Put a visit to one (or all!) of these holiday destinations around Arkansas on your must-do list this season!
Holiday Lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs
November 18 through December 31 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days)
3-9 PM nightly
Garvan Woodland Gardens is a majestic place any time of year. During the holiday season, the magic really comes alive when the gardens are illuminated with over 4.5 million lights as part of the Holiday Lights experience.
Some of my favorite parts of the Holiday Lights experience are the luminescent Garden of the Pine Wind, the Parterre garden on the Great Lawn, and traditional holiday scenes in the woodlands. You won’t want to miss the 50-foot tall Rose Tree, which puts on a light show to the tune of your favorite Christmas songs.
It’s a wonderful outing with family and friends, and you can close out the night with complimentary hot chocolate at the Chipmunk Cafe.
Christmas parade in El Dorado
December 7
Starting at Northwest Avenue and Main Street
The annual Christmas Parade in El Dorado is fun for the whole family! This year’s theme is “Christmas Through the Ages.” Wander around the downtown streets, festooned with lights. Then gather along the parade route on Northwest Avenue. Antique cars, marching bands, and pageant winners are all part of the fun! Stay until the end to see which float takes home the prize for the best design.
Lights of the Delta, Blytheville
November 20 through December 27
Sunday – Thursday, 5:30 – 9:00 PM
Friday – Saturday, 5:30 – 10:00 PM
Blytheville, in northeast Arkansas, boasts “the largest lighting display in the Mid-South.” Spread over 40 acres, this drive-through holiday lights extravaganza is sure to get the whole family into the Christmas spirit! Lights of the Delta features almost 50 major motion displays and 6 million lights. You won’t want to miss out on a hayride or getting your picture taken with Santa!
Caroling in the Caverns, Blanchard Springs
Late November through Mid-December, Select Nights
I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been awestruck by Blanchard Springs Caverns. This “living cave” of formations, stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones is constantly changing, During the holidays, Caroling in the Caverns allows you to take in the beauty of this natural wonder while listening to classic Christmas carols in an underground cathedral-like room. Book a tour of the caves while you’re at it so that you can take in everything the caverns have to offer.