Eureka Springs Christmas Festival in Northwest Arkansas Dec. 1- 16

There's nothing quite like spending the holidays in the beautiful Ozark mountains of Arkansas, especially in the quaint little town of Eureka Springs.

Eureka Springs Main Street is gearing for a ton of festivities now through Dec. 16, 2017. This Friday, Dec. 1, Eureka Springs will be having their annual Christmas Parade of Lights featuring bright lights, holiday tunes, magnificent floats, marching bands and of course, Santa Claus. The parade route will wind down and around the serpentine pathway and cobblestone walkways in this historical town.

Then on Saturday, Dec. 2, Santa arrives in a classic convertible just in time to revisit Basin Spring Park for Santa in the Park from 1PM to 3PM. Kids will be able to visit with Santa and get a photo. And don't forget kids of all ages including pets can enter the Santa Claus Beard Contest for prizes to be awarded. The downtown park will be alive with Reindeer games, and live music from Mom and Pop to help you get into the holiday spirit.

You can also take a Christmas tour of the beautiful Victorian homes in the downtown area that have been specially decorated for the season. You'll hear plenty of holiday music as you tour each home with tasty treats along the way. Then beginning at 7PM at the Eureka Springs City Auditorium witness and hear the healing sounds of the Native American Flute playing some of your holiday favorites. The Grammy and Emmy-nominated John Two-Hawks, a local resident and Platinum Award Winner will be the main headliner.

In addition, Saturday, will be the historical Crescent Hotel Annual Christmas Tree Forest Lighting at 6PM. A ceremonial light switch will be flipped illuminating the more than 30 trees that will adorning the holiday focal point of the hotel covering nearly 15 acres on the east lawn. There will be lots of fun filled holiday events taking place from Dec. 2-8 at the Crescent Hotel including a brunch.

While in Eureka Springs you have to shop the many unique shops on Spring Street filled with lots of great Christmas gifts and festive fun. Make sure you visit the Cattywampus Spring Street Night Market from 4 - 9PM filled with merriment as merchants welcome shoppers, windows come alive, artisan booths, and Santa greets the kids with music creating a one-of-kind of holiday atmosphere.

Wrapping up Eureka Springs holiday festival is the Community Sing-Along and Home for the Holidays concert December 16, at The Aud.  Local musicians and vocalists gather to present their gift of music. In addition to the music, guests will be amazed at the plethora of performing art that exists in this small, yet talented, Ozark community.

Christmas comes but once a year, but Main Street Eureka Springs and its partners have tried to spread it out over a couple dozen days. For more information, go to EurekaSpringsChristmas.com and ChristmasAtTheCrescent.com.