Fayetteville is a city known year-round for being warm and welcoming, so when the holiday season rolls around, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a corner of our fair city that isn’t aglow with celebration!
Enjoy some extra joy everywhere you go with seasonal celebrations, parades, twinkle lights, special menus, themed drinks and pop-up bars, and holiday markets covering our event calendar through the end of the year. Holiday happenings are an excellent excuse to explore the city on your own, plan a perfect date night, entertain your parents, or get the kids out of the house – all paired with a healthy dose of cheer!
Whether you’re experiencing the magic for yourself this year or bringing some family to town for Christmas, you’ll find a sampling of festive events below to help you discover why holidays are happier in Fayetteville, AR:
Traditional Fun
Lights of the Ozarks
Now - January 1st
Historic Downtown Square
The quintessential holiday experience in Fayetteville! If you’re spending any time in Northwest Arkansas this holiday season, a trip to see Lights of the Ozarks is practically mandatory. See the Square come to life with more than 500,000 lights, dedicated food truck vendors, hot cocoa vendors, drinks in the ORA, and special visits from Santa. The much-adored annual holiday celebration of lights begins with the Lighting Night and Parade (in 2023, on November 18th) and continues through the New Year, with lights illuminated each night from 5:00pm to 1:00am.
Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet
December 24th
Ella's Table
Leave the cooking to someone else this year! Ella's Table, located within the gorgeous Inn at Carnall Hall on the University of Arkansas campus, has planned an exquisite holiday dinner buffet for Christmas Eve Dinner. Maximize your family time and enjoy an incredible meal all in one, with no dishes? We're in!
A Christmas Carol by TheatreSquared
December 1st-24th
Fayetteville Public Library
A theatrical re-imagining of Charles Dickens’ classic for all ages, performed at the Fayetteville Public Library. Brimming with stage magic and holiday cheer! TheatreSquared has long produced their own version of this classic tale, making a visit to this show a Fayetteville tradition in its own right.
Holiday Markets
Fayetteville doesn't hold back when it comes to holiday shopping markets! This year, we have so many that we gave the holiday markets their own list. Browse your gift-shopping options here.
New Year's Eve Celebrations
Say hello to 2023 in Fayetteville! Browse the list of NYE celebrations and choose the one that makes you sparkle.
See the Lights
Lights of the Ozarks
Now - January 1st
Historic Downtown Square
The quintessential holiday experience in Fayetteville! If you’re spending any time in Northwest Arkansas this holiday season, a trip to see Lights of the Ozarks is practically mandatory. See the Square come to life with more than 500,000 lights, dedicated food truck vendors, hot cocoa vendors, drinks in the ORA, and special visits from Santa. The much-adored annual holiday celebration of lights begins with the Lighting Night and Parade (in 2023, on November 18th) and continues through the New Year, with lights illuminated each night from 5:00pm to 1:00am.
Winter Nights
Now - December 23rd
Walton Arts Center
A new holiday tradition has landed in downtown Fayetteville! Head to Walton Arts Center to enjoy the holiday lights and decorations with a reserved firepit or dome at the new Winter Nights. Games and activities will be available in Joy Pratt Markham Gallery, just inside the doors. Treats and warm drinks will be available for all, including alcoholic beverages, because Winter Nights is located within Fayetteville's Outdoor Refreshment Area!
Stewart Family Christmas Light Display
Now - January 3rd
This local family owned and operated display features over 3,000,000 lights and several hundreds of inflatables.
Things to Do
Santa Drop
December 17th
Arkansas Air & Military Museum
Don't blink! Santa will once again be skydiving from the air during "the most magical 90 seconds in Fayetteville" at the Arkansas Air and Military Museum. It's not the typical Santa experience, but it's sure to be one you'll never forget! After the parachute descends, share your Christmas wishes with Santa and snap a photo.
Holiday Hangar Dance
December 17th
Arkansas Air & Military Museum
The lights and space in the hangar at Fayetteville's Arkansas Air & Military Museum make a stunning backdrop for the annual Holiday Hangar Dance. Jingle Bell Rock in your best holiday garb, where you'll also enjoy dinner, dance lessons, and a silent auction.
Hot Cocoa Sunday Night Social
December 18th
TheatreSquared
Reservations are recommended for this popular family-friendly event! TheatreSquared is serving up a magnificent hot cocoa bar with all of the fixins', offering crafts, games, story times, giveaways, and photos with Santa - all for free.
HoliGAY Movie Night
December 19th
Fayetteville Public Library
Celebrate the season with a family-friendly viewing of the Christmas classic, "It's a Wonderful Life" at the Fayetteville Public Library. NWA Equality will provide popcorn and hot chocolate for this free event. Blankets welcomed!
