Lights of the Ozarks

12/02/2025 5:00 pm

Every Day until 12/31/2025

LIGHT NIGHT - NOVEMBER 21, 2025
The most treasured celebration of holiday lights in Northwest Arkansas, Lights of the Ozarks, will return to Fayetteville's Historic Downtown Square for the 2025 season!

Make your plans now to celebrate with Experience Fayetteville under the amazing winter wonderland of lights at the Lights of the Ozarks! Beginning with this year's Light Night on Friday, November 21st, Fayetteville's Historic Downtown Square will glow to life each night beginning at 5:00pm. The lights are free and open to the public every night of the week until 1:00am through the end of December.

Bundle up your people and bring them to Fayetteville for a little holiday magic -- we'll see you at Lights of the Ozarks!

Light Night:
Friday, November 21st, 6:00pm

Lights of the Ozarks Parade:
Thursday, December 4th, 6:30pm

Shining Brightly Nightly:
Daily from 5:00pm until 1:00am

Lights Out & Goodnight:
Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 1:00am

lights of the ozarks fayetteville ar square christmas

Lights of the Ozarks

12/03/2025 5:00 pm

Every Day until 12/31/2025

Bundle up your people and bring them to Fayetteville for a little holiday magic -- we'll see you at Lights of the Ozarks!

Light Night:
Friday, November 21st, 6:00pm

Lights of the Ozarks Parade:
Thursday, December 4th, 6:30pm

Shining Brightly Nightly:
Daily from 5:00pm until 1:00am

Lights Out & Goodnight:
Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 1:00am

lights of the ozarks fayetteville ar square christmas

Lights of the Ozarks

12/04/2025 5:00 pm

Every Day until 12/31/2025

Bundle up your people and bring them to Fayetteville for a little holiday magic -- we'll see you at Lights of the Ozarks!

Light Night:
Friday, November 21st, 6:00pm

Lights of the Ozarks Parade:
Thursday, December 4th, 6:30pm

Shining Brightly Nightly:
Daily from 5:00pm until 1:00am

Lights Out & Goodnight:
Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 1:00am

lights of the ozarks fayetteville ar square christmas

Lights of the Ozarks Parade

12/04/2025 6:30 pm

This event does not repeat

The Lights of the Ozarks Parade will wind through downtown Fayetteville on Thursday, December 4 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Around 50 floats and groups will progress along East Avenue, clockwise around the Square, and northward on Block Avenue.

After the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to greet visitors at Santa’s Workshop near the corner of Center Street and East Avenue.

Lights of the Ozarks, the longstanding holiday light display presented by Experience Fayetteville and the City of Fayetteville’s Department of Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs will continue through January 1, 2025, with lights shining each night on the Historic Downtown Fayetteville Square from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Along with the dazzling display of twinkle lights, you'll find a festive selection of seasonal activities, holiday music, winter treats, hot cocoa, and vendors on the Downtown Square each night during Lights of the Ozarks.

20231117 RLR 7938

Lights of the Ozarks

12/05/2025 5:00 pm

Every Day until 12/31/2025

Bundle up your people and bring them to Fayetteville for a little holiday magic -- we'll see you at Lights of the Ozarks!

Light Night:
Friday, November 21st, 6:00pm

Lights of the Ozarks Parade:
Thursday, December 4th, 6:30pm

Shining Brightly Nightly:
Daily from 5:00pm until 1:00am

Lights Out & Goodnight:
Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 1:00am

lights of the ozarks fayetteville ar square christmas

Fayetteville Half Marathon

12/06/2025 6:30 am - 1:00 pm

This event does not repeat

Four distances to choose from...half marathon, 10K, 5K and fun run. The race will visit some of Fayetteville's most unique spots.

Schedule
Race Day: Saturday, Dec 6, 2025

Friday, Dec 5, 2025:

Location - The Town Center - 715 West Mountain, Fayetteville AR 72701. Parking available in the underground parking lot.
11 am - 7 pm: Packet pickup and onsite registration.

