Three Christmas light displays in and around Northwest Arkansas have 2026 dates: all walk-throughs. One is free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 4 p.m. at Bentonville Lighting of the Square. They’re in Bentonville and Fayetteville. Each card has stroller notes where the venue gives them, the 2026 price and a link to tickets.
Last checked · How we choose
Tap a filter to narrow it down. Every card has hours, price and what it’s like with a little one.
Historic Downtown Square · Historic Downtown Square, Fayetteville, AR
Little-kid take: Opens at 5 p.m., so an early visit gets you home in time for bedtime.
Checked Oct 30 on the official page
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Little-kid take: Opens at 4 p.m., so an early visit gets you home in time for bedtime.
Checked Oct 30 on the official page
Report a problem
Checked Oct 30 on the official page
Report a problemNothing is lit yet. Winter Lights at Crystal Bridges opens first, on Nov 19. Winter Lights at Crystal Bridges and Lights of the Ozarks run into the new year.
In early December the sun sets around 5 p.m. in NW Arkansas (the dashed line). Here’s when each display opens, on a scale from 4 to 9 p.m.
4 p.m. start · plan about an hour
4 p.m.
5 p.m. start · plan about an hour
Nightly 5pm–1am
9 p.m. start · plan about an hour
5–9 p.m.
No drive-thru with 2026 dates in town yet.
Picks: Lights of the Ozarks, Bentonville Lighting of the Square, Winter Lights at Crystal Bridges
Mittens on a stringLittle hands get cold fast after dark.
Warm drink in a thermosA treat to look forward to at the halfway point.
Hat and a blanketFor the stroller, or the car once the heat is off.
PJs before you goSo a car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime.From each venue’s own page. Check whether a price is per car or per person before you book.
| Display | Price | Little kids | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights of the Ozarks | Free | See the venue | Walk-through |
| Bentonville Lighting of the Square | No ticket listed | See the venue | Walk-through |
| Winter Lights at Crystal Bridges | $10 per person or $25 for a family ticket | See the venue | Walk-through |
See all 3 Santa outings in and around NW Arkansas: breakfasts, photo spots and evening visits, with 2026 prices.
Santa in NW Arkansas →
Yes. Lights of the Ozarks is free in 2026.
Going by the lowest posted 2026 price: Winter Lights at Crystal Bridges ($10 per person or $25 for a family ticket). Check whether a price is per car or per person before you compare.
We didn’t find a drive-thru with 2026 dates yet. Walk-throughs (three here) are better for kids who want to run around.
The earliest evening starts: Bentonville Lighting of the Square at 4 p.m., Lights of the Ozarks at 5 p.m. and Winter Lights at Crystal Bridges at 9 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.
Keep planning: This week in NW Arkansas · Northwest Arkansas city guide · Visiting NW Arkansas
One short email every Thursday evening with what works for ages 0–6 in NW Arkansas that weekend, including the Santa and light-show dates worth knowing.
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Things to do with kids in Northwest Arkansas in November · Things to do with kids in Northwest Arkansas in December
More holiday outings
The Nutcracker with kids in Northwest Arkansas: 3 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances. Christmas markets in Northwest Arkansas: 3 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.