Christmas Vacation Trivia
December 20th
Puritan Coffee & Beer
Popular Dickson street stop Puritan Coffee & Beer has themed their popular trivia nights for the holiday season. Test your skills at this upcoming Christmas Vacation edition with a group of friends to ring in Christmas week!
Santa Visits
through December 24th
Northwest Arkansas Mall
Snap a photo with Santa and grab a side of nostalgia with a Santa visit at the mall. Open daily with varying hours.
Drink & Be Merry
Tour Lights of the Ozarks on the Pedal Pub
All season long
Book a tour around the Fayetteville square to see the Lights of the Ozarks for a memorable and fun evening of holiday fun with friends! Climb aboard the pedal pub, a mobile bar-meets-bike, and keep yourself warm with a drink - plus all that pedaling.
Home Alone Christmas Pop Up Bar at Lambeth Lounge
All season long
Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal! Get int he holiday spirit and sip on some cozy cocktails and boozy drinks in this Home Alone Themed bar. The drinks are all named after highlights of the film, which is playing on a constant rotation inside Lambeth Lounge. Don't miss the giant replica map, recreated faithfully with crayon.
The North Pole at Pinpoint
All season long
Head to Fayetteville's one-and-only pinball bar anytime this month, and you'll be immersed in all the holiday decor! Get in the spirit with a specially crafted holiday menu full of fun and festive drinks and play a temporary line up of themed pinball machine games while they last.
Maxine's Tap Room
All season long
Longtime Fayetteville favorite Maxine's never lets a chance to celebrate a holiday slip by! Christmastime is certainly no exception, and you'll find Maxine's rolling out all the holiday stops, including hot specialty beverages, head-to-toe bar decorations, and a festive menu for the season.
Lit up at Live!: A Pop-Up Christmas Bar at JJ's Live
December 17th, 19th-23rd
Winter Nights at Walton Arts Center
Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays through December 23rd
Winter Nights, a new holiday tradition in downtown Fayetteville, is located within Fayetteville's Outdoor Refreshment Area! Grab a cocktail at the Walton Arts Center and enjoy the holiday lights and decorations with a reserved firepit or dome of your own.
Live Performances
Alternative Winter Wonderland
December 17th
The Smoke & Barrel Tavern
A free holiday concert featuring local legends Foggy Bobcat is heading to Dickson. Additional support from Chainsaw Lassy, The Big Sad, and TownHouseFire!
Boom Kinetic Holiday Show
December 17th
George's Majestic Lounge
Local favorites Boom Kinetic are playing a special holiday edition of their set on Dickson Street! Catch the show the Saturday before Christmas Eve at George's Majestic Lounge.
Martina McBride: The Joy of Christmas Tour
December 18th
Walton Arts Center
Country music star Martina McBride is bringing her annual holiday tour to Fayetteville for a timeless night of Christmas joy! Holiday standards are paired with storytelling and a bit of glitz and glam for a fun and memorable experience.
Holiday with the Ton3s
December 18th
George's Majestic Lounge
The Hamiltones are having a holiday event at George's! They'll be joined by special guests and Fayetteville faves Funk Factory for a groovy night of holiday music and magic.
Muses Holiday Show
December 19th
George's Majestic Lounge
Arkansas-based musicians Ginger Doss, Renée Janski, Ronda Jean, Lynda Millard, and S. J. Tucker join forces to make musical holiday magic on their hometown George’s stage this December! The MUSES are home for the holidays!
Hands-On Holiday Fun
Christmas Cookies Class
December 17th
Rockin' Baker
Support Fayetteville's non-profit bakery in supporting our neurodiverse community by taking party in this guided cookie making class! Monste Roldan will demonstrate her skills and teach you how to make your very own holiday cookies.
Christmas Floral Centerpiece Workshop
December 17th
Eden's Botanicals
Bring your besties for this floral arranging workshop with the florists behind Eden's Floral Truck. Materials will be provided to make a fresh Christmas centerpiece, and there will be complimentary cocktails, mocktails, and snacks for attendees.
Kid Christmas Cookie Workshop
December 17th
The Shops at BrickCity
Doss Haus Cookies are teaming up with BrickCity to provide some kiddo entertainment for those that may need a little distraction for last-minute holiday shopping! Register for this kid-friendly cookie class and get some gifts knocked out all in one visit.
Holiday Firework Crafts
December 18th
Terra Studios
Head to Terra Studios for a fun art lab and a day of crafting in the gallery! There's fun to be had for all ages, with projects including painting, votive making, and firework coloring pages.
