Free to Be Festive in Eureka Springs
EUREKA SPRINGS, AR – The Eureka Springs Christmas Committee — a collaboration between City Hall, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Eureka Springs Transit, City Advertising & Promotion, Heart of Eureka, and the Chamber of Commerce — has joined forces to create a truly magical holiday season for both locals and visitors. This year, Christmas in Eureka Springs sparkles brighter than ever as the town transforms into a winter wonderland! From Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s, the city comes alive with parades, performances, and unforgettable Ozark holiday experiences for the whole family.
Kickoff to Christmas Weekend — November 28 & 29
The season begins with the Kickoff to Christmas Weekend, when holiday cheer sweeps across our town as Victorian homes, hotels, shops, and attractions light up the night! Be sure to explore our Holiday Lights Digital Map on ChristmasInEureka.com to discover all the beautifully decorated homes participating in this year’s Christmas Decorating Contest.
Atop the Crescent Hotel, Holiday Hangout opens November 28, transforming the rooftop into a cozy pop-up holiday bar filled with festive drinks, warm food, and sweet treats from 4-8 pm nightly. Across the valley, The Great Passion Play Lights glow from Thanksgiving night through New Year’s, offering a dazzling drive-through light display (by donation) weekend nights after dark.
On Black Friday, The Wizards of Winter take the stage at The Auditorium at 7:30 pm with their electrifying holiday rock concert. Featuring members of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Broadway veterans, the show promises an unforgettable musical journey through the magic of the Christmas season.
Tickets for Wizards of Winter are available at theaud.thundertix.com.
Saturday brings Shop Small Saturday in the Basin Park from 8-10 am — a celebration of local gift shopping with swag bags, prizes, games, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Stay downtown for the beloved Eureka Springs Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 pm, where Fiddling Santa and his elves come alongside the community to light the town’s Christmas tree in Basin Spring Park. End the evening at The Auditorium with The Nutcracker Sweets Ballet at 6 pm, a new Holiday tradition performed by Ignite Dance.
All Aboard the Eureka Express — A Magical Christmas Storytime! December 6, 13, & 20th
New this year at the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway will be The Eureka Express- A Magical Christmas Storytime at the Train Station. Step into the warmth and wonder of the holiday season aboard the Eureka Express! Gather inside the beautifully decorated Excursion Car — complete with twinkling lights, a cozy wood stove, and the Conductor to welcome you aboard. Enjoy heartwarming Christmas stories from Santa, hot cocoa, and a special surprise on three Saturdays — December 6th, 13th, and 20th from 1-4 pm. Free admission for all. Donations appreciated at the door.
A Dickens Christmas — December 5–7
Step into the spirit of A Christmas Carol as Eureka Springs embraces a Dickens theme of festive redemption and small-town warmth.
The Christmas Parade of Lights, directed by the Chamber of Commerce, returns December 5th at 6 pm with this year’s theme: Scrooge! Watch as brilliantly lit floats, marching bands, and characters fill the downtown streets with the story’s timeless charm — and of course, Santa himself. Then, head to The Auditorium at 7:30 pm for a free showing of Jim Henson’s “The Muppets Christmas Carol.” Take the chance to meet the artist behind the art while shopping for unique Holiday gifts at the Meet the Makers Craft Show, happening December 5-6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On December 6, the holiday spirit continues with Christmas at the Inns from 1-5 pm, presented by the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce. Tour the town’s charming and historic inns, each decked out in festive decor, with cocoa, cider, and cookies awaiting you at every stop. Meanwhile, Santa in the Park brings jolly fun to Basin Spring Park from 12-5 pm, and that evening, the Auditorium lights up again for a free showing of the 1970 holiday classic “Scrooge”.
Tickets for Christmas at the Inns are available at EurekaSpringsChamber.com.
On Sunday, December 7th, enjoy a festive 2 pm performance by the Arkansas Highlands Brass Band, a traditional British-style brass ensemble playing all your holiday favorites. After the concert, bring the kids to the Crescent Hotel for Teddy Bear Tea at 3 p.m.
Sweet Sounds of the Season — December 12–14
Downtown Eureka Springs fills with music, treats, and glowing windows as mid-December brings back a few of the town’s favorite holiday traditions.
