Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas is the gift that keeps on giving! With millions of twinkling lights, festive holiday events, and delicious restaurants open to enjoy with those you love most during the holly jolly season. Check out our list of restaurants open for the holidays to help plan your visit!
PICCOLO ZOPPÉ WINTER CIRCUS
November 28 - December 6
The circus is back in Hot Springs, Arkansas for the holidays! Don't miss the Piccolo Zoppe Winter Circus in historic downtown Hot Springs, November 28 - December 6. This boutique European style circus is a MUST on your list of holiday activities, featuring ballerinas atop galloping horses, amazing aerial feats, amazing jugglers, acrobats, and so much more. Click here to purchase tickets now.
Christmas Caroling, Tree Lighting, and Gingerbread House at the Arlington
Friday, December 6 | 5PM - 6PM
While at The Arlington checking out the carriage rides, don’t forget to slip inside the hotel to write a letter to Santa and see the annual giant gingerbread house set up in the lobby. Friday, December 6 from 5PM-6PM stop by the Arlington Lobby for cookies + the annual Tree Lighting, Christmas Caroling, and the unveiling of their iconic Gingerbread House. This 11-foot gingerbread house has been a holiday tradition for four decades. Covered in real candy and gingerbread, each area of the house pays extreme attention to detail. Visitors can enter to win a prize if they guess the closest to the number of candy pieces used in this year’s creation. The house will be on display through New Year's Day!
Hot Springs Christmas Parade
Monday, December 8 | 6:30PM
Join the Oaklawn Rotary Club of Hot Springs for a festive evening of dazzling lights, joyful music, and community spirit at this year's parade! The theme is "Toy Trains & Candy Canes," so expect to see creative floats inspired by classic holiday toys and sweet treats and catch the Arkansas Diamonds Arena Football players sitting in as Grand Marshals!
Mark your calendars for Monday, December 8, at 6:30 PM and bring the whole family to enjoy this beloved Hot Springs tradition. It's the perfect way to kick off your holiday celebrations! In case of rain, the parade will be held Tuesday, December 9 at 6:30PM.
DOWNTOWN HOT SPRINGS LIGHT DISPLAY
November 24 - January 1
Item one on this list has to be the nearly one million lights decorating downtown. Through Hill Wheatley Plaza, Adair Park, Arlington Park, and everything in between, these lights hanging and standing in our already-charming downtown area make it like a winter wonderland. Strolling downtown just to see the lights is worth it, but as they decorate local businesses flashing their holiday products and restaurants serving warm delights, you’re sure to find holiday joy in more ways than one.
GARVAN WOODLAND GARDENS HOLIDAY LIGHTS
November 22 - December 31
Since we’re on the subject of lights, I have two more light scenes for you that you can’t miss. Second up, we have the stunning and dazzling Holiday Lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens. Running from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. through December 31st (Closed Christmas Day), you don’t want to miss this light extravaganza of seven million lights. For anyone who has seen the unmatched beauty of the gardens in the daytime, this is a special and unique opportunity that should not be missed when visiting Hot Springs in the month of December. Find a full list of events happening this holiday season at the gardens and purchase holiday lights tickets at garvangardens.org.
GARLAND COUNTY COURTHOUSE LIGHT DISPLAY
November 24 - January 1
Last but not least on the must-see holiday light displays, you won’t want to overlook the lights at the Garland County Courthouse. Located on Ouachita Avenue, which is just off downtown, lies the hidden magical gem that is the sparkling courthouse. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this very traditional light display will give you all the nostalgic feelings. So don’t forget to drop by when checking out the lights in the downtown area!
CARRIAGE RIDES
Speaking of traditional holiday experiences that give you all the nostalgic feelings, check out the downtown carriage rides. Circle Double D Carriage Company leaves from The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa in the evenings, giving you a horse-drawn carriage ride downtown alongside the lights. Bundle up and take your sweetie along for an enchanting ride through hsitoric downtown - a magical experience during the holidays! Carriage rides are available by reservation or walk-up on Fridays and Saturdays, weather permitting. Visit 239 Central Avenue to inquire about carriage rides or call 501-520-9955.
SHOP AT KRINGLES IN THE PARK
Another can’t-miss downtown attraction during the holidays is Kringle’s in the Park. Although less of an attraction and more of a year-round business bringing ample amounts of holiday cheer, this still isn’t something you want to miss especially during the holidays. Kringles in the Park is decorated from ceiling to floor with Christmas decorations available for purchase. It’s like getting an inside glimpse of Santa’s actual workshop!
EVEN MORE HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Whether you're shopping in advance or looking for last minute gift ideas, downtown Hot Springs has a variety of boutiques with perfect gifts for everyone in your family! Handmade soaps from Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium, vinyl records for the music lover at Downtown Record & CD Emporium, Arkansas-made items from All Things Arkansas, housewares from Wrapped Gift Boutique - the list goes on and on! Browse a full list of shopping in Hot Springs to plan your day of shopping here.
WHERE TO DINE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Hungry for the Holidays? Don't stress about the holiday menu—Hot Springs has you covered! From cozy breakfasts to elegant Christmas dinners, see who is serving up holiday cheer this year. Check out our latest blog for the complete list of restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!
SPREAD GOOD CHEER
Last, and of the utmost importance among all else on this list — spread some good cheer. The holiday season is here, but there are always happenings around the world available on our screens at the tip of our fingertips. Sadness and sorrow can feel overwhelming sometimes, so spread good cheer when and where you can. So yes, enjoy holiday lights and all things Santa, but also take some time to be a friendly face to a stranger, volunteer for a local organization, give your leftovers to someone less fortunate. It’s a time of giving and receiving, and I hope you all have a great holiday season full of peace while doing both, my friends. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.
Planning a visit to Garvan Woodland Gardens for the holiday lights display? Watch our Check It Out video for what to expect when visiting this holiday season!
