Pride Journey Holiday Spotlight: Hot Springs, Arkansas

It’s almost the most wonderful time of the year in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas and the destination is offering some holiday cheer you won’t want to miss!

Garvan Woodland Gardens Winter Festival

Garvan Woodland Gardens is owned by the University of Arkansas and offers 210 acres of botanical gardens with beautiful blooms to see through each season. This year in place of Garvan Woodland Gardens usual holiday light display the gardens will host a Winter Festival with stunning displays featuring light and sound that will delight visitors of all ages. According to garden director Becca Ohman, “Our goal is to create an event that engages families and children, captures the beauty of the season, and celebrates the traditions of the holidays at Garvan Woodland Gardens. Favorite garden displays will be utilized to provide photo opportunities and to create an atmosphere of family-friendly fun.” Snap a selfie with Santa, visit the Sugg Model Train and sip on hot cocoa while taking in the festivities. A new display along the Camellia Trail will feature creations for the winter landscape by design students of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. “The garden is thrilled to present student designs as a part of our seasonal celebration along this garden trail that blooms in winter,” said Ohman. The festival will take place November 21 – December 31 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas days.

Historic Downtown Hot Springs Light Display

Historic Downtown Hot Springs offers a holiday wonderland of over a million lights to see! Stroll the streets Al Capone once frequented, where thermal spring waters flow and enjoy the holiday season with a trail of lights through downtown. Visit Arlington Park and see the iconic multi-color Christmas trees dance around, stop by Adair Park for a synchronized music light show and take a photo in Hill Wheatley Plaza with Santa himself. The lights will be on display in downtown November 23 - January 5, which gives you plenty of time to take in the sights and the lights of Historic Downtown Hot Springs!

The Gingerbread House at the Arlington Hotel

Stop by the historic Arlington Hotel to see the iconic Gingerbread House! Every year the Arlington builds a sugary sweet Gingerbread House in the hotel lobby piece by piece from Tootsie Rolls, peppermints, Hershey’s Kisses and all the confectionary favorites. And as part of the tradition, be sure to cast your best guess on how many pieces of candy make up the Gingerbread House for a chance to win a holiday brunch at the Arlington Hotel.