Spending the holidays in Bentonville, Arkansas with family this year? You’re in for a magical time! 

 

From twinkling holiday lights on the Downtown Square to festive holiday experiences to friendly community gatherings celebrating the most wonderful time of the year—we’re sure you’ll fall in love with our charming city and want to keep coming back over and over again.

 

Read on for five can’t-miss family-friendly holiday experiences right here in Bentonville:

1. Holiday Lights on the Bentonville Square

The holiday lights turn on each evening at 5 pm, transforming our Downtown Square into a bright and cheery winter wonderland that you don’t want to miss. This spot makes for a great holiday photo-op with family, friends, pets, or yourself! The lights will be on the Square through the end of the year.
 
Pro Tip: Don’t miss The Spark Cafe’s food truck! Order a festive drink to keep you warm as you walk around.
 
Enjoying the Holiday Lights
Photo by @roshan.chakve on Instagram

2. The Rink at Lawrence Plaza

Just down the street from Bentonville Square, located at 214 NE A Street, you’ll find the Rink at Lawrence Plaza. This 7,000-square-foot ice skating rink is the only one in our region and is a beloved Bentonville holiday tradition. The Rink is open from November to February, so bundle up, gather your family and friends, and show us your skills on the ice!

 

Ice Skating Lawrence Plaza

Details:

  • $7 Ice Skate Session including Skate Rental

  • Skate sizes available:

    • Kids 9–13

    • Adults 1–15

  • Online ticket sales close one hour before session time

  • All sales are final

  • Pre-purchase tickets here

This family-friendly ice rink opens on November 23, 2024, and stays open through February 16, 2025.

 

3. Time Loop by Klip Collective: A Forest Light Experience

This fall, roam a world outside time as acclaimed studio Klip Collective uses light, sound, and state-of-the-art projection mapping to transform acres of Ozark nature into a never-before-seen journey across time and space.


Designed exclusively for the museum’s North Forest, this outdoor, site-responsive experience features six immersive installations for you and your crew to explore. Witness the natural rhythms of the Earth brought to life, see yourself fractured across the surface of a broken time machine, marvel together at the movements of the forest in a landscape of light, and more.

Backed by a custom soundtrack and open during the Ozarks’ most beautiful season, Time Loop truly offers an outdoor experience unlike any in Northwest Arkansas.

Note: Some artworks in this exhibition contain light effects. Viewing discretion is advised for visitors with sensitivity to visual light stimulation. Hosts at each installation can provide more information.

 

 

Peel Museum | Holiday DecorPhoto courtesy of Peel Museum and Botanical Garden

4. Holiday Decor at Peel Museum & Botanical Garden

Take a free tour of the Peel Museum & Botanical Garden, and enjoy the holiday-themed atmosphere both inside and outside the Museum. The historic Peel Family home and its seven Victorian-inspired gardens offer a unique way to examine the history of Northwest Arkansas through excavated objects, and artifacts from the 1800s. The museum is open between 10 am and 3 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
 
  • Take a free tour of the museum
  • Explore the seven gardens of the historic Peel Family home
  • Shop for locally made gifts at the Museum Store

Holiday Shopping

5. Winter Markets

Festive drink in your hand, holiday carols in the air, and cheery people all around—there are few better ways to knock out your holiday shopping than a Winter Market! Check out the list of Winter Markets happening in Bentonville below:
 
Nov 23 | Merry & Bright Market
 
Nov 30 | Small Business Saturday at The Mercantile of NWA
 
Dec 1 | MONAH | Museum Store Sunday
 
Dec 1 | Holiday Market at Turnbuckle Farm
 
Dec 5 | Holiday International Feast & Market
 

Explore all Markets & Holiday Events 

For more information on holiday shopping read Your Guide to Holiday Shopping in Bentonville.
 
Bentonville Christmas Parade

Save the Date! Exciting Holiday Events

Nov 23 | The 2024 Downtown Bentonville Holiday Window Contest

Nov 23 | City of Bentonville's Lighting of the Square

Nov 23—Dec 31 | Lights on the Square

Dec 14 | The 2024 Bentonville Christmas Parade

 
Browse our events calendar here.
 

Stay Warm! Family-Friendly Museums in Bentonville

From learning about diverse Indigenous cultures of the Americas at the Museum of Native American History to exploring 50,000 square feet of exhibit spaces at the Amazeum—Bentonville has so many great places with educational fun for the whole family to enjoy indoors!

 
Read about each museum in our Bentonville Museum Roundup blog.
 
 
Looking for food recommendations during your visit? We’ve got you covered! Click here to browse our Restaurant Guide.
 
We’re happy to help you with any additional information needed during your stay in Bentonville. Our Visitor’s Center is open 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and 9 am to 3 pm on Saturdays. Stop by and see us at 406 SE 5th Street, Suite 6.