Download the 2011 Trail of Holiday Lights brochure
The cities take on a whole new energy when injected with the spirit of Christmas. Come to Central Arkansas to take in the sights, shopping and entertainment!
Beebe
Beebe welcomes you and your family to enjoy the colorful lights display at Daniel Park on North Main Street. The annual Christmas
Parade takes place Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. and marches from the public school into downtown. Contact Dr. Ruth Couch, (501) 882-8135, chamber@beebeark.org.
Conway
Conway is ablaze with more than a million lights. Enjoy the holiday Festival of Lights each night, Thanksgiving Day until New Year’s Day. A variety of entertainment occurs each evening. Located off Dave Ward Dr. Contact Rachel Earls, (866) 7Conway (866-726-6929), ConwayArkansas.org.
Jacksonville
Come join us as the city of Jacksonville rings in the Christmas season. The Holiday Lighting Ceremony will take place Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Jacksonville City Hall. The 54th Annual Christmas Parade will be held Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Jacksonville, where Santa will make his first appearance of the season. Contact Michelle Whited, (501) 982-3146, CityOfJacksonville.net.
Little Rock
Little Rock
Grab your mittens and head downtown to the River Market’s open-air pavilions for ice-skating, Nov. 19, 2011-Jan. 8, 2012. Join Little Rock’s Big Jingle Jubilee Holiday Parade, Dec. 3, which ends in front of the Arkansas State Capitol. Following the parade, Secretary of State Mark Martin and Santa Claus lead the annual Capitol Lighting Ceremony, featuring fireworks, music, children’s activities and more. The lights will be on nightly, Dec. 3-31. Contact the Secretary of State’s office, (501) 682-1010, SOS.Arkansas.gov.
North Little Rock
Start a new family tradition by visiting the Holiday Lights in Burns Park. Sit back and enjoy traditional lighting displays of the past mixed with new state-of-the-art LED displays of the future. Drive through the lights, Nov. 28-Dec. 30 from 6-10 p.m. Admission is $5 per car, $10 per passenger vans and $20 per RV or motorcoach. Enjoy a fun walk through the lights displays at “Dashin’ Through the Lights,” Dec. 3, 5-6 p.m. The Holiday Lights Festival will be held Dec. 3 from 4-7 p.m. at Burns Park. Contact Travis Young, (501) 753-7307, NLRPR.org.
Saline County/City of Benton
Benton
On Dec. 5 at 6 p.m., Saline County will celebrate the holidays with the Benton Hometown Christmas Parade. Afterwards, Santa will visit children at the Saline County Courthouse gazebo from 7-9 p.m. Free cocoa and cookies will be served during Santa’s visit, and local talent will perform on a stage on the courthouse square. Children’s photos with Santa will be available online. Santa will visit throughout the season as well. Contact Holly Beaver, (501) 303-5640, SalineCounty.org.
Searcy
Searcy sets the stage for Christmas with its Holiday of Lights Parade on Dec. 3. at 6 p.m. at the courthouse square. Also this season, witness the awe of a live nativity scene and Holiday of Lights Pageant. Contact Lillie Cook, (501) 268-2483, Searcy.com.
Sherwood
The holiday spirit takes over Sherwood Forest on Nov. 28-Dec. 30 and lights it up nightly from 6-9:30 p.m. This mile-long trail of spectacular lights features reindeer in a soda shop, the Sherwood Express and Santa Claus himself. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Everyone receives a candy cane. Contact Dianna Price, (501) 835-6893.
