Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Christmas lights across the state brighten the holidays with joy for families
For 22 years, the Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights has provided Arkansans with a guide to enjoy optimal familyfriendly holiday excursions throughout the state.
Event organizers hope to continue that tradition this season to ensure happiness and holiday spirits among the families of Arkansas. This annual celebration will begin the week of Thanksgiving and continue through the end of December.
Through the millions of bright, flashing Christmas lights; enormous, beautiful holiday displays; and numerous parades through the streets of Arkansas, residents can travel around the state to take in the sights and sounds of the holiday season. For a full list of stops on the Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights, download a copy of the 2017 Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights brochure at www.Arkansas.com.
The following list provides a look at a few of the holiday light displays that can help Arkansans begin their journey through holiday cheer.
CENTRAL
Holiday festivities in Conway will include Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25, with the Conway Christmas Tree Lighting
Celebration that evening, which takes place beside the Conway Chamber of Commerce. The “flip the switch” event will light the largest artificial Christmas tree in the state, as well as downtown Conway from Rogers Plaza to Simon Park and surrounding areas. On Dec. 9, in coordination with the Conway Christmas parade at 6 p.m., musicians will play up and down Oak and Front streets. There will also be performances by the Conway Symphony Orchestra. For more information, call 501-327-7788 or visit www.ConwayArkansas.org.
Sponsored by the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, the annual Little Rock Big Jingle Jub-ilee Holiday Parade will begin at 3 p.m. Dec. 2. The parade will start at Second and Broadway streets and end at the state Capitol. After the march ends at dusk, the Capitol will be illuminated by thousands of lights — as it has been each Christmas season for more than 75 years.
On Dec. 3, the Department of Heritage will offer free trolley rides for those looking to enjoy holiday fun at the Historic Arkansas Museum, Old State House Museum, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center and the Governor’s Mansion.
LOWER DELTA
Celebrating its 21st season, the Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends in Pine Bluff features more than 280 displays and is more than a mile long. Arkansas’ largest drive-thru of holiday lights, the display will take place from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 21 through Dec. 31. Admission is free, with donations accepted at the end of the drive. For more information, call 870536-7600.
Finney’s Christmas Wonderland, the 2015 winner of ABC’s competition TV series The Great Christmas Light Fight, welcomes visitors nightly. Just 3 miles north of Crossett, the half-mile oasis of lights includes several animated scenes, a 30-foot oval train, a drive-thru lighted tunnel, giant murals, The Christmas Story, a patriotic scene, bubble and snow machines, inflatables, a light show and special appearances by Frosty the Snowman. The Christmas Wonderland will open at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving and can be viewed from 6-10 Sunday through Thursday and 6-11 Fridays and Saturdays through New Year’s Eve. This event draws crowds from three states. For more information, call Sam Finney at 870-415-1575.
UPPER DELTA
The 23rd annual Lights of the Delta in Blytheville is one of the Mid-South’s largest holiday light displays. Visitors can drive their way along a path featuring more than 6 million lights and over 45 motion displays on 40 acres. Lights of the Delta opens every evening at 5:30 and runs through Dec. 27. For more information, visit www.LightsoftheDelta.com.
Worth the drive, Wynne presents the Festival of Trees, during which local businesses, youth groups and civic organizations will decorate a tree rep- resenting their business or a theme of their choice. The Festival of Trees will take place from 5:309 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 5:3010 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 15. Other sights include the Cross County Courthouse Lawn, which displays a large well-lit train, and Falls Boulevard, where streetlamps are decorated for Christmas. For more information, call Jan Hess at 870-238-2601 or visit www.CrossCountyChamber.com.
NORTH CENTRAL
Visit Mountain View on Dec. 2 for a day full of Christmas fun. The Christmas parade will be held at 5 p.m., with a tree lighting at 6 p.m. Enjoy Christmas music on the Courthouse Square. Caroling in the Caverns at Blanchard Caverns will take place Nov. 24 through Dec. 17, and tickets are $25. For more information, call the Mountain View Area Chamber of Commerce at 870-269-8068 or visit www.YourPlaceInTheMountains.com.
Batesville will celebrate the Christmas season with more than a million lights on display, including a one-of-a-kind 34-foot snowman. The holiday season will kick off at 6 p.m. Nov. 27 with a parade on Main Street. The lights will then be displayed for all to enjoy. For more information, call Johnathan Abbot at 870698-2432 or visit www. CityofBatesville.com.
NORTHWEST
Van Buren’s holiday season will officially kick off with the A&M railroad’s Holiday Express Pajama Train, Nov. 24-26 and Dec. 4-6. For more information on this event call 800-687-8600 or visit www.amrailroad.com
The city’s Courthouse Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m Dec 2 in conjunction with the Festival of Trees. This is a free event with live music, hot dogs and hot chocolate. The annual lighted Christmas parade will begin at 6:30 p.m Dec. 9. For more in information, call Shawna Mason at 800-332-5889 or visit www.VanBuren.org
The Holiday Hopla in Downtown Rogers consisting of music and dancers from Ballet Westside will begin Nov. at 5 p.m 30. Mayor Greg Hines will flip the switch on the city’s giant 22-fooot tall Christmas tree. For more information, go to rogersarkansas.com
It’s Christmas with a Swiss twist. Discover the Swiss heritage of Wiederkehr Village, l located on the southern slopes of the Ozark Mountains and home to Mid-America's largest and oldest winery The glow comes not from the wine, but the 50,000 twinkling lights. For more information, call Dennis Wiederkehr at 47-4689463 or visit www.WiederkehrWines.com
Russellville will celebrate the holidays with its annual Christmas
at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7. The parade will travel from South Arkansas Avenue to West Main Street. For more information, call Mack Hollis or Kelli Nealy at 479-9681272 or visit www.RussellvilleArkansas.org.
SOUTHWEST
The Holiday Lights display at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs are open from 5-9 p.m. through Dec. 31. The Hot Springs Christmas parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4 in historic downtown Hot Springs. The Jingle Dogs Pup Parade will be at 5 p.m. Dec. 4 at Garvan Woodland Gardens. For more information, call Jimmy Sample at 501-321-2277 or visit www. HotSprings.org.
Nashville, Arkansas, will celebrate the holiday season with more than 75 Christmas trees and its annual Christmas parade, with entries beginning their march down the decorated streets of downtown at 5 p.m. Dec. 4. Santa will lead the parade and will wave his magic wand to light the Christmas tree. The 140-acre park will also be lit for the holidays. For more information, visit www.NashvilleAR.com.