THE 2026 HOLIDAY GUIDE
Holiday lights & Christmas events in the River Valley
A night looking at lights doesn't need to turn into a long trip. Van Buren has two park displays on the calendar, Greenwood's fairgrounds open Thanksgiving weekend, and Fort Smith's Christmas Winter Wonderland has a set of afternoon and evening visits to choose from.
You'll also find parade dates, November markets and holiday performances below. If you'd like to go farther, there's a separate section for regional light displays.
All times are Central. Check the event link before heading out, especially when weather or tickets are part of the plan.
Sponsorship does not determine which events, businesses or stories Sweet Home River Valley covers.
Local lights
Christmas at the Parks | Van Buren
November 20, 2026–January 1, 2027
Van Buren's Christmas at the Parks gives you two different ways to see the lights. Walk through Freedom Park downtown, where the 40-foot Christmas tree is synchronized to music, or take the three-quarter-mile drive-through at Dr. Louis Peer Memorial City Park.
The city also lists an ice-skating rink just east of the Freedom Park tree. Check the city's updates for evening hours, admission details and the rink's separate schedule before making plans.
Christmas at the Fairgrounds | Greenwood
Opens Friday, November 27
Sebastian County Fairgrounds, 530 E. Knoxville St., Greenwood
Greenwood's fairgrounds bring the Christmas lights back the day after Thanksgiving. Admission is free for families, with donations accepted, and Santa's workshop is scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays until Christmas.
Check the organizer's updates for nightly hours and the final night of the season before driving over.
Christmas Winter Wonderland | Fort Smith
Selected dates, November 29–December 27
7300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith
Winter Wonderland pairs its Christmas displays with Santa photos, stories with Mrs. Claus and indoor train rides. The advertised activities also include crafts and a life-size Nativity. It opens on selected days, and the hours change depending on the date.
- Sunday, November 29: 2–6 p.m.
- Saturday, December 5: 4–9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 6: 2–6 p.m.
- Saturday, December 12: 4–9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 13: 2–6 p.m.
- Friday, December 18: 5–9 p.m.
- Saturday, December 19: 4–9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 20: 2–6 p.m.
- Monday, December 21: 5–9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 27: 2–6 p.m.
Check admission and what's included before your visit.
Parades & downtown Christmas
Jingle and Mingle on Main | Van Buren
Saturday, December 5
Main Street Historic District
Jingle and Mingle is on Van Buren's calendar for December 5. Keep an eye on the event page for activity times before planning your visit to Main Street.
Christmas on the Square | Greenwood
Monday, December 7, in the evening
Greenwood Town Square
Greenwood's Christmas on the Square includes the tree lighting, performances by the high school choirs and a visit with Santa. Food trucks and holiday vendors are part of the evening, and the Chamber's parade closes the celebration.
Santa is scheduled to visit before and after the parade. Check the city's event page for the evening's start time.
Fort Smith Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 12, at 3 p.m.
Downtown Fort Smith
The 86th annual Fort Smith Christmas Parade is scheduled for the afternoon of December 12. Check the organizer's event for the route and street-closure information closer to parade day.
Holiday in Whoville & the Van Buren Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 12; parade 6–8 p.m.
Main Street Historic District, Van Buren
Van Buren has Holiday in Whoville and its Christmas parade on the same Saturday. The parade runs from 6–8 p.m.; Whoville's activity hours are still to come.
Holiday markets
Hometown Market Days | Fort Smith
Friday, November 6, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Fort Smith Convention Center, 55 S. Seventh St.
Hometown Market Days brings boutique sellers, handmade goods and vintage finds to the Convention Center. Admission is $10; children under 12 get in free.
Arkansas River Holiday Market | Fort Smith
Saturday, November 7, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Expo Center at Kay Rodgers Park, 4400 Midland Ave.
The Arkansas River Holiday Market has more than 150 booths on its announced lineup, along with Santa. Admission is listed at $5 for ages 12 and older. Check the organizer's information for admission details for younger children.
Immaculate Conception Ladies Auxiliary Bazaar | Fort Smith
Saturday, November 7, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; Sunday, November 8, 8 a.m.–noon
Immaculate Conception parish center
The bazaar's handmade gifts include quilts, wood crafts, wreaths and holiday arrangements. Admission is free. Use the parish's event information to check the entrance and parking before your visit.
Spirit of the Season Holiday Market | Fort Smith
Friday, November 13, 5–8 p.m.; Saturday, November 14, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
The Sanctuary of Fort Smith, 3631 Jenny Lind Road
Spirit of the Season offers a Friday-evening shopping window and a shorter Saturday market. Check the organizer's event for shopper admission details.
Christmas on stage
Silver Belles: A Christmas Comedy | Fort Smith
November 12–15 and 18–21
Fort Smith Little Theatre, 401 N. Sixth St.
