Arkansas has 5 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Lights of the Ozarks in Fayetteville on November 20 to Holiday Lights in Hot Springs, which runs through December 31. 3 of them are free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in every state.
The short version
- 5 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Arkansas for 2026, in Fayetteville, Hot Springs, Little Rock and Rogers
- First: Lights of the Ozarks, Fayetteville, November 20. Runs latest: Lights of the Ozarks, Fayetteville, through January 1
- Free: Lights of the Ozarks, 26th Annual Holiday Open House and Sweets with Santa (Ages 3 to 10)
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by city, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Arkansas Christmas train rides page.
Arkansas Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 5 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Fayetteville, Hot Springs, Little Rock and Rogers
- Season
- November 20, 2026 to January 1, 2027
- Free events
- 3
- Kinds of events
- holiday parade, holiday lights, story time with Mrs. Claus and story time with Santa
- Last checked
Plan your December
When each Arkansas Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Lights of the Ozarks in Fayetteville on November 20; the last runs to December 31. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Lights of the OzarksFayetteville · Nov 20 to Jan 1
- Holiday LightsHot Springs · Nov 21 to Dec 31
- Christmas Wonderland with Mr. and Mrs. ClawsLittle Rock · Dec 5 to Dec 19
- 26th Annual Holiday Open HouseRogers · Dec 12
- Sweets with Santa (Ages 3 to 10)Fayetteville · Dec 12
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Arkansas? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Christmas events for kids in Fayetteville
2 confirmed events for kids in Fayetteville, soonest first.
Fayetteville: Lights of the Ozarks
Holiday paradeFreeExperience Fayetteville · Fayetteville
- Host
- Experience Fayetteville (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Historic Downtown Square, Downtown Square, Fayetteville, AR 72701
- When
- Fri November 20 (5 pm to 1 am), Fri November 20 (6 pm), Thu December 3 (6:30 pm), Fri December 4 (6 to 8 pm), Fri December 11 (6 to 8 pm) and Fri December 18 (6 to 8 pm), 2026
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Lights of the Ozarks turns Fayetteville's historic Downtown Square into a free holiday light display that shines nightly from 5 pm to 1 am, from November 20 through January 1. The season opens with Light Night on Friday, November 20, at 6 pm, when the lights come on for the first time with live music and performances.
The Lights of the Ozarks Parade steps off on Thursday, December 3, at 6:30 pm, traveling along East Avenue, clockwise around the Square and north on Block Avenue. Santa visits the Downtown Square from 6 to 8 pm on Fridays, December 4, 11 and 18. Everything is free and open to the public, so it is an easy evening to combine a lights walk with a Santa visit and dinner downtown.
Parent tip: Come on a Friday in December between 6 and 8 pm to pair the lights with a free Santa visit.
See dates and details from Experience Fayetteville (opens in a new tab)Fayetteville: Sweets with Santa (Ages 3 to 10)
Santa visitFreeFayetteville Public Library · Fayetteville
- Host
- Fayetteville Public Library (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Fayetteville Public Library, Event Center (1st Floor), 401 W Mountain St, Fayetteville, AR 72701
- When
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, 10 am to noon
- Cost
- Free, registration required
- Ages
- Ages 3 to 10
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Sweets with Santa is a holiday party for children ages 3 to 10 in the Event Center on the first floor of Fayetteville Public Library. Kids can make crafts, play games, enjoy sweets and meet a very special guest, Santa.
The party is free but limited to 50 children, and each child must be registered separately (adults should not register themselves). Registration opens Saturday, Nov 21, and the library notes that the event fills quickly, with a waitlist available. Families who miss a spot are invited to a holiday sing-along with Mr. Troy in the Story Time Room at 10 am the same morning.
Parent tip: Register each child as soon as signups open on Nov 21. For disability accommodations, contact the library 2 to 3 weekdays ahead at 479.856.7170.
See dates and details from Fayetteville Public Library (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Hot Springs
1 confirmed event for kids in Hot Springs, soonest first.
