NEA Events

Every public event in Northeast Arkansas

Christmas Events in Northeast Arkansas 2026

Christmas in Northeast Arkansas means evening parades on old downtown main streets, drive-through light shows that run from Thanksgiving week to Christmas, and tree lightings on courthouse squares. Jonesboro's parade on Main Street is the region's biggest, Blytheville's Lights of the Delta is its largest light display, and Searcy fills late November and December with its Holiday of Lights. Smaller towns such as Paragould, Batesville, Newport, Pocahontas and Osceola keep their own parades and lightings going every year.

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Jonesboro Christmas Parade 2026
Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, 7 p.m., on Main Street downtown (79th annual, theme The Night Before Christmas)
Searcy Christmas Parade 2026
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 6 p.m., ending at Berryhill Park
Lights of the Delta 2026 season
Open daily Monday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Dec. 27, 2026

Parades, lights and markets, town by town

Checked against official and public sources on . Dates and details can change; check each organizer’s page.

Jonesboro

  • Jonesboro Christmas Parade

    The 79th annual parade rolls down Main Street through the heart of downtown with floats, bands and Santa, and it is free to watch. The 2026 theme is The Night Before Christmas.

    When: Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, 7 p.m.. Where: Downtown Jonesboro, along Main Street

  • Christmas at the Park

    A drive-through light show more than half a mile long, with Santa's Village open on select nights. Concession proceeds support Jonesboro youth programs.

    When: Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, through Christmas Eve 2026. Where: Joe Mack Campbell Park, Jonesboro

  • Winter Wonderland and Wonderland Rink

    A downtown holiday display paired with a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink, run by the City of Jonesboro Parks and Recreation Department.

    When: December. Where: 215 W. Monroe Ave., Downtown Jonesboro

  • Downtown Jonesboro Tree Lighting

    Downtown's annual Christmas tree lighting in Union Park, held the weekend after the parade with a family festival around it.

    When: Early December. Where: Union Park, Downtown Jonesboro

Paragould

  • Paragould Christmas Parade

    An evening parade of lighted floats, marching bands and performers through downtown Paragould. Arrive early for a good spot along the route.

    When: Early December, 7 p.m.. Where: Downtown Paragould

  • Centennial Park Christmas Tree Lighting

    Paragould lights its downtown Christmas tree with live carolers, usually the night before the parade.

    When: Early December. Where: Centennial Park, Pruett and Emerson streets, Downtown Paragould

  • Downtown Paragould Christmas Open Houses

    Downtown shops open their doors for an afternoon of holiday deals and treats, a good way to shop local for gifts.

    When: Early December. Where: Downtown Paragould, along Pruett Street

Searcy

  • Searcy Christmas Parade

    The Holiday of Lights parade loops through downtown Searcy and ends at Berryhill Park. Entries are lit up and play Christmas music, and Santa rides at the end.

    When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 6 p.m.. Where: Downtown Searcy, ending at Berryhill Park

  • Searcy Holiday of Lights

    Searcy's season-long celebration lights up the courthouse square, downtown and city parks, and opens with a lighting ceremony in Berryhill Park with Santa and a live reindeer.

    When: Lighting ceremony Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, 5:30 p.m.; lights through December. Where: Berryhill Park and the downtown courthouse square, Searcy

  • Harding University Lights

    Harding lights up its front lawn each year, and visitors are welcome to stroll through the display. It is part of Searcy's Holiday of Lights.

    When: Mid-November lighting ceremony; lights stay on through New Year's. Where: Harding University, 915 E. Market Ave., Searcy

  • Old-Fashioned Christmas at Pioneer Village

    Searcy's historic Pioneer Village decorates its old buildings for a family day with traditional holiday displays and a look at Christmas in earlier times.

    When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Where: Pioneer Village, Searcy

Blytheville

  • Lights of the Delta

    Billed as the Mid-South's largest holiday lighting festival, a 1.5-mile drive past lakes and trees with millions of lights and dozens of motion displays. Hayrides and Santa nights are offered too.

    When: Nightly, Monday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 27, 2026. Where: Blytheville

Batesville

  • White River Wonderland

    Batesville's big city-run light display along the White River, with drive-through and walking routes. It moved to the Batesville Community Center in 2025 during the Riverside Park renovation and is planned to return to the park.

    When: Thanksgiving week through the holidays. Where: Riverside Park, Batesville (Batesville Community Center in 2025)

  • Batesville Kiwanis Christmas Parade

    The Kiwanis Club's long-running evening parade lights up the full length of Main Street in downtown Batesville.

    When: Early December, evening. Where: Main Street, Downtown Batesville

Newport

  • Newport Christmas Parade

    The Newport Area Chamber of Commerce's evening parade runs along Malcolm Avenue, with prizes for the best commercial and community floats.

    When: December, 6 p.m.. Where: Malcolm Avenue, from Highway 69 to the Village Mall, Newport

Pocahontas

  • Overlook Park Christmas Lights

    A walk-through light display on the banks of the Black River, started in 2021 and opened after the town's annual Christmas parade.

    When: Early December through Christmas. Where: Overlook Park, on the Black River, Pocahontas

Osceola

  • Osceola Winter Festival

    The City of Osceola marks the start of the season with a parade and the lighting of the Christmas tree.

    When: The Thursday after Thanksgiving. Where: Downtown Osceola

Christmas events listed for 2026

Today ·

  • Christmas Tree Topiary

    211 South Pruett St . More information and tickets. - Paragould AR 72450 · Paragould

    Classes & talks

  • Pancakes with Santa

    First Baptist Church · Searcy

    $5 per ticketFamily & kids

  • Holiday Spa Make & Take Workshop

    2407 Linwood Dr. Ste. 7. Cost $55. Registration: Txt Crystal at 870-212-1239. Visit Facebook Event for more information. - Paragould AR 724… · Paragould

    Classes & talks

  • Kiwanis Christmas Parade

    Main Street · Batesville

    Community