Celebrate the Magic of the Holiday Season in Eureka Springs

Step into a world of wonder this holiday season as Eureka Springs transforms into a sparkling mountain town filled with lights, music, and timeless holiday charm. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, visitors and locals come together for dazzling displays, live performances, festive markets, and family-friendly activities. Here’s your guide to making the most of Christmas in Eureka Springs in 2025.

A Victorian Wonderland of Lights

As the holiday season begins, Eureka Springs glows with thousands of twinkling lights, Victorian décor, and holiday magic around every corner. During the Kickoff to Christmas (Nov. 28–29 ) , historic homes, hotels, and shops across town illuminate for the season. Use the Holiday Lights Digital Map at ChristmasInEureka.com to find the most spectacular displays.

At the Crescent Hotel, the Holiday Hangout rooftop pop-up opens nightly beginning November 28, offering cozy food, sweets, and festive drinks with breathtaking views. Across town, the Great Passion Play Lights shine through New Year’s, adding even more sparkle to your holiday visit.

Thanksgiving weekend also features Shop Small Saturday, the Basin Spring Park Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Wizards of Winter holiday rock concert, and the Nutcracker Sweets Ballet at The Auditorium.

Family Fun and Festive Cheer

Make unforgettable holiday memories with a month filled with family-friendly events:

• Teddy Bear Brunch (Dec 7 ) Create a lifetime memory by joining us for the fifth annual Teddy Bear Tea.

• Santa’s Village at the Crescent Hotel (Dec. 12–14 & Dec. 12–13 weekend ) features sledding, pony rides, gingerbread houses, cookie decorating, the Christmas Tree Forest, toy-making fun, and the Candy Cane Café.

• Santa in the Park returns on select weekends throughout December.

• Enjoy the Grinch Breakfast (Dec. 13 ) at the Crescent for a whimsical morning treat.

• Wrap up the weekend with Santa Brunch (Dec. 14 ) before heading to the evening’s concert downtown.

Whether it’s cocoa crawls, meet-and-greets with Santa, or charming Victorian festivities, kids and families will find plenty to love.

Shopping with a Local Twist

Holiday shopping becomes a joyful adventure as local makers, boutiques, and markets fill the season with handcrafted gifts:

• Shop Small Saturday (Nov. 29 ) brings giveaways, treats, and downtown festivities.

• Living Windows (Dec. 13 ) transforms storefronts into magical live holiday scenes.

• Elf Scavenger Hunt (Dec. 19–21 ) offers family fun while exploring local shops.

• Caroling in the Park brings classic songs and warm community spirit to Basin Spring Park.

Whether you’re checking off your gift list or browsing for something special, Eureka Springs’ local creativity shines all season long.

Music and Performances to Warm Your Heart

The town comes alive with holiday soundtracks throughout December:

• Wizards of Winter kicks off Thanksgiving weekend with a high-energy rock concert.

• Nutcracker Sweets Ballet (Nov. 28–29 weekend ) returns to The Auditorium.

• Christmas with the Rosses (Nov. 28 - Dec. 26 ) A Holiday Show That’s Definitely On The Nice List!

• Arkansas Highlands Brass Band (Dec. 7 ) brings lively holiday classics to downtown.

• Home for the Holidays Showcase (Dec. 12 ) offers festive performances from local talent.

• Ozarks Chorale Holiday Concert (Dec. 14 ) fills the auditorium with seasonal harmonies.

• Opera in the Ozarks presents Lucinda y las Flores de la Nochebuena (Dec. 12–14 ) — a heartwarming program blending operatic storytelling, carols, and audience sing-alongs.

• Enjoy free holiday movies, including seasonal favorites shown throughout December at The Auditorium.

Parades, Tree Lightings, and Unique Festivities

Nothing captures the spirit of Christmas like a parade or a festive community gathering. Don’t miss:

• Basin Spring Park Tree Lighting (Nov. 29 ) — a small-town celebration filled with music, holiday cheer, and magical charm.

• Christmas Parade of Lights (Dec. 5 ) — themed “Scrooge,” filled with glowing floats inspired by Dickens’ classic tale.

• Living Windows (Dec. 14 ) — downtown shops come alive with animated holiday scenes.

• Jinglin’ Jeep Parade (Dec. 20 ) — a fan favorite featuring creatively decorated Jeeps lighting up the night.

• New Year’s Eve Bash with a Splash (Dec. 31 ) — featuring a festive nighttime parade, live music by Jenna & The Soul Shakers and Fossils of Ancient Robots, fire twirlers, surprise performances, and the iconic Water Drop at midnight in Basin Spring Park.

Every weekend brings something new to see and celebrate.

Festive Eats and Treats

Warm up with seasonal snacks, cookies, and cocoa throughout town:

• The Holiday Hangout at the Crescent serves holiday cocktails, hot cocoa, sweet treats, and cozy bites nightly from Nov. 28–Dec. 31.

• The Cocoa & Cookie Crawl (Dec. 12 ) is the perfect way to taste your way through downtown.

• The Candy Cane Café in Santa’s Village offers kid-friendly delights all weekend long.

Celebrate the Season with Meaning

The season shines even brighter with events that give back to the community:

• Home for the Holidays Showcase (Dec. 12 ) supports local arts and community programs.

• Handel’s Messiah at Inspiration Point (Dec. 20 ) brings a powerful, uplifting performance to the season.

Eureka Springs blends celebration and community spirit in a way that brings people together throughout the holidays.

Getting Around

Explore town the festive way on the Holly Route, operating Thursday through Saturday evenings, Dec. 4–20. This hop-on, hop-off transit route takes you through the best holiday lights and decorations around Eureka Springs.

Eureka Springs truly comes alive during the holidays, creating an enchanting blend of lights, music, tradition, and small-town charm. Whether you’re shopping for unique gifts, exploring twinkling neighborhoods, or enjoying the magic of live performances, Christmas in Eureka Springs 2025 offers unforgettable memories for all ages. Plan your holiday adventure today and experience the magic for yourself.