Hot Springs: Holiday Lights
Holiday lightsGarvan Woodland Gardens · Hot Springs
- Host
- Garvan Woodland Gardens (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Garvan Woodland Gardens, 550 Arkridge Rd, Hot Springs, AR 71913
- When
- Saturday, November 21, 2026 to Thursday, December 31, 2026 (nightly; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day), 5 to 9:30 pm
- Cost
- Timed tickets; online tickets save up to $10 over the gate
- Ages
- All ages
- Sign-up
- Recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Holiday Lights is the evening season at Garvan Woodland Gardens, the University of Arkansas botanical garden on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs. From Nov 21 through Dec 31 the gardens open only at night, from 5 to 9:30 pm, so families walk the wooded paths under the light displays after dark.
Tickets are sold for a specific date and entry time, and the garden asks guests to arrive in their window. Last admission is 9 pm and gates close at 9:30 pm. Complimentary hot chocolate is served nightly, and the Chipmunk Cafe sells made-to-order food and drinks, since outside food is not allowed. The gardens are closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and nights in severe weather are refunded automatically.
Parent tip: Buy tickets online ahead of time, since many nights sell out and gate prices run up to $10 higher. Dress for an evening walk outdoors.
See dates and details from Garvan Woodland Gardens (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Little Rock
1 confirmed event for kids in Little Rock, soonest first.
Little Rock: Christmas Wonderland with Mr. and Mrs. Claws
Story time with Mrs. ClausLittle Rock Zoo · Little Rock
- Host
- Little Rock Zoo (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Little Rock Zoo, Civitan Pavilion, 1 Zoo Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205
- When
- Sat December 5, Sat December 12 and Sat December 19, 2026
- Cost
- Free hot chocolate while supplies last; zoo admission not listed
- Ages
- Big kids and little kids
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
On three December Saturdays, the Little Rock Zoo welcomes Mr. and Mrs. Claws to the Civitan Pavilion, where kids can share their wishes and families can snap photos with their own phones. Free hot chocolate is served while supplies last, and each Saturday has a schedule of animal enrichment sessions with residents like the great apes, elephants and big cats.
Each week has its own extra. On December 12, zoo veterinary staff hold teddy bear checkups from 11 am to 1 pm, so bring a stuffed animal. On December 19, a Christmas story read along takes place at the pavilion at 11:30 am, 12:10 pm and 12:50 pm, followed by otters, servals, red river hogs and farm animal sessions. The page does not list a separate fee for the activities, so plan on regular zoo admission.
Parent tip: Bring a stuffed animal on Dec 12 for the teddy bear checkups, and arrive by 11:30 am on Dec 19 for the first Christmas story read along.
See dates and details from Little Rock Zoo (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Rogers
1 confirmed event for kids in Rogers, soonest first.
Rogers: 26th Annual Holiday Open House
Story time with SantaFreeRogers Historical Museum · Rogers
- Host
- Rogers Historical Museum (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Rogers Historical Museum and Hawkins House, 322 S 2nd St, Rogers, AR 72756
- When
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, 10 am to 2 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Family-friendly
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Rogers Historical Museum's annual Holiday Open House is a free, family-friendly Saturday. Guided tours of the 1895 Hawkins House look at how Americans brought patriotic displays into their holiday decorating from the Civil War through World War I, and there are holiday crafts and refreshments for everyone.
Santa Claus visits during the open house, so children should bring their wish lists. He will also read Clement Moore's classic poem, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, at 11 am and again at 1 pm, which makes those two times the best moments to arrive with young children. No tickets are needed.
Parent tip: Plan around the 11 am or 1 pm reading, and have kids bring a wish list for Santa.
See dates and details from Rogers Historical Museum (opens in a new tab)Near a state line? Our guides to Christmas events for kids in Oklahoma, Christmas events for kids in Missouri and Christmas events for kids in Kansas list more confirmed events, and the national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor by Leslie Dunn. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on AmazonArkansas Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Arkansas in 2026?
