Arkansas's Trail Of Holiday Lights Is Truly A Wonder Of The World

There are actually several trails of holiday lights in Arkansas, because the Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights is an annual statewide event. You can find one in your region by clicking here. The one we’re discussing today is the central Arkansas itinerary B, with a few additions that make it even more awesome. I chose this itinerary because there are certain things Arkansans really shouldn’t miss during the holiday season, and one of those things is the lighting of the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock. On this tree-mendous leg of Arkansas’s holiday trail of lights, you’ll find wonder at every stop.

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The date you need to know is December 3rd, because that’s when you’ll need to go to Little Rock, at 3 p.m., to see the annual Christmas parade. The Big Jingle Jubilee Holiday Parade begins at Second & Broadway and ends at the State Capitol.

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After the parade, at dusk, you’ll want to make your way to the capitol building to see it light up for the very first time this season. There are also fireworks and carolers.

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On December 4th, you’ll find three holiday celebrations at downtown Little Rock museums:

The Historic Arkansas Museum hosts a Christmas Frolic and Open House from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The museum will feature historical reenactments, dancing, and caroling.

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center holds its Holiday Open House from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and features a sweet potato pie contest.

From the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, you can take a trolley to the Department of Arkansas Heritage museums and the Governor’s Mansion Open House, which happens from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Flickr/Harold Wright

On December 5th, you’ll want to drive to the Saline County Courthouse in Benton for the parade and the beginning of the Saline County Celebration of Lights. After the parade, you’ll find Santa and so much more on the Benton square. The gorgeous old courthouse will remain lit through New Year’s Eve so it’s okay if you can’t make to the parade.

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City of Sherwood

City of Sherwood

This drive thru trail is spectacular and you don’t have to leave your toasty car to enjoy it. Admission is completely free, but you can bring non-perishable food items to donate to keep up your holiday spirit.

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Drive on down to Garvan Woodland Gardens at 550 Arkridge Road in Hot Springs to see their Christmas lights too. They’ve got four million lights across seventeen acres, and you absolutely don’t want to miss the spectacular displays.

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You haven’t seen Hot Springs until you’ve seen it all lit up for the holidays. Take a tour down Bathhouse Row, see the gorgeous lights in Hot Springs National Park, and admire all the wonderment Hot Springs, our favorite spawesome town has to offer during the holidays.

Flickr/Dave Thomas

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre is giving performance of A Christmas Story through Christmas Day. Elf the Musical will be open at the Robinson Center on December 3rd & 4th. At the Arkansas Arts Center, the Children’s Theatre is doing The Elves and the Shoemaker on December 3rd-18th. Ballet Arkansas brings the classic Nutcracker to the Robinson Center December 9th-11th.

For the best Christmas towns in Arkansas, click here. To find out what Santa brought you, look at this one.