If you’re looking for a holiday getaway that captures the feel of a quintessential winter wonderland, look no further than these magical Christmas light displays in the Ozarks.
With amenities for the whole family—from horse-drawn wagon rides and plentiful shopping to exquisite dining and lodging—these beautiful winter festivities will create everlasting memories of a lifetime.
Silver Dollar City
BRANSON, MISSOURI
Silver Dollar City presents one of the most spectacular light displays in the United States. Totaling over 6.5 million lights, this 1800s-themed park draws more than 400,000 people to its annual holiday of lights celebration!
The Christmas In Midtown Light Spectacular will surround you with awe-inspiring scenes and lighted displays on the sides and tops of buildings and even in the air as a canopy of heavenly angels fly overhead. Encompassing the center of the city, from the Wilderness Blacksmith Shop to Bears At The Holler, past the corkscrew over to Valley Woodcarvers and back to Grandfather’s Mansion…you will be in awe of the single largest lighting expansion to date over the past 2 decades of the festival.
This comes in addition to all of the incredible shows, thrilling rides, and holiday shopping & dining that makes Silver Dollar City one of the world’s most awarded Christmas events!
Hailed as “The Most Illuminated Park On Earth” by the Travel Channel.
Voted “Best Theme Park Holiday Event” by USA Today’s 10 Best, you’ll discover the most incredible Christmas celebration with live entertainment, a total of more than 6.5 million lights, 1,000 decorated Christmas trees, two Broadway-style productions, a nightly parade, and more!
Silver Dollar City is a Christmas shopper’s dream with 60 storefronts featuring unique gifts and one-of-a-kind treasures for everyone on your list. And once the shopping is done, it is the only place where you and your family can stay and play for the rest of the day!
Lights of the Ozarks
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS
The Lights of the Ozarks celebrates 20 years of holiday cheer. For a classic winter treat, grab your coat and don your mittens for a horse-drawn carriage ride through town while listening to traditional holiday tunes. Warm up with fresh hot chocolate and explore the spectacular display of a half-million twinkling lights!
Photo Courtesy of Josue Enriquez
This holiday celebration of lights in Fayetteville begins on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and concludes on New Year’s Eve.
Christmas Forest Tree Lighting Ceremony
EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
More than 30 trees will adorn the holiday focal point of the Crescent Hotel’s nearly 15 acres. An event to raise money for local charities, the annual Christmas Forest Lighting Ceremony is a community wide decoration event that allows votes/collections with all money raised going directly to the charity. The top three nominees receive an additional bonus from the Crescent and Basin Park Family.
The Trail of Lights at Shepherd of the Hills
BRANSON, MISSOURI
Home to the famous outdoor theatre, the 160-acre Shepherd of the Hills Homestead transforms into a holiday paradise, complete with a 230-foot-tall Christmas tree (otherwise known as the Inspiration Tower).
Rated by the Travel Channel as one of the “top five drive through Christmas displays in the U.S.”, the Trail of Lights features a series of story-telling animated characters surrounded with millions of Christmas lights.
Promised Land Zoo
BRANSON, MISSOURI
Branson’s Promised Land Zoo is home to the area’s longest drive-through light display. Drive through a two-mile display of twinkling lights and displays. See Santa and real live reindeer on display and available for photos nightly. Explore the Christmas Village with Living Nativity Petting Zoo, Christmas movies, and a fully-stocked Gift Shop!
Each admission includes many wonderful activities, but if you are looking to get closer to the animals and the Christmas Spirit, you should opt for all new Santa’s Safari VIP Tour where one of Santa’s helpers will take you on a guided tour through the lights and the animals! You will even have VIP+ encounters with sloths, lemurs, kittens, and owls available for those who want to experience even more!
The Zoo is also home to the region’s only live reindeer herd, giving patrons the opportunity to pet, feed, and take photos with the Sven, Rudolph, Prancer, and more!
Bagwell Lights
SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI
Nominated as a contender on ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Flight”, this drive-through light display in Springfield is a must-see!
Set your radio to 105.5 FM. and enjoy the show as the music syncs with the twinkling light display! Located in south Springfield’s Brentwood neighborhood, the lights will be displayed throughout the winter season (check their Facebook page for more information regarding display hours and directions).
The Bagwell display is very popular, so be prepared for a crowd on weekend nights. Lines tend to form, so in past years Bagwell has asked light-peepers to turn around at Field Elementary, on Luster Avenue near Barataria Street. This keeps traffic from backing up onto Battlefield Road. Be a polite driver; the car turning in front of you may be a resident of the neighborhood.
Keep in mind: If it’s rainy out, the inflatables and the train may be turned off for electrical safety.
Arkansas State Capitol
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
Following the Big Jingle Jubilee Holiday Parade (Dec. 2 at 3 p.m.) in downtown Little Rock, the State Capitol will be illuminated in its annual holiday display at 6 p.m. Santa Claus will help lead the festivities, which include fireworks, music, and children’s activities. And don’t forget to take in the magnificent Rockefeller pine tree and elegant decorations in the Capitol building’s rotunda.
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