Planning a Bentonville holiday lights weekend in Northwest Arkansas? See our rooms and book direct at TheBikeInn.com.
From late November into the new year, Northwest Arkansas puts on some of the best holiday lights in the region. The Bentonville Square glows every night, Crystal Bridges opens a brand-new after-dark light experience, and a short drive south, Fayetteville’s Lights of the Ozarks wraps its historic square in more than half a million LED lights. If you’re looking for a Bentonville hotel to base a holiday weekend around, this guide covers the 2026 dates, a sample itinerary, and how to fit in a winter ride between the lights.
The Bike Inn is a veteran-owned boutique cycling hotel near downtown and the trails, about 10 minutes away. Owner Jeremy Rose is a USMC veteran, and we opened in September 2021 with one idea in mind: Bike. Sleep. Repeat. In December, we’d add “see the lights” to that list.
2026 holiday lights in Bentonville and NWA: the dates
Every date below comes from the official organizer or tourism page linked with it. Schedules can change, so check the source before you head out.
Lighting of the Square, Bentonville (Saturday, Nov. 21)
The City of Bentonville kicks off the season on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. on the Bentonville Square (100 N Main St). Expect a stage performance and photos with Santa, and the lights come on at 6 p.m. After that night, the square stays lit every evening after dark through January 1. Source: Downtown Bentonville Inc. and Visit Bentonville.
Winter Lights & Market at Crystal Bridges (Nov. 19 to Jan. 2)
New this year, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is turning its Ozark Discovery Canopy into an immersive light and sound installation after dark. Winter Lights runs November 19, 2026, through January 2, 2027, Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m., with select holiday closures. Tickets are $10 per person or $25 for families and groups of three or more, and the museum suggests reserving online. The Winter Market in the Campus Plaza is free, with rotating local makers and seasonal food, and runs through December 19. One heads-up from the museum: the canopy trail is steep and narrow in places. Source: Crystal Bridges.
Lights of the Ozarks, Fayetteville (Nov. 20 to Jan. 1)
Now in its 33rd season, Lights of the Ozarks covers Fayetteville’s Historic Downtown Square with more than 500,000 LED lights. It’s free, and the lights are on nightly from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. from November 20, 2026, through January 1, 2027. Key dates:
- Light Night: Friday, Nov. 20, starting at 6 p.m., with live music and performances.
- Lights of the Ozarks Parade: Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6:30 p.m., starting on East Avenue, circling the square and heading north on Block Avenue.
- Visits with Santa: Fridays, Dec. 4, 11 and 18, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Source: Experience Fayetteville and Downtown Fayetteville.
More holiday dates in Bentonville
Visit Bentonville’s holiday calendar also lists opening night at The Rink at Lawrence Plaza on November 21 (one block from the square, and buying tickets ahead is recommended), the Christmas Parade in Bentonville on December 12, and Downtown Bentonville’s New Year’s Eve on December 31. Source: Visit Bentonville.
Best weekends for a holiday lights trip
- Opening weekend (Nov. 20 to 22): Light Night in Fayetteville on Friday and the Lighting of the Square in Bentonville on Saturday, with Winter Lights at Crystal Bridges open both nights.
- Parade weekend (Dec. 3 to 5): Arrive Thursday for the Lights of the Ozarks Parade, then catch Winter Lights on Friday or Saturday.
- Bentonville Christmas Parade weekend (Dec. 11 to 13): Santa on the Fayetteville square Friday, then the Bentonville parade on Saturday.
A sample holiday lights weekend
- Friday: Check in any time after 2 p.m. with our 24-hour contactless self check-in. Head downtown for dinner, then walk the lit-up Bentonville Square.
- Saturday: Ride or hike in the morning, spend the afternoon in the Crystal Bridges galleries and gift shopping at the Winter Market, then stay for Winter Lights after 5 p.m. Back at the hotel, warm up in the hot tub or sauna and finish at the fire pit.
- Sunday: Coffee from your in-room coffee bar, one last ride, and check-out by 10 a.m. If you have time on the way home, drive down to Fayetteville for Lights of the Ozarks, which stays on until 1 a.m.
Winter riding between the lights
Bentonville trails don’t shut down for the holidays, and Slaughter Pen and Coler Mountain Bike Preserve are about 10 minutes from the hotel. A few tips for December riding:
- Check trail status first. Wet or frozen trails can close, so check official trail status before you ride.
- Ride early. Days are short, so plan your rides before the lights come on and bring a bike light.
- Dress in layers. Mornings can be cold even on sunny days.
- Clean up after. Rinse off at our Muc-Off bike wash station, use the 24-hour honor-system bike shop and repair stands if you need a fix, then lock your bike in the secure rack inside your room.
Need a bike? Our rentals and guided eMTB tours are available only to Bike Inn guests.
What a short-term rental can’t give you
A rental house gets you a bed. A stay with us gets you a whole recovery setup: a hot tub, sauna, cold plunge and Osaki zero-gravity massage chair, plus a big community fire pit with firewood provided, a covered pavilion and an outdoor kitchen, all on a one-acre backyard. On a cold December night after the lights, that’s hard to beat. Every room also glows its own neon color as a tribute to Bentonville’s historic Rainbow Curve, so you’ll get a little holiday light show of your own when you pull in.
Bringing family or a group for the holidays?
With 13 private rooms and units, 16 queen beds and 11 full private bathrooms, plus 3 RV pads, The Bike Inn works for a family reunion or a holiday group trip. Full-property takeovers have a two-night minimum; inquire at Info@TheBikeInn.com. Tell us your dates, group size and how many bikes you’re bringing, and we’ll help you plan the stay. See group lodging for details.
Bringing the dog? Pets are welcome in rooms 9 through 17, with a $25 fee per pet, per reservation.
Holiday lights FAQ
When do the Bentonville Square lights turn on in 2026?
At the Lighting of the Square on Saturday, November 21, at 6 p.m. They stay lit nightly through January 1.
Is Lights of the Ozarks free?
Yes. It’s free and on nightly from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. from November 20 to January 1.
Do I need tickets for Crystal Bridges Winter Lights?
Yes. Winter Lights is $10 per person or $25 for families and groups of three or more. The Winter Market is free.
How far is The Bike Inn from Crystal Bridges?
About 9 minutes. We’re near downtown and the trails, about 10 minutes away.
Book your holiday weekend
Holiday weekends fill up quickly. Book direct at TheBikeInn.com. Bike. Sleep. Repeat. And this season, see the lights.