The residents of Silver Meadows Retirement Home have Christmas to prepare for and a developer trying to turn their home into a hotel. Fort Smith Little Theatre's holiday comedy runs for two weeks, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday, November 15 matinee at 2 p.m.
Opening night is $20; other performances are $14. General ticket sales begin November 5 at 7 a.m. Online orders have a $2 processing fee per order.
Frozen | Alma
Saturday, December 5, at 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, December 6, at 2 p.m.
Skokos Performing Arts Center, 103 E. Main St.
Alma Airedale Theatre presents Frozen with a live orchestra at Skokos PAC. There are two afternoon options and one evening performance. The venue also advertises Elsa's Cocoa Party; check its separate reservation details rather than assuming a Frozen ticket includes it.
Christmas in Maui with Kalani Pe'a | Fort Smith
Saturday, December 5, at 7 p.m.
ArcBest Performing Arts Center, 55 S. Seventh St.
Kalani Pe'a joins the Fort Smith Symphony for a Christmas concert that pairs familiar holiday songs with island favorites. Check the official ticket page for current seats and prices.
Winter Wonderettes | Fort Smith
December 10–12, at 7:30 p.m.
Fort Smith Little Theatre, 401 N. Sixth St.
The Wonderettes are entertaining at a hardware store's holiday party when Santa goes missing. The musical builds its story around 1960s-style Christmas songs.
Tickets are $15, with sales beginning December 3 at 7 a.m. online and through the box office. This production is separate from the theatre's season package. Online orders have a $2 processing fee per order.
Candlelight Christmas concerts | Fort Smith
December 18 and 19, at 6:45 and 8:45 p.m. each night
United States Marshals Museum, 789 Riverfront Drive
The museum hosts two different holiday string programs: Christmas Carols on Strings on Friday, December 18, and Christmas Classics on Saturday, December 19. Each performance lasts about an hour.
These concerts are for ages 8 and older; anyone under 16 needs an accompanying adult. Doors open 45 minutes before the performance, and there is no late entry. Check each ticket page for its seating zones, price and fees.
The Nutcracker | Fort Smith
Saturday, December 19, at 7 p.m.; Sunday, December 20, at 2 p.m.
ArcBest Performing Arts Center, 55 S. Seventh St.
Western Arkansas Ballet's 41st annual Nutcracker has an evening performance and a Sunday matinee. Ticket sales are scheduled to begin November 2.
A little farther: holiday road trips
These are separate outings outside the River Valley. Check the operating night and the drive from your own starting point before choosing one.
Lights of the Ozarks | Fayetteville
Lighting ceremony Friday, November 20, at 6 p.m.
Fayetteville's downtown square lights up November 20. Its Christmas parade follows on Thursday, December 3, at 6:30 p.m. Check the organizer's page for the rest of the season's evening schedule.
Lighting of the Square | Bentonville
Saturday, November 21; festivities at 5 p.m., lights on at 6 p.m.
The Bentonville Square's lighting night includes a stage performance and Santa photos. The event is at 100 N. Main St. Check the organizer's details before the trip.
Rhema Christmas Lights | Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
November 25–January 1, 2027
1025 W. Kenosha St., Broken Arrow
Rhema's lights turn on at 6 p.m. on November 25. From November 26 through January 1, the hours are 5:30–11:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
You can see parts of the campus by car, while the park section is walk-through. Displays include a Nativity. The optional train costs $10 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 4–12, and nothing for children 3 and younger. It closes at 11 p.m. and takes riders first come, first served.
Botanic Garden of Lights | Tulsa, Oklahoma
Selected nights, November 27–December 30, 5–9 p.m.
3900 Tulsa Botanic Drive, Tulsa
Tulsa Botanic Garden's lighted paths are open November 27–29 and December 2–6, 9–13, 16–23 and 26–30. Choose a timed-entry ticket before the trip.
Nonmember tickets are $20 for ages 16 and older and $9 for ages 3–15, plus tax and fees. Children 2 and younger need a free ticket. On-site purchases are cashless. Tickets are nonrefundable, but can be moved before their original date and time, subject to availability.
GloWild | Little Rock
Selected nights, October 29–January 3, 2027, 5–9 p.m.; last entry 8:30 p.m.
Little Rock Zoo, 1 Zoo Drive
GloWild is a nighttime walk among illuminated silk lanterns, with wildlife and nature shaping the displays. General admission is $22.50 for ages 3 and older, or $72 for a four-pack; children 2 and younger are free. Online processing fees may apply.
Use the date selector to choose an open night. The listed closures include November 8 and 26, December 24–25 and January 1. Tickets are nonrefundable, and the zoo doesn't offer rain checks.