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Little Rock Daily's Guide to Christmas Lights in Central Arkansas

Looking for festive fun close to home? These magical Christmas light displays are all within an hour of Little Rock and perfect for a holiday road trip! Whether you’re planning a cozy evening out with loved ones or hunting for the perfect Instagram-worthy spot, this guide has all the best places to soak up the holiday cheer. Let’s get glowing!

The Arkansas State Capitol’s Lighting Ceremony is set for December 7th. You can marvel at the stunning outdoor lights and wander inside to admire the festive Christmas decorations, including this year’s special Fallen Heroes Holiday Tree.

Samantha’s Tap Room

The Capital Hotel in Downtown Little Rock is a beautiful site to see during the Holidays. This year, marvel at their 29ft Christmas tree that is up in the lobby that took over a week to prepare and decorate. The lighting ceremony happens on December 3rd at 5:30 PM.

Downtown Little Rock is filled with holiday cheer as the city comes alive with festive colors. Twinkling lights wrap around trees, and vibrant hues brighten the buildings, transforming every corner into a winter wonderland. As you stroll through the streets, you'll be captivated by the enchanting holiday spirit that fills the air.

Little Rock Zoo

Step into a magical world filled with breathtaking lantern displays! Experience the grandeur of enormous dragons and vibrant birds inspired by Chinese culture. Witness a spectacular migration of animals from the Savannah and dive into the ocean to explore glowing whales, sharks, and colorful coral reefs. This is an adventure that will amaze and inspire you! Tickets are available for purchase.

Little Rock Daily

Experience the magic at Sherwood's Enchanted Forest Trail of Lights! This free, family-friendly drive-thru event runs from the Monday after Thanksgiving to December 30, 6 to 9:30 p.m., at the Sherwood Sports Complex. Donations are welcome to support future displays. Arrive before 9:30 p.m. to enjoy the festive lights!

Enjoy a festive holiday season in Hot Springs! Historic Downtown will sparkle with over a million lights. Stroll down Bathhouse Row to see displays at Arlington Lawn, Adair Park, and Hill Wheatley Plaza until January 4. Don't miss the 8-foot Gingerbread House in the Arlington Hotel lobby, decorated with thousands of candies!

Visit the Garvan Woodland Gardens anytime between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. until December 31 (except on Christmas Day) to enjoy their Winter Festival! This year, they have added an exciting twist to their usual holiday display, with even more areas of the gardens open for you to experience a magical evening under 7 million twinkling lights.

Capers Restaurant

Experience the magic of the season with a delightful drive through Arkansas' biggest holiday lights display! This enchanting event, held at Pine Bluff’s Regional Park, features over 240 dazzling displays, including many animated ones, all spread across 1.3 miles of a winter wonderland. The best part? Admission is completely free! Running from mid-November through December, this festive attraction is a must-see. If you feel inspired, community volunteers happily accept donations at the end of your journey.

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Join the festive fun on December 7th when the city of Jacksonville gets All Lit Up! Merry & Bright. This free event is perfect for all ages and features a trail of lights and a tree-lighting ceremony. Enjoy the sparkling holiday lights through the New Year!

Whimsical Trail at Lake Willastein in Maumelle

Discover the enchanting Whimsical Trail at Lake Willastein in Maumelle! You can wander through this magical path every evening from 5 PM to 10 PM until January 5. Just head over to the entrance between the boat ramp and playground at Lake Willastein Park in Maumelle

Benton’s Small Town Christmas

Arkansas Tourism

Get ready to enjoy a charming Small Town Christmas in Benton! Wander through the square adorned with beautiful lights and take a peek at their event calendar from MySaline to soak up the holiday magic.