Christmas in Eureka Springs 2025
Free to Be Festive All Season Long
This holiday season, Eureka Springs shines brighter than ever as the city transforms into a mountain town filled with lights, music, and holiday spirit. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, events throughout town bring visitors and locals together for a season of parades, performances, and festive fun.
Kickoff to Christmas – November 28–29
The celebration begins Thanksgiving weekend with the Kickoff to Christmas. Victorian homes, hotels, and shops light up across town, and the Holiday Lights Digital Map at ChristmasInEureka.com guides visitors to the most dazzling displays.
At the Crescent Hotel, the Holiday Hangout rooftop pop-up opens nightly from 4 to 8 p.m. beginning November 28, serving cozy food, sweets, and holiday drinks with a view. Across town, the Great Passion Play Lights glow through New Year’s, and downtown hosts Shop Small Saturday and the Eureka Springs Tree Lighting Ceremony in Basin Spring Park. The weekend also features the Wizards of Winter holiday rock concert and Nutcracker Sweets Ballet at The Auditorium.
A Dickens Christmas – December 5–7
Downtown embraces a Victorian flair for A Dickens Christmas, including the Christmas Parade of Lights on December 5, themed “Scrooge,” followed by a free showing of The Muppets Christmas Carol at The Auditorium.
Saturday highlights include Christmas at the Inns, Santa in the Park, and a free showing of Scrooge that evening at The Auditorium. On Sunday, enjoy a 2 p.m. concert by the Arkansas Highlands Brass Band, then head to the Crescent Hotel for Teddy Bear Tea at 3 p.m., a family favorite surrounded by the hotel’s holiday décor.
Sweet Sounds of the Season – December 12–14
The town fills with music and sweets during this mid-December weekend. The Cocoa & Cookie Crawl and Home for the Holidays Showcase take place on Friday, while Saturday brings the Grinch Breakfast at the Crescent, Santa in Basin Park, and the return of Living Windows, when downtown storefronts become live holiday scenes.
At the Crescent Hotel, Santa’s Village opens Friday and Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m., featuring the Christmas Tree Forest, Santa’s Toy Village, sledding, pony rides, gingerbread houses, cookie decorating, and the Candy Cane Café. End the weekend with Santa Brunch Sunday morning, then enjoy the Ozarks Chorale Holiday Concert that evening at The Auditorium.
Opera in the Ozarks debuts its holiday program Lucinda y las Flores de la Nochebuena December 12–14, pairing opera with classic carols and audience sing-alongs.
Finish the List – December 19–21
The final shopping weekend before Christmas features the Elf Scavenger Hunt, Caroling in the Park, and the popular Jinglin’ Jeep Parade on December 20. Earlier that day, Handel’s Messiah is performed by Voices of the Ozarks at Inspiration Point, followed by another free holiday movie downtown that night.
New Year’s Eve Bash with a Splash – December 31
Eureka Springs closes out the year with the New Year’s Eve Bash with a Splash, starting with a parade at 8:30 p.m. and live music from Jenna & The Soul Shakers and Fossils of Ancient Robots. Expect dazzling fire twirlers, surprise performances, and the grand Water Drop in Basin Spring Park at midnight, a signature Eureka Springs tradition.
Getting Around
Hop aboard the Holly Route with Eureka Springs Transit, running Thursday through Saturday evenings, December 4 to 20. It’s a festive hop-on, hop-off tour through the town’s lights and decorations.
Plan your holiday getaway and experience Christmas in Eureka Springs. For full details and updates, visit ChristmasInEureka.com.