On December 12th, enjoy the Cocoa & Cookie Crawl from 5-7 pm downtown as you stroll through historic shops sampling delicious drinks and desserts, followed by the Home for the Holidays Showcase at The Auditorium from 7-9 pm, featuring local singers and groups performing their favorite songs of the season. Admission is free with a donation of two canned goods for the local food bank.
December 13th brings another visit from Santa in the Basin Park from 12-5 pm, Grinch Breakfast at the Crescent from 10-11 am, and the ever-enchanting Living Windows from 5-7 pm, when downtown storefronts come alive with elves, carolers, and whimsical holiday scenes. Stick around for a festive dinner and then enjoy a free showing of the holiday comedy “Scrooged” at The Auditorium at 7:30 pm.
Be sure to stop by Santa’s Village at the Crescent Hotel on Friday & Saturday from 12-5 pm. Enjoy holiday activities for all ages, including the Christmas Tree Forest, Santa’s Toy Village, sledding, pony rides, cookie decorating, gingerbread house making, photos with Santa, and festive treats at the Candy Cane Café.
End the weekend full of Holiday cheer with Santa Brunch at the Crescent Hotel, Sunday from 10 am to 12 pm, then enjoy the Ozarks Chorale Holiday Concert at the Auditorium at 7 p.m.
Opera in the Ozarks is in production for its first Holiday program, scheduled for December 12, 13, and 14. Current plans are for a one-act opera called “Lucinda y las Flores de la Nochebuena”– a magical tale about the beautiful poinsettia flower. Performers will be alumni from our current and past seasons. The second half will continue the themes set in Act I, but will have traditional holiday songs performed by our amazing artists and opportunities for our audience to join in. Details are still being finalized, but mark your calendars and check our operaintheozarks.com for more details and tickets.
Finish the List — December 19–21
The final weekend before Christmas is filled with cozy pajamas, carols, and jingling Jeeps!
Downtown merchants invite you to Finish the List—a fun-filled shopping weekend for those last-minute gifts. Slip into your favorite Christmas PJs, join the Elf Scavenger Hunt through local shops, and enjoy the festive spirit all around town.
On Saturday, December 20th, the magic continues as Santa returns to the Basin Park from 12-5 pm, followed by Caroling in the Park at 5:30 pm, and the crowd-favorite Jinglin’ Jeep Parade at 6 pm, where brightly lit Jeeps cruise through downtown in holiday style.
Earlier in the afternoon, experience the heartwarming Handel’s Messiah performed by Voices of the Ozarks NWA at Inspiration Point Center for the Arts at 2 pm.
Tickets for Handel’s Messiah are available at https://operaintheozarks.com/.
End the festive-filled day with another free holiday movie at The Auditorium at 7:30 pm. Stay tuned for the movie announcement.
New Year’s Eve Bash with a Splash — December 31
Ring in 2025, Eureka Springs style! The city’s New Year’s Eve Bash with a Splash kicks off with a Carnival-Style Parade at 8:30 pm, bursting with color, music, and festive energy as it winds through the heart of downtown. Enjoy live music all evening long, featuring Jenna & The Soul Shakers at 9 pm and Fossils of Ancient Robots at 11 pm, accompanied by an electrifying laser light show to close out the year. Between sets, the celebration heats up with captivating stunts by FloZark Fire Twirlers at 9:45 pm, and MelonLight’s surprise flash mob at 10:30 pm. Grab a warm drink or cocktail, pop into a local shop to warm up, and soak in the magic of the night. Then, as the clock nears midnight, gather in Basin Spring Park for the grand finale—the iconic Water Drop, honoring Eureka’s legendary springs as it splashes into the Ozarka Water Bucket with a spectacular SPLASH to welcome the new year!
Don’t forget to hop on the “Holly Route” with Eureka Springs Transit, running Thursdays through Saturday from December 4th to December 20th from 5-8 pm! Enjoy a festive hop-on, hop-off ride through Eureka’s dazzling downtown lights and holiday displays for $4 cash or $6 online. Don’t miss the magic of the season in Eureka Springs—for more events and up-to-date information, visit ChristmasinEureka.com for details and event listings.