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Christmas with kids in Fort Smith
In Fort Smith, Christmas centers on historic downtown. Marching bands roll down Garrison Avenue, a museum hands out free cookies and cocoa, and a tree lights up in Cisterna Park.
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The story of Christmas in Fort Smith
How Fort Smith celebrates
Fort Smith's Christmas season gathers around downtown. The City of Fort Smith and the Downtown Business Association present the annual Christmas Parade along Garrison Avenue and Rogers Avenue, and the event is described as a yearly tradition. In 2023 the downtown holiday program also included a tree lighting in Cisterna Park on Small Business Saturday, decorated wooden trees made by carpentry students and decorated by public school students, and a synthetic ice rink at the Riverfront Pavilion that ran for about 38 days.
Christmas last year in Fort Smith
The 2025 City of Fort Smith Christmas Parade stepped off at 3 pm on Saturday, December 13, with marching bands and floats between 6th and 12th streets. Just before it, the Fort Smith Museum of History held a free Christmas Open House from noon to 2 pm with cookies, cocoa and activities for all ages. The week before, the Junior League's Holiday Home Tour visited decorated historic homes, and on December 12 the UAFS Drennen-Scott Historic Site hosted its Victorian Christmas Open House.
Fun facts about Christmas in Fort Smith
The Fort Smith Museum of History calls itself the oldest functioning museum in the state, and in 2025 it opened its doors for cookies and cocoa before the parade. The Christmas Honors ceremony places wreaths on every soldier's grave at Fort Smith National Cemetery. In 2025 the Western Arkansas Ballet held a Sugar Plum Fairy Tea on November 23, and Creekmore Park offered a free steam train ride through holiday lights in the evenings throughout December.
Trains and Christmas near Fort Smith
Trains are part of Fort Smith's December. In 2025 Creekmore Park offered a free steam train ride through holiday lights throughout the month. The Fort Smith Trolley Museum lets families ride an authentic 1926 Birney streetcar downtown, then see Frisco steam locomotive 4003 in the car barn. Farther away, the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad in Springdale runs a Holiday Express Pajama Train, and the Arkansas Railroad Museum in Pine Bluff lets kids climb aboard engines and cars.
- Fort Smith Trolley Museum: Ride a 1926 Birney streetcar in downtown Fort Smith and see Frisco steam locomotive 4003.
- Arkansas & Missouri Railroad: Vintage passenger excursions from Springdale and Van Buren, including a Holiday Express Pajama Train.
- Arkansas Railroad Museum: A big collection in the former Cotton Belt shops where kids can climb aboard many engines and cars.
Traditions today
- Fort Smith Christmas Parade: Marching bands and floats travel Garrison Avenue and Rogers Avenue downtown on a December afternoon.
- Christmas Open House at the Fort Smith Museum of History: Free cookies, cocoa and family activities just before the parade.
- Cisterna Park tree lighting: A downtown tree lighting on Small Business Saturday, with wooden trees decorated by local students.
- Fort Smith Holiday Home Tour: A self-guided tour of decorated historic homes hosted by the Junior League.
- Victorian Christmas Open House: The UAFS Drennen-Scott Historic Site opened for a holiday open house in December 2025.
- Sugar Plum Fairy Tea: The Western Arkansas Ballet hosted a tea for young dancers and fans in late November 2025.
A fact for kids
In Fort Smith, the museum of history hands out free cookies and cocoa before the Christmas parade rolls down Garrison Avenue.
Questions about Christmas in Fort Smith
How does Fort Smith celebrate Christmas?
Fort Smith celebrates with a Christmas parade on Garrison Avenue, a downtown tree lighting in Cisterna Park, a Christmas Open House at the Fort Smith Museum of History, a Junior League home tour and a Victorian Christmas Open House at UAFS. Most events cluster in late November and December downtown.
When is the Fort Smith Christmas Parade?
The parade is held on a Saturday in December at 3 pm. In 2025 it was on December 13, with street closures starting at 2:30 pm. The date changes each year, so check our Fort Smith Christmas events guide on this page, and the parade's Facebook page, for the current date.
Where does the Fort Smith Christmas Parade go?
The parade runs along Garrison Avenue and Rogers Avenue between 6th and 12th streets, with marching bands and floats. Downtown streets close before the 3 pm start, so plan to arrive early to claim a curb spot. Check the City of Fort Smith parade page for the current route, since routes can change.
Who organizes the Fort Smith Christmas Parade?
In 2025 the parade was presented by the Fort Smith Downtown Business Association and the City of Fort Smith. In 2023 the historic Bonneville House, the Clayton House and the Fort Smith Museum of History were named as presenters. Updates are posted on the parade's Facebook page.
What is the Christmas Open House at the Fort Smith Museum of History?
It is a free open house held just before the Christmas parade. In 2025 it ran from noon to 2 pm on December 13, with free cookies, hot cocoa and family-friendly activities for all ages. The museum is at 320 Rogers Avenue, so you can walk to the parade afterward.