Saturday, Dec 6, 2025:

Location -The Gardens on Univ of Arkansas campus - 450 S Razorback Rd, Fayetteville, AR
5:30 - 6:30 am: Packet pickup
6:50 am: Prayer & National Anthem
6:55 am: Pre Stage Half Marathon
7:00 am: Half Marathon start
7:15 am: 10K start
7:20 am: 5K start
7:23 am: Fun Run start
8:00 am: Post race celebration begins
8:15 am 5K Awards begin
8:45 am 10K Awards begin
9:30 am Half Marathon Awards begin
Noon: Post race celebration ends

Screenshot 2024 01 11 at 4.00.33 PM

2025 Journey Through Time: Kessler Mt. Rock City Geology Hike

12/06/2025 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm

This event does not repeat

2025 Fall Tea Kettle Falls Bushwhacking Adventure Hike
Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 12:30PM–5:00PM
Kessler Mountain Nature Center & Outdoor Classroom | 1725 Smoke House Trail, Fayetteville, AR
Tickets: $10-25

Journey with us to the Fayetteville area, long before humans ever set foot here. Join Ozark Natural Science Center staff, Chris Moyer (retired geologist) and Mac McGilvery (Adjunct Professor in the Geosciences Dept. at the U of A) for an exploration of the geologic and natural history of Kessler Mountain!

First, we’ll dive into the foundational concepts of geology, unraveling the mysteries of Earth’s past. Then, we’ll dig deeper into the fascinating geologic history of the Fayetteville area and discover how geology shapes the land around us.

After our classroom discussions and presentations, we’ll lace up our hiking boots and hit the trails! Explore the Rock City and Fayetteville Traverse trails at Kessler Mountain, where stunning outcrops and breathtaking vistas will bring the earlier discussions to life. Witness firsthand how geology sculpts the landscape while learning about the local plants and animals that call this area home.

This gem of a location is not open to the general public, so don’t miss this unique opportunity to hike through the Rock City geologic formations on a guided adventure!

What to expect

This fairly easy, roughly 3-mile hike will take approximately 3-3 and a half hours. There are no steep climbs, once you get up the road to the trailhead!

Please wear comfortable/worn in tennis shoes or boots with a hard sole and bring your own water bottle.

In the case of inclement winter weather on Saturday, December 6, the back-up date for this event will be the following Saturday, December 13, at the same time (1-5:00PM).

Schedule

12:30pm - 1:00pm: Check in at Kessler Mt. Nature Center & Outdoor Classroom (old Ozark Smokehouse building)
1:00pm - 1:45pm: Geology Slideshow Presentation (in Nature Center/Meeting Room)
1:45pm - 5:00pm: Hike to Rock City & Back

Ticket Information

Adult tickets (18 & up) - $25
Teen tickets (12-17) = $10
Senior tickets (65+) = $15

This hike is not recommended for children under 12, however exceptions may be made on a case by case basis. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

All proceeds go to support research, community science, and education at Ozark Natural Science Center.

Lights of the Ozarks

12/06/2025 5:00 pm

Every Day until 12/31/2025

Bundle up your people and bring them to Fayetteville for a little holiday magic -- we'll see you at Lights of the Ozarks!

Light Night:
Friday, November 21st, 6:00pm

Lights of the Ozarks Parade:
Thursday, December 4th, 6:30pm

Shining Brightly Nightly:
Daily from 5:00pm until 1:00am

Lights Out & Goodnight:
Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 1:00am

lights of the ozarks fayetteville ar square christmas

Fayetteville Wheelmen Group Ride

12/07/2025 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Every Week until 03/16/2026

Sundays 1:30 at Columbus House Brewery is our “Sunday Social” ride (Year-round except Easter Sunday, and weather permitting.)

The no-drop ride is typically around 30 miles sometimes with 2 pace groups. Ride concludes with post ride banter and refreshments at Columbus House Brewery.

Ride CANCELLED when temperature is 40 degrees or below.

Small Dog Sundays! Small Dog Paw-ty!

12/07/2025 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Every Week until 12/29/2025

Good Dog Cafe is now staring SMALL DOG SUNDAYS!

Every Sunday from 3:00-4:00! We will only allow small dogs into the park during this time frame! You are welcome to come a little early to maximize play time!
Get out and make some new friends for both you and your small doggos!
Regular admission for these events. $6 per dog with any purchase or $8 for just one dog and no other purchases. A waiver must be on file for each dog. Waivers can be signed at the register.
No set size limit, just any dogs considered to be smaller size. Dogs that would do best with other small dogs.
We do not allow children under 12 years old in the dog park, but they are welcome in the leashed area.
We will have kiddie pools out during the summer months.