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Christmas Capital of Arkansas®

Christmas Capital of Arkansas®

Christmas Lights + Festive Nights


Every winter, Arkansas's oldest city, Batesville, transforms into the Christmas Capital of Arkansas®. Visitors flock to this town to enjoy millions of dancing lights throughout our 35-acre Riverside Park. But the magic doesn't stop there—enjoy carriage rides, ice skating, a parade, a Ferris wheel, free movies, and much more!



White River Wonderland features millions of lights and welcomes thousands of visitors annually. Beyond the lack of admission cost, the feature that makes the display unique is the variety of ways visitors enjoy it. Watch the lights dance to holiday tunes from the warmth of your car. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the tunnel of lights with your closest loved ones. Ride our custom-built White River Express train with your whole family. For a limited time, enjoy the display from the top of our 70-foot-tall Ferris wheel. Want to experience the beauty up close? The entire show is walkable, with illuminated trails throughout the park. Guests can even take it a step further and enjoy skating. Make life-long memories with a trip to the Christmas Capital of Arkansas®!

Our little elves are currently at the workshop planning the 2024 schedule. Check back later for a sneak peek!
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Attractions

A Very Melba Christmas
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A Very Melba Christmas
Enjoy your favorite Christmas movies, as you've never seen before—on the big screen at the historic Melba Theater.
White River Wonderland
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White River Wonderland
See the light display that earned Batesville recognition as the Christmas Capital of Arkansas® and experience all of the magic of the holiday season on the White River!
Carriage Rides at White River Wonderland
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Carriage Rides at White River Wonderland
One of the best ways to take in the sights and sounds of the White River Wonderland is from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage.
Train Rides at White River Wonderland
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Train Rides at White River Wonderland
Enjoy White River Wonderland's millions of dancing lights from the comfort of our custom-built White River Express train.
Skating at White River Wonderland
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Skating at White River Wonderland
Enjoy the dancing lights at the White River Wonderland from our synthetic-ice skating.
Selfies with Santa at White River Wonderland
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Selfies with Santa at White River Wonderland
Bring your camera and your kids and take some Selfies with Santa at the White River Wonderland.
Santa at Citizens Bank
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Santa at Citizens Bank
Get your photo taken with Santa at Citizens Bank on Wed., Dec. 4, from 2 to 5 p.m.
BAAC Art Walk
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BAAC Art Walk
The Batesville Area Arts Council and Lyon College art students present a self-guided Art Walk on Main Street on Fri., Dec. 6.
Hope for the Holidays 5k and Half Marathon
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Hope for the Holidays 5k and Half Marathon
Run in the 2024 Hope for the Holidays 5k and Half Marathon on Sat., Dec. 7 at 8 a.m.
Cowboy Santa at The Twisted Spoke Western Co.
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Cowboy Santa at The Twisted Spoke Western Co.
Join us at The Twisted Spoke Western Co. and meet Cowboy Santa and Rudolf on Saturday, December 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. at 3050 Harrison St., Suite B.
Holly Volley Christmas
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Holly Volley Christmas
Playmaker Sports Academy is hosting Have a Holly Volley Christmas, a youth volleyball tournament at the Batesville Community Center on Sat., Dec. 7, and Sun., Dec. 8.
Santa at the Museum
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Santa at the Museum
Join the Old Independence Regional Museum for its annual Christmas Crafts Day with Santa on Wed., Dec. 11.
Ferris Wheel at White River Wonderland
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Ferris Wheel at White River Wonderland
Join us from Dec. 13 to 21 and experience the view from the top of White River Wonderland via a 70-foot LED Ferris Wheel overlooking Riverside Park, with over one million lights on display.
A Downtown Christmas
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A Downtown Christmas
Main Street Batesville will host its Downtown Christmas Event on Friday, December 13, and Saturday, December 14.
Kiwanis Christmas Parade
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Kiwanis Christmas Parade
The Kiwanis Christmas Parade is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 14, on historic Main Street in the heart of downtown Batesville.
Wassail Walk
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Wassail Walk
Main Street Batesville presents the 2024 Wassail Walk on Saturday, December 21.
United Way's Angel Tree
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United Way's Angel Tree
The Angel Tree Program assists low-income families in Independence County with Christmas Gifts by empowering the generosity of individuals in the Independence County area.
Batesville Insider's Pass
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Batesville Insider's Pass
Experience Independence County like an Insider with the all-new Experience Builder app.
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ADMISSION

Admission to White River Wonderland is FREE. You can choose to drive or walk through the light display; however, donations are accepted. Tickets for Carriage Rides, Train Rides, and Ice Skating must be purchased in person with cash or card. No reservations are accepted. Tickets for the Ferris Wheel will be available for pre-order online—we will make limited walk-up sales.


TICKETS

  • White River Wonderland Light Display - Free Admission

  • White River Wonderland Ferris Wheel - $6 per person

  • All riders must have a ticket regardless of age. 

  • Tickets can be purchased online at whiteriverwonderland.com. Limited tickets will be available for purchase at the Ticket Office. We highly recommend purchasing your tickets online.

  • White River Express Train Rides - $6 per person, ages two and up.

  • Must be purchased in person at the Ticket Office. No reservations accepted.

  • Carriage Rides - $10 per person, ages two and up. 

  • Must be purchased in person at the Ticket Office. No reservations accepted.

  • Ice Skating Rink - $6 per person for 1 hour, skates provided

  • Must be purchased in person at the Ticket Office. No reservations accepted.

  • Selfies with Santa - $6 for a 3-minute session.

  • Must be purchased in person at the Ticket Office. No reservations accepted.


RESTROOMS

Public restrooms are open and available for use during normal Winter Wonderland operating hours. 


PARKING

Limited Public Parking is available at Riverside Park. A parking lot is available on the west side of the park, near the park entrance, and on the east side, near the municipal golf course. Overflow parking is available at the Batesville Community Center—enjoy a lit walking trail to access the park. Parking near The River Waterfront Steak & Grill is reserved for their patrons.


PETS

Pets are permitted in the park when restrained by a leash. Guests are required to clean up after their pets. Pet waste bins are available for use in the off-leash area of the Sara Low Memorial Dog Park at the east end of Riverside Park. Festive clothing for your pet is not required but strongly encouraged.


INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

In case of inclement weather, carriage rides, train rides, and ice skating will be closed. Ferris wheel rides will be rescheduled, if possible. The drive-through light display will remain open, with possible limited displays.

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