How old is the Fort Smith Museum of History?
The museum describes itself as the oldest functioning museum in the state of Arkansas. It sits in the old downtown area on Rogers Avenue, a short walk from the parade route. Its Christmas Open House is free, so it makes an easy warm stop for families before the parade begins.
Where is the Fort Smith Christmas tree lighting?
In 2023 the tree lighting was held in Cisterna Park downtown on Small Business Saturday at 6 pm. The tree was a Magnolia from Keep Fort Smith Beautiful, and wooden trees decorated by local students stayed in the park until early January. Dates vary each year.
What happened at Christmas in Fort Smith last year?
In 2025 families enjoyed the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea on November 23, the Holiday Home Tour on December 7, the UAFS Victorian Christmas Open House on December 12, and the museum open house and parade on December 13. Creekmore Park also ran a free steam train ride through lights.
Is there ice skating in downtown Fort Smith at Christmas?
In 2023 a synthetic ice rink operated at the Riverfront Pavilion, run by Community Rescue Mission, from November 24 to January 1. Hours were evenings Thursday and Friday and afternoons on the weekend. Rink plans can change each year, so check the city's downtown pages for this season.
What is the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea?
The Sugar Plum Fairy Tea is a Western Arkansas Ballet event. In 2025 it was held on November 23 from 2 to 4 pm at 100 North B Street. It is a good fit for young children who love ballet and The Nutcracker. Check our Fort Smith Christmas events guide on this page for this year's date.
Can kids see The Nutcracker in Fort Smith?
Yes, the Western Arkansas Ballet performed the Nutcracker on December 13 and 14 in 2025. Showtimes and ticket details change each year, so check our Fort Smith Christmas events guide on this page for this year's family shows. Younger children may enjoy a short rehearsal of sitting quietly before the performance.
What is the Fort Smith Holiday Home Tour?
The Holiday Home Tour is a self-guided tour of decorated historic homes hosted by the Junior League. In 2025 it ran from noon to 4 pm on Sunday, December 7. It is best for older children who can walk through homes calmly, since many of the houses are historic.
What is the Victorian Christmas Open House?
It is a holiday open house at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Drennen-Scott Historic Site. In 2025 it returned on Friday, December 12. The listing says it returned, which suggests it has been held before, but we did not find how many years it has run. Check the site for current hours.
What is the Christmas Honors wreath ceremony?
Christmas Honors places wreaths on each soldier's grave at Fort Smith National Cemetery. In 2025 the wreath laying ceremony was at 11 am on December 7. It is a quiet, respectful tradition, so it can be a good chance to talk with older children about remembering people who served.
Is there a free train ride at Christmas in Fort Smith?
In 2025 Creekmore Park offered the Creekmore Express, a free steam train ride through holiday lights, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm throughout December. Schedules change each year, so confirm the dates with Fort Smith Parks before you go. Dress warmly for the evening ride.
What do Fort Smith libraries offer at Christmas?
The Fort Smith Public Library runs storytimes at its Main, Miller and Windsor branches through late December, plus a Christmas card craft at the Dallas branch and a Noon Year's Eve party. All locations close December 24 and 25. See our Fort Smith Christmas events guide on this page.
How can I explain the Christmas parade to a toddler?
Tell your toddler that bands and floats will march down the street and that everyone cheers from the curb. Pack ear protection for loud drums, a blanket and snacks, and plan a warm stop at the museum open house before the parade starts at 3 pm.
Can I see a streetcar in Fort Smith?
Yes, the Fort Smith Trolley Museum lets families ride an authentic 1926 Birney streetcar through downtown. The car barn also holds Frisco steam locomotive 4003 and vintage buses. The museum is open Friday to Sunday, so check hours before a Christmas weekend visit.
Where can kids see a Holiday Express Pajama Train near Fort Smith?
The Arkansas and Missouri Railroad runs vintage passenger excursions from Springdale and Van Buren, including a Holiday Express Pajama Train. It is a drive north of Fort Smith, and booking ahead online or by phone is advised. Check dates before you plan a trip.
Which train museums are near Fort Smith?
The Fort Smith Trolley Museum is in town, the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad runs from Springdale and Van Buren, and the Arkansas Railroad Museum in Pine Bluff has steam locomotive 819 and engines kids can climb aboard. Call ahead for hours, which can be limited.
Sources
- Fort Smith Christmas Events, 2025, Discover Fort Smith
- 2025 City of Fort Smith Christmas Parade, City of Fort Smith
- Friendliest Downtown Holiday Experience Comes to Fort Smith, City of Fort Smith
- FSMH Christmas Open House, Fort Smith Museum of History
- Victorian Christmas Open House, University of Arkansas Fort Smith
- Events list, Fort Smith Public Library
- Fort Smith Trolley Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Arkansas & Missouri Railroad, Rally Takes the Train
- Arkansas Railroad Museum, Rally Takes the Train