We confirmed 5 Christmas events for kids in Arkansas for 2026 on each host’s own page: Lights of the Ozarks in Fayetteville (November 20), Holiday Lights in Hot Springs (November 21), Christmas Wonderland with Mr. and Mrs. Claws in Little Rock (December 5), 26th Annual Holiday Open House in Rogers (December 12) and Sweets with Santa (Ages 3 to 10) in Fayetteville (December 12). Every one is listed below with times, cost and a link to the host.
What Christmas events for kids are in Fayetteville, Arkansas?
For families in and around Fayetteville, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Lights of the Ozarks (Nightly, Nov 20 to Jan 1; parade Thu, Dec 3; Santa Fridays, free); Sweets with Santa (Ages 3 to 10) (Sat, Dec 12, 10 am to noon, free, registration required). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Fayetteville section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Hot Springs, Arkansas?
For families in and around Hot Springs, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Holiday Lights (Nightly, Nov 21 to Dec 31, 5 to 9:30 pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day), timed tickets; online tickets save up to $10 over the gate). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Hot Springs section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Little Rock, Arkansas?
For families in and around Little Rock, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Christmas Wonderland with Mr. and Mrs. Claws (Saturdays, Dec 5, 12 and 19, free hot chocolate while supplies last; zoo admission not listed). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Little Rock section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Rogers, Arkansas?
For families in and around Rogers, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: 26th Annual Holiday Open House (Sat, Dec 12, 10 am to 2 pm; Santa reads at 11 am and 1 pm, free). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Rogers section of this page.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Arkansas?
Yes. 3 of the 5 events here are free: Lights of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, 26th Annual Holiday Open House in Rogers and Sweets with Santa (Ages 3 to 10) in Fayetteville. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Arkansas this December?
Santa appears at Lights of the Ozarks in Fayetteville (November 20), Christmas Wonderland with Mr. and Mrs. Claws in Little Rock (December 5), 26th Annual Holiday Open House in Rogers (December 12) and Sweets with Santa (Ages 3 to 10) in Fayetteville (December 12). Times and booking rules are in each event’s listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Arkansas?
Holiday story times on this page: Christmas Wonderland with Mr. and Mrs. Claws in Little Rock and 26th Annual Holiday Open House in Rogers. Library story times are usually free; story times with a meal or show are ticketed.
Are there kids' Christmas events in Arkansas on Christmas Eve or after Christmas?
Yes: Lights of the Ozarks in Fayetteville (through January 1) and Holiday Lights in Hot Springs (through December 31).
How much is Lights of the Ozarks in Fayetteville?
Free. Lights of the Ozarks is on Fri November 20 (5 pm to 1 am), Fri November 20 (6 pm), Thu December 3 (6:30 pm), Fri December 4 (6 to 8 pm), Fri December 11 (6 to 8 pm) and Fri December 18 (6 to 8 pm), 2026 at Historic Downtown Square. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Holiday Lights in Hot Springs?
Timed tickets; online tickets save up to $10 over the gate. Holiday Lights is on Saturday, November 21, 2026 to Thursday, December 31, 2026 (nightly; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day), 5 to 9:30 pm at Garvan Woodland Gardens. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Christmas Wonderland with Mr. and Mrs. Claws in Little Rock?
Free hot chocolate while supplies last; zoo admission not listed. Christmas Wonderland with Mr. and Mrs. Claws is on Sat December 5, Sat December 12 and Sat December 19, 2026 at Little Rock Zoo, Civitan Pavilion. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is 26th Annual Holiday Open House in Rogers?
Free. 26th Annual Holiday Open House is on Saturday, December 12, 2026, 10 am to 2 pm at Rogers Historical Museum and Hawkins House. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Sweets with Santa (Ages 3 to 10) in Fayetteville?
Free, registration required. Sweets with Santa (Ages 3 to 10) is on Saturday, December 12, 2026, 10 am to noon at Fayetteville Public Library, Event Center (1st Floor). Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Arkansas?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Arkansas Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 2, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
