As the holiday season approaches, the Eureka Springs Christmas Committee — comprising the City, Mayor, Public Works, Parks Department, CAPC, Crescent Hotel, Basin Park Hotel, the Eureka Springs Chamber of Commerce, and led by Heart of Eureka’s Laci Moffitt — proudly unveils a festive lineup of events, transforming Eureka Springs into a magical Christmas wonderland.

From late November through December, both residents and visitors can experience the town’s cherished holiday traditions, each event designed to light up the spirit of a classic small-town Christmas.

Festivities kick off with the Annual Silver Tea, Crescent Hotel Lighting Ceremony, and Shop Small Saturday and continue with the beloved Christmas Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. This cherished parade illuminates the streets of downtown Eureka Springs with vibrant floats, cheerful music, and holiday charm. After the parade, the Basin Park Tree Lighting ceremony will invite the community to gather for live music and the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree, spreading warmth and joy throughout the crowd.

Every Thursday evening from late November through Christmas, Center Street hosts Christmas on Center, creating a cozy village atmosphere with live music, a fire pit, and festive decorations from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For those who want to admire historic architecture, the Christmas Tour of Homes showcases Eureka Springs’ beautiful, restored homes decked out in holiday decor. Victorian-attired docents bring the town’s history to life as they guide visitors through the tour.

The Christmas Tree Forest at the Crescent Hotel features 10 beautifully decorated trees that surround a frozen pond, creating a charming winter scene where little skaters can glide beneath twinkling lights. This enchanting display adds to the holiday ambiance and provides a magical backdrop for family fun.

The Snow Train Village at The Great Passion Play is a must-see for families and train enthusiasts. With more than 300 miniature buildings and vintage Lionel O scale trains, this display recreates a nostalgic small-town American landscape from the 1930s-1950s, open on weekends through January 1st.

On Dec. 9, Living Windows brings downtown Eureka Springs’ storefronts to life, turning shop windows into animated displays featuring Santa, elves and holiday characters from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. This event creates a magical Christmas scene, with live performances that enchant visitors of all ages.

Other signature events include Santa’s Mountain Village at the Crescent Hotel on Dec. 14-15, where families can meet Santa in a festive mountain setting, enjoy crafts, and capture memorable holiday moments. Visitors can also attend Thorncrown Chapel’s Candlelight Service, providing a serene holiday experience, and the unique “Jingling Jeep Parade” on December 16, where creatively decorated jeeps adorned with holiday lights add a playful twist to the season’s celebrations.

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE

Throughout the season, Eureka Springs’unique shops and galleries offer handcrafted gifts and local treasures, making it a charming holiday shopping destination. Visitors can also enjoy Movies in the Auditorium, holiday music performances, pop-up events, and much more as part of the town’s festive offerings.

The Committee encourages the community to participate in the festivities by signing up for the parade, decorating their storefronts, lighting up their homes, and attending these joyful events to make the season even brighter.

WATER DROP COUNTDOWN ON NYE CLOSEs SPRING STREET New to the Christmas calendar in 2024 is an exciting event for New Year’s Eve: Free2BeNYE Countdown. This New Year’s Eve countdown and concert brings the community together for “a Bash with a Splash” as Eureka Springs introduces a fresh and thrilling tradition. At the stroke of midnight, the Annual Water Drop will ceremoniously land in the iconic Ozarka water barrel, marking the start of the New Year with a splash. The evening kicks off with a lively NYE Parade, followed by captivating performances from Melonlight Studios and the Eureka Springs Drummers. Guests can also enjoy upbeat live music in the bandshell, culminating in a wild laser light show featuring the unique, locally celebrated sounds of “Fossils of the Ancient Robots”.

Businesses can get involved by becoming designated “Warm-Up Spots” for visitors, while restaurants and bars can join the Entertainment District to provide food, drinks, and holiday cheer throughout the celebrations.

OPEN YEAR ROUND

The Committee, and specifically the CAPC, is partnering with the state of Arkansas to use this New Year’s Eve event to send a message that Eureka Springs is open year-round.

Mike Maloney, CAPC Executive Director, said: “We are expecting this event to be live-streamed over the Fox Networks. With host Sean Paul from Intrigue Theater, we plan to use the lead-ins to the countdown to speak to the daily happenings as well as activities available in Eureka Springs from January through March.”

“Our goal is to unite the community in celebrating the season,” says Laci Moffitt, committee chair. “We want to see everyone involved— whether you’re marching in the parade, decorating your storefront, or enjoying a family outing. Your participation helps make Eureka Springs a truly magical place this Christmas.”

With support from various city departments, the Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses, the Eureka Springs Christmas Committee works to preserve the town’s holiday traditions while creating new memories for all. For a complete schedule of events and more information, visit the official Christmas in Eureka Springs website at https://christmasineureka. com