The Eureka Springs Christmas Committee — a collaboration between City Hall, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Eureka Springs Transit, the City Advertising & Promotion Commission, Heart of Eureka and the Chamber of Commerce — has joined forces to create a truly magical holiday season for both locals and visitors. This year, Christmas in Eureka Springs sparkles brighter than ever as the town transforms into a winter wonderland! From Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s, the city comes alive with parades, performances, and unforgettable Ozark holiday experiences for the whole family.

KICKOFF TO CHRISTMAS WEEKEND NOV. 28-29 The season begins with the Kickoff to Christmas Weekend, when holiday cheer sweeps across Eureka Springs as Victorian homes, hotels, shops and attractions light up the night! Be sure to explore the Holiday Lights Digital Map on ChristmasInEureka. com to discover all the beautifully decorated homes participating in this year’s Christmas Decorating Contest.

Atop the Crescent Hotel, Holiday Hangout opens Friday, Nov. 28, transforming the rooftop into a cozy pop-up holiday bar filled with festive drinks, warm food, and sweet treats from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. nightly. Across the valley, The Great Passion Play Lights glow from Thanksgiving night through New Year’s, offering a dazzling drive-through light display (by donation) weekend nights after dark.

On Black Friday, Nov. 28, The Wizards of Winter take the stage at The Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. with their electrifying holiday rock concert. Featuring members of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Broadway veterans, the show promises an unforgettable musical journey through the magic of the Christmas season.

Tickets for Wizards of Winter are available at theaud.thundertix. com.

Saturday, Nov. 29, brings Shop Small Saturday in Basin Spring Park from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. — a celebration of local gift shopping with swag bags, prizes, games and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Stay downtown for the beloved Eureka Springs Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m., where Fiddling Santa and his elves come alongside the community to light the town’s Christmas tree in Basin Spring Park. End the evening at The Auditorium with The Nutcracker Sweets Ballet at 6 p.m. — a new holiday tradition performed by Ignite Dance.

ALL ABOARD THE EUREKA EXPRESS A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS STORYTIME!

DEC. 6, 13 AND 20 New this year at the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway will be The Eureka Express — A Magical Christmas Storytime at the train station. Step into the warmth and wonder of the holiday season aboard the Eureka Express! Gather inside the beautifully decorated Excursion Car — complete with twinkling lights, a cozy wood stove and the Conductor to welcome you aboard. Enjoy heartwarming Christmas stories from Santa, hot cocoa and a special surprise on three Saturdays — Dec. 6. 13 and 20 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission for all. Donations appreciated at the door.

A DICKENS CHRISTMAS DEC. 5–7 Step into the spirit of A Christmas Carol as Eureka Springs embraces a Dickens theme of festive redemption and small-town warmth.

The Christmas Parade of Lights, directed by the Chamber of Commerce, returns at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, with this year’s theme: Scrooge! Watch as brilliantly lit floats, marching bands and characters fill the downtown streets with the story’s timeless charm — and of course, Santa himself. Then, head to The Auditorium at 7:30 pm for a free showing of Jim Henson’s “The Muppets Christmas Carol.” Take the chance to meet the artists behind the art while shopping for unique Holiday gifts at the Meet the Makers Craft Show, happening from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6.

On Saturday, Dec. 6, the holiday spirit continues with Christmas at the Inns from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., presented by the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce. Tour Eureka Springs’ charming and historic inns, each decked out in festive decor, with cocoa, cider and cookies awaiting you at every stop. Meanwhile, Santa in the Park brings jolly fun to Basin Spring Park from noon to 5 p.m., and that evening, the Auditorium lights up again for a free showing of the 1970 holiday classic “Scrooge”.

Tickets for Christmas at the Inns are available at EurekaSpringsChamber. com.

On Sunday, Dec. 7, enjoy a festive 2 p.m. performance by the Arkansas Highlands Brass Band, a traditional British-style brass ensemble playing all your holiday favorites. After the concert, bring the kids to the Crescent Hotel for Teddy Bear Tea at 3 p.m.

SWEET SOUNDS OF THE SEASON DEC. 12–14

Downtown Eureka Springs fills with music, treats and glowing windows as mid-December brings back a few of the town’s favorite holiday traditions.

