of Lights

Boy, does Eureka Springs love a parade — and this is one of our most popular. A steady stream of floats, bands, marchers, cars festooned with lights, pickup trucks wearing antlers, and other random sights winds through downtown. One small storefront after another gleams with holiday lights. This parade, like others throughout the year, is a delightfully unscripted affair, with a loose, improvisational feel that’s in sync with our town’s reputation for quirkiness. Grab a spot on the sidewalk and enjoy the spectacle or, even better, join in the procession if the spirit moves you. You might want to bring shades, as it gets mighty bright with all those lights. The parade is scheduled to start at 6:00pm and run to 7:00pm.

 

December 3, Candlelight Tour of Homes

For four decades homeowners in this Victorian village have invited visitors inside their historic residences to share the joys of the holiday season. The tradition continues December 3, 2022.  Come stroll through one of the largest historical districts in the country, when the Eureka Springs Preservation Society hosts The 42nd Annual Eureka Springs Preservation Society Christmas Tour of Homes. We recommend pre-purchasing tickets, which include use of Eureka Springs Trolley between Tour homes during Tour hours.

Dec. 3, 10, & 17, Santa in the Park

Prior to his big night, Santa Claus will be visiting Eureka Springs’ very own Basin Spring Park for the first three Saturdays in December from 11:00 a.m.–1:00pm each day. Be sure to make plans for you and your family to give him your Christmas Lists in person in Eureka Springs!

Dec. 11, Living Windows in Downtown Eureka

Come to Downtown Eureka Springs on Saturday December 11, 2021 and enjoy Living Windows presented by the merchants of Eureka Springs! Living Windows — where real life people act out Christmas scenes in our shop windows — will be on display from 5:00–7:00pm. But come experience the entire day and night in Downtown Eureka Springs … shop late, free 2-hour metered parking, Christmas lights, Santa in the Park, carolers singing in the streets, and plenty more family friendly holiday fun!

Holidays in Eureka Springs: