Embracing the Chill: Top Winter Activities in Hot Springs, AR

There's something extra special about the wintertime. The temperature dips down, trees put on their winter best, hot chocolate is shared, and reds and greens pop up all over town! In the state of Arkansas, residents enjoy a mild winter compared to other states, providing a classic Christmas without any harsh conditions.

Today, we're shining our red nose on the city of Hot Springs, located in the middle of the state, and offering plenty of festive experiences to get you and your family in the holiday spirit. We invite you to shake away the winter blues and enjoy the festivities in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Winter in Hot Springs, Arkansas

There's no hibernating here in Hot Springs and residents celebrate the season with a myriad of Christmas lights, attractions, winter activities, and colorful displays. Live horse racing at the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort kicks off in December drawing in thousands of visitors for the winter season.

Twinkling holiday lights are on display from late November to early January, casting a warm holiday glow on this southern town. If you're visiting the area, take a look at our list of top things to do in Hot Springs, Arkansas in December.

Let's start with one of the most popular holiday venues; Garvan Woodland Gardens. Garvan Woodland is a scenic and captivating botanical garden in Hot Springs, offering enchanting sights year-round. During the winter time, the gardens showcase an incredible light display with over 7 million lights!

In years past, Garvan has offered different holiday experiences and even created a unique one during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Garvan Woodland Gardens Christmas Winter Festival offered socially distanced displays between the daytime and early evening to spread out visitation while still giving guests their Christmas fix.

Since then, Garvan Woodland Gardens has returned to its traditional nighttime event, transforming the gardens into a winter wonderland called, Lights at the Gardens. Opening November 23rd, this event offers a beautiful walk through the gardens with thousands of lights, themed displays, and plenty of holiday cheer to be had.

Good To Know: Garvan Woodland Gardens tickets are essential to secure before visiting this winter. Buying a ticket ahead of time locks in your spot and helps Garvan Woodland plan for the crowds, ensuring a pleasant experience for everyone. There are two different tickets online:

General Admission
Holiday Lights

Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens

Named one of the most beautiful wedding venues in Arkansas, the Anthony Chapel is a famous architectural marvel at Garvan Woodland Gardens. The chapel's floor-to-ceiling glass walls and skylights provide stunning, picturesque views of the surrounding woods in a six-story-tall structure made of yellow pine columns and beams. During the holiday season, the chapel is adorned with a giant 20-foot Christmas tree, ornaments, and stunning white lights.

Stroll through the historic district in downtown Hot Springs to see charming lights and decorations on the buildings, shops, and streets. It's a lovely way to experience the local holiday spirit.

Many locals and inside sources recommend starting your festive tour at the Hot Springs Visitors Center (629 Central) and walking North down Central Avenue to the fountain on Whittington Avenue. Some of the best selfie spots are located at the giant holiday tree downtown, complete with Bathhouse Row, the Arlington Hotel Lobby Gingerbread House, Adair Park, and the Exchange Street Fountain.

Go Ice Skating at the Arlington Hotel

Lace up your skates and channel your inner figure skater as you take on the ice at the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs. Every year the hotel hosts an outdoor ice skating rink during the month of December. Visitors can glide along the ice while they enjoy views of the historic hotel and the surrounding downtown area. It's a fun and festive activity that is perfect for the winter season.

Watch the Hot Springs Christmas Parade

What better way to see the sights than with a Christmas Parade? Held downtown, Hot Springs pulls out all the stops during this annual event. The parade features elaborate floats, high school marching bands, pageant winners, and, of course, Mr and Mrs. Claus themselves. Bundle up and snag some hot chocolate (with extra marshmallows) before securing your spot to watch the floats go by.

Visit Kringles in The Park

A local favorite, Kringles in the Park is a gift shop that takes center stage during Christmas time, located in the Downtown Historical District. Enjoy quirky holiday collectibles, gifts, and even a visit from St Nicholas! The gift shop is mainly Christmas-themed but guests love the store's year-round festivity and southern hospitality.

Take a Dip a Buckstaff Bathhouse

One of Hot Springs' greatest attractions happens to be its rich history, and nowhere is this more evident than on Bathhouse Row. These gorgeous 20th-century buildings house exciting stories of Arkansas's past.

Arkansas is known for its rejuvenating thermal springs found around the state and this historic bathhouse. Check out Buckstaff Bathhouse this Christmas season and take your pick of relaxing services, including hot baths, massages, and steam cabinets, all using the healing thermal waters.

Love it or hate it, the winter season brings frosty weather, chilly breath, and sometimes snow-covered landscapes.

Insider's Tip: Does it snow in Arkansas during the winter months? Typically, heavy snows are rare for the state, but snows of six or more inches affect the region from time to time and are slightly more common in the higher elevations of Northwest Arkansas.

Here are a couple of outdoor destinations to take advantage of while visiting the area and some tips on where to stay while you're here!

Lake Hamilton

Lake Hamilton is a 7,200-acre reservoir located on the Ouachita River and one of Arkansas' most popular lakes. Pile in the car, crank up the heat, and enjoy some of the festive homes along Lake Hamilton. Many of the lakes around Hot Springs get into the holiday spirit with elaborate light displays and offer bewitching sights right on the waterfront.

Hot Springs National Park

Decorated with over 1,000,000 lights, the Hot Springs National Park sparkles brightly every Christmas season with displays on Arlington Lawn, Adair Park, and Hill Wheatley Plaza. Don't miss the Gingerbread House in the Arlington Hotel lobby, standing at a towering 8 feet tall and covered in thousands of candies.

Additional Parks in Hot Springs, AR

Arkansas is packed with so much outdoor beauty that we can't possibly list everything here. When you stay in Hot Springs, you're already near some of the most scenic parks and lakes in the state. Our cabins at Knotty & Nice are a short distance from Hot Springs National Park, Lake Catherine State Park, and others and they're worth checking out no matter the season.

Stay Inside a Cozy Cabin

Have a night in this winter! One of the best things to do in Hot Springs, Arkansas during the winter is to stay indoors and spend time with loved ones. You can enjoy some hot chocolate, play board games, have family time, watch a movie and so many more activities. Spending time with family is important year-round but especially during the winter season when families come together for gift-giving and celebrating the things that truly matter.

While you have your choice of attractions during the winter season, there are also plenty of lodging accommodations. We might be biased but we think staying in a cozy cabin is the best way to complement your Christmas vacation. A year-round vacation destination, Knotty & Nice has something to offer everyone. Here's why you should come stay with us:

Five Rustic Cabin Options

Knotty & Nice Cabins has 5 distinct options: Nature, Overcliff, Rustic, Sunrise, and Timberland. Each one has plenty of room for your family and includes a flat-screen TV, a luxury hot tub, an inviting fireplace, and more convenient features.

Nearby Local Dining + Attractions

Conveniently located just 25 minutes south of downtown Hot Springs, the area surrounding Knotty & Nice is beautiful and packed with attractions and opportunities for you and your family. We are near the best local restaurants, attractions, botanical gardens, historic sites, and amusement parks!

Scenic Outdoor Beauty

Knotty & Nice is surrounded by the majestic Arkansas mountains! This is a pristine destination for families and visitors from all over the country and the globe. We know you'll enjoy Hot Springs as much as we do!

Specials & Promotions

Whether you're looking for a romantic escape, a family adventure, or a peaceful retreat, our specials and packages provide exceptional value. At Knotty & Nice Cabins, we believe that creating unforgettable memories shouldn't break the bank and we've got our guests in mind at every stage of our business.

Hot Springs continues to attract visitors from near and far, solidifying its reputation as a premier destination in the heart of Arkansas. Although we recommend visiting us year-round, the holiday season in Hot Springs is well worth its own trip.

We hope you've enjoyed our extensive tour of visiting Hot Springs during the winter season. We invite you to visit our top-notch Hot Springs Arkansas cabins and when you visit, take a look at our own decorations! We make sure to embrace the festivities every winter and decorate lights inside and outside our cabins! We look forward to welcoming you during your travels!

A woman in a red jacket is holding a piece of paper

Karen Ilizarbe

Owner

Hi! I'm the owner of Knotty & Nice Cabins in Hot Spring, Arkansas. My goal is to provide an adventurous and fun environment for my guests to share—one that feels like home for them and their families. I have been in the lodging industry for many years and love creating timeless memories for my guests.