On Friday, Dec. 12, enjoy the Cocoa & Cookie Crawl downtown from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. as you stroll through historic shops sampling delicious drinks and desserts, followed by the Home for the Holidays Showcase from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Auditorium, featuring local singers and groups performing their favorite songs of the season. Admission is free with a donation of two canned goods for the local food bank.

Saturday, Dec. 13, brings another visit from Santa in the Basin Park from noon to 5 p.m., Grinch Breakfast at the Crescent from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and the ever-enchanting Living Windows from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., when downtown storefronts come alive with elves, carolers and whimsical holiday scenes. Stick around for a festive dinner and then enjoy a free showing of the holiday comedy “Scrooged” at The Auditorium at 7:30 pm.

Be sure to stop by Santa’s Village at the Crescent Hotel from noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Enjoy holiday activities for all ages, including the Christmas Tree Forest, Santa’s Toy Village, sledding, pony rides, cookie decorating, gingerbread house making, photos with Santa and festive treats at the Candy Cane Café.

End the weekend full of holiday cheer with Santa Brunch at the Crescent Hotel, from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 14, then enjoy the Ozarks Chorale Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. at The Auditorium.

Opera in the Ozarks is in production for its first holiday program, scheduled for Dec. 12-14. Plans are for a one-act opera called “Lucinda y las Flores de la Nochebuena” — a magical tale about the beautiful poinsettia flower. Performers will be alumni from Opera in the Ozarks’ current and past seasons. The second half will continue the themes set in Act I, but will have traditional holiday songs performed by Opera in the Ozarks artists and opportunities for the audience to join in. Details are still being finalized, but mark your calendars and check out operaintheozarks. com for more details and tickets.

FINISH THE LIST DEC. 19–21

The final weekend before Christmas is filled with cozy pajamas, carols and jingling Jeeps!

Downtown merchants invite you to Finish the List — a funfilled shopping weekend for those last-minute gifts. Slip into your favorite Christmas PJs, join the Elf Scavenger Hunt through local shops, and enjoy the festive spirit all around town.

On Saturday, Dec. 20, the magic continues as Santa returns to the Basin Park from noon to 5 p.m., followed by Caroling in the Park at 5:30 pm, and the crowd-favorite Jinglin’ Jeep Parade at 6 p.m., where brightly lit Jeeps cruise through downtown in holiday style.

Earlier in the afternoon, experience the heartwarming Handel’s Messiah performed by Voices of the Ozarks NWA at 2 p.m. at Inspiration Point Center.

Tickets for Handel’s Messiah are available at https://operaintheozarks. com/.

End the festive-filled day with another free holiday movie at The Auditorium at 7:30 pm. Stay tuned for the movie announcement.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH WITH A SPLASH DEC. 31 Ring in 2025, Eureka Springs style! The city’s New Year’s Eve Bash with a Splash kicks off with a Carnival- Style Parade at 8:30 p.m., bursting with color, music and festive energy as it winds through the heart of downtown. Enjoy live music all evening long, featuring Jenna & The Soul Shakers at 9 p.m. and Fossils of Ancient Robots at 11 p.m., accompanied by an electrifying laser light show to close out the year. Between sets, the celebration heats up with captivating stunts by FloZark Fire Twirlers at 9:45 pm, and MelonLight’s surprise flash mob at 10:30 p.m. Grab a warm drink or cocktail, pop into a local shop to warm up and soak in the magic of the night. Then, as the clock nears midnight, gather in Basin Spring Park for the grand finale — the iconic Water Drop, honoring Eureka’s legendary springs as it splashes into the Ozarka Water Bucket with a spectacular SPLASH to welcome the new year!

Don’t forget to hop on the “Holly Route” with Eureka Springs Transit, running from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday from Dec. 4 to Dec. 20. Enjoy a festive hop-on, hop-off ride through Eureka’s dazzling downtown lights and holiday displays for $4 cash or $6 online. Don’t miss the magic of the season in Eureka Springs — for more events and upto- date information, visit ChristmasinEureka. com for details and event listings.

Devin Henderson (right), director of operations for the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce, and Danyelle Harris, administrative manager for the City Advertising and Promotion Commission, speak at the chamber’s Business After-Hours event on Thursday, Oct. 16, at Jack Rabbett’s Whiskey Bar inside the Basin Park Hotel. Henderson, Harris and others discussed upcoming holiday events in Eureka Springs.