by Ricci Ellis
The days are getting shorter, the weather is getting cooler, and Thanksgiving is officially over. That can only mean one thing…Christmas is right around the corner!
The other night I was driving home from work and noticed some of my neighbors already had their Christmas lights up on their houses. I don’t know about you but there is nothing like the first sight of Christmas lights that really gets me in the holiday spirit! I saw lit up trees in windows, homes that looked like gingerbread houses come to life, and other homes that looked like they were dripping in icicles! I love Christmas lights!
Luckily for me Arkansas is home to many wonderful Christmas light displays all around the state. One of the most famous Christmas light displays that originated in Arkansas is the Osborne Family Lights. The Osborne Family Lights were started by Jennings and Mitzi Osborne and grew to a display of over three million lights. The lights are now at Disney World in Florida and have been there since 1995. The 2015 Christmas season will be the last year Disney will host the Osborne Family Lights.
If you don’t want to travel all the way to Florida to see some amazing Christmas lights have no fear because I have a list of Christmas light displays from around the state that will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit.
Here is a list of just a few of the many Christmas light displays from across the state…
1. Arkansas State Capital, Little Rock AR. The light display at the capital is set to be lit on December 5 after the Big Jingle Holiday Parade in downtown Little Rock. The lighting ceremony includes fireworks, music, and of course the lighting off the capital and the giant Christmas tree!
2. Holiday Lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs AR. This display is set among the many gardens and contains over four million bulbs. There is special Santa lights and free holiday concerts held throughout the month of December.
3. Hot Springs Holiday Lights on Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs AR. I grew up in Hot Springs and I loved seeing al the trees lit in Hot Springs National Park and seeing the reindeer lit on top of the Arlington Hotel. The lighting at the Arlington in Hot Springs will take place December 4.
4. Lights of the Ozarks, Fayetteville AR. There will be over 400,000 lights decorating the Downtown Square in Fayetteville that will be lit every night from 5pm – 1am starting November 20. There are nightly carriage and pony rides, holiday music, and hot chocolate!
5. Lights at Harding, Searcy AR. November 30 kicked off their holiday season with the annual lighting ceremony of the Harding Lights at Harding University. The display has over 100,000 LED lights and will stay lit until the new year.
6. Southern Arkansas University Celebration of Lights, Magnolia AR. SAU in Magnolia just celebrated the 32nd annual lighting of the campus on December 3. This year’s celebration is Polar Express themed and included a parade, Santa, music, and snacks. The lights will be on display throughout the Christmas season.
7. Christmas Wonderland, Crossett AR. This magical display of Christmas lights includes a drive through lighter tunnel, a large train, a light show, and bubble and snow machines among other things!
8. Candy Cane Lane, Pocahontas AR. This year is the 30th annual Candy Cane Lane celebration. Each year Maple Street is turned into a true Christmas wonderland complete with candy canes, Christmas lights, Santa and his elves!
This list is nowhere near complete as I am sure there are so many more amazing displays I have left out. However I hope I have listed something in your area that you can go see and get into the Christmas spirit!!
Ricci Ellis is an Arkansas native and current central Arkansas resident. Her favorite titles include dog mom, sister, aunt, blogger, respiratory therapist, and student. You can catch up with her on her lifestyle blog, Imperfectly Ricci, or on any social media @riccialexis.