Ice Skating in Bentonville? Come Downtown!

There’s no Christmas experience more thrilling than in Bentonville due to the wide range of engaging activities. There’s a place for everyone, regardless of one’s entertainment choices. However, there’s a location no one misses, no matter how busy they may be during this period.

Downtown Bentonville is genuinely a hallmark experience every Christmas. Ice skating happens on the ice rink, Santa Claus is always visiting, Grinch is out there, and many movies are showing. You can get fun food at the chill zone, like hot chocolates, and just take in the dazzling lights all night.

It’s the perfect holiday destination for all Bentonville and NWA folks.

Video:

Places To Visit in Northwest Arkansas During Christmas

Downtown Bentonville is so exciting during the holidays that you’d want to continue revisiting until the season ends. As discussed in this article, the town is family-oriented, which is why people enjoy living here. However, many similar fun places are available all over Northwest Arkansas.

Stewart Family field is a popular family-friendly destination in NWA during Christmas. It features several holiday lights, train rides, fireworks, and inflatables.

You can also participate in events at the Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville, from live music to dance concerts and winter wonderlands.

Whether you seek tranquility under Christmas lights or prefer adrenaline-rush holiday events, there’s a place for you in the region.

1. Stewart Family Property

Since 2013, the Stewart family has been warming Fayetteville residents’ hearts with their stunning light display. Their initial intent was to draw Santa’s attention so he’d know where to drop their gifts, but it’s a different story now.

Its humble beginnings just saw visitors enjoy a few light strings and some inflatables, but today, it’s become a grand light festival pulling the whole NWA into the Fayetteville property.

In the 2022 season-opening announcement, the family revealed that visitors would enjoy the following:

5 million Christmas lights
500+ inflatables
Train rides
Pony rides
Camel rides
Occasional Santa and Mr. Grinch visits
Fireworks displays
Food trucks

Arguably, no light show in Fayetteville beats the Stewart family’s setup. The LEDs welcome every visitor in the entryway and scatter throughout the tiny Christmas village.

You can enjoy hot chocolates from the food vendors as you tour the field or watch your kids enjoy the thrilling rides. Write Santa and expect a response on Christmas or just get cozy reminiscing about the year with family.

The field next to the family’s property is at 4423 East Wyman Road, Fayetteville. Each entrance ticket costs $8 per person, but there are discounts on special occasions, especially Christmas and New Year’s eve.

The park is open from 5–10 pm throughout the festive period every year.

2. Listening Forest in Crystal Bridges

Listening Forest isn’t necessarily Christmas-themed, but the venue’s immersive experience draws NWA folks on holiday nights.

It is a 2022-debuting area that entails visitors walking through a 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) paved path filled with unique audiovisual sensations.

The following interactive installations, with your participation, are what bring the sleeping woods to life:

Arkansas Text Stream: Only your presence can force the animated letters in this pathway to reveal phrases sourced from Northwest Arkansas community members.
Pulse Forest: 3,000 bulbs are imprints of past visitors, with every shimmer imitating their heartbeat. Yours filled with the yuletide spirit can be among the stunning array!
Thermal Drift: Visitors visualize their heat signature as floating particles through space, thanks to the thermal camera installation.
Embodied Light Beacon: Live your dreams of controlling a giant stickman (this time made of light) if Santa can’t grant you such.

Several other facilities are also available for an adventure like no other, so it’s a must-visit when you’re in NWA for the holidays.

You can find it in Crystal Bridges, Bentonville, accessible after twilight.

Also, I have a 3-day itinerary that can help you decide what activities to do if you’re overwhelmed by everything Northwest Arkansas has to offer.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie, a sports person, a sightseer, or want to spend quality time with your kids; I have something for you. Check out the link below to learn more:

https://www.allthingsnwa.com/3-day-itinerary-northwest-arkansas

3. Downtown Fayetteville

From 5 pm – 1 am during the Christmas season, one destination comes to most Fayetteville locals’ minds — the downtown section. They converge there to witness the brilliant Lights of the Ozarks, usually first lit the weekend before Thanksgiving.

It’s a celebration of lights designed by The City of Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Department. Its employees dedicate about 3,300 hours from October to mid-November to setting up 500,000+ LEDs. However, Experience Fayetteville produces it with sponsors’ support.

The official lighting begins with a spectacular parade, and the lights continue to shine until New Year.

You can stroll with family and friends around the dazzling area, anticipate Santa visits, and enjoy the music and holiday treats, including hot chocolates.

The display is free to behold. Hence, everyone can complete the eight-hour visit.

4. Creekmore Park

Creekmore Park is an activity-filled location year-round, but their holiday decorations excite all ages during Christmas. Most NWA residents visit the Fort Smith venue at least once to stare at their animated lights in the evenings till 11 pm.

You can walk through the trail of lights with friends, but visitors prefer discovering them on miniature train rides. There are two such vehicles, but only one is currently functional – The Creekmore Express, a standard diesel train.

The electric steam engine manufactured by Western Train Company, California, needs a fundraiser for its restoration.

However, the rides are free, as they welcome and encourage donations. You can enjoy one from Monday to Saturday, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, during the festive season.

Only a few locations in Northwest Arkansas host more shows than the Walton Arts Center, especially during winter. Hence, it should be on your bucket list if you’re a fan of theatrical productions, from Christmas carols to dance shows.

5. Walton Arts Center

Most are highly entertaining and family-friendly, but unlike many other NWA locations, you’ll need to purchase tickets, which vary by event.

In 2022, each ticket for the Nutcracker show by Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet cost $20. The Snowman concert pass was on sale for $10, the same price as The Swingle’s live performance.

Moreover, the center launched a special event in 2022 called ‘Winter Nights.’ It was at Joy Pratt Markham Gallery and Bradberry Amphitheater & Rose Garden.

Visitors who could access the venue for free could also:

Take holiday-card-perfect pictures in the photo booth.
Sit beside cozy firepits.
Partake in fun games for all ages.
Write a season greeting to a retirement home resident or veteran.
Savor holiday food and drinks in the refreshment area.

The organizers plan to continue the tradition, so it’s one to look forward to in NWA.

Final Thoughts

Downtown Bentonville is one of the most exciting places to be during Christmas in Northwest Arkansas. There are many exciting activities, including ice skating and movie-watching.

Several other destinations in the region also make the period unforgettable in different ways.