Bentonville is one of the best places in Arkansas to visit during the Christmas season.
The downtown square glows with thousands of Christmas lights, Lawrence Plaza turns into an outdoor ice skating rink, and there are Christmas markets, holiday races, a Christmas parade, The Nutcracker, and plenty of places to shop and eat while you’re downtown.
Some of these events require tickets and can fill up quickly. Others, including the lights around the Bentonville Square, can be enjoyed throughout the Christmas season.
Here are some of the best Christmas events in Bentonville for 2026.
Lighting of the Square
Christmas officially arrives in downtown Bentonville with the annual Lighting of the Square.
This is one of the biggest holiday nights of the year in Bentonville. The downtown square is covered with thousands of twinkling lights, and the evening includes holiday entertainment and plenty of Christmas atmosphere.
The lights come on at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2026.
We also have a list of things to do year-round in Bentonville!
Ice Skating at Lawrence Plaza
This is one of our favorite Christmas activities in Bentonville!
Lawrence Plaza transforms into a 7,000-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink during the winter. It’s right downtown and only a short walk from the Christmas lights on the Square, so it’s easy to combine the two.
The rink opens Saturday, November 21, 2026. Tickets go on sale November 1. Weekend sessions can fill up quickly, so I recommend buying tickets ahead of time.
Stroll Through the Christmas Lights on the Bentonville Square
You don’t have to be there for the official lighting ceremony to enjoy the Bentonville Square at Christmas.
Once the lights come on, downtown Bentonville becomes one of my favorite places in Northwest Arkansas during the holidays.
Walk around the Square, stop for coffee or hot chocolate, browse the shops, have dinner downtown, and take plenty of photos beneath the lights.
Bentonville is also one of our Best Christmas Towns in Arkansas, and this is a big reason why.
Merry & Bright Market
You can do some Christmas shopping while you’re downtown for the Lighting of the Square.
The Merry & Bright Market returns to Ledger in Bentonville for two days in 2026, with local makers and artists selling gifts just in time for Christmas.
2026 Dates: November 21–22
Winter Market of NWA
The Winter Market of NWA will be held at the Benton County Fairgrounds on November 27–28, 2026.
The market is held over Black Friday and Small Business Saturday and features vendors, Christmas shopping and family-friendly holiday activities.
It’s a good one if you’d rather shop small than spend Black Friday fighting crowds at the mall.
Gobbler 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run
We aren’t exactly a family that runs a race on Thanksgiving morning…but I know that some of you are!
The Bentonville Gobbler includes both a 5K and a one-mile fun run.
The 2026 race will be held Thanksgiving morning, November 26, at 7:30 a.m.
Miracle on 2nd Street at Undercroft
For a Christmas activity that’s definitely geared more toward adults, head underground to Undercroft.
Each holiday season the speakeasy-style bar beneath The Preacher’s Son transforms into Miracle on 2nd Street, complete with over-the-top Christmas decorations and a menu of specialty holiday cocktails.
2026 dates have not been announced yet. Reservations are usually a good idea because this is a small and popular space.
We also have a list of Christmas events in Fayetteville as well as a list of Christmas events in Little Rock!
Christmas at the Peel Museum
The historic Peel Museum is beautiful during the holidays.
The museum’s annual Christmas at the Peel Museum will be held December 4, 2026. This is a ticketed evening event featuring a chef-curated dinner, signature cocktails and live and silent auctions.
Only 200 seats are available, and the event typically sells out.
You can also visit the Peel Museum for a free tour during its regular hours.
Freedom Frosty 5K
Here’s another one for the runners!
The Freedom Frosty 5K benefits Camp Alliance, an organization that supports veterans, military members and their families.
The race begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2026 at Lawrence Plaza.
You can sign up to race at their website here.
Bentonville Christmas Parade
The Bentonville Christmas Parade is one of the biggest nights of the Christmas season downtown.
Expect festive floats, music, lights and plenty of Christmas spirit as the parade makes its way through downtown Bentonville.
The 2026 Bentonville Christmas Parade will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 12. Arrive early if you want a good spot along the route.
See The Nutcracker
Celebrate the Christmas season with one of the classics.
The Northwest Arkansas Conservatory of Classical Ballet will present The Nutcracker at Arend Arts Center in Bentonville.
The 2026 performances are:
- Friday, December 18 at 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, December 19 at 1:00 p.m.
- Saturday, December 19 at 7:00 p.m.
You can go to their website for more information and tickets!
Y’all, Bentonville really does feel magical during the Christmas season, especially once the Square is glowing with lights.
Whether you come for ice skating, a holiday market, the parade, or just an evening walking around downtown, I hope this list helps you plan a fun Christmas outing in Bentonville!
